I was just wondering what sort of today plug ins different people were using, or not using, based upon experience.
The main ones I was hoping for comments and discussion on are:
1. SPB (Pocket Plus, Calendar, GPRS, Weather)
2. SBSH (Pocket Breeze, Contact Breeze, Pocket Weather, Calendar Plus)
3. Wizbar (standard and advanced)
4. Omega One (journal bar, 1 calc, battery pack pro)
5. Resco (Explorer, Today, Media Suite)
What I am interested on each for those that use, are comments relating to:
1. Functionality
2. Performance
3. Geek factor....
I have SPB and Resco, tried Omega one, and havent made it to SBSH or Wizbar yet.
SPB I find functional, cost effective with plug ins that plug in to the plug in to consolidate the today screen into multi tabs. However, I do find the SPB suite of Pocket Plus, Weather, Play, GPRS and Diary to be quite hungry on the RAM and thus looses its close function effectiveness.
Resco is in the main, efficient and effective, though the media programs Pictures, Audio and Radio are quite resource hungry, and dont really want to many running simultaneously, but the features of being able to play radio efficiently over WIFI, using Audio to convert mp3 and wav to different formats, cut, chop and condense into ring tones adds some good features.
Geek factor isnt really geeky, but highly functional....
How about the impact of having all installed? or cross installation of different apps.
Feedback and comments on your experiences...
Hmmmm 105 people read this within 1 day, and not a single comment?!
My experiences
1. SPB Pocket Plus (not used the others, prefer built in) is very good. Wish it supported icon text but otherwise is very good. Does not seem to slow the machine down unless you fill lots of screens with icons.
2. SPSH seemed clumsy and buggy to me as compared with SPB
3. I've never had a good time with Wisbar - lots of strange problems, and some of the notifications never work as expected. There is definitely a speed impact. Also, I get the close functionality from SPB Pocket Plus & don't want to duplicate. I got bored of finding and applying skins in the end.
4. I use 1Calc but don't like the rest. Only issue with it is it's a bit slow to start up.
5. Not much experience of Resco. Last time I tested it didn't impress much. When I need that level of file management I use my laptop.
Hope this is useful.
TODAY plug ins - mine and why, not mine and why....
Hi Simon,
A lot to cover here as I have tried almost all the apps you mention with varying success.
I'll try to cover these in the order you listed them:
I was a long standing fan of the spb Suite of apps - on my M1000 (xda2) that was pretty much all I used, but I have found a few problems running on the M5000 (xdaExec). It really slowed the machine down - even after removing the SD Card meter from the today screen (recommended!). It was bearable for a while, but then one day I hard reset had forgotten how fast this wee beastie can run!
10 out of 10 for functionality of the spb software - I almost reinstalled it purely for the multi-PIE pages, the safe mode & close button are also two very missed utils - but the performance hit is just too much to take for me nowadays.
SBSH's Pocket Breeze never really appealed to me in the past. Partly due to my affinity with the spb crowd, and partly because when I tried using it on my M1000 I found it ghastly, ugly and really slow.
I returned to Pocket Breeze, etc when I was turned off Pocket Plus etc on the M5000. I installed Pocket Breeze, Contact Breeze and Pocket Weather. All ran pretty well and on the VGA screen - didn't seem to look as bad as I remembered. It's my today item of choice today. There are LOADS of options so you can customise to your heart's delight, and some pretty tasty skins online.
I also installed SBSH iLauncher which is a nice replacement for the shortcut launchpad found on the Pocket Plus today addin. You can use fantastic hi-res icons for your shortcuts making your today screen gorgeous.
SBSH is an all round winner for me!
I am currently running the beta release (for WM5.0) of Wizbar Advance on the M5000. I used it breifly on the M1000, but the slowdown has horrendous and promptly removed it. On the Universal - it does seem to run not too bad. Don't get me wrong - you really do notice a performance hit when it's running, but it's sooooooo beautiful
There are lots & lots of options to customise the display, and plenty of beautiful ready made themes available online. I also use the Wisbar Advance Desktop Add-In which gives your today screen a whole new dimension!
