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Lately I've been looking on this software spb mobile shell (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/mobileshell/?en). I was just wondering from you guys who has used, how does it compare to TF3D? I'm mostly intressted in how much smoother (mem consumption) and how the battery will last using this instead of TF3D.
Let me hear your thoughts!
I would still favor TF3D as it makes use of GPU. I don't think SPB MS makes use of GPU.
i use spb shell. i like being able to use tabs on my today screen
TF3D is better for day-to-day use imho
I use them together - SPB as my launcher, task manager, start menu replacement, skinned to the max. TF3d for today screen . A little high in ram usage admittedly but it's there to be used surely!
I use TF3D and find it easier to use then SPB Mobile Shell.
Wow, alolt of voiting going on but such few comments. Im guessing half of all votes on TF3D hasnt even tried SPB ms.
Can u adapt the SPB to be more fingerfriendly?
ballex said:
Wow, alolt of voiting going on but such few comments. Im guessing half of all votes on TF3D hasnt even tried SPB ms.
Can u adapt the SPB to be more fingerfriendly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
than they choose only from the appearance. TF3D wins there in IMHO.
Mobile Shell is very finger friendly IMHO. I have used it on multiple devices. I liked it a lot on my Touch for that very reason. With that said I am liking TF3D a lot. Being able to read text, preview email, play music, see the weather in my area, & click on my most used programs right from the today screen by sliding my thumb across the screen is awesome. I also see TF3D becoming much more customizable in the future over Mobile Shell. So I have to go with TF3D right now.
TF3D for me, didn't like it at first, but with so many customization around for it now, mobile shell is a no match
spb shell is nice and simple and all on the one page
I use spb for the first day and it looks good, i will decide in a few days which is better...
I've tried both and both lack customisation to the extent to which I would like, for example support for 3rd party plugins on the HOME/Now screen. Neither has the able to show tasks on these screens (there have been many requests for this on both TF3D and SPB MS).
I'm currently using TF3D, but probably only because it comes with the phone.
I still await someone to either develop the above two much further or for someone to create an entirely new interface.
I personally think the the standard Windows interface is far more customisable (but lacking the 'TouchFLO-ness'!)
TF3D for me
used shell but i brought this phone for the TF3D
what about SPB Mobile Shell V3 compared to TF3D?
TF3D is dead to me !
dinco said:
what about SPB Mobile Shell V3 compared to TF3D?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So about a week ago I decided to give SPB Mobile Shell V3 a try......I had tried Point UI and just using WinMo 6.1 before and neither seemed to even get close to the TF3D!
But....after ONE day with SPB Mobile Shell V3, I had already whipped out the VISA and spent $30 on the full version of SPB Mobile Shell V3!
No more hacking and Modding every little detail of TF3D, no more soft resets just to change the smallest slider.....no more lagging when I try and get around my phone....NO MORE TF3D !
I am in love....and everyone should give it a shot....It to me feels like a cross between the best of TF3D and the Gooogle Platform...
I added a couple screenshots.....
I tried MS3 for around 5 days to give it a try. Never used a shell like that before.
I've now switched back to Rhodium Manila- much more functional.
MS3 was nice for weekends and when there was nothing going on.
But when it came to checking messages, sending messages (email & sms), finding appointments- it didn't hold up as well as TF3D. The new RHodium version is even better. I'm not quite ready to give up PocketInformant, and since there is no integration with MS3 for that or PhoneWeaver I'm sticking with TF3D.
I'd reconsider MS3 if they worked on letting people customize their own widgits and made integration with other apps possible. But for now- sorry.
TF3D...
TF3D for me as well. I've tried every UI available for my Diamond, and not one of them has stopped me going back to TF3D within a couple of days.
It's all personal choice of course, but TF3D just does everything I need so completely
I've been using MS3 for a few days now and I really like it but I'm almost sure that I will go back to TF3d as soon as Rhodium Manila is bug-free and not beta any more.
TF3D is by far the BEST hands down!! Its so much more sexy looking an gets you to where you need to get to on the UI it self!! I feel like spb ms3 has to much going on an you have to tap so many different buttons to navigate around it.... I feel like sometimes less is more an htc has nailed it!! Im currently using sheps wm6.5 with TF3D V2 in the rom an its runs like a beauty, almost perfect!!!
