Database Users

"Mini S2U"

Source Code Finally Posted...
Sorry it took so long to post the source. I haven't been monitoring this thread for some time due to other time demands. A recent email reminded me that I promised to release the source, so here ya go...
Release 6 Notes Below...
About a week ago, I was looking for an app that would lock my wizard when it came out of suspend. I use a bluetooth headset for all my calls, so I rarely remove my phone from its carrier. However, while talking, I tend to move around and frequently the hang-up button would be pressed resulting in a disconnect.
Frustrated, I looked at a few apps. I really like the "Slide to Unlock" feature in the iPhone-like app S2U. It more or less suited my needs. However, my bluetooth headset wouldn't work with S2U installed.
Thus I set about writing an app that would "lock" the phone whenever it came out of suspend mode. The result is the app, LockDown, attached to this post. Once run, LockDown sits in the background waiting for "resume" event. At this time, it locks all keys and prevents any stylus events save one - a "Slide right to unlock" slider control. As with S2U, once the thumb tab is slid all the way to the right, the keys are unlocked and the unit once again responds to the stylus. Also note that LockDown only takes up 5k of memory.
LockDown has been tested on TNT.1933 (WM6) for the Wizard. It's compiled as a PPC 2003 app, so in theory it should also work on WM5 and any PPC 2003 devices. I've tested it with my Visual Studio WM5 and PPC emulators, and it worked fine. However, it couldn't test it on the real deals.
It's a new app. While I'm not experiencing any problems, please consider it beta for now. As such, don't wire it up as an auto-start link until you've run with it awhile and are certain it works as advertised. For now, I suggest just copying it to your \windows folder and linking to it there. If you have any problems, please report them, and I'll address them ASAP.
Release 6 Notes
The slider bug was fixed.
The Message option was fixed.
Application Invocation
Lockdown [-lock] [-close]
With the -lock parameter, the application starts in lock mode.
With the -close parameter, the application is removed from memory (if running).
Registry Options in Folder \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Lockdown\Slider
Position (DWORD, 0):
If set to 0, the slider is centered.
If > 0, the slider is positioned X pixels below the "Top Taskbar".
If < 0, the slider is positioned X pixels above the "Bottom Taskbar".
Padding (DWORD, 2):
Pixel offsets for slider arrow from the left and right edges of the slider window.
Message (String, "Slide right to unlock.")
The text message displayed in the slider window.
TextColor (DWORD, 00FFFFFF hex):
Color of slider message. Note that the HEX color format is 00BBGGRR where BB is blue, GG is green, and RR is red.
FontPoint (DWORD, 16):
The font size of the slider message.
PenColor (DWORD, 00F04050 hex):
Color of the slider arrow.
BackgroundColor (DWORD, 00CCCCCC hex):
Color of the slider background.
WidthMultiplier (String, .92):
Must be a floating point value. Multiply this value with the lesser value of the desktop height or width (in pixels) to determine the slider width.
For example: If the desktop display is 240 by 320 and the WidthMultiplier is 0.9, the slider width is 216 (240 X .9) pixels.
HeightMultiplier (String, .22):
Must be a floating point value. Multiply this value with the lesser value of the desktop height or width (in pixels) to determine the slider height.
TabWidthMultiplier (String, 1.5):
Must be a floating point value. Multiply this value with the calculated slider height to determine the width of the slider arrow.
Note that the height of the arrow is always equal to the height of the slider.
EnableAnswer (DWORD, 1):
If set to 1, the answer button is enabled during an incoming call period (while the phone is ringing).
If set to 0, the answer button is always disabled.
EnableIgnore (DWORD, 1):
If set to 1, the ignore button is enabled during an incoming call period (while the phone is ringing).
If set to 0, the ignore button is always disabled.
After the installation, only the Position key will be present in the registry. I figure that most users will only tweak this value.
To modify the other parameters, add the appropriate keys with the defined types as shown in parenthesis. The default values are also listed in the parenthesis.
If you decide to tweak these parameters, please remove any shortcut to Lockdown from the StartUp folder. While I've taken steps to prevent "bad" values in these parameters, I still suggest this precaution.
Please note that Lockdown must be terminated and restarted before any changes to registry settings take effect.
As always, if you have any issues, please let me know.
W James

Very Great app...im sure many will find it useful

Does not work on my CDMA Touch
Tried it out but does not run on my CDMA touch.

It work for me on Hermes With schaps wm6 Ver 4.30
thanks.

WJames said:
Greets.
About a week ago, I was looking for an app that would lock my wizard when it came out of suspend. I use a bluetooth headset for all my calls, so I rarely remove my phone from its carrier. However, while talking, I tend to move around and frequently the hang-up button would be pressed resulting in a disconnect.
Frustrated, I looked at a few apps. I really like the "Slide to Unlock" feature in the iPhone-like app S2U. It more or less suited my needs. However, my bluetooth headset wouldn't work with S2U installed.
Thus I set about writing an app that would "lock" the phone whenever it came out of suspend mode. The result is the app, LockDown, attached to this post. Once run, LockDown sits in the background waiting for "resume" event. At this time, it locks all keys and prevents any stylus events save one - a "Slide right to unlock" slider control. As with S2U, once the thumb tab is slid all the way to the right, the keys are unlocked and the unit once again responds to the stylus. Also note that LockDown only takes up 5k of memory.
LockDown has been tested on TNT.1933 (WM6) for the Wizard. It's compiled as a PPC 2003 app, so in theory it should also work on WM5 and any PPC 2003 devices. I've tested it with my Visual Studio WM5 and PPC emulators, and it worked fine. However, it couldn't test it on the real deals.
It's a new app. While I'm not experiencing any problems, please consider it beta for now. As such, don't wire it up as an auto-start link until you've run with it awhile and are certain it works as advertised. For now, I suggest just copying it to your \windows folder and linking to it there. If you have any problems, please report them, and I'll address them ASAP.
W James
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi WJames,
any screenshots of your app? it sounds very usefull, but how does it look
like?

