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Just saw announcement of Winterface shell from Vito, and I know some people use SPB shell... but also heard it can create problems.
What are the ups and downs? What alternatives are people using?
For reference, I use iLauncher, PhoneAlarm (for profiles, notifications), PocketBreeze for easy access to calendar, contacts, weather, and WkTask and SmallMenu (start menu replacement) for task management. Altogether, this works "fine" but some of the alternatives seem like a more integrated and polished interface.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
For myself I use: Real VGA at 96dpi, Magic Button to show the running applications, Small Menu as a Start replacement and launcher assigned to my home button, and Handy Menu for access to soft reset, screen capture, or device OFF (other options are available). All of them have small footprints and runs well at 96dpi.
I use spb time to give me the alarm with big button and multi location times.
Then, spb phone suite for missed call/email/sms alert, turn in/off wifi/bt/data, phone profile.
For weather, I use sbsh pocket weather.
For launcher and safe mode soft reset, I use iLauncher.
For task switching, I use wktask.
For calendar, I use today Agenda which uses one line per item.
Works very well and is very flexible.
For calendar items, I use
Ultimate launcher with xmt using either a modified manilla style clock or modified x lucent theme, with wktask and quickmenu.
although the new today prog i linked to looks like it will have potential.
ocassionally especially if its sitting on my desk ill use the tempus13 swf manilla animated clock running fullscreen inside flashlite. must write a mortscript to trigger it automatically when docked.
all in 96dpi
--off topic---
cktlcmd, i see you've finally bought a replacement for your uni... Im still waiting for mine, still havent decided on x7510 or be cheap and stick with x7501... anyway, good on you! So did you bury your uni?
I've switched to spb mobile shell with Diamond skin. It's very customizable and flexible.
eaglesteve said:
I've switched to spb mobile shell with Diamond skin. It's very customizable and flexible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does SPB Mobile Shell work with Real VGA 96dpi in yours?
cuteangelika said:
--off topic---
cktlcmd, i see you've finally bought a replacement for your uni... Im still waiting for mine, still havent decided on x7510 or be cheap and stick with x7501... anyway, good on you! So did you bury your uni?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol
The best purchase I've done yet. I am happy with the quality and performance. Compared to my Universal, my X7510 is very stable even with hundreds of applications installed. It can survive a whole charge without having to soft reset. It is very solid with no creeking plastic sounds like the Universal. I still have not bought a micro SD card, and I still have tons of storage despite having 200 reference books in it. The screen size... I just love it. I never knew the importance of having a GPS till now.
Nowadays, I just use my Universal to play my music in my car. I hard resetted and only installed WM5torage 1.8 and SPB Time. It has become a permanant fixture in my dashboard. It still looks cool at night... especially with the screen on fully bright.
If you value the use of the buttons, go for the X7501 especially if you can buy a cheap brand new unit. Do read about the issues and how to solve the microdrive quirks though. I read that formatting the microdrive to FAT 32 using WM5torage prevents any data corruption. Never use the built-in format drive to format the microdrive.
On the other hand, since you are a first time Advantage seeker, going for the X7510 I think is the better purchase. I use my X7510 mainly on landscape, so buttons are no problem with mine. I can survive with just using the home button for launching any application via Small Menu. The 16GB SSD is a big plus. The keyboard is amazing. The only thing I can say about it is the absence of Soft Keys and Backlight. It's top has a rubberized coating, so no scratching of the unit can occur.
Here in the US, we have no option to buy a cheap brand new X7500 or X7501. All of them: X7500, X7501, and X7510 have the same price if you are purchasing them brand new, so it is most logical for me to go with the X7510.
cktlcmd said:
Does SPB Mobile Shell work with Real VGA 96dpi in yours?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. nowaday I'm using only 192dpi. I find that most of my applications look better in this dpi - from Opera mobile, phone, dictionary.... I can use my thumb (yes, not just finger but the big thumb) to do almost everything. There are a few applications which I wish I'm in 96dpi (such as office applications), but most of them work better in 192dpi.
It's funny that after using it for a while I'm so used to it that I wonder how I managed to see the tiny tiny characters in 96dpi. When I was using 96dpi, the feeling was reversed - I wonder how anyone could live with those gigantic taskbar!