I'm seriously thinking about flashing my HTC Touch HD with the basic WM6 ROM (without TF3D) and using the various SPB products to provide me with the interface I need.
The way I see it, the SPB products will probably be faster than TF3D (I've got my HTC Wizard running pretty quickly this way), more stable and they offer more variety (TF3D tabs are very limited in what they can do and hard to customize)
Has anyone done this? Can you tell me about your experiences?
You don't have to completely install a TF3D-free ROM. You can simply go into Settings > Today > Items, uncheck TouchFLO 3D and check your replacement UI.
That's what I did when I wanted to try the new PointUI Home 2 on my Touch HD.
Zaza le Nounours said:
You don't have to completely install a TF3D-free ROM. You can simply go into Settings > Today > Items, uncheck TouchFLO 3D and check your replacement UI.
That's what I did when I wanted to try the new PointUI Home 2 on my Touch HD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes! I forgot about that
What's PointUI and is it any good?
Tried PointUI
It's good - very fast and I like how colourful the interface is. It's still very limited though but hopefully that'll change in the future. It's definitely one to keep an eye out for
I'm installing the various SPB packages now and will report in a short while
Hmmm.. I'm torn about SPB
It's quite clearly a very good UI with a lot of capabilities but there's still something about it that I don't like
It has a weird sort of 'rigidity' which only allows you to do things the SPB way. I also don't like the flow from one screen to the next
Try spb mobile shell - the latest version and then install this free software from here http://www.imarche.net/omnia/index.php
Think you will be nicely surprised at what you can achieve....
regards
jpw
I really like the TF3D. It has a smooth design and runs pretty fast.
I also like the weather section and although there are some nice UI in the market i think i will stick with the TF3D.
JPW said:
Try spb mobile shell - the latest version and then install this free software from here http://www.imarche.net/omnia/index.php
Think you will be nicely surprised at what you can achieve....
regards
jpw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. still too rigid for my liking.
i use spb software and have ditched touchflo, dont bother with mobile shell as it offers me nothing in function
i use the following:
spb pocketplus
spb phone suite
spb weather
also on my today screen i have owner info edited to display as follows:
Owner: MY NAME
Touch to contact
at the bottom i have rsshub on autoupdate (trailling spb insight but not sure about it
in the past i have used spb diary on the today as well, but find it can comprimise some confidentiality issues so dont bother, after all my diary is but one touch away
i save at least 3mb of program memory and subjectively id say my machine is faster for it.
i can access all my functions i use daily with one touch on the pocketplus screen (ive done away with all the tabs and just have the one screen with my program icons) switch profiles with a swipe of my finger and likewise wifi etc on/off
sure it doesnt look as glam as tf3d but it offers me so much more function
as for the rigidity of spb products... yes they do want to do things their way, but ive used their software for a few years now and its second nature to me
I found this thread when looking for replacements to TF3D on my touch pro. I've been using SPB mobile shell for a few weeks now, and would mostly be ok with it if it wasn't for the annoying notifications that force me to exit mobile shell, and clear from the normal today screen. Do any other mobile shell users have that problem, or have you figured out a way around it?
Take a look at yrgo you might like it. It is highly customizable. here is a link to its website
http://www.2daysoft.com/yrgo/videos-and-tutorials/
Switched to SPB
I'm using SPB Mobile Shell + SPB Weather + SPB Phone Suite instead of TF3D.
Never looked back. And with SPB MS 3.0 coming TF3D will be like a toy
http://www.spbmobileshell3.com/
brusko1972 said:
Take a look at yrgo you might like it. It is highly customizable. here is a link to its website
http://www.2daysoft.com/yrgo/videos-and-tutorials/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, that's one heck of a customizable desktop. Seems like it could be really good once I get used to the UI.
