hi all,
in a few days (waiting for wirefly shipping), i'll be an incredible owner. i've done quite a bit of research on the phone up to this point, including coming across this forum and seeing that it was among the most active and informative on the net.
i have an extensive windows skinning/modding background, having been active in the scene for almost 10 years now. i am a moderator at the now mostly defunct customize.org and also at the newer, more active pixelfuckers.org, a site that was started by some of the elite desktop modders in the world as a playground and showcase for our work. my windows screenshots and skins have been very well received by the community and have even won a few contests. i've even had a couple of shots featured on lifehacker.com. i also have a good deal of graphic design and photography/post processing experience.
what i'm getting at here is that i will most certainly be looking to mod the living hell out of my incredible when it finally arrives and i'm looking for the best way to do so. i know of apps like launcher pro and adw launcher and will certainly be utilizing them. i'm also familiar with some of the roms that are available, like cyanogen, and roughly what extra capabilities they give the user as far as customization goes. lastly, i've browsed the incredible screenshot thread and have seen
my questions are as follows :
can i do a fair amount of visual customization without rooting?
what are some free apps that are skinnable and help in visual customization?
thanks in advance everyone.
as a final thought for now, i intend to start making android-sized versions of my popular desktop wallpaper series, 'photowalls', so keep a look out for those in the near future. if you'd like links to any of my work (being a new user, i can't put them in this post), don't hesitate to ask.
You might want to check out this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=761517
Definitely use Launcher Pro, you can choose what icons to use for applications you place on your homescreens, as well as hide apps in the app drawer.
You can also use BetterCut or Folder Organizer to change the icons on folders, all without root.
I'm not sure if you can get access to /system/app without rooting (I'm pretty sure you can't), but if it turns out you can, you can use ADB to replace the apk's with modified ones posted on this forum.
As far as skinnable widgets, I know Beautiful Widgets has a lot of skins available for it, but beyond that I haven't really looked. Hope this helps.
Welcome to the forums. Can't wait to see your work. Rooting is easy. Lots of roms. Great community. Glad to see you here.
Sent from Conical .06
thanks for the tips zoon, i'll check that thread out some time.
as far as the wallpapers go, i know the formula for resolution is 1x height and 2x width, making the dinc one 960x800. is there another resolution that's overly common that i should include in the packs? i'll probably throw an iphone-sized one in there too, just to maximize the number of downloads.
also, if anyone out there is looking to collab on a theme/widget design (you do the coding, i do the graphics), i'd definitely be up for it.
I will take you up on that sometime in the future if you don't mind. Im still getting the video cam and bluetooth working. But after that i was going to start themeing/modding.
Sent from Conical .07
posted a couple screenshots of what i have so far here.
i still want to look into some modified .apk's that have been posted here...could anyone point me in that direction?
I'll be a monkey's uncle.
It's you.
luvit said:
I'll be a monkey's uncle.
It's you.
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hah, have we met?
No. it just felt right to say.
Related
Hello to all,
Just found this site and I'm really impressed! This is definitely what the internet is all about; the free exchange of ideas and spreading the love worldwide =)
I have a request for the GURUS; I am visually impaired and hate using the clumsy & cumbersome magnification tools available for WM6 (even mobile speak/mobile magnifier are booty at $90/each!).
My plan is to install Touch-it (how cool is that!!!!) and the other assorted goodies available for my new wing but was wondering if anyone has designed a theme for low vision/easy viewing?
To be honest I would be happy with larger, bolder fonts and easy to read coloration (black on white background or similar) can anyone recommend a theme or possibly help making one for me?
All help & suggestions are welcome, and links are great because searching through threads with my vision can be frustrating or near impossible at times.
Thanks to all & keep up the good work
Please forgive the jumbo text. Looking to make life easier.
I wanted to post since you've gotten 20+ views and no replys. Annoying when people read what you have to say and offer no insight.
