android - onKeyDown in a service? (Global Hot Keys)

Question

What I'm basically trying to achieve is custom global hot keys or in other words 'things will happen when I push certain buttons no matter which program is currently on top'.
I assume a service is needed.

I have a quick and dirty test that just tells me what has been pressed that will work if it is the active window.

public boolean onKeyDown(int keyCode, KeyEvent event) {
    char pop;
    pop = (char)event.getUnicodeChar();
    Toast.makeText(this, Character.toString(pop) , Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    return super.onKeyDown(keyCode, event);
  }

But obviously if I change window or go into a text box it doesn't work. If I stick it directly into a service (or an imputmethodservice) and launch said service nothing happens. (Some permissions required maybe?) Any suggestions where I'm going wrong? Or a better way of capturing which button is pressed?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You cannot do this :)