today plugin s2u
it was a dream cam true if was a today plugin, to the left...lock, to the right ...unlock, but in the today,
I use my standard windows lock today plugin, without the lock buttons, so when i touch any buttom , the backlight goes on (to see the clock and appointments in one clic).
today plugin s2u is the rigth way.
great work

red.schumi said:
hi WJames,
any screenshots of your app? it sounds very usefull, but how does it look
like?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as he said...it sits behind the screen..and waits for the resume event

Here's a screen shot as per request. It's very plain jane. I wasn't looking for the beauty of something like S2U. I merely wanted a functional app that didn't take up much real estate (5kb).
Once it's gone through the paces and looks to be bug-free, I'll release the code and you can tweak to meet your needs.

It gives a black screen with white text in the center of screen saying "Slide right to unlock." There is a box with a plain white slider. You cannot see your today screen.
edit: Sorry, had the page open while I tested it and did not notice your reply before posting.

is it me or do we really need another "slide to unlock" app to mimic the iphone. There's already S2U Pro & S2U2.
What's funny, is that yeah these are cool but are they really needed? If you setup the device button lock correctly, then what's the point of a S2U app? All it does is add one more step to getting to your today page....

smittyofdhs said:
is it me or do we really need another "slide to unlock" app to mimic the iphone. There's already S2U Pro & S2U2.
What's funny, is that yeah these are cool but are they really needed? If you setup the device button lock correctly, then what's the point of a S2U app? All it does is add one more step to getting to your today page....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each his own, but i run S2U2 because it allows me to operate my phone via bluetooth while the buttons are locked. The builtin lock doesn't let me do that.

perasite said:
To each his own, but i run S2U2 because it allows me to operate my phone via bluetooth while the buttons are locked. The builtin lock doesn't let me do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, never had that problem with bulit-in lock. Yes, to each their own. I've installed/uninstalled S2U2 soooo many times. I love the app but end up finding that it serves me no real purpose (other then eye candy) and it gets uninstalled. New version comes out, installed for a about 3-4 hours, then uninstalled again.

Very Nice...can i Request something?
Hi
Thanks for the nice application
very small, problem free so far (on Eten M700 with WM6) & useful
Can i have 3 requests please:
1- can you make the slider spring back to the left if it was accidentaly moved to the right, right now it stays half way & i think if you make it spring back it will be more safe as a lock & it will look better too
2- can you make the slider button wider (double) so i can catch it with my fat fingers
3- can you add an icon, so i may put it in my today launcher list & it would look better than the plain white square, something like a lock or key or a hand can do.
I also noticed that sometimes as i come out of the suspend mode, the slider is either late to appear (1-2 sec) & may remain unresponsive for two or three trys to slide it to right (stays in place)
Once started i couldn't figure how to get rid of it & seems that only way is to soft reset to go back to normal wake up without locking
Hope these comments help..thanks again for nice work

smittyofdhs said:
is it me or do we really need another "slide to unlock" app to mimic the iphone. There's already S2U Pro & S2U2.
What's funny, is that yeah these are cool but are they really needed? If you setup the device button lock correctly, then what's the point of a S2U app? All it does is add one more step to getting to your today page....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those apps you mentioned take a ****load of memory and add to battery drain because of all the animations and graphics. His is a simple slide function that sips memory and battery life. Very useful IMO. Sliding is good cuz I find unlocking the WM way to be annoying. I have to touch an icon to lock. Then to unlock, I have to press two buttons. With sliding, it locks automatically and unlocking is accompished in one simple motion.

You're right that there's already enough S2U programs.
I also think S2U2 is an awesome balance between beauty and speed/mem cost. For people who have only tried S2U, you really need to change to S2U2... WAY faster and stable!
In most cases, yes S2U isn't that necessary, as it's similar an extra step to get to your today page, but I need it because:
1) My alarms don't wake if the phone is on standby, so I put it onto S2U2 mode when I sleep
2) My audio manager doesn't go to the next song if the phone is on standby, so I have to lock my phone while listening using S2U2
I question how good it'll be to have Slide 2 Lock as a today plugin, since I don't need some extra waste of space. What I do is set the gesture right-to-left (using FTouchFlo) to execute S2U2 so when I slide right to left, it opens S2U2, then sliding left to right, unlocks it. Love it!

smittyofdhs said:
is it me or do we really need another "slide to unlock" app to mimic the iphone. There's already S2U Pro & S2U2.
What's funny, is that yeah these are cool but are they really needed? If you setup the device button lock correctly, then what's the point of a S2U app? All it does is add one more step to getting to your today page....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hate to say it, but that's not quite true. If you setup the lock all buttons, sure you won't accidentally turn it on, but if you get a phone call, it doesn't just power right off (at least my 6700 doesn't) - it can and has made phone calls like that...
And as for the S2U/2 - they use quite a bit more memory than this. A 5k program use is great, although I won't use it because I like the clock on s2u2.