I like the shell3 alot and have the tf3d and titanium actually removed from the 6.5 custom rom I'm using. Works much faster that way anyhow and I was growing weary of the limited functionality eyecandy of tf3d. But got a question and didn't want to start a new mobile shell thread. Anybody using ms who's figured a way to change font color on the shell ui? I know there are apps that will do it on the today screen, but can't seem to do it on the shell interface itself. Anybody got any info? Thanks
I bought SPB Mobile Shell 3 due to the good reviews it has generally received. However, after a week solid of use, I found it to be sluggish, so I asked for a refund which they promptly provided
It definitely has potential, looking forward to seeing what the next iteration is like. I'm using Point2Home now - quick, finger friendly and just pleasant to use, although I really wish some of these would go deeper in re-skinning the windows interface.
i like spb mobile shell 3 , but there is something which puts me off it but i just cant put my finger on what it is (maybe lack of customization) but im led to believe its getting better
I tried SPB3 and after a few weeks, I went back to TF3D. SPB was sluggish and it just was not as smooth as TF3D. I love the concept behind it and it definitely makes getting to your functions much easier. It just needs a lot more refinement. Especially in the area of text messaging
I'm not having sluggish issues at all and think it to be quite snappy. So I'm not understanding those comments, but there are so many diff roms out there that surely that is the difference in alot of cases. I thought that tf3d was sluggish on the email opening especially it would really lag at times. Then I read that the 6.5 roms had that issue. I'm not getting email open lagging at all with ms3. To each their own.
Hi there...
I've installed SPB Mobile Shell 3.0.1 and I LIKE IT A LOT!
but does anyone know HOW to get the name of provider onscreen?? (lifestyle)
thanx!
What today screen do you absolutely like best:
Windows Mobile 6.1
Pros: Wonderful plugins
Cons: Plug-ins aren't always finger friendly
Windows Mobile 6.5
Pros: Most finger friendly
Cons: Not enough interface
Touch Flo 3D
Pros: Finger friendly, today screen interface
Cons: Not as finger friendly interface
Other includes Touch Flo 2D and Samsung Omnia and etc...
Pros: Add here
Cons: Add here
SPB Mobile Shell 3
Pros: Figer friendly, customizable today screen interface.
Not really a complete poll..
I use iPhoneToday, it looks pretty damn good if you ask me. And is being actively devoped.
Takes some tweaking but then it looks very iPhone-esque (which is a good thing, because if there is one thing apple can do, it is build interfaces..)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=508429
SE Panel.
Pros: fully customizable, all on one page - no page swaping, clean, practical, 2 different panels available.
Cons: not free backround choice, a bit slow with very many apps on screen.
BTW it's kinda stupid to make on SE X1 poll
Tf3d as a main choice. It should be SE thing there.
my vote goes to spb mobile shell 3.0
Another vote for SPB 3.0.1.
It's unbelievably customizable and finger friendly.
You can't complain about it, because you can pretty much change anything you want.
The software developers there are obviously striving for excellence, which is great to see.
I use SPB Mobile Shell 3.
SPB of course
My X1 is very happy with SPB mobile shell 3.01
pro : speed, speed, speed !
I'd have to go with TF3D-2. It's the best looking of all, and very user-friendly imo.
@You guys using Spb Mobile Shell 3:
Is it easy to change the appearance/overall design to a more modern (TF3D if you will) look, because I think it looks very 1990's?
I used Spb MS 2 for a long while, until I got hooked on cooked ROMs with TF3D... I haven't tried v.3 yet, but I'm thinking about it.
WM 6.1
Spb Pocket Plus
+
Spb Mobile Shell 3
and you rule the world
maedox said:
I'd have to go with TF3D-2. It's the best looking of all, and very user-friendly imo.
@You guys using Spb Mobile Shell 3:
Is it easy to change the appearance/overall design to a more modern (TF3D if you will) look, because I think it looks very 1990's?
I used Spb MS 2 for a long while, until I got hooked on cooked ROMs with TF3D... I haven't tried v.3 yet, but I'm thinking about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just recorded a quick demo of Spb MS 3.01. Give it a try.
VIDEO CLICK HERE
doministry said:
SE Panel.
Pros: fully customizable, all on one page - no page swaping, clean, practical, 2 different panels available.
Cons: not free backround choice, a bit slow with very many apps on screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You CAN put your own background onto an SE panel. There are files in the panels folder which correspond to the 10 different colors you can select for the background. Just replace one of them with your own. Make sure the dimensions match (it isn't 800 x 480). You can specify both landscape and portrait background (##h and ##v).
