hi,
i'm trying to work out which shell replacement to use on my experia. i've used the full version of spb mobile shell on my kaiser and quite like the functionality although it looks pretty dull. i'm tempted to install TF3D but would like the opinion of someone who has used both as to which is better ?
unfortunately, i need the ability to go back to the standard wm homescreen as i don't think any of the shell replacements can take advantage of standard wm today plugins (i'm thinking david andr birthdays here which i use to warn me in advance of upcoming birthdays so that i can get a present in time ...)
does anyone have any opinions ?
thanks in advance ...
I use all.. I use WM today screen. and spbshell and tf3d.. I choose what I like at that moment. Thats why the panels are so handy
thanks kev!n - you don't find that your phone slows down at all ?
how do you access all 3 ? do you have TF3D set up as a panel od you access all 3 from panel 1 on your x1 ?
thanks
Yes I installed it as a panel. And acces it all with panels. And the phone did not slow down for me so I think its great
thanks for that. did you manage to get the full version of mobile shell working as a panel or are you using the panel version ?
mobile shell + pocket plus + phone suite all the way
TF3D is only a little eye candy no more, and I prefer more info on screen than good graphics on screen.
I have both installed (as panels). No problems here, running very nicely.
Using TF3D more, for the most part simply because the HTC Music Player is more touch friendly (although the eye candy doesn't hurt either if I'm being completely honest).
Can't really see a reason not to have both, especially now that TF3D is available in panel form (and also more stable in that form if others reports are to be believed).
NZtechfreak said:
I have both installed (as panels). No problems here, running very nicely.
Using TF3D more, for the most part simply because the HTC Music Player is more touch friendly (although the eye candy doesn't hurt either if I'm being completely honest).
Can't really see a reason not to have both, especially now that TF3D is available in panel form (and also more stable in that form if others reports are to be believed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree 100% i'm using both and they both work great. I'm hoping someone comes out with a WVGA skin for spb mobile shell panel. If not who knows i might try and make one myself.
Ever so slightly off topis but....
I've got the normal version of SPB MS installed rather than the free panel version. I can access the normal today screen at any time.
A senior member called GREATBAL has made some fantastic skins/mods for mobile shell, these worked perfectly on my Kaiser but unfortunately due to screen resolution they don't work on the X1.
Anyway I have PM'ed GREATBAL and he gave me this reply
'The Xperia-ish theme won'twork on the X1's screen resolution. But it would be very interesting to get hold of the graphics files in the X1 so we came make it into an MS theme. Those graohics files would be hi-res and suitable for VGA/QVGA devices. The images i used are drawn from scratch using photoshop based on screenshots i found on the net. but they are low-res suitable for QVGA devices only'
So if anyone can send these files to the great GREATBAL you never know what magic he could do for us!!
Greatbal has a wvga spb mobile shell theme. Ultimate Windows 7 or something like that. I doesn't work on the spb mobile shell panel but it might work on the full version. I dunno.
Do you mean this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=407487
Post 3
nim said:
Do you mean this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=407487
Post 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup that is it. I took some screen shots and they are shown here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=407487&page=64
I followed the installation instructions in the post and installed this last night including soft reset.
It crashed my X1!.........but soft reset again and its been fine.
It's an OK theme (for the time being).
Hmmm it didn't work for me at all. The theme is chopped off on the bottom.
Does anyone know how to change the default view on the panel version of SPB Shell so that it displays the 'home screen' when opening rather than the 'shortcuts' view?
I hope I've used the right terminology, I'm a bit of a noob.
Cheers,
Ronnie
Bump...
Thanks in advance.
Related
hi,
could mobile 5 and mobile 6 users post their
screen shoots of the today screen on there devices and the software for
used for Customising it
is there a wincustomise for pocket pcs ? or equiv ?
thanks
VGA: True VGA
Today Plugin: SPB Pocket Plus
Nice work i like the screen resolution
i'm resurrecting this thread because im sure theres plenty more Athena users out there now, and thus far I havent found an Advantage setup im happy with, so show me what you got
I was wondering if any one has a screen shot of the virtual keyboard in regular res? I would like to see how it compares in size to my hermes.
Appreciate it fellas!
Here's my today screenshot. Nothing special.
Here's my screenshot for the week. Just using WAD and WA3 to create.
MWillis561 said:
Here's my screenshot for the week. Just using WAD and WA3 to create.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where did you get that qa3 skin ? or is it custom made? can you link ?
Here is my today.
Done with rlToday in XML. Most of the icons are home made. The layout and everything is pretty much from scratch.
I dont use Athena.. but .. here u go ..
Here is the link to the place where I got it from. I wish I could make something like that. All credit goes to Buzzard.
http://lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9269&page=6
This requires WA2/WA3 and WAD. You will need to put together the skin for WAD.
