For windows pcs there are many programs that replace the default windows shell like litestep or aston. Is it possible to develop a shell replacement for windows mobile today screen? It will be very nice to have a more flexible and finger friendly today screen in place of, and not above, today screen.
What you think about that?
pointUI seems perfect for you.
I know about pointui and I tested from the first version release, but this and some other similar programs run more as a front end of wm's shell and I speak about a replacement. I know that it doesn't exist right now but I think that will be, if it's possible to happen, a good idea, cause like this the today don't need to load at system startup and reserves device's memory.
@dancer_69
GSmart v1 would definitely work for you. You will have to search for it though as I don't have a link to the thread it came from but it sits in the today screen not on top like PointUI Home does.
@persiansown
Please read and try to comprehend what the previous poster is saying in their post before posting a reply. dancer_69 is looking for a shell replacement app residing IN the today screen not on top like PointUI Home does.
I know about GSmart, I used and this for some time. But again this isn't a shell replacement. This is a today plugin. I speak about a complet replace of today screen. And I know that there's nothing like this. This is more an idea for the developers. If you tried a windows shell replacement as litestep you could understand my point of thinking. Windows have explorer shell, and these kind of programs replace this executable completly. They don't cover it or be a part of it, they executed in place of explorer. So this is more an idea for a different developing directions.
My english are not so good and I cannot explain better. I hope
to understand what I try to say.
Well in that regard, pointUI is the closest, because it masks the windows UI as much as it can among all the competitors. And yes, it's not a complete replacement yet, and I can imagine it will be one day as the development keeps going.
Related
Hey all,
I just ordered my herald (t-mobile Wing) and am trying to do a bit of research into what I'm gonna do to it when it arrives. I have been trying to follow the threads in the ROMs forum but I'm getting slightly confused. The first problem I'm having is figuring out what the most recent ROMs are, there are so many different names, versions and post dates. I was wondering if some of you could reply and let me know what ROMs you are using and why.
My main use for this phone (besides calls) will be playing music, texts and email. I'm looking for something that has good interfaces for those and is also snappy/responsive. Right now I'm looking at using Open-Touch 6.0 Diamond Lite, but I am also unsure of what spb shell means and why or where I would need to register it. Is the spb shell version different from the 'throttle launcher touchflo3d' or are they two completely different things? There is a lot of terminology being thrown around here that I am having trouble finding definitions for. Is there any compiled list of applications/shells/whatever and what they do?
Thanks
ac
There is not really a list of shells/uis/whatnot, but there are certainly a lot of choices. The two you are talking about are "SPB Mobile Shell" and "Throttle Launcher", both with their diamond themes loaded.
The biggest difference between the two is that SPB mobile shell is actually payware and to be able to use it past a certain date (i believe) requires you to go to the SPB site and purchase the software, at which point they'll give you a reg code.
Throttle Launcher, on the other hand, is freeware and was actually developed in these forums. Its TouchFlo 3d theme is more or less an exact facsimile of the touchflo 3d on the HTC diamond. However, it's a bit slow and takes up a good bit of memory, which SPB does too (but not to the extent of Throttle Launcher)
welcome to xda-devs. Its good to see a question on software as opposed to one from a hapless newcomer who just bricked their device.
The best ROM for a speedy, non-laggggging phone, is Just2Clean.
The most visually pleasing ROM (IMO) is by far TouchIT Touched by Vista.
Good luck - remember, you can pick how easy the flashing prosses is.
If you read, read, read, it will be incredibly simple.
If you scan, scan, scan, you will be sitting with a bricked wing and an even bigger headache.
I am using Second Today with Spb Mobile Shell 2, Spb Phone Suite and other plug-ins. Whenever, I switch to Screen 2, it takes above 2.5 seconds to load all the today screen items. Is this a normal behaviour or should it be spontaneous? I had already applied some tweaks to improve performance. Both Spb Shell and Phone Suite are installed on the main storage.
I'm running this "Second Today" to switch between HTC Home and Pocket Breeze on my Pharos, it takes about 3~4 seconds to display PBreeze, I guess it needs that long to load all of my tasks and appointments.