WhyBe said:
You CAN put your own background onto an SE panel. There are files in the panels folder which correspond to the 10 different colors you can select for the background. Just replace one of them with your own. Make sure the dimensions match (it isn't 800 x 480). You can specify both landscape and portrait background (##h and ##v).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha. I know that, in the other thread I attached my homescreen with my background.
The disadvantage IMO is that you have to manually replace files instead of just choosing the background.
spb shell 3 for me
"Old school" - HTC Home with 4 tabs
SPB Mobile Shell 3 FTW!
Hi there!
I don't like manila / TouchFLO / Sense. I use SPB Mobile Shell and I'm quite contempt with that. I'm on WM 6.1 -would there be any reason for me to move to WM 6.5? I mean in terms of functionality?
windows 6.5 and SPB shell
Hi,
I've just updated my windows and found a lot of interference from windows 6.5 when using the sbp shell. Im considering to go back to 6.1.
If anyone can help to get 6.5 to work with spb shell please do.
Thanks!
Thanks, I guess I'll stick with 6.1 for now
No reason at all really, SPB Mobile Shell hides the interface of WM6.1 very good and you hardly see it. WM6.5 is laggy and unstable imo so I will stay with 6.1 for a while..
Cool, I'll do the same
I just hope SPB Mobile Shell will run smoothly on the HTC Leo when I get my hands on it
niknik76 said:
Cool, I'll do the same
I just hope SPB Mobile Shell will run smoothly on the HTC Leo when I get my hands on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries dude, if it can run WM6.5+HTC Sense 2.5/2.6 it will 100% run SPBMS without problems.
i think manila is much better than spb
spb shell 3.5 and wm6.5
i am using spb shell 3.5 with wm 6.5 for a couple of weeks without any problems.
The improvement of wm6.5 which is more finger friendly than 6.1. Is a better match for MS3.5.
Athorwise it doesn't matter much, what you use, because you're using MS3.5 most of the time.
You have to manually disable HTC Sense. Without third party applications they don't work well together.
I use tfd detacher to switch between them, but the downside is that it uses a lot of resources.
HTC Sense looks nicer but MS3.5 is more flexible and efficient when you design the lifestyle screen(s) to your needs.
I haven't tried wm 6.5.
From what I learn about the information of wm 6.5, I don't find anything that worth upgrading. I will stick to wm 6.1.
Feedback
I have installed SBP Mobile Shell 3.5 over my WM 6.1 and it works great .
I like below features of Mobile Shell:
- Multiple pages in home page (placed side by side), which can be used for multiple items in home page.
- Beautiful scrolling/touch.
- Widget features that can be placed anywhere in home page (in all pages).
There are couple of issues too:
- There is NO interface for making calls to a new number.
- We need to use the Luncher - Programs - Phone.
- But the other features of the call window does not work. Like we cant open the call history/contacts etc from that screen
Also refer another similar thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=573320
Thanks.
You can press the call button or you can add the phone as an widget.
prabhat said:
- There is NO interface for making calls to a new number.
- We need to use the Luncher - Programs - Phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press call send key?
ArtieQ said:
Press call send key?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know that and that is what I said in the post.
It does work by pressing the call key or adding the widget of the Phone too.
But the issue is:
- Other functions on the call window (like the opening contacts during call) etc does not work .
I am not sure how offen you open you contacts during a call. Which is NOT possible when you have SBPMS installed . Similarly there are many other issues too.
Thanks.
Indeed the functions on the call menu work only when touchflo3d is activated.
I think the shortcuts go to the actual touchflo3d.
Maybe there is a registry change so you can point them to the actual program and not to the touchflo3d alternative.
My workaround is press Startmenu - Today and from here anywhere you want.
You can read about this problem in the SPB shell forum under Topaz/Rhodium Dailer issue. They know the problem. The question is why is takes so long to come with an answer.
f.canak said:
Indeed the functions on the call menu work only when touchflo3d is activated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. That is TRUE. It does work when TF3D is ON.
f.canak said:
You can read about this problem in the SPB shell forum under Topaz/Rhodium Dailer issue. They know the problem. The question is why is takes so long to come with an answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohh OK. Thanks for this info. Infact I did a post in their fourum, but no reply yet.
