Database Users

[APP][23JUNE2009] - Zero Dollar Store (App Store for Windows Mobile)

So I got tired of waiting for Windows Mobile 6.5 and a "real" app store for Windows mobile and started working on one of my own. It is very early in development right now, but feel free to give it a spin. If you are a developer and want to add an app to the few test pieces I have in there head to:
http://grebowiec.net/wmappstore/index.php
- June 23, 2009
New Category list display - easier to read/click
Progress bar for thumbnail loading (good for big categories like GAMES)
Added about screen so you know what version you have (built in updating coming soon)
Added tons of test apps (some downloads fail...sorry)
- June 16, 2009
First version uploaded
Long delays after some clicks, be patient

Sounds like this has some potential
will test it out right away!
p.s. i love the name

very good idea !!

Works pretty well.
Maybe we could work together? I made this site: http://thewingster.com/default.aspx

Not to sound harsh but how many of these apps do we need? There are quite a few similar apps out now, some more polished than others.
While I agree that competitive products are always key to innovation, too many products of the same line flooding the market can lead to a sense of over stimulation and paralize the possible success of that line. Take a look at Windows Mobile itself as an example.
An "App Store" is probably one of the few exceptions where a plethora of choices is NOT the preferred path to success. Rather, having one or two major options (MS's version plus a community driven one) are probably the best way to see a successful tool for the Windows Mobile community.
I say if you're going to try and do something like this, either make sure it stands head and shoulders above all other products so that your program and corresponding website are THE places to go to for apps, or use your talents in helping the already existing similar apps get to that status. Otherwise, at this rate, Windows Mobile will never have a "App Store" that is on par with Apple's.
Whatever you chose to do, good luck in your venture.

pndragon said:
Not to sound harsh but how many of these apps do we need? There are quite a few similar apps out now, some more polished than others.
While I agree that competitive products are always key to innovation, too many products of the same line flooding the market can lead to a sense of over stimulation and paralize the possible success of that line. Take a look at Windows Mobile itself as an example.
An "App Store" is probably one of the few exceptions where a plethora of choices is NOT the preferred path to success. Rather, having one or two major options (MS's version plus a community driven one) are probably the best way to see a successful tool for the Windows Mobile community.
I say if you're going to try and do something like this, either make sure it stands head and shoulders above all other products so that your program and corresponding website are THE places to go to for apps, or use your talents in helping the already existing similar apps get to that status. Otherwise, at this rate, Windows Mobile will never have a "App Store" that is on par with Apple's.
Whatever you chose to do, good luck in your venture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What other mobile app stores are there? I know there's that one that is through the website, but any that are actual programs on our phones??

Great idea, I will be very happy to support Your project

ace10134 said:
What other mobile app stores are there? I know there's that one that is through the website, but any that are actual programs on our phones??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's device update.

Please let me know if you tried to add an app. There was a bug on that page that didn't get all the data submitted.

ace10134 said:
What other mobile app stores are there? I know there's that one that is through the website, but any that are actual programs on our phones??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Device Update by CRCinAU (Steven Haigh)
Like ZzFDKzZ said
Gecko by Nicolas Bouliane
XDA Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=436127
wApps by niikoo
Never got off the ground as far as I know...
Pocket Download Manager by ciobo
XDA Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=475532
OpnMarket by joel2009
JAK Portal by kareem9nba
XDA Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=471576
and of course, the two from major software distribution websites:
InHand from Handango
PocketGear, Inc.'s App Store
See what I mean?

pndragon said:
Device Update by CRCinAU (Steven Haigh)
Like ZzFDKzZ said
Gecko by Nicolas Bouliane
XDA Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=436127
wApps by niikoo
Never got off the ground as far as I know...
Pocket Download Manager by ciobo
XDA Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=475532
OpnMarket by joel2009
JAK Portal by kareem9nba
XDA Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=471576
and of course, the two from major software distribution websites:
InHand from Handango
PocketGear, Inc.'s App Store
See what I mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of those are dead.
PocketGear is just a website and doesn't have an update utility built in.
Handango is mostly paid apps and no update utility.
This new app store sounds like it could work better, and as long as it actually gets going, it could work.
If you want to complain about too many similar apps, go to the Slide2Send thread, they want to make another "light" SMS app. We already have like 10 sms apps, we don't need another. Please tell them that!

