Related
Let’s sum up what we already know.
update 19-03-2008 : Icon tutorial by Luigi
update 26-03-2008 : Background mod by asefsef, some cleaning done.
*** IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING USEFUL NOT MENTIONED HERE, JUST PM ME AND I WILL UPDATE THIS POST. ***
0-Basics
.dat files need to be opened using winzip. To extract the files you will need to use a password which is:
PASSWORD = b0fm18zq
*** WARNING ***
If you plan to use WinRAR instead of WinZIP to reencrypt the files, be sure to change the radio checkbox from RAR to ZIP format before entering the password (thanks cincij for the trick).
1-Localization
Simply edit the SpbMobileShell.txt file and change the corresponding items to your needs:
…
Text Messages|Messages texte
My Documents|Mes documents
…
Note that not all of the texts will be changed; some of them require registry hacks.
2-Customize the layouts (Quick and dirty tuto from SPBCLUB, written by met3ora ?)
(I will use brackets to indicate the XML tags, since the SPB forum doesn't like the XML tags.)
Copy qa_layouts.dat to your computer.
Using a WinZip, extract Launcher.xml, using the password b0fm18zq.
Opening up Launcher.xml in Notepad, you can see how MS reads the file. There are a few layouts that are defined, and are based on screen size and orientation. For my Kasier, 240x320 and 320x240 are the portrait and landscape layouts, respectively.
Under {Layout Name="240x320"} and more specifically under {Plugins Extends="Default"}, we find what we're looking for. The first 12 plugins (named rN) are the "pinned menu" buttons, and the next 6 (named mN) are the large buttons. Defined in each Plugin is the following line (with variation on the numbers, of course) {BoundRect X="0" Y="182" Width="39" Height="45"/}. So obviously X and Y are the X and Y positions in pixels, and Width and Height are, well, width and height also in pixels.
If you'd like to remove all the 12 pinned menu buttons, simply remove the following lines (for r0-rB):
{Plugin Name="r0"}
{BoundRect X="0" Y="182" Width="39" Height="45"/}
{/Plugin}
Just delete them, and then they're done. Now, this leaves the bigger launcher menu sitting on the bottom, looking pretty odd since there's a big void on the top. To even out the void, I moved each of those big buttons up 45 pixels. Why 45? Well, 45 was the height of one of the icons in the pinned menu, so moving it up that much would leave 45 pixels above and below the big grid.
So just simply subtract 45 from each Y coordinate of each plugin m0-m5, giving you (for m0-m2) 46 and (for the next 3) 137.
Now, I don't like the grid. Fortunately, we can just hide the grid by finding this line at the top of the XML file, under {General}, which is {Int Name="LineOpacity" Value="64"/}. Simply change the Value to 0, and that will hide the grid lines.
There you go, now the 6 button launcher is in the middle of your Launcher screen, with none of those pesky 12 pinned items. Do the same thing under {Layout Name="320x240"}, except of course change the numbers so that your 6 grid is in the middle of your screen.
Save the file.
Go back to WinZip and add Launcher.xml back into qa_layouts.dat, remembering to overwrite the old Launcher.xml and remembering to encrypt it again with the same password (which is b0fm18zq).
Now replace qa_layouts.dat in the \Program Files\Spb Mobile Shell\ folder and soft reset your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to get rid of this annoying icon tab at the bottom (Why do this soft has gestures enabled AND shortcuts ?) netzcoyote has a solution:
Not sure if this is already known:
To get rid of the icon tab at the bottom, edit Main.xml in qa_layouts.dat:
Basically, I moved the tab below the screen's visible area.
- In every layout node you want the tab to disappear, add 47 (the tab height) to the Y-coordinate of the plugins named Tab1, Tab2, Tab3 and Tab4.
- In order to make the area where the other elements appear extend to the bottom of the screen, add 47 to the height of the Plugin named Subform.
This expands the canvas height on which to show elements like the calendar, clock, menubuttons, etc.
Now you have to go into those xml files (for example LockScreen.xml) and change those element's coordinates, heights, etc. where appropriate.