Great App
This is all I ever really wanted. Just a very simple slide unlock. simple.
Excellent.
thanks.

This simple slide to unlock app is perfect for my needs...Thanks!

The point here is WJames created an application for his own use and shared it with everybody. If someone think that it is not req. they might not use it. Anyway thanks for the nice little app.

Thanks! Great small app. Would be fantastic with a simple white clock above the lock bar though, so we could check the time on the phone without unlocking it. Thanks a bunch!

Touch HD - Day 1 - Questions

Ok.. so i wont bore you with my mock review until the end, so that I can get some questions out first : (Im coming from a Wizard)
1) In the wizard, I was able to click on telephone numbers in MOST applications and dial straight from there. Specifically the web browser. I would search for the name of a place, the first link in google would have the address and number, I would click on the number and be dialing. Im guessing this was a PIE thing, but wanted to see what the deal was
2) The most annoying thing so far, is my inability to highlight multiple items. In my Wizard, I was able to go to the email screen and if there were 8 messages there, I could press firmly into the first message, slide my finger down to the last message and click delete. I am not able to highlight multiple items, and ive tried different pressure settings etc. Help.
3) Similar to 2.... I am unable to highlight text, atleast with my finger, for coy paste purposes
4) I am not able to get the setting where face down will mute the ringer. Ive tried Diamond Tweak, manual registery editing, nothing. Face down... the phone will ring everytime
5) When someone sends me a youtube link in an email and I click on it, it takes me to the youtube page (im on edge so, slowly) but cant get the youtube video to play. It loads the page, except the video window
6) What is the ideal screen sensitivity and pressure settings in the registry. Its the one thing that im a bit surpsied by, I know it is not a capacitive screen, but it takes some getting used to how much pressure it requires compared to an iPhone screen for example
I will write about my impressions after two more days to give myself ample time to get used to it so there is no wizard bias... :0

taimoorhusain said:
6) What is the ideal screen sensitivity and pressure settings in the registry. Its the one thing that im a bit surpsied by, I know it is not a capacitive screen, but it takes some getting used to how much pressure it requires compared to an iPhone screen for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is something I'd be particularly interested in .
Even though I use currently a phone with a capacitive screen I own a Wizard too. How would you say is the difference to the Wizard respectively how would you rate the sensitivity generally?

I'm answering to what I know...
2) The most annoying thing so far, is my inability to highlight multiple items. In my Wizard, I was able to go to the email screen and if there were 8 messages there, I could press firmly into the first message, slide my finger down to the last message and click delete. I am not able to highlight multiple items, and ive tried different pressure settings etc. Help.
In the message screen go to "Menu->Select->Some" then you will be able to select a group of items.
3) Similar to 2.... I am unable to highlight text, atleast with my finger, for coy paste purposes
This works for me!
5) When someone sends me a youtube link in an email and I click on it, it takes me to the youtube page (im on edge so, slowly) but cant get the youtube video to play. It loads the page, except the video window
This is due to lack of flsh support in Opera 9.5. You can play flash videos within CorePlayer.

chiccusmaximus said:
I'm answering to what I know...
2) The most annoying thing so far, is my inability to highlight multiple items. In my Wizard, I was able to go to the email screen and if there were 8 messages there, I could press firmly into the first message, slide my finger down to the last message and click delete. I am not able to highlight multiple items, and ive tried different pressure settings etc. Help.
In the message screen go to "Menu->Select->Some" then you will be able to select a group of items.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet.. I can live with that. Thanks
chiccusmaximus said:
5) When someone sends me a youtube link in an email and I click on it, it takes me to the youtube page (im on edge so, slowly) but cant get the youtube video to play. It loads the page, except the video window
This is due to lack of flsh support in Opera 9.5. You can play flash videos within CorePlayer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yikes.. ok... blindsided by this one, so whats the roadmap on it?

drzoid said:
This is something I'd be particularly interested in .
Even though I use currently a phone with a capacitive screen I own a Wizard too. How would you say is the difference to the Wizard respectively how would you rate the sensitivity generally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had an iPhone, gave it to my wife... the iphone screen is awesome, from day one, responsiveness, finger touch etc etc. The Wizard screen was ok, the feel wasnt there, but then again it wasnt big and i wasnt doing much with my finger anyway. Compared to the Wizard, the Touch HD is better, but since you are doing so much more on the screen and with your finger, it isnt as good as it needs to be. Twice the pressure is needed from the iphone, it doesnt "feel" good under my finger, feels like i have to fight against it to scroll the TF3D scroll thing (again comparing a resisitve screen to a capacitive one). Touch wise, it is excellent, I dont have to force buttons or anything. Im mainly complaining about gestures and TF3D. Overall finger friendliness, if the iphone is an 8, then the touch HD is a 6 and the wizard is a 4.