Well, last night I wrote a quick RSS parser to load in some free apps from freewarepocketpc.net. There are about 140 apps up there now for testing. I will be releasing a new version today (I hope) with a few more features.

New version is up. Enjoy. Info in first post.

Deviceupdate only gives me errors and won't launch.
OpenMarked works slow without indicators
but yours work flawlessly on my device. Sometimes slow but, gee, it has to download stuff! Your appstore is already my preferred choice. Add some grfx, tidy the category list (maybe a list, not icons and make it fit to screen) and voila!
Tell me if you need some grfx
THANX!

great idea i just install and test
like the device update but don't have some apps, and not updating for newest version
opnMarket i got problem with this
need to try this one

Winmo to Android

i previously had a Tytn2. One of the best fones i've ever ownedexcept for the speed and the clunkiness of it. Upgraded to Rogers HTC Dream, but there are a lot of things i miss from the Tytn. Just wondering what functionalities other people miss, and possible this could brainstorm ideas generate solutions or substitutes on Android...
personally,
a) Tomtom, using nav with built in maps, no data necessary
b) official msn client
c) tethering (currently only using pdanet, non-root)
d) simple windows functions, ie copying text, easily moving files within explorer on the fone
e) others...?

kevwo said:
i previously had a Tytn2. One of the best fones i've ever ownedexcept for the speed and the clunkiness of it. Upgraded to Rogers HTC Dream, but there are a lot of things i miss from the Tytn. Just wondering what functionalities other people miss, and possible this could brainstorm ideas generate solutions or substitutes on Android...
personally,
a) Tomtom, using nav with built in maps, no data necessary
b) official msn client
c) tethering (currently only using pdanet, non-root)
d) simple windows functions, ie copying text, easily moving files within explorer on the fone
e) others...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a) copilot live. Its $35 and is on the market. You will need to root and run marketenabler though since canada isn't on the non-free market list yet. The maps are better than tomtom, the routing is smarter, and the route planning is MUCH FASTER.
b) There's lots of im crap on the market. Can't imagine why you would want this nonsense, but its there for you to download if you want it.
c) tether for root users. Again, root it.
d) you need to learn to LONG-press. And for manipulating files, either learn to use the terminal properly like the more intelligent people (it is MUCH easier and more efficient than using ANY gui), or find a free program called "ASTRO" in the market.
e) if you don't have a question, we can't provide an answer.

lbcoder said:
a) copilot live. Its $35 and is on the market. You will need to root and run marketenabler though since canada isn't on the non-free market list yet. The maps are better than tomtom, the routing is smarter, and the route planning is MUCH FASTER.
b) There's lots of im crap on the market. Can't imagine why you would want this nonsense, but its there for you to download if you want it.
c) tether for root users. Again, root it.
d) you need to learn to LONG-press. And for manipulating files, either learn to use the terminal properly like the more intelligent people (it is MUCH easier and more efficient than using ANY gui), or find a free program called "ASTRO" in the market.
e) if you don't have a question, we can't provide an answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey lbcoder, thanks for the response, some good points there
A) does copilot run if i take the sim card out tho (no data used) ? if it does, then you rock!
b) fair enough
c) rooting tonite, once i get home. thanks haykuro
was there anything that anyone in particular liked about winmo?

kevwo said:
hey lbcoder, thanks for the response, some good points there
A) does copilot run if i take the sim card out tho (no data used) ? if it does, then you rock!
b) fair enough
c) rooting tonite, once i get home. thanks haykuro
was there anything that anyone in particular liked about winmo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a) Definitely works without data. Haven't tried pulling the card though, really don't want to open the case up.
d) I've always really liked that winmo never really caught on. They have too much of a monopoly and are perfectly evil and abusive... ever actually read one of their eula's? Its a "You want me to agree to WHAT??? No, I will NOT sign over my firstborn and my youngest daughter, and you can NOT have my testicles ".