May be we need to wait for 6.5 from HTC for TD2 and may be that will be more user / finger friendly.
But it is sure that it will NOT have the beautiful Multiple Pages in Home Page .
Or a newer version from SBP with a Phone/Call widget similar to default dialer.
PS: also I found the image viewer from camera menu is much better in default WM 6.1 than SBPMS.
Thanks.
Mobile Shell 3.5 is slooooow
I was extremely happy with 3.0 and decided to upgrade to 3.5. I like some of the extra features a lot but I quickly noticed that this eye candy has two major drawbacks:
- My battery drained twice as fast, reminding me of my Diamond 1
- The - otherwise very attractive - GUI is slower; opening the Wireless Manager takes 1.5 seconds and other operations that were very swift before were now slow and shaky
So I reverted to 3.0 (I have build 6501) and things are again what they were before: fast and beautiful!
I don't experience any decrease in speed jumping from 3.0 to 3.5
And my battery life improved
So I guess there must be different effects on different ROMs, settings or other stuff...
I highly recommend spb mobile shell for much, much easier navigation and access to different functions.
Not so much.
I totally disagree.
SPB Mobile Shell, for me, was a huge improvement on the Wing because the Wing just sucked.
But I think Manila is a lot better than SPB Mobile Shell.
djinfamousflo said:
I totally disagree.
SPB Mobile Shell, for me, was a huge improvement on the Wing because the Wing just sucked.
But I think Manila is a lot better than SPB Mobile Shell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couln't agree more. SPB products are great, but were and are primarilary designed for devices that use the default WM interface. I played around with the Shell app, and although it does look nice, it (in my opinion) just duplicates a lot of what Manila does/can do. If on the other hand you use Titanium, it will add some functionality. But like all things it comes down to personal choice.
As a stock ROM user when I brought my tilt 2 home the first thing I did was disable Touch Flo and install Mobile Shell... I've been a mobile shell user going back 3 phones and have always been happy with it. Since I'm not in to the custom rom stuff Mobile Shell was a quick easy way to give me back more access to various pieces of functionality that Touch Flo just wasnt giving me.
It really depends.
For me, I like both. But the SPB mobile shell gives me the ability to customize up to 5 windows much like the Android OS.
TouchFLO is pretty much static when it comes to customization. Not much to change.
I like both, but right now I am testing out SPB and it works great.
zylix said:
I highly recommend spb mobile shell for much, much easier navigation and access to different functions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've played with Mobile Shell and whilst it's great for customization, it just lacks 'something' that TouchFlo has.
Now, this looks like it's going to be a great replacement for SPB Shell & TouchFlo!
http://forum.ageye.de/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=1255
iridium21 said:
I've played with Mobile Shell and whilst it's great for customization, it just lacks 'something' that TouchFlo has.
Now, this looks like it's going to be a great replacement for SPB Shell & TouchFlo!
http://forum.ageye.de/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=1255
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TouchFlo on the Touch Pro 2's looks flashier... no doubt about it, but the amt of customization otpions you have with SPB Mobile Shell just drop kicks the h*ll out of TouchFlo.
the SPB mobile shell drain the RAM so quickly!!! so, I can say that it's so nice and so customizable, but heavy !!!
hskeik said:
the SPB mobile shell drain the RAM so quickly!!! so, I can say that it's so nice and so customizable, but heavy !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't agree with the above quote. I've got more free memory with SPB than I did with TF. Also, I had some lag with TF and TF was colorless, boring, and not customizable. SPB has hardly no lag, very customizable and colorful.
I've put SPB Mobile Shell 2 back on mine, with Windows Mobile 6.1.
It might not look as pretty as SPB Mobile Shell 3, or Touchflo, but I find it much more functional.
Mobile Shell 2 gives lots of information on my screen without unlocking my device, and easy to use shortcuts, and I can easily switch to my today screen, with SPB diary.
I agree with the above comment that although SPB is quite nice, especially the latest, it really makes more sense for older devices like the Wing or Tilt and such. It's functionality was pretty similar to TF for me at least and it's novelty wore off quickly. It does remind me of Android though with it's sliding home screens and adding widgets and such.