I cruise a lot of the different app sites and forums; I haven't seen anything other than the large start menu mod that ttran implemented on a version of his open touch rom so far. You should post this up in the Herald Mobile 6 forum so that perhaps a cook or two might see this and have some ideas for you.
In the mean time, if I come across anything worthwhile, I'll dig the thread up and let you know.
Peace out
Cool deal,
I'll try over there and I'll check out the TTran mod =)
Hi everyone,
I´ve got a question, it won´t get out of mind:
What about UI guidelines for ALL developers and applications ? What about a collection of graphics and tutorials so every app gets a proper interface?
Apple does this with OS X and iPhone, and as far as I know it works. So why don´t start something like this with WindowsMobile ?
I´m dreaming of some kind of Xda-Devs library which is a wiki as well as a resource for graphics and animation frameworks. If we put our talents and efforts together I think this is doable !
It's a nice idea, but why? You say Apple does this, but it's why we have WinMo ! Everything is different, don't want everything looking the same!
TheChampJT said:
It's a nice idea, but why? You say Apple does this, but it's why we have WinMo ! Everything is different, don't want everything looking the same!
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*lol* You got that wrong, I don´t want to look everything the same. But we could increase the popularity and usability of WM immense if we could provide some kind of library.
I´m not talking about apps which are skinable. I´m talking about replacing the standard WinForms, so it looks nicer and is more fingerfriendly.
And when you say the different styles make WM unique - you wanna tell me missing usability is an argument to buy an WM phone ?!?
TheChampJT said:
It's a nice idea, but why? You say Apple does this, but it's why we have WinMo ! Everything is different, don't want everything looking the same!
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Actually EVERYONE does this. Gnome, KDE, Apple, Microsoft all spend lots of time and money on the research of UI Guidelines. Its brings the whole community so much close and leads to a fluint interface experience. Apple and the latest versions of KDE being a case in point. If we as a community lay down some guidlines on what works best where with Touch, Stylus and keyboard navigation we will already be one step closer to more usable devices. Being a programmer by trade I spend hours making sure that my UI is as close to what ppl are use to ATM ie: The Office 2007 UI. So many ppl are upgrading to this new look and feel. So my application needs to follow suit since it gets used withing corporate environments
Thats just my 2c. Hope its well spent
m.schmidler said:
*lol* You got that wrong, I don´t want to look everything the same. But we could increase the popularity and usability of WM immense if we could provide some kind of library.
I´m not talking about apps which are skinable. I´m talking about replacing the standard WinForms, so it looks nicer and is more fingerfriendly.
And when you say the different styles make WM unique - you wanna tell me missing usability is an argument to buy an WM phone ?!?
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I was under the assumption that the desired direction, judging by all of the most popular apps on this site, was to have apps that were fully skinable and completely finger friendly (at least where it makes sense).
Personally, i think if we follow the style like iphone of designing their apps, it would be quite boring, this forum apps would not be special anymore. However, i think there would be advantages too.
Precisely hazeline, we should figure out what works for us and work from there. When you look at apps like Manilla 2D and TouchFlo 3D even though they are great they are lacking some basic fluincy.
Im gonna have a look over then next week and see if I can knock together something for facebook for our WinMo devices. It seems like this would a good start for me to see what I would like changed in a basic UI
removed. doh bleh
please remove.
cornelha said:
Precisely hazeline, we should figure out what works for us and work from there. When you look at apps like Manilla 2D and TouchFlo 3D even though they are great they are lacking some basic fluincy.
Im gonna have a look over then next week and see if I can knock together something for facebook for our WinMo devices. It seems like this would a good start for me to see what I would like changed in a basic UI
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absolutely agree. When I first saw the facebook shots I thought "wow, we need those gfx for other apps". So, any (Xperia) users in here, what about extracting those gfx for us ?
regards,
Martin
I noticed Microsoft released some sort of guide for developers a few days ago, you can find it here: http://www.codeplex.com/AppArch/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=19798
I also tried to copy the Facebook-Panel style, don´t criticise me, I just did this in a couple of minutes, if I put some efforts in this it would look definetely better
Although this thread isn´t that crowded I still hope this becomes a big community project, it IS possible, there are some many talented people in here !
regards,
Martin
m.schmidler said:
I also tried to copy the Facebook-Panel style, don´t criticise me, I just did this in a couple of minutes, if I put some efforts in this it would look definetely better
regards,
Martin
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Believe me, it's NOT that bad..
and I like the idea too...