(BIG help for me: Uncheck Don't cache background images under Start Menu settings - uses more mem, but far more responsive)
I should say - I don't have wisbar advance running all the time. Usually I have a rather bare skin for speed's sake, but I occasionally flick it on when I am feeling lush (or someone asks to see my pda & I wanna show it at it's best! )
Can't recommend JournalBar for the Universal at all. I really liked it on the M1000, the RSS feeds were excellent I was really looking forward to having them on my Uni, but not long after installing it I experienced a lockup that needed a HARD RESET to recover from. Thinking I had just overloaded it with apps I started again - JournalBar on 1st. :evil: Same thing.
I have noted a few other threads where people have reported the same.
I do use 1-Calc though. It's a little slow at times - but I still really, really like it.
I have always used, and still am using - Resco Explorer as my main file browser. I can't rate it high enough - It's fantastic, and have never had a problem with it.
Can't say the same for Radio though. Tried installing it a couple of times but it kept crashing and closing itself on me. Also seemed really slow & sluggish.
To get my radio I use the free GSPlayer and find my streams on www.shoutcast.com. Works perfectly for me! Really light too.
All the other ones you mentioned that I didn't - I have never used them so I can't comment.
Hope these comments help (or at least start the ball rolling).
Here's a couple of screengrabs.
Used: WisBar Advance 2, WisBar Advance Desktop, Pocket Breeze, Contact Breeze, iLauncher.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Hi,
I tried Wisbar but the icons at the top seems incorrectly positioned, what version do i need?
Thanks
I am using the following today plug-ins
1) SPB pocket plus: Mainly because it allows me to do a lot of shortcuts on the today screen and is possible to navigate to my excel files without the use of stylus. Regarding slow down the major impact is on boot time after a soft reset. Without SPB my Jasjar managed a shade over 1 minute but with SPB it is down to 1 minute and 25 seconds. However since soft reset is only occasionally required by me I don't mind the boot time increase. During normal running I don't notice a detrimental impact on speed. By the way I have not set up monitoring of the SD card but monitoring of battery and program memory is there. I also like the task switcher on SPB.
2) Hudson Mobile IP Dashboard: Mainly because I can at a glance see what speed my internet connection is working at. You can actually see a graph of the upload and download rate.
3) Hudson Mobile Phone Dashboard: To monitor my telephone costs
4) PocketMax PhoneAlarm Presently at Alpha 12: This is a profile manager and provides repeating alarms functionality to SMS, Missed Calls, e-mails, etc but NOT to calendar events and other general alarms. I have been following this since it was in alpha 8 and almost all bugs have now been resolved. The developer expects to soon release the beta and then the final version. For me (though I am still testing) it also seems to have resolved the Jasjar freezing on receipt of a new text message.
Kind Regards
simon_darley said:
1. SPB (Pocket Plus, Calendar, GPRS, Weather)
2. SBSH (Pocket Breeze, Contact Breeze, Pocket Weather, Calendar Plus)
3. Wizbar (standard and advanced)
4. Omega One (journal bar, 1 calc, battery pack pro)
5. Resco (Explorer, Today, Media Suite)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 SPB - I just can't get the hang of these as you have to buy so many apps to get all of the functionality.
2. SBSH - see above.
3. Looks absolutely stunning. Just can't get on with it. This turns my Exec into an OAP - slow and always getting in the way. Just unusable for me.
4. I use Journal Bar and the expansion pack - this is what I use all the time - includes everything in one package (as long as you have the expansion pack). Especially great when autoscroll is set to every 10 seconds and it cycles through all of the info. You can even add your own RSS feeds. Some people say it's memory hungary - but then aren't all add-ins. Can occasionally be a pain in the arse especially when it breaks - but the author seems to be quite helpful and gets fixes out reasonably quick.
