Database Users

SE_VGA/OzVGA on WM5/Universal?

Real VGA mode is something I really miss from my HX4700 and WM2003SE.
Does anyone know if the guys that made these apps are working on versions for WM5?
Any way to hack the OS directly in the mean time?

The universal is already VGA - why would you run real_vga on it?

I know the Universal as VGA. So is the HX4700.
I take it you've never seen SE_VGA real VGA mode on a VGA pocket PC device before then?
It stops the pixel doubling of images in IE and makes the scroll bars/task bar much smaller.
Some people hate it as they think it makes text etc. too small. Personally, I have 20:20 vision and love the extra destop real estate it gives.

se_vga rocks on the HX, most definately a must have on a VGA... I wouldn't bother with a VGA device without it, the extra money on the outlay is only really worth it if you get the extra space. Sure the standard VGA looks a little slicker, but se_vga makes use of the vga fully... I was hoping WM5 would support real VGA, I guess that answer is no then?

Correct.
WM5's VGA support is pretty much the same as WM2003SE's. Everything looks nice but is all the same size as it would be on a QVGA screen.

sadly I have never owned a VGA PPC device
I tried a program to make my QVGA device VGA but it did something funky to my device so I removed it. This was back in WM2003 days with an iPaq 3870.
Can anyone recommend a VGA enabler for the BA ?

AdmiralAK said:
Can anyone recommend a VGA enabler for the BA ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, yeah.
It's called an HTC Universal upgrade. Just a simple upgrade to do.

rilot said:
AdmiralAK said:
Can anyone recommend a VGA enabler for the BA ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, yeah.
It's called an HTC Universal upgrade. Just a simple upgrade to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly I need GSM850

Here's a thread on everything VGA.

Good link. Thanks.
I now understand why my icons aren't displaying. Looks like I need some files from a QVGA version of WM5.

rilot said:
I know the Universal as VGA. So is the HX4700.
I take it you've never seen SE_VGA real VGA mode on a VGA pocket PC device before then?
It stops the pixel doubling of images in IE and makes the scroll bars/task bar much smaller.
Some people hate it as they think it makes text etc. too small. Personally, I have 20:20 vision and love the extra destop real estate it gives.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've installed this and took it away after a while. I would like to share my thoughts on product such as OzVGA.
Yes, the text is way way too small for me . I personally could not read them. The main application that I could use smaller icons and letters are internet pages. but I find that the default is already capable of displaying at a size that my eye would find too tiny. Therefore the need to make it even smaller is not there, for me.
Not only that, after installing it I had other problems including:
- My soft keyboard disappeared all together. Some other buttons within applications also have vanished. This is a serious problem. (don't know why and not techincal enough to solve the problem)
- Many icons disappeared.
- Some icons are bigger than the others
- Many applications now occupies only 1/4 of the screen, leaving 3/4 of blank space that could not be used for any other purpose whatsoever. For example, my co-pilot live vehicle navigation system now just sits in top left corner, making the screen look real ugly. Many other applications out there might be able to occupy the entire space but many won't. My music player is also another example that shrunk to 1/4 its nice original size leaving 3/4 unuseable blank space.
Although it is possible to revert to and from the original resolution, it requires soft resets. I like to have many applications open simultaneously. Internet, music, word, mail, msn chat, etc. I want some of them to use the real estate in a better way, but many I don't. It's unfortunate that I can't mix them (or perhaps there is a way that I don't know).
Would be nice if the above problems could be thoroughly thought through and resolved,

eaglesteve said:
I've installed this and took it away after a while. I would like to share my thoughts on product such as OzVGA.
Yes, the text is way way too small for me . I personally could not read them. The main application that I could use smaller icons and letters are internet pages. but I find that the default is already capable of displaying at a size that my eye would find too tiny. Therefore the need to make it even smaller is not there, for me.
Not only that, after installing it I had other problems including:
- My soft keyboard disappeared all together. Some other buttons within applications also have vanished. This is a serious problem. (don't know why and not techincal enough to solve the problem)
- Many icons disappeared.
- Some icons are bigger than the others
- Many applications now occupies only 1/4 of the screen, leaving 3/4 of blank space that could not be used for any other purpose whatsoever. For example, my co-pilot live vehicle navigation system now just sits in top left corner, making the screen look real ugly. Many other applications out there might be able to occupy the entire space but many won't. My music player is also another example that shrunk to 1/4 its nice original size leaving 3/4 unuseable blank space.
Although it is possible to revert to and from the original resolution, it requires soft resets. I like to have many applications open simultaneously. Internet, music, word, mail, msn chat, etc. I want some of them to use the real estate in a better way, but many I don't. It's unfortunate that I can't mix them (or perhaps there is a way that I don't know).
Would be nice if the above problems could be thoroughly thought through and resolved,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to give an update to this.
Instead of using ozVGA, which carries the above problem that I was not able to solve, I tried out another product called MvRTVGA. There seems to be quite a lot of improvement with the later product. No missing icons. Only a few minor annoyance due to bigger icons remaining. Almost all application (the only exception being my copilot pocket PC version 5) covers the entire screen rather than just 1/4 of it.
Overall, the balance of equation changes for me. The true VGA, without the problems that I initially experienced, does make the unit display a lot more attractive, and now I'm a convert.