This can easily be done with the menu tab, launcher tab, speeddial tab, etc.
Navigation with left and right gestures WORKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3-Customize the icons
Thx 2 Luigi
Do-it-yourself Icon Tutorial: here. <- Use this !
4-Customize the background
Thx 2 asefsef
So far, doing this is pretty easy:
- Extract files from qp_bkg_now.dat
- Change the separator2 and its mask to 240x320.
- Make the mask all white.
- Then put whatever image you like into the separator2 bmp.
You have to save the file as a Windows - 16bit - R5 G6 B5 - .bmp file.
if u miss the separator, just photoshop the separator back into the file. (thats not cheatin! >< hehe, it IS the separator layer after all.)
5-Registry Hacks
You can do some pretty nice things by directly editing your registry:
Look at the keys located here:
HKLM>Software>Spb Software House 2>Spb Mobile Shell>
How to enable the 9th icon with a 3x3 layout:Just create a .reg file with this inside:
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Spb Software House 2\Spb Mobile Shell\Menu\Root\Games]
"Image"=dword:00000008
"Text"="Jeux"
"MRUImage"=dword:000000BF
"Index"=dword:00000007
"Inactive"=dword:00000001
"Add"=dword:00000001
Copy to your PDA, and launch it from there. The "Games" Menu should be available in the settings as a 9th icon.
Here’s another exemple done by Vincentvg:
gr8 work you all!
I now have 9 buttons and no need for all possible submenus. Therefore I started looking to use one of the menu buttons to activate the taskmanager from the main menu tab.
in the registry HKLM>Software>Spb Software House 2>Spb Mobile Shell>Menu>Root I added the ninth menu with folowing values:
Add = 0
Image = 8
Index = 9
Text = Active Tasks
Type = TaskManager
And the most amazing is that I got it 2 work!
Looking at existing 'Type' regvalues show that the menu buttons can be used for a lot more!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6-Integration with Pocket Informant, Agenda Fusion and Agenda One
http://www.spbclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7794
7-Make SPB your Today screen
Have a look here, thedumbkid has done something neet for us, called SPBWatcher.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2029338
8-Nice links
HOT Theme collection for SPB mobile Shell 2, maintained by iamwhoiam
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380103
The development thread at XDA:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=374335
SPB Club:
http://www.spbclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15353
ActualiteMobiles: (french)
http://www.actualitemobile.com/forum/index.php/topic,1195.0.html
English translation of 4PDA.ru:
http://209.85.135.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=ru%7Cen&u=http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php%3Fs%3Da905e4fde300239b84d47f1dfd36ea09%26showtopic%3D31453%26st%3D2340%23entry1522182
SPB Mobile Shell 2.0 Beginner's How-to (Continued)
natong's Example to change menu Texts, Types and Image icons
Click Here
natong's Conclusion to make 3x3 icons (9 menus)
Click Me
natong On how make a tab for 16 speed shortcut icons
Press Me
Thank u ..
Great Work...
Dredd67 said:
*** WARNING ***
WinRAR seems OK for unpacking the files, but there has been some reports that you need WinZIP to reencrypt the files into the .dat. Files reemcrypted winth winRAR, even with the right password won’t work with SPB Mobile Shell 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it works just fine
Good job!
Thx a lot!!
This is exactly what I was looking for!!!
Congratulations for this sum up!!!
bon tuto mon ami et vive actualitémobile lol
Dredd67 said:
*** WARNING ***
WinRAR seems OK for unpacking the files, but there has been some reports that you need WinZIP to reencrypt the files into the .dat. Files reemcrypted winth winRAR, even with the right password won’t work with SPB Mobile Shell 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use WinRAR to repack, you just have to be sure to change the radio checkbox from RAR to ZIP format before entering the password.
Thank you very much for sharing, This is a good tutorial for everyone who love to customize spb mobile shell 2.
Thx
cincij said:
I use WinRAR to repack, you just have to be sure to change the radio checkbox from RAR to ZIP format before entering the password.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the details. I will update the 1st post according to this.
Thanks a lot for this. I'll be posting it over at the SPBClub if you don't mind!