For 4: It can be done, I've been lurking around here for days now and I recall seeing an app that covers this exact thing - I *think* it's either SKTools or the Advanced Customisation Tool - I'm about to load up on or the other shortly, so if I find out I'll be back and let oyu know (if you haven't found it already in the meantime of course!)
6 : again I've seen some mention of registry setting alteerations to adjust this - but for me, I've used the same method as I did on my diamond and my screen is VERY sensitive - enough for me anyway.
Go and fire up the screen alignment process again - this time when doing it use the stylus and hover over the cross hair then very lightly rest it on the cross hair center - applying a tiny amount more pressure until it moves (it moves with a v. small amount of pressure) - seems to set pressure from this process to some extent. Whether or not this REALLY works, or it's utter placebo I truly dont know - but mine's totally fine and that's all I did Worth a shot I guess

The TouchFLO interface might mean that finger pressure always translates as scrolling, but if you want to select anything then you have to use a fingernail or the stylus. This is how it works on my Touch (Elf) - to scroll the screen I have to use the pad of my finger. If I use a more pointed pressure then I'm selecting stuff. I quite like this system - it differentiates between sweeping gestures and detailed touches.
Try using the stylus or a fingernail to select text or multiple emails. It might work.
(If it doesn't then I'll be annoyed too!)

blackb1ade said:
For 4: It can be done, I've been lurking around here for days now and I recall seeing an app that covers this exact thing - I *think* it's either SKTools or the Advanced Customisation Tool - I'm about to load up on or the other shortly, so if I find out I'll be back and let oyu know (if you haven't found it already in the meantime of course!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I tried it all Schaps advanced config, Diamond tweak, Registery edits (havent tried SKtools yet) The option is there, in DIamond Tweak and in the registry. Jsut doesnt do anything...
blackb1ade said:
6 : again I've seen some mention of registry setting alteerations to adjust this - but for me, I've used the same method as I did on my diamond and my screen is VERY sensitive - enough for me anyway.
Go and fire up the screen alignment process again - this time when doing it use the stylus and hover over the cross hair then very lightly rest it on the cross hair center - applying a tiny amount more pressure until it moves (it moves with a v. small amount of pressure) - seems to set pressure from this process to some extent. Whether or not this REALLY works, or it's utter placebo I truly dont know - but mine's totally fine and that's all I did Worth a shot I guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worth a shot.. did it.. nothing changed

I too would like to know if Opera can do what the OP wants in question 1?? That is one thing I love about my Iphone as it doesn't have a cut and paste but I can just click on the number in safari.
Can Opera do this? I was also looking at Skyfire today and was wondering if it did this and also when/if it will be available soon in the UK?

The select several option for email works.. so one problem down. Also ive realized that the screen sensitivity is just something I will have to get used to.
I have installed Flash Lite 3.1 for you tube and it seems to be working fine.
More updates as I have em. Anyone know why number links arent clickable in the browser?

Good thread, clears some things up.
I wonder how the pressure thing is.
How does it compare to an Elf (my current/old device) for example?
My HD should be in the mail tomorrow, but you never know with TNT mail.

I think its one of those things... you jsut need to get used to it...

Thinking about it...

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a replacement for my N95 which borked and am quite intrigued by the HTC Touch HD or Blackstone so thought I would join on here.
One of the features I liked about my N95 was the ability to browse the web so that is why I am drawn to this phone. I also like the idea of having lots of features and functionality.
One thing I can't find out though is how good it is at being a normal phone (I don't know if saying 'normal phone' is sacreligious around here). I do quite like phoning people and also texting people. I have seen the keyboard being demoed and the regular T9 keypad looked quite thumbable, is it? How does it compare to that of the Samsung Omnia because I have tried texting on that and I found that quite easy and I very much liked the haptics response. Also, I have no idea what happens when you do receive a text, or a phone call. With a text does a big screen come up saying you have a text and all you need is one click to read the text and one more to reply or is it a very long winded process?
I am planning to go into town tomorrow and although I might not find a Touch HD to try I will hopefully find some other HTC like the Diamond which I believe has Touch 3D, so if I like that would the Blackstone be right for me?

To be absolutely honest: as a REAL phone (texting and calling people)...it is not as good as a real phone with a phone keyboard. For that experience, get an old candybar Nokia. But then again, iphone or any other phone (including ttyn's and others with slide-out keyboards) don't have that level of dedicated, made-for-phone-use feeling. An all touchscreen phone, and/or a WM pocketpc just lose a little in pure phone functionality.
HOWEVER, you don't loose too much, although you'll need some extra programs. Like TouchResponse (it's free and it's great ), for some haptic feedback when you press keys, and you'll need to take the time to set up WM/TouchFlo2/3d to your liking.
As for recieving txt's; you open the phone, click on the txt button (ribbon on the bottom, third onscreen button) and viola, you see the txt you just recieved...oneclick operation (maybe two if you have to power the screen on if you'r way too late in getting the phone).
All that said and done: it is a decent phone, but THE BEST pda+phone Internet rocks (try a few different browsers though ) with an awesome screen. Contacts could use some work though (or find a replacement app...I'm still looking), but sms and dialer are fine, if not very special.
Anyway, me personally, I'm quite happy with my Touch HD
PS:The camera is technically good, but in real life it sucks as it takes too long from registering the screenpress to actually taking a picture, rendering it useless unless taking a picture of a nonmoving building.

