It's pretty safe to say that one of the bigger drawbacks of the Xperia over the likes of the iPhone is that isn't particularly finger-friendly in it's stock form.
I've installed iContact, which is fantastic, and has made it very easy to scroll and select contacts with a finger. The Media Experience panel, while not perfect as a player, is pretty useful for finger-friendly media browsing, and S2U2 is great for iPhone style slide-to-unlock finger control.
But the main thing I am still struggling with is SMS messages. Are there any iContact equivalent programs available for messaging? What do other people use?
Personally I use Spb Mobile Shell and it's integrated contact manager thingy. If I want to send a SMS, I click on contacts, type in the first few letters, click the contact and select 'Send SMS'. Then you just start typing and click 'Send'... Done. I think it's pretty finger friendly.
i use phone pad it's good for writing sms's with
Try Resco Contacts It's still in Beta but it's really, really good. I was using iContacts for my contacts manager but switched to this because it's faster, better looking, smoother, and has all of the phone features integrated (including the SMS that you're after).
satchef1 said:
Try Resco Contacts It's still in Beta but it's really, really good. I was using iContacts for my contacts manager but switched to this because it's faster, better looking, smoother, and has all of the phone features integrated (including the SMS that you're after).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried the Resco contact manager but find the sms application need too many steps to close the SMS and exit out to the main screen.
One bad point is the Dial Pad when you press the call button on the phone, it will bring you to the Call History and you need to press the keypad then you can key in the number to call out which is a tedious process.
I am using Inesoft 4 instead which offers better functions and user-friendly.
I downloaded both Resco & Inesoft 4...so will give them both a try...thanks for the advice! Can you setup a program to be used instead of the windows method? Like say in TF3D points to a prefered app?
I did download a cab called "INGChangeFont" which allows you to change the size of fonts. Makes some buttons easier to press (pop-up windows) etc...but it doesnt seem to work for all fonts in windows.
chongbh said:
I have tried the Resco contact manager but find the sms application need too many steps to close the SMS and exit out to the main screen.
I am using Inesoft 4 instead which offers better functions and user-friendly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're saying that Inesoft is more user friendly? No way! The buttons are smaller than WM6, and although it's more configurable, sending an SMS is impossible. Start>Programs>Standard Contacts>select contact>Send text message. My old phone was Down>select contact>more>send message so pretty much anything more than that is epic fail in my book. Next, i try Resco, and if that isn't much better, back to the default WM interface. (I wanted to get the purdy picture dialing like HTC, but without the bloat)
Which version of iContact
burt or subro?
dingolino
satchef1 said:
Try Resco Contacts It's still in Beta but it's really, really good. I was using iContacts for my contacts manager but switched to this because it's faster, better looking, smoother, and has all of the phone features integrated (including the SMS that you're after).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pimpmydragon said:
You're saying that Inesoft is more user friendly? No way! The buttons are smaller than WM6, and although it's more configurable, sending an SMS is impossible. Start>Programs>Standard Contacts>select contact>Send text message. My old phone was Down>select contact>more>send message so pretty much anything more than that is epic fail in my book. Next, i try Resco, and if that isn't much better, back to the default WM interface. (I wanted to get the purdy picture dialing like HTC, but without the bloat)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha,
I have it as a plugin on Today scree, it is just a click away. Why would you not use the plugin? Why go to stantdard contacts if you have the built-in application in Inesoft?
Hi,
I've always used SMS-Chat (from a company called VITO Technology i think) - it's really good if you don't use the stylus and so far (i've had my Xperia a week) it seems to integrate perfectly.
Regs.
gadgetdude said:
hi,
i've always used sms-chat (from a company called vito technology i think) - it's really good if you don't use the stylus and so far (i've had my xperia a week) it seems to integrate perfectly.
Regs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
vito sms chat is the best for me
till now
Szadzik said:
Haha,
I have it as a plugin on Today scree, it is just a click away. Why would you not use the plugin? Why go to stantdard contacts if you have the built-in application in Inesoft?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because when I went to a contact, there was no option to call/sms/email them... kinda used to the SE standard and WM interface I guess. I didn't know you could use it as a plugin though... i'll have to give that a shot later hehe
Related
Hello,
I transitioned from the Palm system to the MDA and I must admit that its a lot more complicated. Before I used Agendus on my Palm and for my Windows Desktop and everything was so smooth and easy. Now Im forced to use the ugly, clunky interface of Outlook which I hate. I tried Pocket Informant 2005 and found it overly complicated too.