Brilliant idea!
Great idea Dredd and thanks for the hard work to set it up and maintain it from here on out.
met3ora said:
Thanks a lot for this. I'll be posting it over at the SPBClub if you don't mind!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem !
Very nice post. It will be very helpful to people like me who intends to play with mobile shell.
Thanks.
Very nice. Is it possible to hack Mobile Shell in a way to display the full-time events (like birthdays, anniversarys) on the today screen?
Any love for the 240x240 people?
ceoprez said:
Any love for the 240x240 people?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have requested this as well a couple times, I am trying to do it myself, but...well.....it hasn't been pretty!!!!
(+1 on this request LOL)
ceoprez said:
Any love for the 240x240 people?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this on SPBClub. It was done by bamse. Give it a try, and if it works please report it.
Good work. Thumbs up to you. Just an annoying question to ask. In 9 tab launcher, I have only 8 icon. Missing is the favourite/game tab. There is also no option to tick in the setting/customise menu, as it is not there. Is there any registry tweak that I can do to make it show in the customise menu setting? Hope you understand. Thanks
fantastic thread! ty
kangmas said:
Good work. Thumbs up to you. Just an annoying question to ask. In 9 tab launcher, I have only 8 icon. Missing is the favourite/game tab. There is also no option to tick in the setting/customise menu, as it is not there. Is there any registry tweak that I can do to make it show in the customise menu setting? Hope you understand. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just create a .reg file with this inside:
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Spb Software House 2\Spb Mobile Shell\Menu\Root\Games]
"Image"=dword:00000008
"Text"="Jeux"
"MRUImage"=dword:000000BF
"Index"=dword:00000007
"Inactive"=dword:00000001
"Add"=dword:00000001
Copy to your PDA, and launch it from there. The "Games" Menu should be available in the settings as a 9th icon.
Edit: ah yes you can replace "Jeux" with "Games" or whatever you langage is.
Trying to create a button link to "settings" in my verizon ppc for UL, any ideas?
thank you very much.
Jon
"UltimateLaunchConfig.exe" is the app. What kind of "button link" do you want? In a UL button? or a hard button?
If you mean create a button to show the settings menu, this should work for you:
Go to Windows\Start Menu
Copy Settings
Paster a shortcut (for settings) anywhere.
create a new button using the shortcut you created
AthenaLod said:
If you mean create a button to show the settings menu, this should work for you:
Go to Windows\Start Menu
Copy Settings
Paster a shortcut (for settings) anywhere.
create a new button using the shortcut you created
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Much respect to all first and foremost. From my experience with UL, that may work for some applications located in the Windows folder, but not all. For instance, you cannot create a shortcut for the Today settings to switch up your themes, Power/Soft Reset , or even Remove Programs either. There's a slew of programs that can't be made into shortcuts within UL. It's perhaps a limitation of UL.
But there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. If one desperately wants to create /include such applications (Power, Resetting, Today, etc) with UL, one can install Mobile Shell because it create shortcuts in itself, which UL can then detect. Pocket Plus may be able do the same, but I'm uncertain.
Also, the word on the street, the next version will be 'better' and I don't have the slightest clue as to when that release will surface. I'm no expert, just a big fan like of UL. My two cents.
this answer is a little bit wrong:
1. you can make a Shortcut to ANY wm setting. example: command: ctlpnl, param: cplmain.cpl,10 (for uninstalling software) search in the other ul threads.
2. Daniel Who wrote UL made also some "smartutilities" for make calll, toggle wifi, softreset and many more, google for it. this are small .exe you can link to.
yes, i was attempting to have a button inside of UL access the settings area. I have the xv6700 which appears to have a problem with keeping UL on the today screen after a soft reset. so before I soft reset I need to change my today plugin to something else. otherwise when i reboot nothing shows up and will not load any other plug-ins. Makes it easy to have a quick link cause I'm not a stylus fan.
Thank you very much guys. would have never thought of making a short cut of it. thanks again!