First of all - welcome to the forum!!!
mike_dangerous said:
...how good it is at being a normal phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not had any problems with it as a phone. I hear people fine, they hear me fine, and so far no calls have been cut/lost.
I have seen the keyboard being demoed and the regular T9 keypad looked quite thumbable, is it? How does it compare to that of the Samsung Omnia because I have tried texting on that and I found that quite easy and I very much liked the haptics response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have only tested the Omnia at stores, and I think the keyboard on the HD is better. The Omnia has the space bar in strange location toward the right of the keyboard. That kind of bugged me.
To read more about the HD keyboard, see this thread. There you will also find a couple of youtube videos along with lots of responses and opinions from different users.
Also, I have no idea what happens when you do receive a text, or a phone call. With a text does a big screen come up saying you have a text and all you need is one click to read the text and one more to reply or is it a very long winded process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll post some screenshots showing:
Pic Nr. 1: Home screen - normal
Pic Nr. 2: An SMS arriving (no big screen, just a signal/vibration and a green little call box with the number of messages unread (at the bottom) as well as an envelope icon on the top bar.
Pic Nr. 3: After tapping on the green call box - opens up sms tab
Pic Nr. 4: Tapping on the message itself in Pic 3 opens up this window to respond to the sms
Pic Nr. 5: If in Pic 3 you tap on Menu instead of on the message text, you get these options (New, Answer, Forward, Delete)
Pic Nr. 6: A call arriving (I blurred the number). Use the slider to accept/reject or use the grey button below them to stop the ringer. You can also turn the phone face down on a surface (desk, table) to make the ringer stop. If you have a picture of the person calling, you will see the picture instead of the "anonymous" picture you see here.
Also, if you press on "Text" at the bottom left, the sms application opens up with a predefined text to send to that caller. In settings, you can type whatever you want that text to be. For example, "I can't answer your call right now. I will contact you as soon as possible". That's pretty handy, I think.
Pic Nr. 7: Home screen showing you missed a call. Notice the new text under the clock (picture is in German) and the red phone icon on the top bar.
KEEP IN MIND that these pictures show colored icons in the top bar. That is done with third-party software. I can attach the .cab files to this post if you want (one for the green battery with % charge on it and another for the other icons).
One downfall is that after you miss an sms or a call, you are not continuously reminded of that. You can set it so the tiny LED light on the top of the phone (next to the power button) blinks for a given period of time (or indefinitely) until you have looked at your missed call or text message. However, other than that, you need third party software for the phone to remind you through sound or vibration every few minutes after missing a call or sms.
I am planning to go into town tomorrow and although I might not find a Touch HD to try I will hopefully find some other HTC like the Diamond which I believe has Touch 3D, so if I like that would the Blackstone be right for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HD and Diamond are very similar as far as TouchFlo 3D. There are some differences - for example the Weather tab, Stocks tab etc... But it will give you an overall idea of the HD. It would be best of course if you actually get an HD to test.
Here is a good review of the HD with lots of screenshots. Check it out.
http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=1111

Nice write up from Chris Cross. The only things I'd like to add refer to the differences between the Diamond/Pro and the HD. I saw a Diamond a few weeks before I found an HD and I thought it was nicely small and sleek. The HD by comparison feels big and heavy but it's still a lovely piece of hardware. If you try the Diamond in a shop you won't discover how much easier it is to use the on-screen keyboards on the larger HD screen. People also seem to report that the screen brightness and sensitivity are better on the HD.
I guess all I'm saying is that the Diamond won't necessarily sell you the HD experience.
Are you anywhere near Sussex?

mike_dangerous said:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a replacement for my N95 which borked and am quite intrigued by the HTC Touch HD or Blackstone so thought I would join on here.
One of the features I liked about my N95 was the ability to browse the web so that is why I am drawn to this phone. I also like the idea of having lots of features and functionality.
One thing I can't find out though is how good it is at being a normal phone (I don't know if saying 'normal phone' is sacreligious around here). I do quite like phoning people and also texting people. I have seen the keyboard being demoed and the regular T9 keypad looked quite thumbable, is it? How does it compare to that of the Samsung Omnia because I have tried texting on that and I found that quite easy and I very much liked the haptics response. Also, I have no idea what happens when you do receive a text, or a phone call. With a text does a big screen come up saying you have a text and all you need is one click to read the text and one more to reply or is it a very long winded process?
I am planning to go into town tomorrow and although I might not find a Touch HD to try I will hopefully find some other HTC like the Diamond which I believe has Touch 3D, so if I like that would the Blackstone be right for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Part of the answer to your question will dpend on you - on the face of it, a transition from N95 to HD is much more extreme than from a Diamond to an HD.
As many others have said on this forum, if you are well versed in 'optimising' WM6 then the HD is a great platform on which to stamp your preferences. If you want out of the box...
I wouldn't say 'no' but please do go into any decision with your eyes open - I have had many mates over the years who have loved the various XDA-type devices I have shown them but when they get their hands on one of their own it all becomes a bit too much.