5. Resco - quite simply a replacement for file explorer - but why use the today plug-in - I don't know - I use it because JB doesn't have a launcher yet (I live in hope)
HTH
All I use are these:
1-Spb Pocket Plus(because all of the good reason mentioned by the others before me)
2-Spb Diary(Having 4 plugin at the same time feels good but i don't like Pocket breeze,Spb Diary fells more original to the Pocket PC)
3-Spb Weather( for Weather Forecasting and Integrating with Spb Pocket Plus
Some of the time i use Wisbar but originaly the skins are mostly for Pocket PCs only not phone Edition
I use just the default today plugins that come with the OS
the main reason why I hate to install any today plugins is that it slows down the screen re-orientation process....if I flip my display, it ends up taking too much time for all the plugins to refresh and redraw. The idea....keep the today screen simple, and keep the basic everyday functioning snappy ;-)
cheers,
San
ive tried pretty much everything but found the following combo best for me
Wisbar - I know this slows my universal down some what however just look at the screenshot how can anyone not love the way you can skin every part of gui!
Calender+ - Its free and Ive found it dont have any noticable impact on memory or speed unlike Pocketbreeze which i loved on my I-mate Jam but makes my universal run far too slow (real shame because I really did love that program)
Phonealarm - Well this is THE only program Id really could NOT do without! Its got just about everything microsoft should of put into a phone based ppc, repeating alarms (mms,sms,email,missed calls ect ect) profiles, data costing! call costing! the list go's on!
Pocketweather - I just like it !?
chris reilly wrote:
I tried Wisbar but the icons at the top seems incorrectly positioned, what version do i need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Chris - There isn't a fully released WM5.0 version yet, but there is a Beta WM5 version available which works very well.
On Lakeridge's homepage - go to the forum's, then into WisBard Avance 2 (under Pocket PC Software).
Near the top there will be a post labelled with the Beta version.
I'm running 2.4.1.16 at the mo, but just noticed (whilst writing this very response) that version 2.4.1.17 is available with yet more WM5.0 improvements (noticeably for notification icons) so I'll be installing that when I get home!
google from the Today screen
okay.... this has been around for a little while, but it's new to me, so i thought i'd mention it anyway
Google Today plugin - this puts a google search box on your Today screen - simple, but very cool
i came across this yesterday... although i cant remember where. (really hope it wasnt on this forum, cos then i'll feel really stoopid! damn, i read too many forums.... )
Pocket Breeze + Contact Breeze
Wizbar Advance 2
SPB Weather
PSShutXP
IP Dashboard
Pocket Breeze + Contact Breeze - works far better than the standard effort, also allows me to add PocketMSN, IP Dashboard and SPB Weather as tabs.
Wizbar Advance 2 - Only really using it for the Cascading menus and Task Manager. Went through a load of skins, but have ended up using the WA Default one .
SPB Weather - Just a gimmick so I can look at weather forecasts on the go
PSShutXP - Nuff said really
IP Dashboard - allows me to quickly check connection details on one screen.
Performance hit with all those installed, it is noticeable, but the benefits I feel far outway the hit. Compared to using the O2 Active stuff.... it is far quicker than the O2 Active stuff but then again, you'd be hard pressed to customise your today screen and have it run as slow
As for WAD, although I don't use it on the Universal, it is installed on the N50 (or was, battery has probably ran flat now )
It does add to the performance hit, although I am sure the Universal will be able to handle it better than the N50 did. To setup, it can take a while, especially if you are going to make the graphics yourself, even if you take a pre-made skin/theme, setting up all the pages you need etc can still take a while. However, I feel it is worth the effort, I'm just too lazy to do it on the Universal.
You can create virtual pages/desktops, on the N50, I have a main page with Pocket Breeze + Contact Breeze, a connection page with IP Dashboard + Pocket MSN, launcher page, where I can run all the apps that are installed.
You can also create docks on the pages/desktops. With these you can show and hide, so for example, the launcher page, I have buttons called Apps, System, Internet, AVG, Office. Clicking on each button would call up the dock which will have the links to the respective programs, clicking the dock or button will hide that dock.