What do you guys feel is the best PIM for your MDA that is not overly complicated? Also, what PIM do you use on your desktop? Is it possilbe to sync the Pocket PC avoiding the use of Outlook and Activesync, basically any Microsoft product?
Any info much appreciated,
Hanguo laohu
I prefer Pocket Informant, altough I agree that it can become overly complicated and cluttered, however I find it good enough, and loads better than the default offering.
And since my work forces me to use outlook, I am stuck with outlook on the desktop...
Pocket Informant
I tried Pocket Informant and found that it runs SLOW on my MDA. Plus, I didn't feel like reading the 100 page manual so I never really understood how to use it. Another thing I hated was it sucked for one handed dialing.
HL
if you go to the PI website's forum, theres a post telling you to change your contacts softkey to go to teh default contacts page. This makes the best of both worlds for me. PI for calendar/tasks and default for dialing.
I've used PI for two years, first on my Ipaq and now on the MDA, and find it better than Outlook. It is complex and after reading the manual I was amazed at how much functionality they've crammed into a PPC program.
The problem is that after reading it, unless you use these features frequently there is no way you'll remember them all. Even so, its functionality is intuitive enough for me and I'm happy with it.
HL, you can use it for one-handed dialing by enabling the "ABC Tab Bar," which allows you to scroll through the alphabet with the left and right buttons, and up and down the list with the up and down buttons. Outlook works like this too, IIRC. I find it works fine, and to simplify it I have set my most-used contacts to a filter and set the filter as the default. So, instead of a few hundred contacts to scroll through I only have several dozen.
I've put the most-used of this group in Speed Dial, too.
I've used PI for two years, first on my Ipaq and now on the MDA, and find it better than Outlook. It is complex and after reading the manual I was amazed at how much functionality they've crammed into a PPC program.
The problem is that after reading it, unless you use these features frequently there is no way you'll remember them all. Even so, its functionality is intuitive enough for me and I'm happy with it.
HL, you can use it for one-handed dialing by enabling the "ABC Tab Bar," which allows you to scroll through the alphabet with the left and right buttons, and up and down the list with the up and down buttons. Outlook works like this too, IIRC. I find it works fine, and to simplify it I have set my most-used contacts to a filter and set the filter as the default. So, instead of a few hundred contacts to scroll through I only have several dozen.
I've put the most-used of this group in Speed Dial, too.
PIM
Well, if you feel PI is too slow. I suggest Agenda Fusion scrolling through contacts for example is as fast as it can be with the Left/Right = PgUp/PgDn.
hello, guys~~
spb contact is my favourite contact manager. but I can use it only if i install and run the spb MS. but once i run it on my artemis, my phone gets slower. I wonder if i can only use spb contact without runnig the whole set of the programme or any contact manager is similar to spb contact.
Thank you so much!!!
Why don't you use PCMContact or IContact. They are both great skinnable and finger-friendly contact manager
barclays said:
Why don't you use PCMContact or IContact. They are both great skinnable and finger-friendly contact manager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll second iContact; best contact manager i've ever used.
barclays said:
Why don't you use PCMContact or IContact. They are both great skinnable and finger-friendly contact manager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but I prefer typing 3 letters or less to find out the contact I want. and it's faster than using icontact or PCM.
Here's a current list of all the _free_ Contact managers (like PCM)
http://www.touch-innovation.com/category-1/
kunkun0217 said:
but I prefer typing 3 letters or less to find out the contact I want. and it's faster than using icontact or PCM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then why don't you try Finger-Friendly Friends? Paid app, granted, but fast and REALLY finger-friendly. And not TOO expensive either.
Just try.
Try iContact, Truburt's edition http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=402724&page=49, he just setup T9 search and is going to refine it.
Iggy - I already posted him to that
Hi there,
the calendar application on the HTC Touch Diamond is nice and I use it a lot. However, I really miss the "touch features" that this phone offers in the other TouchFlow3D apps like viewing/browsing media such as Pictures, Music and People.
I want to use my thumb to 'slide' to the next day, or the next week or whatever. Is it possible to achieve this in the standard Calender on the touch diamond (windows mobile 6.1), or is there another calendar application out there which I should install?