Installing SPB mobile shell with diamond skin is a breath of fresh air for me for now. I don't know when I would get sick of this and change it again. I'm always looking for new toys so to speak, and each time I change I feel like I've just bought a completely new gadget.
eaglesteve said:
No. nowaday I'm using only 192dpi.
Installing SPB mobile shell with diamond skin is a breath of fresh air for me for now. I don't know when I would get sick of this and change it again. I'm always looking for new toys so to speak, and each time I change I feel like I've just bought a completely new gadget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I envy you with SPB Mobile Shell. I really like it too, but I love 96dpi more... can't have them all I guess.
eaglesteve said:
Installing SPB mobile shell with diamond skin is a breath of fresh air for me for now. I don't know when I would get sick of this and change it again. I'm always looking for new toys so to speak, and each time I change I feel like I've just bought a completely new gadget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How were you able to get SPB Mobile shell to work with the Diamond Skin (the one posted in the forums somewhere, right?) to work on a VGA phone? Or did someone convert in the the thread with the hundreds of pages?
polstein said:
How were you able to get SPB Mobile shell to work with the Diamond Skin (the one posted in the forums somewhere, right?) to work on a VGA phone? Or did someone convert in the the thread with the hundreds of pages?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=409528&page=4
See post 39 by Resaponderman.
Cheers.
eaglesteve said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=409528&page=4
See post 39 by Resaponderman.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link - much more better then translating and working with the French site I was trying to download and play with yesterday.
Installed - wow, it's much darker then I thought. Will play for a day, but my initial reaction is I like the original better.
Really wish that the program was somehow made to allow compatibility with some of the beautiful QVGA themes and VGA themes.
How are you getting to the dialer with Diamond Skin loaded?
Hey eaglesteve, how are you bringing up the phone dialer? With the lack of hardware buttons on the x7510 and no soft keys in Diamond skinned mode, I am hitting the home button to bring up the base Spb screen, and then selecting Phone soft key from te sys tray. When I want to go back to Diamond I then select Spb Menu which is my other soft key. That is a few steps when one used to do it.
Do you have a better approach? Thanks.
robjhellis said:
Hey eaglesteve, how are you bringing up the phone dialer? With the lack of hardware buttons on the x7510 and no soft keys in Diamond skinned mode, I am hitting the home button to bring up the base Spb screen, and then selecting Phone soft key from te sys tray. When I want to go back to Diamond I then select Spb Menu which is my other soft key. That is a few steps when one used to do it.
Do you have a better approach? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pin the phone icon to the home tab. When I want to make call, I swipe my thumb upward to go to today and directly press the phone icon.
OK now I'm going to show my total ignorance. What do you mean by "pin" to the home tab.
Again thanks a bunch.
robjhellis said:
OK now I'm going to show my total ignorance. What do you mean by "pin" to the home tab.
Again thanks a bunch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you have installed SPB MObile shell, you will be able to see the following items in the Start/Setting/Personal/Today program under the Item Tab.
- spb mobile shell
- Home tab
- Time tab
- weather tab
- Dial tab 3
- Dial tab 2
- Dial tab
I only tick the Home tab.
The items on these home tab could represent the most recently used program so is dynamically added or removed, unless you "pin" them there permanently. To pin an application such as Phone on the home tab permanently, click and hold the tab until a menu pops up and choose Manage Pinned.. (the bottom item). You will be then allowed to tick the programs that you want to stay on the home tab. This is what I meant by "pin".
Thanks for that - now I get that piece.
My ability to finger swipe seems very hit and miss on my device. When I have the Diamond skin up mostly I can swipe right to left to flip the pages (which is not that useful seeing as there is a button to get to the same place) but swiping up and down to return to the Today screen works maybe 1 in 20 times - and the Today button gets me there anyway!
Any thoughts on why my screen gestures are not very responsive?
Also have you tried ThumbCal? If so I cannot get it to respond as the default calendar from within the Diamond Skin, although it works fine as the default from ouside of Diamond (ThumbCal has a setting to tick to make that happen).