Here's mine
I use WA3, PocketWeather, and Resco's File Explorer
-Krip
Nice Anik. Keep em coming getting a few good ideas, just a matter of finding the time for customising now....perhaps less time posting more time pimping
My X7510
Windows Vista Mobile
My X7510
WisBar Advance 2
My X7510
SBSH PocketBreeze iLauncher & Clock
My X7510
More Today Screens
Windows Vista Mobile
wonsanim said:
Windows Vista Mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Wonsanim,
were to find this software Windows Vista Mobile? I have X7500.
Thanks
John
This is my X7501's desktop using Wisbard 3 and Rockabilly's ClearGloss skins, with ye olde Weatherpanel and SPB PocketPlus.
interface
Here's several. I make my own interface. WA+WAD.
http://jetherson.com/life2/?q=\20090523_athena&qq=
Notes:
Screenshot_1: all the pics in the background updates randomly every 10mins; the buttons on the right side toggles (shows/hides) when I press that area; the wifi/bluetooth/missedcalls/etc notification changes icons upon activation.
Screen10: same as Screenshot_1, but doesn't change the wallpaper; the weather satellite image updates every 12hrs (phone goes online and gets the updated image from my webserver [which has a code that crops the weather.com Asia image into just Philippines]).
Screen08: this is what I am using now; ringtones complete with super mario mixes; love it.
Screen007: I used this when I first got (borrowed acutally, company-issued, sigh) a Macbook Pro, and I just tried copying the look-and-feel; the single photo one the left side changes every 10mins; the weather satellite images changes too, same logic with Screen10.
I'll create a new one in the future.
Ciao.
mtkates posted a great SPB mobile shell theme, the VGA customizzation of the DIAMOND SPB mobile shell 2.1 theme http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=402021
I have tested it (SPB works in 192 DPI) and works fine on X7500 wm 6.1 ROM!
In the same post there is a mini guide to convert QVGA in VGA themes
WOW! It looks nice, but must be memory hungry application.
cktlcmd said:
WOW! It looks nice, but must be memory hungry application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not too much, it needs spb mobile shell 2
sergiopi said:
mtkates posted a great SPB mobile shell theme, the VGA customizzation of the DIAMOND SPB mobile shell 2.1 theme http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=402021
I have tested it (SPB works in 192 DPI) and works fine on X7500 wm 6.1 ROM!
In the same post there is a mini guide to convert QVGA in VGA themes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does this works in landscape mode or only in portait?
portrait AND landscape
Hello...
Can it be use in 96dpi? Did you try it?
Last time I try I need to make a hard reset because my device didn't recognize shell 2 themes!
Regards.
nah its ****ed up in 96dpi
192 works great though, but only 5 tabs? weird
Ah well great none the less
Rory
I agree, SPB Mobile shell don't show correctly at 96 dpi, although all functions work. A solution was suggested on how to fix it. I tried, but it did not work for me. I always get a blank screen upon launching SPB Mobile Shell. The device did not froze, I can get out off it using the normal functions. I must have messed up somewhere, but with my innexperience, it was just too over whelming. Although, the suggestion was really a good and valid idea as he was able to make SPB Mobile Shell run on a square screen.
What version of RealVGA are you using? The updated version of this theme (only version I've tried), hangs when trying to go to the 'Now' screen for me.
Got it working with the cab version of 1.1, the files only version didnt work for me so I doubt upgrading would work either... shame, the VGA version looks a bit rough and ready on mine.
None of this works at all at 128dpi. Just in case anyone wondered.
Strange. After I copied all the *.dat files to the device's folder, the spb menu does not start anymore. I'm in 192 dpi.
Tried twice with the same result. Once I recopied the original *.dat files back, it springs back to life again.
Okay, the dat files override method does not work, but a cab file from responderman does it.
I'm beginining to reaaly like spb mobile shell now. It's much more customisable than I first thought.
Edit: Solved. All the skins in those threads for for QVGA only. There are only two VGA compatible theme AFAIK.
After installing spb mobile shell, download and install the cab in this link. It works for VGA devices.
Here you can find a 3 page contact VGA compatible diamond interface
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QH8YC8K7
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=402021 post #4 is where the original author of the skin provided the link
Here you can find a 1 page contact VGA compatible diamond interface:
http://www.4shared.com/file/53749843/4e098a78/VGA_Diamond_1_contact.html
eaglesteve,
I thought i had read in another post that you have been tweaking with the SPB MS 2.1 settings and have been able to speed up the VGA Diamond interface for Athena?? Is this correct? If so, can you share the settings you used because I am finding that although the program works, the interface slows down my Advantage 7501 dramatically and the device speeds back up as soon as I uninstall the SPB mobile shell program.