I loaded it on a coworker's Tilt and he is blown away by it and thinks I did something major. And the comments about TF not being customizable are not exactly accurate, I am able to change the icons, top or bottom, remove the tab curtains and other such modifications, enough for me basically. But SPB is a great program to use, don't misunderstand me there.
I tried SPB Shell 3.5 on my Tilt 2 recently..Customization was great I liked being able to place icons where I liked...however I was experiencing major issues freezing. After a couple weeks of constant resets...I gave up and flashed the latest EnergyROM...Can't believe how much I like it. Bigger issue to me was not having Stock Quotes easily accessible.
I've been trial-ing 3.5 on my Tilt2 for a week, and I haven't had any freezing issues. The main thing that pushed me to try it is that Manila 2.1 doesn't have the ability to show tasks, which is a startling oversight for a phone that's supposed to be business-oriented. The customization potential of SPB is great. I'm loving it so far. I'll probably buy a license soon.
SPB Mobile Shell,without it,I dont know how the life will be meaning to me.
I like it!!!!!!!!
Another fan of MS3.5 here. I have had it on my xv6800, then TP and now TP2. I just enjoy the functionality of it. I tried TF, but like being able to see everything I need to know easily on one screen, arranging it how I want, and adding shortcuts etc.
The Touch flo on the TP2 was "cosmetically" better then spb 3.5 but SPB 3.5 gave me over 40 megs of memory back. I am using a rom i made on build OS and completely removed touch flo. I always hover anywhere between 125 & 132 megs. When I had touch flow I was lucky is i had 80 megs. On a soft reset I would have 110 megs but the moment I navigated anywhere in touchflo it would drop on each screen of touchflo i would go to. Eventually I would bottom out at about 80 megs. Not worth all the flash and flair. Plus I get much more functionality out of SPB 3.5. I also have not experienced any freezing or lag. Maybe its because of the roms others have used. I cant really say why the big difference in memory but I cant say I would ever go back to touch flo. Its not worth that big of a memory difference.
PRBajista 9:
PRBajista said:
The Touch flo on the TP2 was "cosmetically" better then spb 3.5 but SPB 3.5 gave me over 40 megs of memory back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had you done the tweaks to disable push internet and ResProxy? Those should have gotten you maybe 30 megs back. However, even then, switching from Manila 2.1 to MS 3.5 gave me an additional 10 megs of free RAM on boot (incidentally, it gives me the same amount of free RAM as using Titanium). I haven't noticed any leaks either, except from using Opera which was there before I switched.
I'm pretty impressed with the load times and smoothness of everything in MS3.5. Whereas the built-in WM6.5 start menu had always been choppy when scrolling fast, SPB's launcher is not only perfectly smooth, it also sorts alphabetically like I want, and has a customizable favorites section. I set it to replace the regular start menu and haven't looked back.
-BoneZ- said:
I can't agree with the above quote. I've got more free memory with SPB than I did with TF. Also, I had some lag with TF and TF was colorless, boring, and not customizable. SPB has hardly no lag, very customizable and colorful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you have addons ?
when you have addons like sense theme or MSkip ProPlus Ultimate, it needs more memory. what do yo think about that ?
any one using SPB MS on the WM 6.5.3 as it works good on 6.5 where the menu bar and OK button is not at the bottom... i tried an took it out on my 6.5.1, 6.5.2, 6.5.3
frenchie746 said:
It really depends.
For me, I like both. But the SPB mobile shell gives me the ability to customize up to 5 windows much like the Android OS.
TouchFLO is pretty much static when it comes to customization. Not much to change.
I like both, but right now I am testing out SPB and it works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, if you enable both the Professional and Lifestyle views, you can have up to 10 screens. You scroll UP to move between layouts.
Also, people are not mentioning that MS 3.x also provides a lot of extra icons that perform custom operations to use on the screens, such as a set that displays your messaging status with built it settings for email, Text messages, and voice mail. It can add shortcuts to any program or setting, and has different layouts for landscape and portrait.
I disabled TF3 as soon as I upgraded to WM 6.5 (which was my first action after turning on the phone).
I'm also still using SPB Plus, which adds some functionality to the OS (such as tabs in IE).