SPB GPRS - gave it a quick whizz then uninstalled it, at home and work I have WiFi access, so GPRS is a moot point in that respect, and I tend not to surf the net etc whilst out and about, when I do use it, it is for the odd MMS so hardly bank breaking
I use cLaunch (has tabs like iLaunch)
Battery pack 2004 using Program bar (with date) & battery bar
Calender Plus
Tasks Plus
Tried a beta version of wisbar/wad...definitely makes the PDA pretty but be prepared to spend hours of time customising. Great feature is the multiple pages so you can spread around the plugins. Definitely worth looking at.
Trying everything...
I have been trying all of them to figure out my ultimate EXEC but it eludes me still...
Wisbar.. looks hot! Performance? NOT!
Spb... add diary and it too is bogsville..
Trying the others now... will let you know.
Anyone who has a great setup... LET US KNOW!!!
Cyb
I'm a Palm OS5 user, and I think the Today's display of agenda and tasks is a bit lacking. It seems that Calendar+ and Task+ plugins will solve the problem, but I'm just wondering, any one who uses these two, does these offer birthday reminder too? (Cannot test out the software yet, yet to get my device.. budget budget..)
-SPB PLus...Never get to work as this(today plugin) kept hanging the device..so I am using only the battery bar indication.I did install it on SD..
-WBA WAD, good, never slowed down, but if someone mught hv noticed, the smartdialing cannot be seen while making a call, one cannot see the latest miised call, as it is hidden beneath the Bar on today screen..everytime you come out of an application, the default theme changes and one has to either soft reset or reload the skin and this takes a lot of precious time.
--POcket Breeze and SPB weather are cool.Using Marsware News Panel, Smart RSS...I think I shall uninstall News Panel as it is very slow...These allow me to read the forum topics always.
hdubli said:
-SPB PLus...Never get to work as this(today plugin) kept hanging the device..so I am using only the battery bar indication.I did install it on SD..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a hanging issue with PocketPlus too until I unchecked "Safe Mode" as one of the feature options (it was at the bottom of the list box.) I think it might default to "checked" when PocketPlus is installed.
If you only have the battery incidator checked now then you've probably unchecked "Safe Mode" already, but you may want to try checking one or two of the other features to see if they work without hanging. My experience was that it was the Safe Mode's doing.
Related
Its fantastic!
I can finally have my screen real-estate used how I want it to. I've found that very few programs are designed for landscape mode and fitting everything on the screen has been a real problem.
Down the left I have my tabs, with Calendar, tasks, birthdays, notes and iLauncher available. That allows the whole depth of the screen for display of information. When ContactBreeze works then it will be even better.
I Highly recommend giving it a go
Screenshot!
V
Yes, fantastic. Finally PB is fully working on my JJ, and with added features, I got in nice and early this morning (second to d/l, I think) and my JJ is now almost exactly how I want it. Only work is preventing me from spending the time I need to spend on tweaking.
There are plently of screenshots of PB5 on this page.....
http://www.sbsh.net/products/pocketbreeze/
hmm
true it works great.. looks lovely on the Universal!!
only thing is that i have to find a way to remove the soft buttons at the bottom.. messages/ calendar.
I am ONLY using pocketbreeze and the universal is very fast!!
Don't feel like installing wisbar though.. maybe slows all down. and you need WAD plugin to the soft menu buttons at the bottom..
I would just like pocketbreeze 5.0 and a removal off those buttons. but how :roll:
PB with WM5
Just about the best Application for PPC
"The Mother of all Applications"
Full support of WM5
Cheers
hrb
I'm desperately trying to stick to the basics on my JJ too - Resco Explorer, TCPMP, and PocketBreeze are all that I have installed at the moment.
It's running like a dream, and almost everything I want is covered by these three pieces of software, but I need to get my 'X' button working 'properly'...
I may go back to WA2, but that's an oh-so-slippery slope into the world of time-consuming skinning (and slowdown) which I've done so well to avoid recently.
What to do....?!?
Does it come with a weather panel included? Or is that an add-on item? The notes on that page, sub69, are rather vague.