SiliconS said:
Are you anywhere near Sussex?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean near as being in the UK then yes but if you mean near as in being able to travel there easily then no.
Chris Cross said:
First of all - welcome to the forum!!!
I have not had any problems with it as a phone. I hear people fine, they hear me fine, and so far no calls have been cut/lost.
I have only tested the Omnia at stores, and I think the keyboard on the HD is better. The Omnia has the space bar in strange location toward the right of the keyboard. That kind of bugged me.
To read more about the HD keyboard, see this thread. There you will also find a couple of youtube videos along with lots of responses and opinions from different users.
I'll post some screenshots showing:
Pic Nr. 1: Home screen - normal
Pic Nr. 2: An SMS arriving (no big screen, just a signal/vibration and a green little call box with the number of messages unread (at the bottom) as well as an envelope icon on the top bar.
Pic Nr. 3: After tapping on the green call box - opens up sms tab
Pic Nr. 4: Tapping on the message itself in Pic 3 opens up this window to respond to the sms
Pic Nr. 5: If in Pic 3 you tap on Menu instead of on the message text, you get these options (New, Answer, Forward, Delete)
Pic Nr. 6: A call arriving (I blurred the number). Use the slider to accept/reject or use the grey button below them to stop the ringer. You can also turn the phone face down on a surface (desk, table) to make the ringer stop. If you have a picture of the person calling, you will see the picture instead of the "anonymous" picture you see here.
Also, if you press on "Text" at the bottom left, the sms application opens up with a predefined text to send to that caller. In settings, you can type whatever you want that text to be. For example, "I can't answer your call right now. I will contact you as soon as possible". That's pretty handy, I think.
Pic Nr. 7: Home screen showing you missed a call. Notice the new text under the clock (picture is in German) and the red phone icon on the top bar.
KEEP IN MIND that these pictures show colored icons in the top bar. That is done with third-party software. I can attach the .cab files to this post if you want (one for the green battery with % charge on it and another for the other icons).
One downfall is that after you miss an sms or a call, you are not continuously reminded of that. You can set it so the tiny LED light on the top of the phone (next to the power button) blinks for a given period of time (or indefinitely) until you have looked at your missed call or text message. However, other than that, you need third party software for the phone to remind you through sound or vibration every few minutes after missing a call or sms.
The HD and Diamond are very similar as far as TouchFlo 3D. There are some differences - for example the Weather tab, Stocks tab etc... But it will give you an overall idea of the HD. It would be best of course if you actually get an HD to test.
Here is a good review of the HD with lots of screenshots. Check it out.
http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=1111
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, those screenshots are really useful because I don't think I have seen anything like that anywhere and it looks fairly easy to handle when receiving a call etc. On the screen where it shows the message you received, there is a button with the message sign and a pencil can you press this to reply with one click or is it for something else?
iain.fraser said:
Part of the answer to your question will dpend on you - on the face of it, a transition from N95 to HD is much more extreme than from a Diamond to an HD.
As many others have said on this forum, if you are well versed in 'optimising' WM6 then the HD is a great platform on which to stamp your preferences. If you want out of the box...
I wouldn't say 'no' but please do go into any decision with your eyes open - I have had many mates over the years who have loved the various XDA-type devices I have shown them but when they get their hands on one of their own it all becomes a bit too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the thing that I like about the Windows Mobiles is that they can be easily customised. I know they aren't the most finger friendly phones but all I really need my fingers for is ordinary phone use, which the Touch HD looks like it has got down to a tee.
I heard that microsoft will possibly launch WM7 somewhere in the not too distant future. Is it likely that HTC will offer an upgrade (free?) to this or will it be stuck on WM6.1? I have heard they did something similar for previous windows upgrades.

mike_dangerous said:
Thanks, those screenshots are really useful because I don't think I have seen anything like that anywhere and it looks fairly easy to handle when receiving a call etc. On the screen where it shows the message you received, there is a button with the message sign and a pencil can you press this to reply with one click or is it for something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. Before I got my HD I also wanted to see screenshots of different things.
To answer your question...
The button with a message sign and a pencil is to start a brand new message where you would later have to choose a recipient.
If you want to answer to the person that sent you the message, then just tap on the message itself and it will open up a reply window where all you have to do is type the message and press send (that is what picture 4 shows. Also, notice the thin gray line across the screen with the cursor blinking below it - well, you don't see it blinking in the picture That is where your response text would show). All messages and your responses are stored in a chat style thread. The other person's messages begin with the green bold text, and your sent responses (which you don't see in my pictures) start in blue bold text. In that window (Pic 4) you can hide the keyboard if you want to see more of the screen. You can choose to delete an entire thread or just an entry in a thread.
That is the thing that I like about the Windows Mobiles is that they can be easily customised. I know they aren't the most finger friendly phones but all I really need my fingers for is ordinary phone use, which the Touch HD looks like it has got down to a tee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. And along with that, you have the typical buggy occurrences that come with Windows. So, be ready for those too. But, they're not too bad - in my opinion.
I heard that microsoft will possibly launch WM7 somewhere in the not too distant future. Is it likely that HTC will offer an upgrade (free?) to this or will it be stuck on WM6.1? I have heard they did something similar for previous windows upgrades.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last I read is that you would see new phones with it in stores at the end of 2009 or early 2010. But you know how that can change. I would assume you could upgrade, but I doubt it would be a free upgrade.

Well I managed to try the phone in an Orange Shop today and I do really like it. The biggest problem I found was the lack of haptics when typing on the keyboard (it was there on the TouchFlo3D buttons and the "hardware" buttons but no where else. Is this something that can be added?
Thing is I want to get the phone right now, but this would mean my dad getting the contract which could really cause problems in the long run. So I am comtemplating getting a cheap everyday phone for a month until I become the magic age and then getting it on a contract with no hindrance from my dad at all. This would also give me a phone to use at parties and things. Is this a wise move, the problem I forsee is that choices will be even harder in Feb.

You can add third party software to make it vibrate whenever you touch the screen. TouchResponse is one option. I don't use anything like that, so I don't know if there are some that vibrate only with the keyboard. To be honest, it would annoy me for it to vibrate every time I touch the screen even when the keyboard is not there. Also, I don't know if programs like Spb Keyboard have that option for the keyboard only.
Yeah, wait til February. That way, you'll have your own contract, no conflicts with your dad, and you will probably even get a better deal on the HD by then. Time will go by fast and before you know it, it will be HD time!