We could implement some sort of XDA-Oficial Theme...
And this way we would have at least some common ground from were to start..
I also develop for the device, and too often, my major worry/problem is how to go for a Nice graphical interface...
It would also be goo to have some sort of listing of Graphic experienced users, willing to help developers...
thx but as I said, I really could do a complete set of such graphics...problem is I´m busy with school and as you may know with the TL theme as well.
My intention is to really get all devs and designers in here and discuss how to create a basis which every developer can build upon.
I don´t know the differences between C++ and C# apps but maybe someone tells me how difficult it is to develop a framework for animations which everyone can use.
The outcome should be what script.aculo.us is for web-developers.
Graphics should be created according to a certain pattern, so we should create a list of button-types which every designer can refer to.
regards,
Martin
@MODS and all users:
A PANEL development SUFORUM should be a great place to share SONY PANELS SDK info and experiences
As with other HTC phones, I have seen apps and ROMs populating the forums, but we are omitting the whole idea behind the XPERIA CONCEPT: PANELS !! I know it is a novel concept (panels itself), but XDA DEVS should lead the pace Ain't ??
I have seen some excelent panel-developing posts starting to pop up recently, like THIS ONE, but a DEDICATED PANELS DEVELOPING SUBFORUM would boost production thru the typical xda-devs knowledge exchange and sharing
Please consider this possibilities, share your ideas, and thanks for reading
Yea I agree, I would like to get back into a little developing but an area where everyone can share Panel development tips/experiences etc would be great.
gtaz said:
Yea I agree, I would like to get back into a little developing but an area where everyone can share Panel development tips/experiences etc would be great.
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That's what I mean: a place to talk just pannels
I think it would be a very logical subforum.
Mods?
Maybe not only for panel development but for all software dev/tweaks.
the current (non rom) forum is too cluttered with non-dev questions, cracks in cases etc.
it's getting harder by the day to get proper tech information and problems solved..
I second that!
nixx-X1 said:
Maybe not only for panel development but for all software dev/tweaks.
the current (non rom) forum is too cluttered with non-dev questions, cracks in cases etc.
it's getting harder by the day to get proper tech information and problems solved..
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Yea I feel the same. I have read the X1 forum on here since it started and have found it very helpful. It does seem a bit cluttered with noob questions etc, to filter out the general discussion from the Panel/Software development would be really helpful.
I'd rather have the standard Apps and themes, panels can intergrate into that happily. Then this first one can be for people who forget that this isn't a helpline.. I meant for general questions.
It's a format that works across the site so why not change what works?
I've not seen enough discussion on panels to say it merits a subforum yet. Maybe a couple of stickies would suffice for a while?
If you need an extra (sub) mod for it, let me know..
I'd really like to have a nice place to discuss about panels (and apps?) DEVELOPMENT only
Other forums (check blackstone) DO have separate sub-forums for this purpose
Thus, general questions go to te "general" Blackstone subforum and not in the "DEVELOPING" subforum
But what do MODERATORS think about this ??
Tnyynt ? Alltheway ? Equinox ?
What do you think about my proposal ?
IMHO, I think it's time for the XPERIA to have a PANELS AND APPS DEVELOPMENT subforum
it's will be very useful place
I think it's a great idea, especially considering the present state of panel development. imo anything that can be done to help facilitate developers should be.
It can only be a good thing, right?
xhaz said:
imo anything that can be done to help facilitate developers should be.
It can only be a good thing, right?