Questions, questions, questions.....
carola said:
I am using Second Today with Spb Mobile Shell 2, Spb Phone Suite and other plug-ins. Whenever, I switch to Screen 2, it takes above 2.5 seconds to load all the today screen items. Is this a normal behaviour or should it be spontaneous? I had already applied some tweaks to improve performance. Both Spb Shell and Phone Suite are installed on the main storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this is slightly off-topic but as you are already doing what I was thinking of doing (i.e. use Second Today with Sbp Mobile Shell 2) I thought I'd ask you a couple of questions. Please accept my apology if what I ask appears dumb, I'm still a noob trying to understand:
1. How easy was it to setup? A few pointers would be useful.
2. How do you find it (the setup)? What issues are you having with it (excluding the one above) or is it the perfect setup?
3. Do find that you spend more time in Sbp Mobile Shell rather than TouchFlo particularly as you can reach the same applications (and more) from within the Shell.
4. What are the benefits of working this way? and finally
5. What would you change if you could?
Please feel free to PM if you 'd rather the thread wasn't hijacked.
Thanks in advance.
Mav.
Mavrick said:
I know this is slightly off-topic but as you are already doing what I was thinking of doing (i.e. use Second Today with Sbp Mobile Shell 2) I thought I'd ask you a couple of questions. Please accept my apology if what I ask appears dumb, I'm still a noob trying to understand:
1. How easy was it to setup? A few pointers would be useful.
2. How do you find it (the setup)? What issues are you having with it (excluding the one above) or is it the perfect setup?
3. Do find that you spend more time in Sbp Mobile Shell rather than TouchFlo particularly as you can reach the same applications (and more) from within the Shell.
4. What are the benefits of working this way? and finally
5. What would you change if you could?
Please feel free to PM if you 'd rather the thread wasn't hijacked.
Thanks in advance.
Mav.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Mav,
No question is dumb, but an answer can be! We all benefit from this community!
In response to your queries, please note:
1-The setup was straightforward – no skill or knowledge is required. Since I am using Spb Mobile Shell (MS) in conjunction with Spb Phone Suite (PS), I only installed both applications. No specific order is required, however, the installation of PS requires reboot so this was installed last.
2-The setup is exactly what I need – an additional interface to complement TouchFlo3D (TF3D). I very much enjoy the Spb Main window, though it is not perfect for me. Indeed, I was trying to achieve a configuration that would allow to use the photo dialler of Spb as well as viewing the status of the phone, in term of profile. I also use the built-in profile of PS to change certain conditions automatically and I just love the ability to set a profile for x minutes and let it switch back to the default one automatically.
3-I wouldn’t say I spend more time on MS, as I still depend heavily on TF3D for: Weather, Time, and Settings, since MS+PS do not allow me to quickly switch on Bluetooth or Wireless (hopefully on the next release). On the other hand, I spend more time on MS+PS for launching programs, notification and access to advanced configuration.
4-Main benefits are flexibility, ease of use and integration with other Spb applications.
5-If I could change anything I would like to see a Today tab within TF3D!
I trust this helps…
carola said:
Hello Mav,
No question is dumb, but an answer can be! We all benefit from this community!
In response to your queries, please note:
1-The setup was straightforward – no skill or knowledge is required. Since I am using Spb Mobile Shell (MS) in conjunction with Spb Phone Suite (PS), I only installed both applications. No specific order is required, however, the installation of PS requires reboot so this was installed last.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Carola that's exactly what I wanted to hear.
However, I have one further clarification; in my first question I was referring to the setup of SecondToday and how that links to Spb Mobile Shell. I was trying to find out how easy that was. It looks complicated but that was at first glance. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Mav
Mavrick said:
Thank you Carola that's exactly what I wanted to hear.
However, I have one further clarification; in my first question I was referring to the setup of SecondToday and how that links to Spb Mobile Shell. I was trying to find out how easy that was. It looks complicated but that was at first glance. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Mav
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late response: both applications are essentially independent and function in this manner: no interference or dependency. Indeed, once you installed Spb Shell 2, you can call it (invoke) by gesture and it will pop up, irrespective that Second Today is installed or not.
I hope this helps...
carola said:
Sorry for the late response: both applications are essentially independent and function in this manner: no interference or dependency. Indeed, once you installed Spb Shell 2, you can call it (invoke) by gesture and it will pop up, irrespective that Second Today is installed or not.