I owned a TyTn II before buying an HTC Dream.
My transition to Android was through the Android port to the tytn2. As I was using android on the tytn2, I found myself spending more and more time in android then in WinMobile. After a while I started dreading having to go back to WinMo to access features that the android port didn't have functioning (like camera, wifi...)
What I started to dislike about WinMo was the fact that it has a stylus driven interface. Even though there are some nice custom WinMo Roms, that add some nice finger navigation to the main features, practically all 3rd party software is not finger friendly.
And Android worked so much smoother and snappier then WinMo.
Since getting the Dream a month ago, I haven't once thought about what I'm missing from the tytn2.
Just my experience.

I am pretty much in the same boat as the OP. TomTom was the biggie for me, as was the much better included mail client in WM. I was personally running Windows Mobile 6.5 and in fact am still running it on the Tytn.
I actually went back to using my Tytn and tossed the dream in the glove box. It wasn't till night before last when I rooted the Dream that I put my sim back in it. If Copilot works as expected I may try the Dream for bit and see if my feelings change. However I can see a new WM device in my near future.
Oh take a look at K9 for an email client. Still a bit clumsy to use, but worlds better than the built in mail client in android. Its still a very young phone and OS, I think over time it'll get better.

lbcoder - we have winmo hater! lol well at least i had my tytn2 running better than so many iphones....yeah i'm gonna hate on iphone
outsider787 - how did android run on the tytn2? was it laggy? i have to assum it was, as just its own rom was quite laggy. i agree tho, that it is frustrating to try to do things on the screen with your finger that was designed for a stylus
Capt Fiero - keep me/us informed with how the testing of CoPilot goes! with tomtom, i could just take my sim when travelling in the US and still navigate (atlantic city to ny!)

I replied to your pm, however wanted to add a few things here.
I still have yet to get copilot installed on the 10 day trial. Every time I go to download and install it, using market enabler it wants me to give them a credit card, and I am not supplying a credit card number or personal info through market on an app that I have never even seen in operation let alone tried.
Now as for going state side, I found it ridiculously cheap just go across pick up a USA AT&T pay as you go card, drop it into my Tytn and go from there. Its .10 cents a min vs $2.00 a min for roaming. You have to have your phone unlocked, which if you are on these forums, more than likely you already do. So now I just have a spare sim in my sim carrier that I swap into my phone when I am going to be in the states for an extended period. I thought about forwarding my CDN number to the US number, but never tried it. I just swap the card out once a day and check for any new messages.

kevwo said:
lbcoder - we have winmo hater! lol well at least i had my tytn2 running better than so many iphones....yeah i'm gonna hate on iphone
outsider787 - how did android run on the tytn2? was it laggy? i have to assum it was, as just its own rom was quite laggy. i agree tho, that it is frustrating to try to do things on the screen with your finger that was designed for a stylus
Capt Fiero - keep me/us informed with how the testing of CoPilot goes! with tomtom, i could just take my sim when travelling in the US and still navigate (atlantic city to ny!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you make a TyTn2 run better than an iPhone? That's ridiculous.....My friend still sticks to his TyTn 2 as it is a work phone and he regularly shows me his 'iphone-esque' tweaks, which are laughably jerky and unresponsive. There are a ton of things I could do on my old iPhone 3G that I couldn't do nearly as well on my TyTn2/Touch Diamond/Touch ProAthena/Exec, but that's another issue.....
As for the dream? Well I don't drive so I can't comment on SATnav software, but I'm very happy with the device as an internet-centric phone, and with the HTC IME and Handcent it's a joy to text on. I'd still swap it for a 3GS anyday though, as I'm not a humongous geek, just a lover of multimedia and the internet and the 3Gs provides a great browsing, texting, video, mp3, camera and video experience....
.....shame that the first batch are apparently getting so hot they're bursting into flames.
Anyway, enough of the iPhone crap, let's be straight here: If you LIKE windows mobile and you LIKE the way it works, get a Windows Mobile device. For what it does you can't fault it. If you want Microsoft Services such as hotmail and Live Messenger it will always be the better choice. Android will NEVER be Windows Mobile; it is a completely different platform with different aspirations and an open environment, driven by third-party developers. Personally I prefer the Android Email Client to the Windows Mobile one, but I've only owned a Windows Mobile device up to version 6.1 so the email client may have improved. Also I have a Gmail account.
The major selling point for me of the two is the capacitive screen of the G1. I just cannot imagine going back to resistive screens and styluses so no matter how much WinMo improves it will never get my support until it becomes compatible with capacitive screens.
just my thoughts....

just just got root access. can finally bluetooth. let's see android create 'Age of Empires" and make it as addictive as winmo version. robo defense is only fun to a certain extent

Before this turns into an Android vs WinMo war, they both have there big pluses and both have drawbacks. It boils down to personal preference and desired use. For some its just a a really hard decision. Whenever I make a WinMo/Android thread, I always state that both have there advantages and both have there drawbacks. So don't let the other side of the fence bait you into an argument that has no place on this forum.