Looks nice though. Gives more strength to the idea that provided software is specifically written/adapted for WM5 it doesn't slow down the Universal at all. Seems that all those complaining about slow speed must be using non-compliant software maybe?
SiliconS said:
Does it come with a weather panel included? Or is that an add-on item? The notes on that page, sub69, are rather vague.
Looks nice though. Gives more strength to the idea that provided software is specifically written/adapted for WM5 it doesn't slow down the Universal at all. Seems that all those complaining about slow speed must be using non-compliant software maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need PocketWeather, also from SBSH
Cheers
hrb
Does anyone have any software which they've purchased for their Universal that they'd recommend? If so, why?
Pocket informant. Its the only PIM worth having, and it turns the useless PIM functionality built into PPCs into something that runs my life. Wouldn't be without it
If had had to narrow it down to one app, it'd have to be PocketBreeze by SBSH.net
Integrates with the aforementioned PocketInformant, but even if you haven't got PI, then PocketBreeze transforms your today screen into a far more usable beast. It's about a million times better than SPB's rip-off clone, and has far more functionality and configuration options. Plus it's regularly updated for bug-fixes and extra functions - and that is something that a lot of other software houses could learn from.
Oh, and the SBSH support forums are outstanding.
For me it's Resco File Explorer, SPB Pocket Plus and SPB Weather tweaked to pick information from BBC and not weather.com
If you use Lotus Notes, CommonTime's mNotes is pretty cool =) But then I would say that, since I work for CommonTime.
Pocketbreeze everytime.
Iliumsoft Listpro. By FAR the most handy app for personal management of lists.
http://www.iliumsoft.com/site/lp/listpro.htm
Very customisable
Microsoft Voice Command
Pocket Informant
SPB Pocket Plus
SPB Diary
SK Tools
Soti Pocket Controller
Sprite Backup
Aol Messenger
PpcWebCam
Some freeware/Shareware
Cambridge VxUtils
Total Commander
PH Registry Editor
TCPMP Media Player
GSPlayer Media Player
Insignia Solutions Jeode Runtime
Agile Messenger (need better wm5 support tho)
Rick GM said:
For me it's Resco File Explorer, SPB Pocket Plus and SPB Weather tweaked to pick information from BBC and not weather.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you explain that tweak better please ?
link, pros of the bbc service, etc :wink:
Killer App
I agree with many of the recomendations above and mention was made of SKTools (eagle 1), which I have yet to try, but the killer application for me is SKscheMa which can automate all sorts of daily tasks including turning on and off WiFi, BT and GSM at specific or regular times.
It has a powerful scripting language which has allowed me to create a macro to insert my meeting text, title, place, date and time, who attended etc. It can simulate taps and tap and hold as well. Support is very fast and efficient.
I have even used it to turn on the Bluetooth at regular intervals until we get a fix for that bug.
Strongly advise you check this one out.
www.s-k-tools.com (link corrected)
Don't be put off by the simple web site - this product "rocks".
This product os brilliant - sync email calendar with your pc wirelessly (GPRS/3G/WIFI) push email too so you don't have to sync manually...
http://www.intellisync.com/pages/Products/Express/Benefits/
Free trial - only snag is your pc (or at least a pc theat you can access your mail from) needs to be always on. WOrks with outlook/lotus notes etc
And I don't work for them!
Common time is also good for Notes but I couldn't work out how to sync wirelessly.
cdally said:
Common time is also good for Notes but I couldn't work out how to sync wirelessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know you get free support with your 30 day free trial, right? ;-) Give them a call and they can get it all up & running for you. Something to do with locations and preferred order, if memory serves. But then it should run when cradled, when in WiFi range (if you have WiFi) and over GPRS if you have your firewall opened properly. Of course GPRS may be an issue if you're on a corporate network - there was talk about a solution to get round that about 18 months ago, but I think the company's sales focus has shifted towards corporates (Notes is used a LOT by corporates in the US) so features for individual users are on the back burner for now.