-Jon
bluemetalaxe said:
this answer is a little bit wrong:
1. you can make a Shortcut to ANY wm setting. example: command: ctlpnl, param: cplmain.cpl,10 (for uninstalling software) search in the other ul threads.
2. Daniel Who wrote UL made also some "smartutilities" for make calll, toggle wifi, softreset and many more, google for it. this are small .exe you can link to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good information. This seems to be a hot topic at the moment and assume this info hasnt been highlighted before. Perhaps a brave soul will post some shortcut command params, directions/instructions in their spare time, and have them listed/located in one thread for easy like the icons. (And also some of those "smartultilities" as well).
How about game area ? my problem 's it's difficult to create all game in icons. so I would like to make a link to call all game folder as when we call it by startmenu
robosiris said:
Good information. This seems to be a hot topic at the moment and assume this info hasnt been highlighted before. Perhaps a brave soul will post some shortcut command params, directions/instructions in their spare time, and have them listed/located in one thread for easy like the icons. (And also some of those "smartultilities" as well).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm not very brave, but I knew this page existed on PPCSG.COM, so I thought I'd share it. It shows how you can create .LNK files to many of the Settings Applets. Hope it helps.
-pvs
Here is a link to majority of the settings options:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=340974
Just find the one you want, open notepad on your PC copy the line into notepad, with only that text, and save as power.lnk, for example, then have the button set to that link.
Any Idea on how to add a folder shortcut? I want to have my different photo albums
Is there a way to specify the appropriate ICON in the .lnk file? I have the "cplmain.cpl,26" working but it just shows a generic icon.
Just change the icon in the display tab.
Folder Shortcuts
muzikfreakah said:
Any Idea on how to add a folder shortcut? I want to have my different photo albums
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever get an answer on this? If so, how do you make a shortcut to a folder? I've tried using the context menu of creating a shortcut and then having UL point to the shortcut but it doesn't open it.
Thanks for any info!
would like to know this as well.
bdumch said:
Did you ever get an answer on this? If so, how do you make a shortcut to a folder? I've tried using the context menu of creating a shortcut and then having UL point to the shortcut but it doesn't open it.
Thanks for any info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hadn't used this yet, but resco explorer has an option (you have to edit the regsitry for it) that let's you load folders according to command line arguments (then you can use UL to load the folder in resco straight using a command line).
you should check it out.
Searched around for quite a while and couldn't find a solution to this, maybe someone with with more knowledge on resource hacking can help out.
Using the start menu on WM Professional devices is not conducive to single handed use, its actually quite cumbersome. I would like to remap the *on-screen* start button to simply open the programs folder ala WM Smartphone. Is this possible? I believe it would be much easier to manage on the go and would skip a step which is always beneficial. The only problem I could see is creating a link to "settings"
Any help on this would be much appreciated.
Search for the application folderStartPgm.exe
And after from Settings -> Personal -> Buttons, assing the button to this application(firs must to make a shortcut points to \startmenu\programs folder
I've seen that before, and although very cool I would still like to remap the Start button and avoid an unnecessary step. Any other ideas?
dancer_69 said:
Search for the application folderStartPgm.exe
And after from Settings -> Personal -> Buttons, assing the button to this application(firs must to make a shortcut points to \startmenu\programs folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant find folderStartPgm.exe in windows folder ??!!
I don't know about mapping the Start button to bring up the applications folder, but using WA3 (or probably a registry tweak but I don't know it) you can remap the Start button to Windows\Start Menu\Programs, and have all of your applications displayed in the first drop-down menu rather than just 7. It also leaves access to Settings too...
Copy the attached file programs.lnk , to your \windows\start menu\programs , and use the buttons settings to bind the link to the program.lnk
---
To create a shortcut to a folder:
Use Total commander, browse to the location of which you want to make a shortcut, highlight the folder/file you want, from the File menu in Total Commander, choose >>>> on top , and then choose create short-cut, then save the output link to the \windows\start menu\programs.