I hope this helps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Carola,
Maybe I've misunderstood because I'm more confused than ever. Apologies for being really dumb but as TouchFlo effectively is a shell I assumed that the only way out of it (without turning it off) was through Second Today.
From your note that clearly isn't the case. So my question to you is how do you invoke Sbp Mobile shell from within TouchFlo and what do you use Second Today for?
Mavrick said:
Hi Carola,
Maybe I've misunderstood because I'm more confused than ever. Apologies for being really dumb but as TouchFlo effectively is a shell I assumed that the only way out of it (without turning it off) was through Second Today.
From your note that clearly isn't the case. So my question to you is how do you invoke Sbp Mobile shell from within TouchFlo and what do you use Second Today for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry, as long as I am available, I will reply!
Regarding your question, please note that Spb Shell 2.x will operate above TF3D, after it is installed. So, no need to use Second Today. To invoke MS 2.x you tap from the top down vertically and choose the corresponding window (Now, Menu, Photo Dial) by then dragging from left to right. It is as simple as using MS on its own! Give it a try! If you are unsure about how to do this, please visit www.spbsoftwarehouse.com and browse to MS and there is video demo on how to operate it with gesture.
A follow up to this thread.
Is it still taking some time to switch between Second Today screen & SPB Mobile Shell?
My idea :
To actually have all the menus, scrollbar, default program backgrounds,the dropdown menu(the 1 on whcih we click when in File-explorer to jump from My Device to Storage Card),the Contacts Background,the Messaging Background..etc.
All of them transparent like Glass..This is just a Personal thought as in to change the feel n look of the OS.
WM6.5 all ready has titanium with the kind of glass panels m talking about.
Due to which it enhances the Wallpaper used i mean u can use almost any wallpaper.
And about the Visibility issue which will occur in almost everyone's mind after reading this post i think we can make it translucent the same way it becomes when we click on start menu..the icons r very much visible even with a complete white background.
So i think the backgrounds in the programs like file-explorer,windows media player-library,my pictures,SMS,Contacts etc. can be made the same.
I Wish some expert graphic designers and Programmers make my imagination come true and give all us Windows users a completely new interface.
I think for this .pngs & .jpgs of the system will have to be altered or replaced with the new ones and program them accordingly.
I am not at all good at programming and neither Graphics and i dont even know whether my idea can actually be implemented or no?
so many views n no single reply..
I am no coder, but Windows Mobile does not support transparencies like that. Only specific applications that are contained in themselves (aka titanium renders over itself so it has transparency. Mobile shell renders over itself so it has it too, etc.) But i could be wrong.
i don know either even m not sure about my concept..but i think .pngs can be useful...lets c..i have just put forward an idea..
Ive always wanted that feature too, part of the reason why I like Titanium so much, but as Shadowline pointed out, I think it's a limitation of the OS itself, even WM 6.5.
Then again, hope someone can prove us wrong.
yaah hoping for the same!!
Let's flood microsoft with this so they put it in wm7.
I'm not happy with the sense shell, and have been searching for something that will suit my needs better.
I've tried spbMobileShell, thats a little too complicated, things were just too hard to find.
I found winterface, very similar to what I want, but not apparently for wm6.5.
Also there's throttle launcher, I'm about to try that out.
Ideally what I would like is an iphone type interface instead of wm6.5, I had the iphone for 18 months but hated it's keyboard, so dont tell me to go back to one.
I do like the keyboard on the HD2, it IS easier than the iphone, even more so with swype.
Can anyone suggest a shell or ui that can simulate the iphone, multiple screens, and the ability to add or delete shortcuts, and to rearrange them?.
Thanks for any help.
not that i have looked, but i think it unlikely that anyone would want to create an iPhone shell for WM. you best off looking at one of the pocket pc freeware sites. dont hold your breath.
>>i think it unlikely that anyone would want to create an iPhone shell for WM
Really ?, I think the exact opposite. I'm not suggesting it's perfect, but it is relativley easy to use, intuitive, and easy to add or remove icons.
I dont want a clone, but something similar would be nice to try out.