I just got an error when trying to reply to your PM, nothing private so here it is.
The following errors occurred with your submission:
kevwo has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her.
If you are trying to send this message to multiple recipients, remove kevwo from the recipient list and send the message again.
I never did get Wifi teather to work, and contacts I found it easier just to copy all the contacts to the sim then move the sim to the dream and copy them from the sim to the dream contact list. (over 200 contacts so any other way would take way too long)
kevwo said:
Capt Fiero said:
I don't know about root being "unlocked" or not. I have not tried that yet. I have not gone across the line with the Dream yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool
thanks again for the help. just trying to bluetooth contacts from Tytn to dream now.
and attempting to get WiFi tether to work. sigh...i guess all this work is part of the fun of a new phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

i have almost 400, i dont think it could all fit on my sim tho

Well you other option and its a long way around but, if you have
MS Outlook
a Gmail Account and understand what a CSV value is, you are in luck.
Open Microsoft Outlook (must have your windows Mobile contacts synced)
Use the MS Outlook export wizard to export your contacts into a CSV file. Save it to your desktop.
Now open your Gmail account, go to the import wizard, import that CSV file into Gmail.
Now grab your Android phone, enter your Gmail account info, then tell it to sync your contacts from your GMAIL account to your phone.
Presto Bingo, your phone now has all the accounts that were on your Windows Mobile / Outlook account in your Android. This will work regardless if you have 20 accounts or 1000 accounts.

kevwo said:
just just got root access. can finally bluetooth. let's see android create 'Age of Empires" and make it as addictive as winmo version. robo defense is only fun to a certain extent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dude, what's ur problem

kevwo said:
dude, what's ur problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to me that HE's the troll...

kevwo said:
just just got root access. can finally bluetooth. let's see android create 'Age of Empires" and make it as addictive as winmo version. robo defense is only fun to a certain extent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Robo Defense is only fun until you find the XML files that store your scores/unlocks Couldn't they use some sort of encoding to make cheating a bit more difficult for root users? All I wanted was to save my progress between phone wipes, but ended up giving myself 90 gazillion points and unlocking all achievements.

lbcoder said:
Seems to me that HE's the troll...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. serious. oh well.
you can hack it like that? wow! but is that more fun than actually OBTAINING the achievement yourself? those black planes are damn near impossible to shoot down its frustrating.
anyone actually play AoE on winmo?

kevwo said:
lol. serious. oh well.
you can hack it like that? wow! but is that more fun than actually OBTAINING the achievement yourself? those black planes are damn near impossible to shoot down its frustrating.
anyone actually play AoE on winmo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I entertained myself with AoE on an old PDA on a plane flight one time. Was nice to have. Android games have a long way to come, but compare teh age of the platform to WM and I feel hopeful.
All in all, I prefer android to the current WM (well I only got to 6.1 before I sold my tilt last year), but if there are apps you depend on, it can be a tough switch to make.

New Google Maps Available With Layers 3.2

Check out fuzemobility for more info
http://www.fuzemobility.com/google-maps-for-mobile-now-with-layers/
Or go to http://www.google.com/mobile/products/maps.html#p=default
Release notes (version 3.2)
Below is a list of new features and fixed issues for Google Maps for mobile available in version 3.2 for Symbian Series 60 and Windows Mobile devices.
Installing
Install version 3.2 for Symbian Series 60 and Windows Mobile devices by going to http://m.google.com/maps in your mobile web browser. To ensure proper device detection, use your phone’s original, native browser, such as Internet Explorer Mobile on Windows Mobile devices.