---------------
Hope this helps
oseven said:
I don't know about mapping the Start button to bring up the applications folder, but using WA3 (or probably a registry tweak but I don't know it) you can remap the Start button to Windows\Start Menu\Programs, and have all of your applications displayed in the first drop-down menu rather than just 7. It also leaves access to Settings too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a great alternative to the classic (limited) start menu, but I want it gone completely. It's too cumbersome for use in the car.
Anyone?
veeru27 said:
Copy the attached file programs.lnk , to your \windows\start menu\programs , and use the buttons settings to bind the link to the program.lnk
---
To create a shortcut to a folder:
Use Total commander, browse to the location of which you want to make a shortcut, highlight the folder/file you want, from the File menu in Total Commander, choose >>>> on top , and then choose create short-cut, then save the output link to the \windows\start menu\programs.
---------------
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a great idea and rereading my post I can see how it may be slightly confusing, you see I want to change the Start menu button in the top left corner of the screen that opens the menu to directly open the programs folder. If anyone of you has used a windows mobile smartphone you know what I mean. That way all you have to do is tap the top left section of the screen and scroll to your app. no more tiny menu to hunt and peck on while trying to do important things like you know driving, or bike riding, etc...
Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys.
Aqrab said:
cant find folderStartPgm.exe in windows folder ??!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't in windows directory. Search in the forum or google to find it. After download, copy it to your device and make a shortcut for the program like explained above.
nowhere
I haven't find him in the forum or no where else on the web, can someone make an attachement please;
N'da said:
I haven't find him in the forum or no where else on the web, can someone make an attachement please;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah someone upload it here
Me to has been looking for this. To make pressing the on screen windows icon pop up the programs folder, but one other problem, how to then access settings folder.
folderStartPgm.exe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for me the filename to start programsfolder is folderview.exe
just need a way to link it to the icon.
Good luck anyway
Try this program.
In search for a solution, you can maybe use "LargeStartmenu.cab". It makes the starmenu (and text in programs) larger. The version in the "Diamond Apps (OEM + CAB)" thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=395400
works for my Touch
You can find folderStartPgm.exe here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2136821&highlight=attach#post2136821
I´m using pocket informant for PIM management and HD Tweaks to remap the softkeys, however, I can´t assign to any of the softkey the pocket informant contacts or calendar, only the WM.
Any ideas on how to solve this?
You need to modifye keys in the registry. Here is how I've done it on my HD (it's in french, so you may have to translate the path for your version)
Using a registry editor,
- I have assigned the label "Agenda" to the left soft key :
HKLM\Software\HTC\Manila\HomeLSKText="Agenda"
- I've assigned the week view to the key :
HKLM\Software\HTC\Manila\HomeLSKPath="Windows\menu démarrer\programmes\informant utils\piweek.lnk"
Note that the "Informant Utils" folder contains a shortcut for each view, you can choose whichever you want, their name are self explanatory.
I've configured the x button to close all applications but PI (to have it always active and then have a faster access) :
- start PI
- go to settings>Task manager> tab "current" (or whatever the first tab name is in your language)
- tap and hold on the PI task, then select "add to exclusive"
That way, when I click on the left soft key (now labeled "Agenda") I switch to PI in week view. I can then switch from PI by using the Home button or the x button, PI will stay active and the next switch will be very fast.
Nor working for me...
I should work. You must have made a mistake somwhere. Did you do a soft reset? Did you doublecheck the path to be sure you wrote it correctly?
You can also try the program HD Tweak wich allow you to set that in section 14.4 & 14.5.
My answer to HTCZar was irrelevant, because Claude already anwered.
As I said in the first post, I tried to use HD Tweaks, however the optios presented don´t include the PI calendar\agenda, how do I put them there?
Coude said:
- I've assigned the week view to the key :
HKLM\Software\HTC\Manila\HomeLSKPath="Windows\menu démarrer\programmes\informant utils\piweek.lnk"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you possibly check the link properties for this and month view? Just for anyone that might have got rid of all those extra links cluttering up his 'All programs list'...
What I'd like to have set up, the left soft key goes to Pocket Informant (maybe the screen where you choose what view you want) and when I tap an appointment in TF3D it loads the agenda view, using SSMaPa. (Can you get me a link for this?)