Anyway, also watching out for any other alternate VGA skins. Have you noted any others on the forum yet? There is continued promise of more to come in certain of the "Development and Hacking" threads in the General section.
robjhellis said:
Thanks for that - now I get that piece.
My ability to finger swipe seems very hit and miss on my device. When I have the Diamond skin up mostly I can swipe right to left to flip the pages (which is not that useful seeing as there is a button to get to the same place) but swiping up and down to return to the Today screen works maybe 1 in 20 times - and the Today button gets me there anyway!
Any thoughts on why my screen gestures are not very responsive?
Also have you tried ThumbCal? If so I cannot get it to respond as the default calendar from within the Diamond Skin, although it works fine as the default from ouside of Diamond (ThumbCal has a setting to tick to make that happen).
Anyway, also watching out for any other alternate VGA skins. Have you noted any others on the forum yet? There is continued promise of more to come in certain of the "Development and Hacking" threads in the General section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have already installed FtouchSL, then the most likely reason for the lack of responsiveness is that you have not excluded Spb mobile shell in your FtouchSL. It should be very fast.
I didn't know about FtouchSL relying entirely on HTC TouchFLO. I've downloaded it now and will try it out. Thanks for the tip.
Hi all
I am wondering if it is possible to edit TouchFlo 3D. I dont mean just changing colours and graphics, I mean change its contents. I would like to be able to edit the items that appear on it and add my own shortcuts to programs. Is this possible ?
Many thanks
That's really the whole point of the programs tab. You can add or remove existing tabs within the settings too.
I seriously doubt custom app tabs would be possible as this would require TF3D to render the app within itself.
Would be cool though if you could install custom tabs or build your own though... Not something I've looked into, anyone know if this is possible?
Tasks
Hi everyone,
Touch HD = my 1st WinMo Device. Coming from an N95 slightly dissapointed with camera and lack of group SMS but love everything else.
Is there a way to display tasks on the today screen in Touch Flo 3d?
qai5er said:
Hi everyone,
Touch HD = my 1st WinMo Device. Coming from an N95 slightly dissapointed with camera and lack of group SMS but love everything else.
Is there a way to display tasks on the today screen in Touch Flo 3d?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Group SMS, you can almost certainly install a program for this! I've never used one myself but just a google search turns up a few...
First few results from google:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-group-sms.html
http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/SMS/Group-SMS-56808.shtml
http://group-sms.en.softonic.com/windowsmobile
As I said never used it, not tried any of these but there will most certainly be people on this forum who can advise you better.
You might want to check out SecondToday for today screen tasks, they are not displayed directly on the TF3D today screen but are just 1 button away.
Is it possible adding a new option item (Vibrating the device when tapping the tabs of TouchFlo, Youtube and Opera) to this current setting page like RED marking option. I think this future is added on Touch HD with a new version of TouchFlo Settings. On my Touch Diamond I have Version 3.0.
Try TouchResponse from here. Although it won't specifically be for that, it'll work all around your diamond and you can adjust the length of the vibration.
Wow thats pretty tight.
This Touch HD TF3D is soooooooo much better than the other devices, stocks etc;
I wish they would just make it all the same for every TF3D user.
@shun4rm323;
Thanks for your suggestion. Also I used TouchResponse. But it vibrate at all touch. It is Battery life time monster . May be not. I dont have test it so fast. But it give me so a feeling.. But that is a nice useful application. With this new option vibration occur only on specific applications like TouchFlo, Youtube and Opera.
xboxhaxorz;
I see you.. I think in a near time we will see customized or official TouchFl3D for all touch based HTC devices with new versions. I like stock tab and customize tab option in Settings
I think nobody have an idea like Me
Is this a big request
That specific tab/opera vibrating works on some roms with the new TF3D2 from Xboxmod (the first version V1C seemed to have it, but the V1D does not implement it, or at least I have not been able to do it again)
To be honest, I tried the touch flo 3d, the home 2, but the only thing I like is the normal, clean windows mobile today screen i like it, its neat , organized, and the xperia wallpaper gives it an elegant look. I alos modified the left menu key to initiate a new sms
what do u think?