WinMo app is not there anymore (page removed)

gmm 3.2.0 cab
I don't know why google makes it such a pain in the balls to get gmm cabs but here it is.

thanks mate

the link is dead...
never mind, it worked a couple of minutes later...

ya the link on their website for it isn't working.
Anyway it's nice they updated it with the new features.
Now if they would just give us lowly windows-mobile users that google-voice app that they released for everyone else.....

Sweet!
Having traffic accident info is EXACTLY what I have been hoping for.
Good F'n job Google!
Now if they can just integrate weather updates based on cell tower/gps location it would be brushing up against perfect.
(And yes I know Live Search/Bing already does this.)

don't work on Diamond2???

braulioleonardo said:
don't work on Diamond2???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You installed to Memory Card, right?
As the website said, you have to uninstall, delete any files in the Program Files/ folder for Google Maps, and then restart your phone, and then re-install.
I hate Google's impossible links. Annoyingggg.

What I'd really like to see is Google Earth!!!

Old faithful said:
What I'd really like to see is Google Earth!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I'm already waiting for Google Seas or Space.

thanks for the heads up. downloaded and loving it. especially since they updated transit info this might be the best thing to happen to city dwellers

d0ugie said:
I don't know why google makes it such a pain in the balls to get gmm cabs but here it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can always count on you to deliver the goods when the manufacturer can only provide a 404.
Cheers Mate!

ace10134 said:
Really? I'm already waiting for Google Seas or Space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Galaxy would be absolutely fantastic ... you have no idea how much of a pain it is to find directions to Omicron Persei 8.

hilaireg said:
Can always count on you to deliver the goods when the manufacturer can only provide a 404.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know das' right my man, I deliver! Can't claim I've got the fastest connection in the world (dsl...) but my server's had 100% uptime since I flipped the switch on for blownfuze back in december.
In google's defense you don't want to be giving out your new hot software to people unless you're sure you're giving them the right version for their phone's OS and with all these different browsers for all phones and I guess it's getting hard to tell what kind of phone they've got based on their http user agent. Almost everybody who uses winmo phones are not like us, don't flash new roms of new builds of different winmo releases, don't use leaked betas of browsers... still, why not let people download from their computer like everyone else who distributes software. For example, here's a user agent that just hit my server log:
"Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.2.13216/574; U; en)"
Hard to tell which OS that guy's running and google doesn't want to release crappy java versions of gmm anymore.
Doug

I hear ya.
Via devices ... makes total sense.
Via PC however, which is the only way I download CAB's, Google could save themselves tons of issues by following the lead of other manufacturers ...
Drop-Down List 1: Device (or O/S)
Drop-Down List 2: Language of GMM to download
Button: Download
... done. It's simple and requires no complex auto-detection, just a PC user who can read.
At least that's how it's done, I'm told, on Omicron Persei 8.

d0ugie said:
You know das' right my man, I deliver! Can't claim I've got the fastest connection in the world (dsl...) but my server's had 100% uptime since I flipped the switch on for blownfuze back in december.
In google's defense you don't want to be giving out your new hot software to people unless you're sure you're giving them the right version for their phone's OS and with all these different browsers for all phones and I guess it's getting hard to tell what kind of phone they've got based on their http user agent. Almost everybody who uses winmo phones are not like us, don't flash new roms of new builds of different winmo releases, don't use leaked betas of browsers... still, why not let people download from their computer like everyone else who distributes software. For example, here's a user agent that just hit my server log:
"Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.2.13216/574; U; en)"
Hard to tell which OS that guy's running and google doesn't want to release crappy java versions of gmm anymore.
Doug
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DUDE! We run similar sites! Except I support the T-Mobile Wing while you're all for the Fuze. But I've gotta say my site looks better: http://thewingster.com/
Hehe. That's cool that we ended up doing the same thing though!
And Screenshots of the new Google Maps: http://thewingster.com/googlemaps.aspx

Taken Directly from Googles maps page:
Supported Phones
Google Maps for mobile works on most phones, including those that run the below platforms. You can always download Maps to your phone using your cellular connection -- just visit m.google.com/maps on your device's browser, or send yourself a text message using the button at the top of this page. Some mobile phones also support the ability to sideload Google Maps onto your phone.
Android
BlackBerry
Java
Windows Mobile: Download Binary
Symbian S60 3rd Edition (most new Nokia smartphones): Download Binary
Palm OS: Download Binary
iPhone (pre-installed)
If you're not sure whether your phone runs one of these platforms, just try sending yourself a text message to get Maps. It will probably work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they do offer an easy way to download the cabs...

