537438 - Mouse pointer hover mode, similar to Maemo's default browser

Status: RESOLVED WONTFIX

(Firefox for Android Graveyard :: General, defect)

Description

[Josh Triplett]

Maemo's default browser, also based on Firefox, has support for displaying a real mouse pointer usable for hovering.  You can make it appear by dragging out from the lower-left corner; it works while held down, or you can lock the browser into hover mode by tapping the button that appears.  http://maemo.nokia.com/features/maemo-browser/gestures/ describes the feature.

This mode allows using finicky drop-down menus, drag-and-drop features (including Google Maps), and many other bits of web UI that don't work properly otherwise.

Please consider either implementing hover mode or providing another innovative solution for the same problems.

I've filed this as "normal" rather than "enhancement", because the lack of some feature like this makes it impossible to use various websites.

Comment 1

[Lars Gunther]

Please also note that MicroB can use the pointer so that it selects text that one can copy. Really, really useful. See bug 449895

I have no idea of how to select (and copy) text in Fennec. And that means no Ubiquity for Fennec as well, I suppose.

Another thing to copy: If you use the finger, it will not obscure the pointer since it is slightly offset from the point of touch.

Other things I like in MicroB is the zoom gesture (it even beats the pinch move, IMHO) and zooming using the volume buttons as well as search in page (CTRL+F) and now experimental portrait mode, which seem to be missing in Fennec on the n900. Should I open bugs for these as well?

Comment 2

[Josh Triplett]

Just following up on this.  Many sites remain unusable in Firefox Mobile due to this issue.  Sites that use hover-based drop-down menus or draggable regions remain widespread, and without some simulated mouse pointer they remain unusable.

Comment 3

[BMO Automation]

Closing all opened bug in a graveyard component