I did try to get in touch with them but they didn't seem very interested - I did actually buy it as it was the best option for cradle based syncing - Do you know of anyone specific I can talk to?
Pocketzenphone for me is the most important. Easily change between phone profiles e.g. Loud / meeting /flight etc.
Can be set to do this at specific times e.g. Go to silent at 23:30 and back to normal at 8:00. Also integrates with outlook - e.g can put it into meeting mode when your calender shows meetings or for me puts the device into flight mode when I have flights marked in the calender.
cheers
Haven't purchased yet, but will do so shortly: a backup app. My choice is SPB Backup, but Sprite or Sunnysoft's should do just fine. The reason for buying one should be fairly obvious
cdally said:
I did try to get in touch with them but they didn't seem very interested - I did actually buy it as it was the best option for cradle based syncing - Do you know of anyone specific I can talk to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is probably to pick up the phone when you're at your PC/PDA. I think the support number is on the site under Information/Contact details. Scroll down to after the list of links at the top.
If you called them before and can remember the name of who you spoke to, I'll go upstairs & give them a clip round the earhole In general we get a good response about our support!
Ravenmaster
The default weather source is weather.com which I have found to be pretty useless. However, if you go to here;
www.pdagold.com/themes/details.asp?t=12007
you can pick up forecasts for Spb Weather from the BBC. Follow the Readme.txt and it's pretty straight forward. The forecast is so much more accurate than weather.com (in my opinion)
Rick GM said:
Ravenmaster
The default weather source is weather.com which I have found to be pretty useless. However, if you go to here;
www.pdagold.com/themes/details.asp?t=12007
you can pick up forecasts for Spb Weather from the BBC. Follow the Readme.txt and it's pretty straight forward. The forecast is so much more accurate than weather.com (in my opinion)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does SPB Weather also shows NOWs weather? I installed it and didn't see that option, and not that many other options at all.
I purchased and used Weather Panel on my previous PDA2K and that program proved to be super accurate.. actually it showed the weather condition in my city relevant to the minute... e.g. Changed to 'FOG' icon and FOG began.. Changed to Raining now.. and rain just started an hour before..
I didn't see these features in SPB weather.. maybe i missed them though...
Sounds like you've found a way to CONTROL the weather - [/quote]Changed to 'FOG' icon and FOG began..
!!
Anyway - all SPB does is pick up a forecast from wherever you tell it to. In my case I just use the BBC's site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've bought Voice Command and photo contacts pro, both I really like.
Freeware that surpasses all others to me is:
Qmail3, ugly as sin but so much better than the built in email client.
Will Check over an activesync connection, very useful at work, and one button handles multiple account checking. Glorious!
Does RSS and NNTP as well.
http://www.pocketpcfreewares.com/en/index.php?soft=1344
Lots of info on it here.
http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38956
Will buy Opera when that goes commercial.
Hi
As a complete newbie, could someone please explain the difference between SBSH's Pocket Breeze and iLauncher. Both seem to do similar things to me!
Sorry if I'm being a bit dim on this
Rob F
P.S. Is it possible add my device to the forum profile device list so I can add it to my profile?
iLauncher is simply a utility for launching (starting or loading whichever term you prefer) from your today screen.
PocketBreeze actually enhances many of the functions of your PDA by giving robust today screen functionality, replacing the cheezy default plug-ins.
For example, while iLauncher can open the Messaging Application, PocketBreeze will show the contents of your inbox(es) and allow you access to the messages.
Also PocketBreeze supports loading other Today Screen Plug-in (such as iLauncher) into a tab so you can easily switch from on plug-in to another thus allowing more plug-ins than normal without scrolling.
They work great together.
Thanks for that explanation, Kyphur. It's all clear now!
I'll have a go at the trial versions for both.
Rob F
I am using both of them too, as well as pocket weather and pRSSreader.
My today screen now has none of the orginal crap MS stuff on it and looks great.
The downside is the memory usage (only about 8mb left with just those running) and i cant play AOE with them running.
dangerous_dom said:
I am using both of them too, as well as pocket weather and pRSSreader.