Yup ... site I usually go to ... looks like they fixed the broken links - no more 404.

Type SMS messages on the computer and send through the Hero

Hi,
My previous phone was a SonyEricsson and I had this app for Windows named MyPhoneExplorer. I could connect to my phone with this app and do all sorts of things. One of those things was typing a message on the computer and send it through the network on the phone.
That was pretty nice for some long text messages, where is faster to type on the computer than on the phone. Specially when I'm not yet used to the touch keyboards.
Is there any app I could do this with the Hero?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=574677

Well, I suppose that app gets the job done and does what I'm looking for but I was hoping for a more specific Windows app like MyPhoneExplorer and not an apk/java based app.
Thanks anyway

I don't quite understand what's wrong with Java and/or apk in this context. Isn't MyPhoneExplorer also a Java app?
DesktopSMS for Android also is a Java app for the desktop, and an apk for the phone.

http://de.codeplex.com/
this looks a damn lot interesting, just was too lazy too boot my laptop over to windows to try it.
edit: lol, and as i look at it it doesn't even send sms... sorry, might be interesting nevertheless, so i'll leave the link there.

elmicha said:
I don't quite understand what's wrong with Java and/or apk in this context. Isn't MyPhoneExplorer also a Java app?
DesktopSMS for Android also is a Java app for the desktop, and an apk for the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For starters, Java applications look horrible in Windows and most of the time the developers don't even care about using controls that have native look and feel which conforms to Windows Guidelines. That bugs the hell out of me.
Unless an application looks and feels like it belongs and fits in Windows, I don't care the language it's developed in, even if it's Java, I just won't use it unless I really have to. But that's not the case most of the time.
kendong2 said:
http://de.codeplex.com/
this looks a damn lot interesting, just was too lazy too boot my laptop over to windows to try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't seem to send SMS as you said already, but it looks a damn nice application for Windows users (it seems that it also runs under Mono, or it's something the developer is interested in).
I have to take a look at that and maybe make a feature suggestion for that...

What Makes Android Better Than Windows Mobile?

I see a lot of threads about Android.
I've never tried converting or even seen it in action but have a question.
How is Android better than Windows Mobile Professional?
Also how is it worse?
Or is it just different?

All I can say is 'try it to believe it.'
I can talk about it on and on, but you are not going to realize what you can get until you try it.

sshark said:
All I can say is 'try it to believe it.'
I can talk about it on and on, but you are not going to realize what you can get until you try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
second that. easy enough to dump on your sdcard without even touching your current winmo setup, so try it out and see.

jimt007 said:
I see a lot of threads about Android.
I've never tried converting or even seen it in action but have a question.
How is Android better than Windows Mobile Professional?
Also how is it worse?
Or is it just different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its just better. Really.

Main thing for me, besides that its totally better, is that its finger based. No more silly stylus....

+1.
I just recently went all the way back to the stock sprint 6.1 rom just to see if I could ever live like that again. After spending an hour or so gathering cabs and tweaking everything just to get it to a comfortable state, I realized that all of the things I was trying to do are pretty much already done in even the most basic android builds.
It does come down to preference I suppose, but for me, just signing into my account upon booting android beats digging around for a WMMarketplace cab on a crippled IE browser, cumbersome setups for things like Windows Live, setting up and scheduling active sync, installing replacements for almost every default part of WM.
I really did love windows mobile for a long time. It's certainly one of -if not- the most customizable platforms. If you don't necessarily like how something works in WM, chances are you can do something about it. But that can take time. I was never really that interested in scripting out one of those huge uc files way back when.
The way everything works so well together in android without getting in your way is fantastic, but stop reading this and just trying it!