What is Mvrtvga? Did a search on google and couldnt find anything
Thanks Matt

Windows Mobile is not touch-screen-friendly

I have been using WM-based device for quite a while now. There is one thing that really annoys me: it is not created for fast and easy use with your fingers. Most of the time, i don't use my stylus but quickly go to the options with my finger(nails). The problem is: all the tabs/buttons/scroll bars/slide bars are so small, i always hit the wrong button.
There are some apps on the market, but all of these doing just half the trick: the user-friendliness always ends when you open messenging or the calander: you get stuck with the standard apps delivered by microsoft with all the tiny buttons etc. (the iPhone theme had this problem, spb shell has this problem too)
Well, this is what i want to ask: is there a developer here who can make a total GUI remake for easy and fast usage? I know it will take some time to make, but all WM5/WM6 user could benefit from it!

Never going to happen.
Any dev that remakes the GUI WILL charge for it, seeing as a LOT of hours would have to go into it in order to get a working prototype.
Just use the stylus. It's a much easier solution.

_Pumba_ said:
I have been using WM-based device for quite a while now. There is one thing that really annoys me: it is not created for fast and easy use with your fingers. Most of the time, i don't use my stylus but quickly go to the options with my finger(nails). The problem is: all the tabs/buttons/scroll bars/slide bars are so small, i always hit the wrong button.
There are some apps on the market, but all of these doing just half the trick: the user-friendliness always ends when you open messenging or the calander: you get stuck with the standard apps delivered by microsoft with all the tiny buttons etc. (the iPhone theme had this problem, spb shell has this problem too)
Well, this is what i want to ask: is there a developer here who can make a total GUI remake for easy and fast usage? I know it will take some time to make, but all WM5/WM6 user could benefit from it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use WisBar Advance Desktop. You can completely change things to whatever you want and however you want.

Try using the buttons. Most stuff can be done using the buttons. Easier to learn using the buttons than to wait for dev to make things bigger. Try SmartKey
or get a phone with bigger screen.

bombzhome said:
Use WisBar Advance Desktop. You can completely change things to whatever you want and however you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can i change the looks of the menu/settings with wisbar?
i have a HUGE screen compared to a normal phone and its a TOUCHSCREEN, i want to use it as much as possible !!!

_Pumba_ said:
can i change the looks of the menu/settings with wisbar?
i have a HUGE screen compared to a normal phone and its a TOUCHSCREEN, i want to use it as much as possible !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What phone do you have?
You can change the today screen and the top bar, along with the start menu-etc with wisbar.
For bigger keyboards, there are plenty of programs out there that you can use (intellipad-etc)

Have you looked at the iPhone simulation apps that are scattered all over?
I believe they even got a contacts app now that is finger-friendly.
The thing is this - WM is not "finger friendly", it does fine with touch screen.
The price for finger friendly interface is less information displayed at any given time. Many phones use 2.8 / 2.7 inch displays and that is tiny.
Personally I am willing to forgo the fingers (they dirty the screen anyway) and use hardware button and stylus when needed.
But to each his own and you may consider the real iPhone as your next device - it is designed to be used entirely with your fingers (doesn't even come with a stylus as far as I know)

levenum said:
Have you looked at the iPhone simulation apps that are scattered all over?
I believe they even got a contacts app now that is finger-friendly.
The thing is this - WM is not "finger friendly", it does fine with touch screen.
The price for finger friendly interface is less information displayed at any given time. Many phones use 2.8 / 2.7 inch displays and that is tiny.
Personally I am willing to forgo the fingers (they dirty the screen anyway) and use hardware button and stylus when needed.
But to each his own and you may consider the real iPhone as your next device - it is designed to be used entirely with your fingers (doesn't even come with a stylus as far as I know)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked out the contacts app and this is nice. You're point about more information on a screen is true, but i do think microsoft could have made it a bit more convenient.