Cheers!
Yes, there is another application called thumbcal. You can even connect the calender-link on manila home to thumbcal using SSMapa.
http://www.thumbapps.com/pages/home/thumbcal.php
Thumbcal is realy finger-friendly and it works perfect for me, but you only get a 14day trial for free on the legal way...
Cool
I'll try that, cheers!
hie guys what is the best keyboard based on your experience between resco keyboard and spb keyboard on the touch HD thanks
I tried the resco - it's got issues [as mentioned on the thread/wiki regarding what does and doesn't work on the HD]
Resco - the carriage return triggers annoyingly often unless you're absolutely 100% accurate....which really defeats the philosophy of much of the program IMO
Not tried the SPB on the HD - but seem to recall that the wiki states that doesn't work as well - dont quote me on that though - check it out
spb keyboard
I recommend you guys give a try to the new spb keyboard version 4.0..It is brilliant!
Avantis said:
I recommend you guys give a try to the new spb keyboard version 4.0..It is brilliant!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its good but then the other features like auto correct,word suggestion and auto correct only work in landscape mode and i use opera mini more than opera mobile and because opera mini will not rotate to landscape mode i therefore cannot use auto correct which i very much like as i chat and type a lot using opera mini.
Iv tried all those keyboards and now im using the latest version of touchpal and in my opinion that is the best iv used. check this video out from youtube to see how it works
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xfMrJ7Cci_A
I found Resco to be buggy. For no reason, the key preview popup stops whe you press a key. Also I hate not having a Control key. (Some of the downloaded skins look awful on the HD, fonts bunch up in one corner etc)
Spb is ok but I wish to god they would give us auto correct and word suggestion in portrait mode. Also I simply cannot get skins to work. If I download and install any skin, it does not become available in the options. Has anyone else had this trouble? any fix ???
TouchPal is buggy on my HD, some times it stops responding. I found that going into Remote Desktop to configure a client triggers this (but it happens elsewhere also)
So, they all have issues, they all have bloddy annoying issues. Is it to do with HD compabability or are they all badly coded and thought out ?
Please someone write a decent keyboard......
xdaman85 said:
Iv tried all those keyboards and now im using the latest version of touchpal and in my opinion that is the best iv used. check this video out from youtube to see how it works
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xfMrJ7Cci_A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why is it that most of these demo videos on youtube are without sound ???
I'll add my recomendation for touchpal. I've tried all of them but touchpal is better than spb, resco and pocketcm.
The only thing that i find negative about touchpal is that it doesn't spread out in landscape, stays in the center. Looks a bit odd.
Here is a comparison between the different virtual keyboards.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/mobile-devices/review/2008/08/31/Touch-keyboards-for-Windows-Mobile/p1
I've just installed TouchPal but how do you activate the keyboard?
It's still stuck on the default HTC KB. I can't find no app icon for TouchPal or any sign of it in input setting etc.
Many thanks
I suggest you guys try this keyboard
Well to start with you are presented with graphics options, and I have to say the default skin is very pleasing to the eye.
This keyboard offers 5 (five) !!! different keyboard layouts, all in one single, very little memory consuming application.
Having 5 layouts it's very easy to find your perfect choice.
But there's more, you actually have tons of powerful options like T9 (with language customized dictionaries, including the ability to add your new words), or the drag-and-drop over the keys to move them as you like (yes, you can actually move the keys arround with a simple drag).
Another powerful thing I like is that you can change the keyboard's height, you can make it full screen, or to any size you like, the keyboard will just get to the size you indicate.
Honestly, there are so many features, that you can't miss this! It's much much better then resco or spb's keyboard, it simply surpasses them with strong features.
There is a trial version (the pro version) here , and a freeware version too. There are several videos there too that are very helpful for discovering the features.
non-htc keyboard issue
One thing I have noticed is that non-htc keyboards (including transcriber) do not generate address lists when writing in the email or sms address bar. I have not tried Tesco but spb and resco have this limitation. Has anyone found a way to overcome this problem?
Neither Resco nor SPB. try TouchPal
hazem77 said:
Neither Resco nor SPB. try TouchPal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does TouchPal bring up phone numbers when typing in sms addressee?