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Yupp. I hope their are ppl who actually want to do this though.
awesome idea !!
first project suggestion - modify the Media Panel to incorporate a home screen, weather and messaging. Would be great to have an SE version of TF3D
I think that a Software, Themes, & Panels sub-forum is definitely possible. I think it's very unlikely that there will be a whole sub-forum devoted to it. Additionally, i'm not convinced that as far as development goes that a stickied thread wouldn't suffice if it was designated for developers. I of course could be wrong, but seeing as how TF3D doesn't even have a sub-forum, i'm gonna say it's unlikely that panels will.
scotchua said:
I think that a Software, Themes, & Panels sub-forum is definitely possible. I think it's very unlikely that there will be a whole sub-forum devoted to it. Additionally, i'm not convinced that as far as development goes that a stickied thread wouldn't suffice if it was designated for developers. I of course could be wrong, but seeing as how TF3D doesn't even have a sub-forum, i'm gonna say it's unlikely that panels will.
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Yes I had that same idea:
Why port TF3D when a similar Xperia panel could be created ??
I've been trying (trying...) to learn a little about panels, but I really miss a dedicated place/thread/subforum/whatever to READ MORE and LEARN MORE and share knowledge -INPUT, I NEED INPUT
I'll start a thread in the mean time
I've been lurking on these forums for a couple of years just grabbing the odd file here and there. First I had a Universal, then a Polaris and now an X1. I've found myself getting a lot more involved with the technical aspects of my handsets and Panels was a contributing factor in my decision to get the X1.
I have a basic introduction to programming and yet I came up with a launcher panel in a short time today. Okay, so I had to use the "compiler" at mysonyericssonblog.com but it was almost no effort to come up with a HTML launcher for an application along with it's panel graphics. If a relative novice like me can come up with something, then we're going to get snowed under here with custom panels in very short order.
I agree with gtrab about TF3D... X1 owners should run it as a panel because "our" phone has the ability and we're giving ourselves the option to change the interface in a few seconds. I personally think the cross-pollination of Blackstone apps/interfaces with the X1's can only lead to good things.
I think somewhere for discussion about panels and launchers is a very good idea. If we don't get all the panel discussions collected together, we're going to lose them in the tide of people after free tech support for their shiny phone. I don't mind trying to help out where I can, but I spend more time poring through the XDA-Dev forums than all my other "daily" sites combined.
At the moment I spend most time rebuilding (not only reskinning) the tfl3d interface (which is indeed a panel!)
By know I know there are 3 places of this forum where there is info about it
-Development and Hacking
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=260
-Themes, Applications and Software
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=474
- and burrried in the x1 forum
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=436
the blackstone fora does have a 'themes, applications and software' subdevision which separates the crap from the useful things.
if we could get one of those (with the same name) we can separate the creation and alterations from the problem solutions and daily chit chatter.
please..please..please
I would also like to see this at some point.
Still nothing on the SE site regarding new panels...plus the total lack of games/apps that work on the x1.
Its a real shame, dont want to compare it to the iphone...but it has such a wide variety of games & apps in such a short time. I understand its diff for winmo (due to different handsets, specs etc)...but I notice some winmo apps are setup so it automatically goes full screen...which gets me thinking why arent they all like this?
Again, I know apple check all the apps and anybody can make apps for winmo (which is party a good thing)...just seems a bit of quality control wouldnt go a miss.
I also read somewhere MS is setuping up an app store similar to apples...reaaaaally looking forward to that!
Currently I only have a few actually useful apps on my phone
TomTom
Core Player
GAlarm
The rest just seem so...meh!
Any suggestions (
In an effort to help cut our clutter down, this thread should be used for all general feature requests.
First request:
Use the other forums for non-develop related posts.
Second request:
Aosp ported to the eris.
jcase said:
...First request:
Use the other forums for non-develop related posts...
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^^ This ^^
A proper tutorial for changing splash1 - DONE
A proper tutorial for boot animations -- including all the ins and outs of image creation/format, programs that are used, and a more complete description of desc.text and how to use it.