_Pumba_ said:
I have been using WM-based device for quite a while now. There is one thing that really annoys me: it is not created for fast and easy use with your fingers. Most of the time, i don't use my stylus but quickly go to the options with my finger(nails). The problem is: all the tabs/buttons/scroll bars/slide bars are so small, i always hit the wrong button.
Well, this is what i want to ask: is there a developer here who can make a total GUI remake for easy and fast usage? I know it will take some time to make, but all WM5/WM6 user could benefit from it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i mean WM based devices were created for the use in conjunction with a stylus... it has been only recently that this "iphone no stylus" craze has been happening and no people want to use their fingers etc. i honestly like using the stylus because the screen doesn't get fingerprints on it. with wisbar u can create "bigger" buttons. just my .02

a today plugin that runs swf files?

a today plugin that runs a swf file that acts as the user interface to the device?
is this an impossibility
or is it already possible and I am just unaware?
and yes I searched and wiki'ed (is that a word)
Thanks in advance for the help!
Denz

not a single reply? sheesh! tough crowd!

densmore said:
a today plugin that runs a swf file that acts as the user interface to the device?
is this an impossibility
or is it already possible and I am just unaware?
and yes I searched and wiki'ed (is that a word)
Thanks in advance for the help!
Denz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's hard to get any help here, I know.
a swf file doesn't act as a user interface. A swf file is a dynamic movie, that has a very limited access to the device.

not really.. I could code the flash and make it do all kinds of things
just not sure how to get it to run my flash instead of the today screen.
i r teh puzzled

densmore said:
a today plugin that runs a swf file that acts as the user interface to the device?
is this an impossibility
or is it already possible and I am just unaware?
and yes I searched and wiki'ed (is that a word)
Thanks in advance for the help!
Denz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shouldnt be hard to write one...
you can embedd html's as today apps.... there is a microsoft article somewhere about it...

Please tell me besides fscommand exec, what kind if things?

The today plugin that runs swf in an IE window has the issue of the IE window being a wrapper. So you arent seeing the swf, you are seeing the swf movie running in a browser.
what kinds of things?
How about a menu that moves?
Some Rudementary Examples
Like This
or one that is more complex
Like This
Or emulates something familliar
Like This
Or something weird and complex
Like This
Or something convaluted
Like This
Or something completely annoying
Like This
None of these things is much more than 30k and I see SO much potential in the ability to do stuff like this. I just need them to run AS a today plugin that .. well... takes over the device and uses this as a menu instead of the options I see available.
I have seen flash EXE files that accomplish something like this but I am dumbfounded as to how this is accomplished?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

WhoNeedAnIphone
http://www.whoneedsaniphone.com/
Yeah I have a feeling this is going to be something.

Hi Denz, are you thinking of developing a new flash based today app? cos I have got loads of ideas I would love to give to you. My skills are not in programming, but I think I've got a couple of cool ideas. Does it have to be a today app? or could you not just launch it from a nice today icon. For example, you tap an icon and a screen is launched with click and zoom icon to show a photo dialer with finger drag, or all programs icons in a dynamic finger scrollable band. Or maybe I should just stay off the hard stuff for a while?

well I dug around enough and finally found out my answer....
Flash CS3 allows you to develop for mobile devices.
Im a Flash 8 Professional User so I didnt know.
So ... yeah... it can be a today icon or a whole menuing system.
My instincts tell me that the whoneedsaniphone.com guys are already way ahead of me... however, once I get CS3 anything is possible!
I already wanna photo flip by flick thingy... sue me.. Im a gimmick whore.

densmore said:
The today plugin that runs swf in an IE window has the issue of the IE window being a wrapper. So you arent seeing the swf, you are seeing the swf movie running in a browser.
what kinds of things?
How about a menu that moves?
Some Rudementary Examples
Like This
or one that is more complex
Like This
Or emulates something familliar
Like This
Or something weird and complex
Like This
Or something convaluted
Like This
Or something completely annoying
Like This
None of these things is much more than 30k and I see SO much potential in the ability to do stuff like this. I just need them to run AS a today plugin that .. well... takes over the device and uses this as a menu instead of the options I see available.
I have seen flash EXE files that accomplish something like this but I am dumbfounded as to how this is accomplished?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be rude, but why would I want any of your examples running on my Today's screen. It's nothing but a bunch of complex animations, which will descrease my productivity, consume CPU cycles and eat up the battery. The only practial outcome of this idea is the finger touch posibility, this might actually speed up things.