Here is the link as read in the properties of the shortcut :
For PIWeek.lnk :
"\Program Files\WebIS\PocketInformant\PITab.exe" 4?\Program Files\WebIS\PocketInformant\PITab.exe,-113
For PIMonth :
"\Program Files\WebIS\PocketInformant\PITab.exe" 4?\Program Files\WebIS\PocketInformant\PITab.exe,-114
To get rid af tho extras link in 'All program list', it would have been better to move the shortcut in another folder, so you could still use them if needed...
I haven't used SSMaPa yet (but I planned to) therefore I can't help you on this matter. Sorry.
Yeah, I should have just moved them... silly me. Thanks for your help. Could you possibly give the link to the agenda view too? Thanks.
Is there a link to 'view' view?
I´ll Try that Again then.
Is it possoble to change the hardware keys function?
Works fine! Thank you very much! @claude
Where do you put the path and exactly how are you writing it ?
@AndyCr15
Could you possibly give the link to the agenda view too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"\Program Files\WebIS\PocketInformant\PITab.exe" 2?\Program Files\WebIS\PocketInformant\PITab.exe,-111
Is there a link to 'view' view?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I couldnt find one.
@HTCzar
Where do you put the path and exactly how are you writing it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. You need to install registry editor. I use Resco Registry Editor, but there are some other.
2. Open the registry and follow the tree up to the parameter HomeLSKPath. Taping on the parameter should provide a field where to keyin the path string.
3. Quit the registry editor
4. Restart TF3D or do a Soft Reset.
I´ve done that, and i´m also using Resco editor.
The path strings begins with Windows\....PIWeek.lnk right? it takes no " "?
Hi all, I am becoming more 21C with my training (weights) and am looking to use my hd2 as a workout diary... I have tried mysport training and its ok, but as I have to enter all the info in (even the exercises in many cases) I figure excel will do the job and I can custom it to exactly my needs... however I have a small problem... I can make a formula in excel on the laptop and then clicking on the corner and dragging the cursor down I can apply that formula to all the cells that are highlighted... but I cant seem to do it on the hd2... can anyone help me out... the formula I am using multiplies two cells together (=b2*c2) and then when I highlight the other cells in the column it will multiply the relevant cells (b3*c3, b4*c4 etc) and show the totals... how do I do this on the hd2? would it be easier just doing it on the laptop and then transferring the worksheet to the hd2?
Anyone out there with knowledge of excel? Or do I have to just do it for every cell I want a total in... cheers
I could only do this in swype, but I suspect if you can figure out how to select multiple cells then it will work.
go to the cell you want to fill down, jump to the arrows page of swype, click the select text button(there is a make selection option in the excel menu but I couldn't make it work) with the text selection button pressed use the arrows to select the cell range to fill, chose menu edit fill.
Wouldn't copy and paste be able to do this?
Copy original cell with formula.
Paste to destination cell where you want new formula to appear.
It should reference to the appropriate cells as you desire.
Well, at least it's as easy as this on a PC.
warnold007 said:
Copy original cell with formula.
Paste to destination cell where you want new formula to appear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
except this would be one cell at a time,a real pain with 10+ cell....
I must say creating it on the pc sounds like the option id go for!
Thanks Samsamuel I dont have swype but will try it out a couple more times... everytime I select the column to paste the formula in it just comes up with NAME and some symbols in the top cell... will probably do it on the laptop then transfer...
*edit* ok... found out how to do what I wanted and how easy was it... sigh... I selected the cell with the formula, then copied and when it was stripey telling me it was copied I highlighted the column by clicking the D (in this case) and then paste from the menu and voila... it worked... thanks again Samsamuel for pointing the way...
*edit 2* ok... found that if you hold your finger down on the cell you first get a black square with a T in the middle then the menu will pop up a second later... I think the T is the thing Sam was talking about... it turns out that if you hold your finger on the screen till the T appears and then swipe the screen in which ever direction you want then it selects/highlights those cells... then you can paste the formula in them lickety split...
ahhh yes, move the finger when the the T is showing to select the cells. I was going past that to the menu. well spotted.