Try PointUI Home. It's perfect for what you want as it can be as simple or as difficult as you want. You'll need to get any extras from the community on their site, and you'll have to register for that (free). The software is free, or you can pay and get a few extra features enabled.
http://www.pointui.com/products/home-2/
I found this in one of the XDA thread, it may meet you need.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591061
Acknowledgement: Infinity is in a very early development stage,it's not yet a finished application,this review doesnt reflect the final completed software,the purpose of this review is to let devolopers and would-be users to contribute ideas in order to make final completed software more perfect.
please see full review with pictures in the following link:
http://forum.ageye.de/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=1461&p=7600#p7600
The Infinity v0.2.1 is apparently not compatible with WM6.5 very well, I even cannot set background picture for the desktop,so there must be some buttons missing.
Generally it looks very promising,compared to Touchflo 3D,it’s much more customizable,you can put any shortcuts and widgets in anywhere of the desktop,this is the feature millions are looking for;Compare to SPB Mobile Shell, the Infinity looks very similar but more agile and you can set everything neat and usable immediately.
Like SPB Mobile Shell,the Ageye Infinity let you do two most important things:
One,you put all your most important shortcuts and widgets on the desktop,NOTE any location of the desktop. While for Touchflo 3D,you basically cannot do much about the desktop, this sucks badly and I am suffercating every time I see Touchflo 3D.
Two,you put less important or less frequently used shortcuts in Favorite Folder (in SPB Mobile Shell,it’s called Launcher,in Infinity,it’s the middle button I saw when I tested it in my HTC Pro2 with WM6.5 rom).
As I didn’t see the Infinity Manual,it took me about 15 minutes to figure out how to use it, I should say it’s more or less close to SPB Mobile Shell when it comes to customization of desktop and Favorite Folder.
The difference is,for example,you want to place Contacts in the desktop,first you need to add “Shortcut” in the desktop,this Shortcut is an empty icon,then you click on this Shortcut icon to find the path of the Contacts.
If you are interested to try out Infinity v0.2.1,please download(probably need registration):
http://forum.ageye.de/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=1369
Install to your main memory,then in programs you can find a Infinity program icon,click to run.
Suggestions to developers:
1. how to set the background for desktop,the default background is not-so-good-looking,there is no button that can set this,please update based on WM6.5.
2. where is the general configuration? How to set Infinity to replace Today? How to change language? How to set the number of pages of desktop?
3. how to change the size of icons in the desktop? In SPB Mobile Shell,it got this feature,you can make the icon small,big,professional,transparent etc etc.
4. about the right and left soft key configuration,it seems that the option is very limited,can we assign any programs and widgets for the right and left soft key?
5. For Infinity own widgets, I suggest you to add Task Manager, this is most often used tool,In addition,if we can put this Task Manager in the right soft key,that will be very convenient! I saw SPB Mobile Shell has a great Task Manager widget,users can use Shell extension tool to put it beside the Launcher.
Looking forward to your great update soon!
INFINITY is an alpha release
karandras24 said:
INFINITY is an alpha release
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! And it's already pretty amazing.
This UI seems to be alot like PointUI.. I dont know a lot about coding but it seems like a very early version of the same UI
I dont doubt that it is entirely different that's just my two cents from screen shots of Infinity.
Pointui you can use tons and tons of different themes and wigets etc as well.
ie:Pointui Sense, Nexus One, Mac OS... the list really is endless.
Just some food for thought. If you like Infinity you should definaly give pointui a try. That said...... if you're the developer and just trying to spread the word about Infinity.. My bad! I looks promising!
Aaron McCarthy said:
This UI seems to be alot like PointUI.. I dont know a lot about coding but it seems like a very early version of the same UI
I dont doubt that it is entirely different that's just my two cents from screen shots of Infinity.
Pointui you can use tons and tons of different themes and wigets etc as well.
ie:Pointui Sense, Nexus One, Mac OS... the list really is endless.
Just some food for thought. If you like Infinity you should definaly give pointui a try. That said...... if you're the developer and just trying to spread the word about Infinity.. My bad! I looks promising!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not really like PointUI - it doesn't crash as often
No, I've tried (bought) PointUI and other than the PointSense theme (which has been abandoned by its developer) there's nothing much about PointUI to get excited about Add to that the fact that PointUI hasn't seen an update from its developers in a very long time...
I think that Infinity shows more promise than both SPB Mobile Shell and PointUI combined. People are forgetting that what they've seen so far is only an ALPHA version!
About the task manager, try to press on the top bar...