Remember the next generation of devices are set to be well capable of little jobs like those. More power more memory, the interface needs to be better to use a better device more productively. Every menu will eventually be a 3d animated transformation, not unlike something from the new movie. I agree it could slow my artemis a bit though, but I think it should be developed and I think here is the place. My mind boggles with possibilities of spinning menus and zooming pages.

kislui said:
Not to be rude, but why would I want any of your examples running on my Today's screen. It's nothing but a bunch of complex animations, which will descrease my productivity, consume CPU cycles and eat up the battery. The only practial outcome of this idea is the finger touch posibility, this might actually speed up things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be rude.... but go buy a spare battery and a car charger.

rhov23 said:
It's hard to get any help here, I know.
a swf file doesn't act as a user interface. A swf file is a dynamic movie, that has a very limited access to the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. it "may" act, trust me.

densmore said:
The today plugin that runs swf in an IE window has the issue of the IE window being a wrapper. So you arent seeing the swf, you are seeing the swf movie running in a browser.
what kinds of things?
How about a menu that moves?
Some Rudementary Examples
Like This
or one that is more complex
Like This
Or emulates something familliar
Like This
Or something weird and complex
Like This
Or something convaluted
Like This
Or something completely annoying
Like This
None of these things is much more than 30k and I see SO much potential in the ability to do stuff like this. I just need them to run AS a today plugin that .. well... takes over the device and uses this as a menu instead of the options I see available.
I have seen flash EXE files that accomplish something like this but I am dumbfounded as to how this is accomplished?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've made this app called iTask. it's flash based. with animated menus. I'm on my 4th "build" now.
I have programlaunching, xml weather feed, simple rss news, draw, clock, simple dialpad, storage monitor, battery monitor, memory monitor, sms writer, notepadwriter, small dynamic calendar, many customizable icons and text, submenus, calculator., screenlock, powerdown animation. all made in flash 8 exported to flash 6/7...
if you use the device thing on cs3, you only support wm5+. if you use a flash .exe builder for pocketpc you can play it in wm2003/SE as well.
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11402&page=15

nothin said:
lol. it "may" act, trust me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol?
if you have a swf, with no support from a projector you get very limited access to the device.
a swf in internet explorer can't do the same thing as a flashprojector, because of restrictions. If it didn't have restrictions any idiot could make a "flashvirus" online.
Can you tell me how it "may" act?

So... could it act as a keyboard? you slide your finger about over the letters, they pop up in a bubble, when you release the letter is entered.

densmore said:
a today plugin that runs a swf file that acts as the user interface to the device?
is this an impossibility
or is it already possible and I am just unaware?
and yes I searched and wiki'ed (is that a word)
Thanks in advance for the help!
Denz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
samsung (i718, i710) has developed something like this...
it is a replacement for the menu aka spb shell...and yes it uses a .swf file
(if you can't find it pm me {only developers}...i might not reply for a few days though )

uniqueboy said:
So... could it act as a keyboard? you slide your finger about over the letters, they pop up in a bubble, when you release the letter is entered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in a word... yes.
But also it could pop up boobs with tattoos of the alphabet on them that pop up and wiggle with each poke.
Flash is all cool like that.

[idea] Dj Application

For those experimenting with software like Virtual DJ, I think it would be a cool idea to have a mobile version of a DJ program..
You could load 1 or 2 tracks in it and if possible record your progress
I thought of 2 ways that this could be done..
1. Screen Touch (One touch)
A disk could be shown on the screen and you could scratch the disk by moving your finger up and down on the disk.
IF possible you could have the 2nd song linked to the scrollwheel so that you could scratch 2 songs at the same time
2. The cool & hard way
A while ago i saw a video which showed that the scrollwheel area is capable of multitouch (left and right of the scrollwheel). However there are no applications that allow that yet (as far as i know)..it is possible though so thats what matters..
so the other way would be to use that area to scratch both of the sonds together if needed..
I remember that there is a DJ mixer software for the Nokia N series (symbian)..Hopefully someone can make this with a Diamond twist..
Any thoughts of this?
I somehow sense that people will start bashing about it being useless and posting comments like " Why dont you do it on the computer instead ffs!! )
Anyway, i think it would be a cool piece of software to have if its possible to make it ofcourse

useless, don`t see the point.
do it on youre regular PC, get a nokia N-series.
otherwise it is a great idea of having fun for the dull moments
so good thinking

groofoo said:
useless, don`t see the point.
do it on youre regular PC, get a nokia N-series.
otherwise it is a great idea of having fun for the dull moments
so good thinking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
by the way the nokia series version does not allow you to spin the disks but hopefully a diamond version will

That`s what I use.. sometimes...
Not exactly the app being demanded.. but maybe it will do.

[Idea]-to have glass borders,scrollers etc.

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.