I like it's neat clean look, but I prefer using the SE Today Panel.
trezegol87 said:
To be honest, I tried the touch flo 3d, the home 2, but the only thing I like is the normal, clean windows mobile today screen i like it, its neat , organized, and the xperia wallpaper gives it an elegant look.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, a big fan of Winmo Today screen. When I jumped ship from Palm OS to Winmo, the Today screen really makes me forget I ever had a Palm OS device... Although the fond memories of rock hard stability creeps out now and then.
Currently Using itje's incredible Touch-IT v4.5 ROM. The Touchflo is nice, but more of a gimmick then anything else... Give me plain old Today screen anytime.
It just seems easier on the Today screen, that's why I have a lite rom installed, along with TF3d and panels.
I tend to always end up back at the default today screen. Something just nice about it.
Yeah I use it all the time now as it seems to be the most customisable without being fiddley and does all I want it too... I would like a today that is a combination of several of the panels but so far have found nothing that I like more than the normal today...
i use the today screen as my default screen when at work as i like to be in control of how many appointments are displayed, reminders, etc. it's nice to be able to switch to another panel for the weekends though ...
i'm a bit concerned about some of the screenshots for wm 6.5. does the today screen still exist ?
The standard Today just works. Give you access to what a PDA is for, PIM. There is a plugin called TodayAgenda which makes it perfect though.
glad you guys think the same way
btw, any idea how to make a shortcut for the start button? I downloaded a program, H button, that enables me to long press a key and a program comes up... but i want to access the start menu that way
trezegol87 said:
glad you guys think the same way
btw, any idea how to make a shortcut for the start button? I downloaded a program, H button, that enables me to long press a key and a program comes up... but i want to access the start menu that way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you trying to assign a hardware key to Start Menu? If so, go to Start>Settings>Buttons
All this talk is making me want to use the Today panel more! I just tweaked it a little bit and I'm going to give it a try next week.
Does anybody know of a way to get more programs on it? Skype is on the list, and I think TomTom is, but I'd like a couple others.
I need to use the today screen to see the G-Alarm plugin, how much Internet traffic I had this month (SPB Wireless). Also I find it very convenient to use Elecont Dialer (a scrollable row of contacts to call or sms) and Elecont Launcher (a scrollable row of apps).
So I usually end up using it, even if SPB Shell is more touch-friendly. It just doesn't display all the information I need in one screen.
I always seem to go back to the spb panel as my default. its simple and looks clean i think compared with tf3d and point ui. im hopeing that when the new 3.0 shell comes out that it wont replace the spb x1 panel (although i know it will).
I've tried all the panels, shells etc. You name them, I've tried them. As said before, the Touch-IT v4.5 ROM is nice, but gimmicky. I admit I've installed it, but only to get GPS tagging of photos. I untick it in Start -> Settings -> Today -> Items immediately after it's installed.
I appreciate all the work that's gone into developing it, but its way too busy for me
My preferred interface is iFonz 2. The interface can be as simple or as 'busy' as you like. I prefer to have just a few icons of the programs I use regularly on screen as well as icons for the frequently called contacts. Also its very finger friendly.
For the programs that I use infrequently, it's no hassle to find them in Start -> Programs, and contacts are easy to find in iContacts
Caps
Hart and soul of my machine.
without it, I had never changed to a winmo device.
Maby it's time to start a thread : "show of your real todayscreen"
talbas said:
Hart and soul of my machine.
without it, I had never changed to a winmo device.
Maby it's time to start a thread : "show of your real todayscreen"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post your skin and the programs used ?
Thx alot !
fotoingo said:
Can you post your skin and the programs used ?