My today screen now has none of the orginal crap MS stuff on it and looks great.
The downside is the memory usage (only about 8mb left with just those running) and i cant play AOE with them running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've got to have more than that eating up your memory.
I'm sitting between 16 & 22 Megs always (even when AS is active)..
What's your favorite plug-in for closing apps [fully] such as Icbar, Giga Task, iTask, and HP Task Switch.
Also if you could, post a link for the download [for me and others to download and take your opinion]!!!
no love 4 me
While im sure the reason for the lack of love is due to the fact that this has prolly been asked before , I personaly like the O2 plus app for closing apps.
My Today Screen
I have played with a few Today plug-ins on my WM5 Vario II (T-Mob) and currently like this combo which as you can see is mainly Spb stuff:
Spb Mobile Shell - Nice interface with lots of features incl an excellent contacts manager.
Spb Phone Suite - profiles, photo id calling, basic comms control, notifiers
Spb Diary - calendar, messages, contacts...
Phone Dashboard - Allows easy tracking of phone and SMS use and helps you maximise (but not exceed) your monthly allowance. I am on a UK T-Mob 1Gb monthly data allowance so have no need track data but if you do then take a look at Spb GPRS Monitor which is good.
Bandswitch - (free) a very low memory tool that allows easy control of data connections, 2g/3g control. Excellent! Allows easy turn-off of data connection whilst overseas (to avoid high charges). Developed by Daniel Herrero who is working on better profile version with many more capabilities - Comm Manager Pro (CMP)
I have also used phoneAlarm (pA) and it is great. However, it is so powerful that it overlaps many of the features of the apps above and I am 'assessing' Spb Phone Suite at the moment.
I have no stability issues at the moment but did have a few lock-ups and failure to wake-up faults. I suspect that was because I had been running the betas of pA and CMP but cannot be sure.
Have fun testing..
I have a pretty "clean" today screen... i did search high and low for a good weather plug in. Found "Weather to go"... its really good. Takes up very little space and can show you up to 3 cities if you want (good for travelers).
Guys,
Do we have a CAB file for either iLauncher (http://www.sbsh.net/products/ilauncher/index.php?page=summary) full version or something similar that will allow us to create our own shortcuts on the today screen?
Control your Pocket PC using the all new iLauncher, packing together the most important set of utilities to better manage your Pocket PC!
iLauncher is an all-in-one application that brings the most powerful utilities that are missing from the Pocket PC operating system to your Pocket PC device in one package. These include: A tab-based launcher Today screen plugin with various information widgets such as battery and memory meters, speed dial shortcuts, screen capture utility and more; A task manager context menu that allows you to track and control the current active applications; A true 'X' button functionality that really shuts-down running applications as opposed to simply minimizing them; A safe-mode protection utility that makes sure your device will always initialize correctly and much more!
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Hawk
yes, wisbar advance desktop
its amazing, and does exactly what you want, also has the option to add meters such as battery or ram and other great stuff, including today plugins, except calendar. Can also be made to look like an iphone [like mine]. It has unlimited possibilities and you can do whatever you want with it. And the best bit, only 10 usd (5gbp) amazing i know! screenshots of mine if you really need them!
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/products.php?prod=WisBar+Advance+Desktop
rory
x
oh yeah, its a great plugin. Well worth the money.
Don't warez.
never seen this before, looks almost identical to spb pocket plus today screen
pff pocketage or WAD(or both)
Recomended
Use Claunch, very similar to iLaunch, only free. Sorry no link, just have to google it.
I have used Claunch for several months om WM5 and it was perfect, but after upgrading to WM6 i'm having some troubles with it. it for sure will not work together with HTC taskmanager 2. it would be very nice if they came up with a stable WM6 version
It is stable for me, now that I use WA3, it sometimes would not appear on my today screen without a refresh before I moved up to WA3, never liked the htc taskmanager much, there are so many taskmanagers, wisbar is the king in my book.