I am currently running the Taxist Ultra Lite (1st one) ROM
photon2 said:
eaglesteve,
I thought i had read in another post that you have been tweaking with the SPB MS 2.1 settings and have been able to speed up the VGA Diamond interface for Athena?? Is this correct? If so, can you share the settings you used because I am finding that although the program works, the interface slows down my Advantage 7501 dramatically and the device speeds back up as soon as I uninstall the SPB mobile shell program.
I am currently running the Taxist Ultra Lite (1st one) ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Photons2,
I don't remember having made such a post, but if you come across that again, I've be interested to know too. For me, I don't notice too much slow down yet.
Ok, just checking back, I have since upgraded to the
Sogarth's Base Vanilla Rom (SPL 3.5 and 1.2) which has worked great! The SPB Mobile shell is nice and smooth now and no problemos so far (about 5 hours into it)
If your going to use the Diamond interface with SPB mobile shell V2.1 then I recommend the Sogarths / Irus Vanilla Rom here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=410139
Now if I could just figure out mtkates' tutorial better (QVGA to VGA Mobile Shell Conversion Mini-Tutorial) I could get some better graphics out there however no luck yet...
Check this out: VGA diamond skin for SPB Mobile Shell. Fresh from the ovan.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=412052
After installing the standard SPL Mobile Shell, simply copy the files in the above zip into the spb menu shell folder. Done. You now have a beautiful diamond interface.... Well.. not exactly. The layout is still the version 1, which looks like standard Mobile Shell in terms of control but diamond in color. In vesion 2.0, they have layout which gives buttons and controls that resember the diamond more closely. However, there is no VGA diamond skin for that yet AFAIK.
This one works great, and it is a REAL VGA Interface.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=412052
Thanks a lot for this work.
.... this here is not for free, but its really great and only for VGA (640x480).
GD alnavopl
http://mobileshell.ppc-theme.com/page 9.html
Sorry, i forget the LINK.
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!
Can anyone tell me whether to install Cookies home tab or SPB mobile shell to my hd mini...And will it slow down the device if i install any of these?
And please add the link where i can get the software...
thanks!!!
SPB Mobile Shell
I have SPB Mobile Shell and it´s more quickly then CHT.
SPB mobile Shell 3.5.5 runs very well ^ ^
CHT could be tuned to run faster and it is free.
Just set 'Simple animations' and everything go smooth
Are there any themes for SPB Mobile Shell 3.5.5 compatible with the mini?
and version 5.0 you know or have?
I like Spb Shell 3.5.5 and its potentials.
But why is it so slow? Especially when going back to homescreen.
When you press home button, it takes at least a solid 3 seconds before homescreen shows up. Sometimes a bit longer.
This "dillemma" can be solved easily
As CHT is freeware, try this one first. If you like it, nice! If you don't just take your wallet and get you SPB Mobile Shell But I think, CHT is very nice
CHT is slower than SPB mobille shell 3.5.5
but I thought CHT didn't work with HD Mini, due to screen sizes being different and the developers have said they are not going to produce one for the mini screen?
ims said:
but I thought CHT didn't work with HD Mini, due to screen sizes being different and the developers have said they are not going to produce one for the mini screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a HVGA port Search the forums a little bit and you'll find
My MINI crashes often with SPB
Tried both CHT and SPB. My feeling is SPB works a bit smoother: specifically at start up: I don't get the screen with CHT that I defined. First I needed to swap to another page and back before it was as I defined it to be.
But in SPB, I had quite some freezes which needed a soft reset. And after removing, I had to do a hard reset to get rid of it completely. Now I work with os of the standard rom and downloaded a view small enhancement packages like the HD_mini_ProgramsTab etc.
it's not a port, version 3.5.5 supports hvga resolution
i've been using spb for now, coockie didn't seem to do it for me, i got used to the spb shell.
you can always try the spb as a 15-day demo on marketplace (can give you the cab if you like), which is pretty nice
if you don't like it, try cht, it's free and highly customizable
as far as themes go, i haven't had any luck finding one for hvga res i liked yet, most devs keep the hvga for last
pwel said:
Tried both CHT and SPB. My feeling is SPB works a bit smoother: specifically at start up: I don't get the screen with CHT that I defined. First I needed to swap to another page and back before it was as I defined it to be.
But in SPB, I had quite some freezes which needed a soft reset. And after removing, I had to do a hard reset to get rid of it completely. Now I work with os of the standard rom and downloaded a view small enhancement packages like the HD_mini_ProgramsTab etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does this "HD_mini_ProgramsTab" do?
Is there a way to solve this SPB freeze?