Thx alot !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ArielBattery2.1http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=364278
PDC_clock http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-pocket-digital-clock.html
SpbWeather2 http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/pocketpc-software/weather/
ElecontLauncherhttp://www.elecont.com/launcher-for-pocket-pc.aspx
Inesoft Phonehttp://www.inesoft.com/eng/index.php?in=phone.html
PDAStatusFull http://corner-a.com/page.php?3---http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3289885
good place to say thank you to the developers
some questions........
sorry made this post in the wrong damn thread!!!!
on the subject of todays screen check out
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/products/pocketpc/WisBarAdvanceDesktop/
wisebar desktop is really amazing if you want to pimp out your today screen!!! (hit there fourms for free and custom skins!!!)
example of skins
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15113
Hey friends, I'm with you. I think the today screen is one of the best inventions of Microsoft and is really underrated. It just makes sense to have active plugins share the most precious place on a mobile - the information screen after switching the device on. I think the iPhone is ridiculous in this regardö - just showing icons of the programs that can be launched is lame. Also, there are really powerful plugins available for Windows Mobile. I'm personally using the built in date/time and messages plugin together with PocketBreeze for all the organizer stuff and PocketPlus for system status (battery, memory), finger friendly app launcher and additional plugins as tab (spb weather actuall). Then I use the system tray as quicklaunch and for showing the currently selected phone profile from PhoneWeaver and my softkeys start Contacts and WM5NewMenu, with which I can very quickly place a new appointment, SMS, Email, Note and so on. With this setup, I can really use the device, not only play. Everything is just one or two clicks/actions away and I always have a good overview of what's going on.
I really don't understand why so many people want a better iPhone instead of a good Windows Mobile device. Windows Mobile has drawbacks but also strong points, of which the today screen is one of the strongest I think.
I am also a big fan of the Windows today page. I think it's the only one that can be entirely adapted to everyone's need, all other software are nice graphically, but not as effective as a well prepared today page.
I just downloaded the latest Verizon ROM for my HTC Touch Pro 2 which includes the new 2.5 Manila. It's different enough to be... well a bit annoying I can't seem to figure out a few things with the new interface
1) How do I get my calender to show up on the Home screen? I like the quick links thing but I sorta need the calendar more.
2) For some odd reason that 'program selector' thing in the upper right hand corner is gone now. Is this normal on Manila 2.5? I liked being able to see what programs I left open by accident and such.
3) When you read emails in landscape the font is really really weird looking, Very jagged and not smoothed at all. It looks fine in portrait mode. Any thoughts on this? It looks almost like a scaling issue of some kind.
4) Why is "all settings" in a sub menu, when it's the only option there?!!? Just make it a damn button or just replace "Menu" with "All Settings" Seems like a stupid UI decision
Ok what the hell now the 'Font Smoothing' option in personalize doesn't even work anymore! I check the box but the font no longer smooths. I click "Ok" in the upper right, or do "back" in the lower left. Nothing... I'm really beginning to think of going back to the 3.1 ROM if I can.... is this normal?
doyama said:
I just downloaded the latest Verizon ROM for my HTC Touch Pro 2 which includes the new 2.5 Manila. It's different enough to be... well a bit annoying I can't seem to figure out a few things with the new interface
1) How do I get my calender to show up on the Home screen? I like the quick links thing but I sorta need the calendar more.
2) For some odd reason that 'program selector' thing in the upper right hand corner is gone now. Is this normal on Manila 2.5? I liked being able to see what programs I left open by accident and such.
3) When you read emails in landscape the font is really really weird looking, Very jagged and not smoothed at all. It looks fine in portrait mode. Any thoughts on this? It looks almost like a scaling issue of some kind.
4) Why is "all settings" in a sub menu, when it's the only option there?!!? Just make it a damn button or just replace "Menu" with "All Settings" Seems like a stupid UI decision
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Not sure if thats possible. But you can have appointments show..
2) What you're looking for is called Task Manager..
- JD's Task Manager - Get it here
- HTC Task Manager - Get it here
3) Enable ClearType in Landscape..
1. Go to: HKLM\System\GDI\ClearTypeSettings\OffOnRotation
2. Change value to 0 (DWORD decimal)
3. Soft Reset
4) Stop Settings from going to Settings Tab..
1. With Total Commander remove settings.lnk from Windows\Start Menu\Programs\
2. Go to :HKLM\Security\Shell\StartInfo\HideSettings
3. Change the default value from 1 to 0
4. Softreset
Cool those tips really fixed up quite a few of my annoyances.
How do you get appointments onto the home page? I can't seem to get a way to get them to show up. Ironically they show up in the lock screen
I'm not sure why the font smoothing is a registry key and disabled in landscape mode. I honestly can't think of why this is so? Mostly just curious.