I truly admire people who are able to use TouchPal efficiently, but I'm not one of them. I tried it as my only input method for about a month, making an effort to investigate all the tips and tricks and shortcuts. In the end I found it to be clumsy and over-engineered. I downloaded a trial of SPB 4 and within 2 hours had paid the $15 for the full version. It is easy to use in portrait or landscape and has a CTRL key on the default keyboard. It just behaves the way I expect a keyboard to work and doesn't expect me to learn anything about it in order to get the most out of it.
Danish layout
If I purchase a keyboard for my future HD, will it then automatically have a danish layout with the danish letters such as "å,æ, and ø"?
Hope someone knows the answer
Thanks in advance
EDIT:
Btw, sorry for off-topic..
True about Resco keyboard buggyness.
Spb keyboard 4.0 runs much smoother.
Very nice feature by switching full screen to mid screen.
Ned to try it in Opera Mobile.
Do you rely need all those layouts?
What about auto correct and stuff in other languages?
PS.: If you come across spb keyboard 4.0 k e y msg me!
I'd be happy with my Spb full-screen keyboard if the damn thing would just stay as the default after a soft reset! If anyone knows this, please feel free to chime in.
EDIT: Yes, I already tried SIPchange, and having a prog crash after every soft reset is not cool either.
snootch said:
I'd be happy with my Spb full-screen keyboard if the damn thing would just stay as the default after a soft reset! If anyone knows this, please feel free to chime in.
EDIT: Yes, I already tried SIPchange, and having a prog crash after every soft reset is not cool either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I searched for this as well; SKTools does the trick. It can't trick the system to use SPB Keyboard as default, but it changes the SIP to whatever you like, in background, after every reset (you need to specify a long enough delay so that the TF3D can load before that - I set mine to 40 seconds and it works as it should). Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Rok
in my opinion, Touchpal is the best among all the keyboards I have tried. For those trying to set default keyboard and fail, try using SIPChange and set the time to 30 seconds. Mine works without problem with Touchpal. Hope it helps.
Hey guys,
It's me yet again, I've got some more questions I'm not sure if I should split some for the other forum area or not. Either way, let's start. Note that I'm migrating from a Nokia N95 so ignore my lack of knowledge I'm trying .
1. What programs would you guys suggest for sending text messages from my HD to another phone via my laptop, bluetooth or USB are good, Nokia PC Suite had something for this but I've not found anything for WinMo.
2. I'm used to having a the ease of changing my profiles so my ring tones and what-not for different situations normally at will, WinMo does this very differently is there a program that I can use to just pick say 'Work' and it goes to vibrate?
3. Is there a newer version of the Opera mobile? I'd like to update it as it think it has a few bugs.
4. My contacts are Sur, For how do I change this for all contacts? I have far too many to change them all by hand.
Sorry about the length and thanks again.
For such a large forum it amazes me that hardly anyone posts to my topics.
Hiya,
Lets start here:
1. What programs would you guys suggest for sending text messages from my HD to another phone via my laptop, bluetooth or USB are good, Nokia PC Suite had something for this but I've not found anything for WinMo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this just so you can use the keyboard on your PC to type?
DO you mean something a bit like this:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=240080b4-986e-4afb-ab21-3af2be63508b&displaylang=en
2. I'm used to having a the ease of changing my profiles so my ring tones and what-not for different situations normally at will, WinMo does this very differently is there a program that I can use to just pick say 'Work' and it goes to vibrate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep - you can download the Cab for DDrivers 15 Tab TF3D changer for HD http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450278
This allows you to have 15 tabs on the bottom of the screen - one of which is a profile manager. There are loads of applications out there which also do a profile manager and can also do it for time of day etc.
3. Is there a newer version of the Opera mobile? I'd like to update it as it think it has a few bugs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Newest version is a beta - try using the forum to search for newer non-beta released version - some people have posted some updated versions - but Opera has a few issues at present.
4. My contacts are Sur, For how do I change this for all contacts? I have far too many to change them all by hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One way is to use Outlook or Outlook express and import your settings from your Nokia to this. Then update what you require in Outlook - surname/first name or vice versa (means you can use the keyboard and mouse). Then connect your device to the computer and update contacts through active sync.
Or get a different contacts program: Something like this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=478970&highlight=yota
Thank you very much .
I've installed the Outlook add-on and look forward to using it. What other profile programs would you suggest as I'd like to ring and vibrate at the same time or just vibrate but with the ability to listen to music (vibrate turns off sound WTF?).