I just hope that it remains the phone that I really want as things may change. The only disadvantage I see is that O2 might have got their grubby paws all over it by then and it will only be available with their firmware on it which would make it very uninviting.
Maybe by February HTC will have updated the firmware to include haptics on the keypads but other than that I liked the phone.

Go to pocketnow.com and read the full review and that will help make your mind & if that does not then forget it!

I don't doubt that I don't want it, and I want it right now. Its just more practical to wait, saves having to transfer a contract etc etc.

As to some previous replies... yes, with the built in TouchFlo3D and the built in keyboards it's far away from a normal Nokia or SonyEriccsson phone...
I am happier with my phone just with SPB Mobile Shell (Excellent phone like contacts searching, and faster than ANY other phone when needing to find a contact) and PCM Keyboard (best tradeoff between touch friendly keys and size on screen space). Personal preference always.
Also, there are free apps to do some stuff that normal 50euro phones take for granted (like sending group messages and setting alarms etc etc) and then you can make the phone closer to a normal Nokia one, while having all the additional features of Windows.
My 2c

MacDegger said:
PS:The camera is technically good, but in real life it sucks as it takes too long from registering the screenpress to actually taking a picture, rendering it useless unless taking a picture of a nonmoving building.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no problem taking picture of fast moving vehicle at all, and the screenpress is fast enough.
This is one of the pictures I have taken. It looks sharp and clear to me.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

Gyrator 2 - But keyboard doesn't get bigger?

All:
I have been using Gyrator 2. So far so good. But if the keyboard doesn't increase in size when you rotate the screen I don't see a huge advantage other than reading text or email on wider screen.
With the iPhone, yes I said the bad word, when you rotate the screen your keyboard changes making it easier to type on. That's what I'm really looking for. Something that will change the keyboard to a more finger friendly keyboard when rotated to landscape. Anything out there that can do that?
Also, any way to shrink those huge black bars when you rotate the screen at the top and bottom? I was noticing the top title bar (black bar 1) and the bottom soft menu bar (black bar 2) are HUGE in landscape mode and take up way too much real estate. It would be nice if those screen disolved and only appeared if you tapped the header/footer in a screen. I hope that made sense. Anythign apps than can do that? Or am I wishing on star.

Make sure you're using the default HTC keyboard, not the WM original one. The HTC keyboard (called full QWERTY in the input picker) does change and fill the entire screen widthwise when the screen is rotated.

shueflie, I am. And you're right. It does fit the entire screen but for some reason it sure doesn't seem bigger. Maybe it's just me. I guess it has to be getting bigger...but for some reason it still seems like too many keys squeezed in.
Are there any replacement keyboards, say something like a standard letter only keyboard, and then you press something for numbers only, and then something for special characters only? My fingers are too big.

Try the phone keypad in portrait mode (either with or without T9) and see if that suits you better. There are other keyboards available but I haven't tired any of them

Will give it a shot. If you can direct me to a link with more keyboards I'd appreciate it, in the meantime I'll use the almighty search and see what I can dig up.

derrickonline said:
Will give it a shot. If you can direct me to a link with more keyboards I'd appreciate it, in the meantime I'll use the almighty search and see what I can dig up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plenty of keyboards out there. Do a quick search in Themes, Applications and Software and you'll find what your looking for!!!
EDIT:
May also want to check Wiki to ensure keyboard software works ok, Programs/Utilites & Games working on the Touch HD (1 - M) & Programs/Utilites working on the Touch HD (N - Z)

Wow an entire wiki, that's what I'm talkin' about. Thanks!

derrickonline said:
Wow an entire wiki, that's what I'm talkin' about. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all software is shown on these lists. Best option is to do a search for keyboard in Themes, Applications and Software.
If your unsure about anything, refer to this and it should answer most questions you have!

WM6.5 lock screen delay fix

I want to start this threat to put together information in order to sort out why the device lock delay (see below) appears and how to solve it.
wm6.5 device lock app has changed from "tap here and next there" to a slider style like app you know from s2u2.
problem:
device lock is enabled
Code:
HKCU\ControlPanel\BackLight\AutoDeviceLockEnable=1
wake up the device by short pressing the power button
device lock screen is displayed instantly
it takes ~2 seconds until the slider of the device lock screen is activated and can be slided.
if you use device lock it becomes really annyoing.
there are some threads about this like this one, but the solution is not working on a Touch HD.
can anybody sched some light onthe problem why and where it appears or maybe someone already found a solution.
please post any useful information.
please do not post tips like use s2u2 or any other locking app - I do not want to use them.

the only thing i can thing of is use s2u2 or any other locking app

egoist6 said:
please do not post tips like use s2u2 or any other locking app - I do not want to use them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cookiemonster55 said:
the only thing i can thing of is use s2u2 or any other locking app
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Click to collapse
cookiemonster, either you didn't read his post or you're a sort of a jerk.
And yes, in response to the poster, I have the same problem.