I'm all for helping out on those as well pm if anyone would like to exchange info before creating a nicely formatted thread based how to. I'll prolly drop in to chat at some point when I get time too.
PS: I think we should start putting our how-to threads in the general section to avoid people posting randomness in the development section. Since at that point we should be doing minimal development anyway and development related conversation could still take place in the proper forum. Also this could be put in the general forum once people catch on.
All those in favor say Aye.
somebody please make a better dialer... It is the bane of my existence
aosp
Forgive my ignorance, but what is aosp?
theme development
now that we have root has anyone taken a shot at a skin for eris? maybe port some of the wicked cool stuff they have working on the hero side? tons of notification bars, clocks, rosie scrollers...and so much more...just excited to see where our devices can go.
To the devs, thanks for all your effort. For those who are impatient ect just know these guys n gals have work, school, families ect and all they do for us is on their own time...so that being said be courteous and thankful and most of all patient...development has to well...develope....
rom116 said:
Forgive my ignorance, but what is aosp?
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AOSP is the Android Open Source Project, which is the latest open version of Android, Codenamed Eclair at this time. Its roughly the same as Android 2.1 release.
My Requests
All HTC Widgets including the new ones from the desire/ legend (Friendstream, RSS Reader, Today in History etc.)
Re-skinned Sense Bottom Bar (Some Hero Roms have a rectangular one rather than the curved one we have)
Speed/ Battery Optimization
speech to text
A larger camcorder resolution would be nice, at least the resolution the phone runs in. Also an overclocked processor.
Could anyone see about Using Dialer One as the default dialer app? Like when you press "PHONE", Dialer One comes up instead? That would be great.
Now we have very stable Sense builds (thanks to all the Devs but especially to Darkstone and Matt) I would like a bit more tweaks without necessarily changing the Sense theme.
The ones I would most love are tweaks to:
1. disable icon labels on home screens and application drawer
2. enable various animation styles on opening app drawer
3. reduce or increase number of home screens
What tweaks would you most like to make to Sense?
NB: If these issues have already been raised elsewhere on the forum then please delete this thread. Otherwise any help much appreciated please.
given that you know to whom you should thanks more, it is common to think that you have been reading a lot in the forum, am I right? Good! Then, why are you not posting your question in the Android General section? This is for development ONLY.
Oh and just so someone else doesnt come like "ermmmm...why are you not answering his questions?" here is your Answer: Sense is NOT open source, therefore, as far as I know, it will not be distribute under the SENSE name if they modify it. Moreover, HD2 builds are not as advanced as to be putting to much load on them. the simpler the homescreen, the more memory available for other programs. furthermore, there are various framework.apk files that will just work with the HD2 in the Nexus THemes and Apps section. Go around, do research. it will help you live a better life.
I really like HTC Sense, but hate the launcher. The 3 button thing at the bottom? It's too big, and I like my drawer in the middle.
shadowhacker27 said:
given that you know to whom you should thanks more, it is common to think that you have been reading a lot in the forum, am I right? Good! Then, why are you not posting your question in the Android General section? This is for development ONLY.
Oh and just so someone else doesnt come like "ermmmm...why are you not answering his questions?" here is your Answer: Sense is NOT open source, therefore, as far as I know, it will not be distribute under the SENSE name if they modify it. Moreover, HD2 builds are not as advanced as to be putting to much load on them. the simpler the homescreen, the more memory available for other programs. furthermore, there are various framework.apk files that will just work with the HD2 in the Nexus THemes and Apps section. Go around, do research. it will help you live a better life.
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Thanks for your reply! Hmmm, brash are we? Just wondering though, sense was so much tweaked or modified on winmo if I remember right (CHT etc?). Just wondered if that was possible in android was all. If it is not the appropriate forum for the thread, like I said feel free to move it elsewhere. Ta ta!!
u tell em
Moved to general!
Play nice guys!