If you want to get your feet wet:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/58383/android.exe
A self-extracting zip file I made to get a friend running Android. It's a all-in-one Haret of zenulator's 1.6 Donut. Just extract the Android folder it contains to your Secure Digital card, then run Haret.exe in Windows Mobile File Explorer. Then hit Run.
For porting contacts from WinMobile to Android, check this:
http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=138636&topic=14299

You know what? I'm going to quote myself, from another thread:
Pandemic187 said:
Personally, I like Android better than Windows Mobile because:
1. It's significantly faster for me
2. There's more freedom in terms of tweaking it
3. I think it has a MUCH better notification system than WinMo
4. I like the integration with GMail (better than WinMo's Exchange support) and other Google services
5. It has an app market!
These are pretty self explanatory, but I just love the notification system of Android. I was pleasantly surprised to see a weather alert appear in my notification bar after I downloaded the Weather.com app the other day. Everything appears there - including your appointments on your Google Calendar, texts, e-mails - everything. I think it's just great how it's all unified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jnadke said:
If you want to get your feet wet:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/58383/android.exe
A self-extracting zip file I made to get a friend running Android. It's a all-in-one Haret of zenulator's 1.6 Donut. Just extract the Android folder it contains to your Secure Digital card, then run Haret.exe in Windows Mobile File Explorer. Then hit Run.
For porting contacts from WinMobile to Android, check this:
http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=138636&topic=14299
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I installed it without any problems. Nice looking. Very clean interface.
But.... EVERY program that I tried, opened but had no way to back out. I had to soft reset each time. I tried 3 or 4 different things, and nothing let me go back to the main menu. Phone hard keys didn't do what they are supposed to do. After all it is a phone, the hard keys make it easy to call and hang up.
I guess I'm not patient enough to continue to experiment so I just deleted the file and am back to using Windows Mobile Pro 6.1.

jimt007 said:
Thanks.
I installed it without any problems. Nice looking. Very clean interface.
But.... EVERY program that I tried, opened but had no way to back out. I had to soft reset each time. I tried 3 or 4 different things, and nothing let me go back to the main menu. Phone hard keys didn't do what they are supposed to do. After all it is a phone, the hard keys make it easy to call and hang up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Power Button = Menu Button
Camera Button = Back Button
Hang-Up Button (long press) = Silence, Airplane, Shutdown
Those should work on every Vogue.

cybik said:
Power Button = Menu Button
Camera Button = Back Button
Hang-Up Button (long press) = Silence, Airplane, Shutdown
Those should work on every Vogue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to give a friend the package above, but he is on a Touch Pro. Would this be good for him to try? or is there something else better?

TheKartus said:
Main thing for me, besides that its totally better, is that its finger based. No more silly stylus....
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Click to collapse
lol..huh? I have used Windows Mobile forever and cannot remember the last time I used the stylus...in fact, the only time I use it, is to reset the phone through the little hole.

jimt007 said:
Thanks.
I installed it without any problems. Nice looking. Very clean interface.
But.... EVERY program that I tried, opened but had no way to back out. I had to soft reset each time. I tried 3 or 4 different things, and nothing let me go back to the main menu. Phone hard keys didn't do what they are supposed to do. After all it is a phone, the hard keys make it easy to call and hang up.
I guess I'm not patient enough to continue to experiment so I just deleted the file and am back to using Windows Mobile Pro 6.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well..........after reading some of the replies I reinstalled Android.
Not to belabor the point but I still don't like it as much as Windows Mobile Pro 6.1.
I would be losing to many things I'm very pleased with for a change to a different operating system.
It's back off again, I'm staying with Windows Mobile Pro 6.1.
If I ever want Android I'll buy an Android phone.

I agree with you about Android, it's not something I would use, but that's just me.
I wouldn't go back to 6.1 though, I'll stay with 6.5.x, it's a lot more finger friendly. The UI graphics on Android is decade behind everybody else. I would need a microscope to see what's on there. That's why HTC developed its own UI. Knowing Google, they probably can make up that decade in a week, but for now its Winmo.
PS you might want to try one of the port/build with SenseUI.

stopthebus said:
I agree with you about Android, it's not something I would use, but that's just me.
I wouldn't go back to 6.1 though, I'll stay with 6.5.x, it's a lot more finger friendly. The UI graphics on Android is decade behind everybody else. I would need a microscope to see what's on there. That's why HTC developed its own UI. Knowing Google, they probably can make up that decade in a week, but for now its Winmo.
PS you might want to try one of the port/build with SenseUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each their own I suppose - but it really sounds like your config is off or you're using some odd build if you "need a microscope to see what's on there".