Zoltair Wright said:
cookiemonster, either you didn't read his post or you're a sort of a jerk.
And yes, in response to the poster, I have the same problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
latest build 23001 still has this annoying delay

Iv noticed this too... The biggest annoyance for me is you turn the device on and the backlight isnt very bright, makes it near impossible to see the screen in daylight. Is it possible to have the backlight come on full when you press the power button?

i have this problem too. i think it is a serious bug of wm6.5
just hoping it will be fixed when the official release come out.

god i thought i was the only one, something about my config...
and i was exited about the new 6.5 lock screen,
but then it works like all the other M$ 6.5 sh!t, it doesn't
had to switch away from it

May be this help you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=527219

A1983 said:
May be this help you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=527219
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your help - but that was the solution i am talking about in my first post and unfortunately does not work.

also find this intensely annoying! if you look, on my hd, in the top left corner a small windows flag appears to indicate that the slider is locked, it disappears once the slider is active, and there is a definite exact time out, i dont think its random or a load time
hope this is sorted cos its rubbish!
regards
mat

What I've done that got rid of most of the delays regarding the lock screen on my Xperia:
I got 6 cpr files from my device's /Windows directory: LS_LockScene_xxxxxxx.cpr, LS_AlarmScene_xxxxxxx.cpr and LS_PhoneAlertScene_xxxxxxx.cpr. Get files that fit the resolution of your device, they are in pairs for portrait and landscape
opened each one of them in a text editor (they are XMLs inside)
removed all "ControlSequence" sections from them (those sections are small (like 4 entries) and big (up to 21 entries). These sections are animations of arrows. Arrows will still be there after that, they just won't animate.
uploaded cpr files back to /Windows, overwriting originals
soft-reseted.
Hope it works on your devices too

lemat1 said:
also find this intensely annoying! if you look, on my hd, in the top left corner a small windows flag appears to indicate that the slider is locked, it disappears once the slider is active, and there is a definite exact time out, i dont think its random or a load time
hope this is sorted cos its rubbish!
regards
mat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah. and with 6.5 23003 onwards in the top right corner an "X" (for close) appears. only when it goes off you can access the slider.
it seems as if an app is started.

pikipirs said:
What I've done that got rid of most of the delays regarding the lock screen on my Xperia:
I got 6 cpr files from my device's /Windows directory: LS_LockScene_xxxxxxx.cpr, LS_AlarmScene_xxxxxxx.cpr and LS_PhoneAlertScene_xxxxxxx.cpr. Get files that fit the resolution of your device, they are in pairs for portrait and landscape
opened each one of them in a text editor (they are XMLs inside)
removed all "ControlSequence" sections from them (those sections are small (like 4 entries) and big (up to 21 entries). These sections are animations of arrows. Arrows will still be there after that, they just won't animate.
uploaded cpr files back to /Windows, overwriting originals
soft-reseted.
Hope it works on your devices too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great. that helped a lot!
now the lock screen is flickering shortly and the whole lock screen slides in once more from the bottom to the top but then the slider is instantly accessible.
from a time perspective a great improvement!

update:
basically you can delete the whole layer
Code:
<Layer ID="SlidePath" >
...
</Layer>
which removes the animation of the arrows and the arrows themselves.
do not delete this section if you do not know in which direction to slide the button
however, the delay is still ~1 second. but i think i can live with that allthough it is annoying to wait one stupid second to proceed

the delay you get when recieving a call with lockscreen on is caused by the slide to answer feature of alot of the new dialers. it conflicts with the popup call answer screen with wm 6.5. to fix this can find a dialer that doesnt have slide to answer feature. the backlight problem came from backlight.dll in the kaiser, using a new one from stock rom now and it works perfect

If you enable the enter a pin number after slide, there is no delay at all. I know this isnt a solution i hate entering a pin. however, i have a felling the pin app is running in the background and thus you dont get the flicker where it flicks from Start menu back to the lock app. Hence if you could create a dummy pin app, it could work to stop the delay.

twopumpchump said:
the delay you get when recieving a call with lockscreen on is caused by the slide to answer feature of alot of the new dialers. it conflicts with the popup call answer screen with wm 6.5. to fix this can find a dialer that doesnt have slide to answer feature. the backlight problem came from backlight.dll in the kaiser, using a new one from stock rom now and it works perfect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your reply. but i also have the delay when simply waking up the device by pressing the power button (without receiving a call)

xternal said:
If you enable the enter a pin number after slide, there is no delay at all. I know this isnt a solution i hate entering a pin. however, i have a felling the pin app is running in the background and thus you dont get the flicker where it flicks from Start menu back to the lock app. Hence if you could create a dummy pin app, it could work to stop the delay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's true. i replaced LS_SimplePinScene_480x800.cpr with an empty one and allthough not using pinlock, the lock app did not work at all.

What if we designed something where when you slide it calls a mortscript or something and enters 0000+OK to by pass the pin screen (assuming you set pin to 0000). Then you edit the Pin screen so it is just a clear page, so you dont even see the pin screen flash up.
Not sure if this is at all possible as im not a programmer. Just a thought

xternal said:
What if we designed something where when you slide it calls a mortscript or something and enters 0000+OK to by pass the pin screen (assuming you set pin to 0000). Then you edit the Pin screen so it is just a clear page, so you dont even see the pin screen flash up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good idea. maybe someone can change LS_SimplePinScene_480x800.cpr so that it does not expect the pin from screen but is embedded directly into the cpr file?
can anybody who has a better understanding of cpr files or the lock app give us some tips?
xternal said:
Not sure if this is at all possible as im not a programmer. Just a thought
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me neither