Also which is newer the Opera beta or the Opera on the forums? I'm a bit confused as to which to use ...
Lastly will these contacts programs replace the HTC variation or simply add my changes to the HTC version? I rather stick to the inbuilt one as my main contact storage.
I've installed the Outlook add-on and look forward to using it. What other profile programs would you suggest as I'd like to ring and vibrate at the same time or just vibrate but with the ability to listen to music (vibrate turns off sound WTF?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah - bit of a pain that one. I use S2U2 and S2P
http://www.ac-s2.com/
- this allows me to set different levels for the volume of the ring and the audio. You can do this on the standard volume control on the HD by clicking the top tab but I prefer the S2U2 version where you see both volume levels in the same window.
You have to go into the settings of S2U2 and turn volume control ON under the phone settings.
If you don't like the S2U2 thing there are loads of other apps with volume control settings. Think of your phone as a phone and a music player hence 2 controls! S2P = Slide to Play. Is a bit like the iphone's music player - get the open GL version as it is better for touch HD.
Also which is newer the Opera beta or the Opera on the forums? I'm a bit confused as to which to use ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard to say - the beta may be newer but will have issues with stability (hence beta as it is not a real release and intended for testing). Best to find someone on the forums who has a stable version. I'll have a look but so far mines kinda still got issues.
Lastly will these contacts programs replace the HTC variation or simply add my changes to the HTC version? I rather stick to the inbuilt one as my main contact storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will replace it. May have to bite the bullet and go into outlook or sort them individually. Good thing is - once you've done it - it's done. I spent an hour sorting mine in Outlook but I'm glad I did as it now means I have a very tidy contacts list in both applications and they are synchronised together - so if my phone/outlook lose data I can just put it back again. Plus outlook can backup the settings to a .PST file or to excel etc for importing to other programs and computers.
Main thing is. So long as you have backed up your contacts you can always put them back on your device the way you like em!
Hope this helps? If you need more help just ask - I'll do my best.....
Sorry missed a bit....
A large number of people use SPB as their profile tool.
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/mobileshell/
May be able to find it on this site for testing but if you like it you should buy it.
I'm sure there are loads out there just have to go through and install some and then take them off is they don't work as you like.
Good thing about the phone is if you think you've messed your phone up you can do a Hard Reset which boots the phone back to how you got it when you first turned it on!
Look at this page for some good ideas and tips
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Blackstone
Thanks for your help.
Can SPB Mobile Shell be used with TouchFLO3D? I enjoy using the interface so not looking to change any time soon.
Thanks about looking into Opera for me, I've seen a version posted round January but that's it.
No SPB Mobile Shell cant be used with TF3D. Or actually TF3D cant be used with SPB Mobile shell. You can technically keep TF3D running, and then use SecondToday software to add a second today screen that is easily accessible by tapping one of the 2 bottom soft keys. I have this very setup. I have mobile shell and pocket plus as my main today screen, and SPB Diary and SPB Insight as a second today screen. This allows me to have SPB Diary as a full screen as it starts at the very top and ends when it ends (at 300 because thats SPB's max alignment).
For profile auto switching, try Inesoft Phone. It can coexist with TF3D.
Agree with everything above.
Should have asked you - What issues are you having with Opera?
This will help me to troubleshoot for you as it may be options.
Thanks for your help again guys.
Inesoft Phone seems a bit slow and I can't seem to find out how to delete some of the profiles as well as release the contacts (I only wanted the profile application NOT the others).
Regarding Opera it's mainly because the keyboard seems to type very slowly on webpages, the URL bar and stuff is fine it's only when typing say a username or password on a website that it has problems.
O and O said:
it's only when typing say a username or password on a website that it has problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't say that happens on mine - Have search XDA-Dev forums and also Google and some people report it is a bit slow and have tried using Opera Mini.
It may be worth doing a post specifically for this as someone will be able to help (hopefully)
Personally I'd stick with Opera mobile, I used Opera Mini on my N95 once, it was good but the power of Opera mobile is still by far the best in regards to mobile internet experience. If anyone finds a newer version of Opera please send it my way .
Just to point out that I'm still looking for a profile application, Inephone installs the Address Book which I don't want. I've recently enjoyed using SSMaPa so I suggest it for anyone who needs it.
Thanks for your help again guys.
Any more suggestions?