plemen said:
To each their own I suppose - but it really sounds like your config is off or you're using some odd build if you "need a microscope to see what's on there".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to be able to increase the font size on Android. I've play around with both 120 and 160 and different resolutions, but unable to increase the font size to something usable. Any help would be appreciated. I've been scouring the net reading up on Android and trying different builds (last one was eclair 2.0.1) because I was offered the Droid for Xmas. After all the readings and research, I turn down the offer in favor of the trusty old Vogue (being made by Motorola is another reason; every Motorola phones I got, I had to open them up and super glued everything down).
I do appreciate some pointers on increasing the font/widgets size on these test builds.

crobs808 said:
lol..huh? I have used Windows Mobile forever and cannot remember the last time I used the stylus...in fact, the only time I use it, is to reset the phone through the little hole.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I often got annoyed with certain apps I put in, certain games, or menus and just brought out the stylus.

Well, one thing you always have to keep in mind running Android on the Vogue, is that it is not native to the Vogue. So, there is always going to be little imperfections. I was so impressed by Android on the Vogue, that I bought a G1. So now I run WM6.5 on the Vogue, and Cyanogen's ROMs on my G1. I really will never go back to WM. The only reason I use it now is because I have a contract with Verizon that somebody else pay for. If you really want to be blown away by Android, go to a store and play with a native Android phone. I find content is way more accessible for Android. For an OS that has been out for a very small fraction of the time that WM has been out, it's incredible. Lol, I'm rambling now, point is, try a native Android phone if the Vogue port doesn't suit you. Don't give up on it too easily.

Hello
I am using NFSFAN latest rom on my vogue.Have not tried any android as yet.Honestly,I have not followed it atall.So I am a complete noob to android platform.
So can anybody point me where I can get all the guidanceThanks.

Wow! I don’t mean to sound patronizing but I am genuinely impressed by the quality of responses to this question. Someone actually dared to ask a question about comparing WM vs. Android and there wasn’t any of the typical flame war style responses. Thanks guys! Just one more reason why I like the XDA forums.
I have been looking for a clear and concise answer (or partial answer) on this exact topic myself. I was hoping to get a quantifiable “here’s why I like Android” or “here’s why I like WM” response and I finally found something in this discussion.
I find that a certain anti-Microsoft sentiment often clouds these discussions to the point where they are not useful.
I have been using WM for *years* and develop applications for it. I am also supporting over 50+ Windows Mobile-based devices in the enterprise (warehouse & sales force automation apps). So when people come out and say stuff like “WM is slow, bloated and buggy” I find it an unhelpful response. I just have to chalk their comments up to anti-Microsoft sentiment that is so popular these days.
From this discussion I have a partial conclusion. It seems that the main difference between WM and Android are from a “user experience” perspective. Both of them seem to be reliable robust platforms from an OS perspective. The problem is that the WM interface is dated and heavily stylus oriented. Microsoft’s response to this is to make things “bigger” but not to radically rethink the user interface.
Windows Mobile in its present form bears an uncanny resemblance to Pocket PC 2002. This was designed to compete (and win) against the then popular PalmOS.
Android represents a complete rethink from a user interface perspective. On top of that companies like HTC add their own stuff like SenseUI (on Android) and TouchFLO (on WM) that change the user experience some more. So sometimes that makes the discussion more about the phone manufacturer (HTC vs. Samsung for example) then about the platform itself.
Microsoft is in a tough spot with WM right now. There is a huge install base of mobile business apps running on industrialized PDA’s (stuff like the MC75, MC55, Intermec CN50, etc, etc). The Purolator guys use WM for proof-of-delivery. These types of apps are often custom developed, expensive and have long life cycles. They are not sexy but they get work done.
Radically rethinking the WM user interface would likely break a lot of these types of applications. Everyone knows when switching to Android that their existing WM apps will not run. But everyone expects their existing WM apps from 1998 to run unmodified on the latest version of WM (and surprisingly they often do).
So how does Microsoft keep WM dominant in the business sector while at the same time making it “exciting and sexy” in the rapidly changing consumer marketplace?
Tough spot indeed. I wonder what they will do. I do love the competition from Android (and iPhone) and expect to see cool stuff from WM in the future. I just hope it doesn’t break too many of my 10+ year old apps ;-)
Regards,
The Fish