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Hi!
I know someone's probably asked this before, but is anyone using the SPB Pocket Plus, with its myriad of plugins? What is your take on it, is it something worth getting?
Also, when you use it, is it still possible to display the time on the today screen, just like its displayed in the HTC home plugin? (would you need to buy their time plugin along with it?)
What plugins would you recommend to be a must have?
Thanks in advance!
Ughhh! If you know it's been asked before then why did you ask again?
Yes, a lot of people use it. SPB has good stuff. You can still display the time and don't need the SPB Time program.
Search for "must have plugins" and get a better answer than just posting the question.
do we really need rude unhelpful replies like this...
i,ve had it & wasn,t too impressed...too many small buttons which can be found just as easily by going throu the menu
It is a matter of preference. I find it useful to the extent that I do not like a cluttered home screen. So, I have seven tabs - six of which open programs (five programs assigned to a tab) - and the seventh (a smiley) in the center which has nothing assigned and gives my home screen nearly 2/3rds of an empty screen so I can display photos, themes, etc., and be able to see them, rather then having them covered with icons, symbols, etc.
I tried them all but only use a few of them. The back up program I use all the time so much better than sprite backup. I like the options that come with Pocket Plus but i disable the today screen plugin cause to me it clutters it up. I also really like the diary program that i use the most.
SPB
I went for SPB after hating the HTC ones. I like the customizability(?) of the SPB screen (although I wish I could increase icon size to be uniform [added ones are smaller than default ones] and add captions])
I was a little unimpressed at first, but then I found out how to really use it to my advantage. I was able to add the HSDPA (H) icon to the home screen as a shortcut to enabling/disabling H connection!
I use it too and like it, but then again I've been using Spb software for years now and really got used to it.
- Pocket Plus (v4) - Top of my Today Screen
- Diary - right under Pocket Plus on my today Screen, fills most of the screen
- Backup - runs every night at 3am with 3 copies kept on SD Card
- Spb Insight - great RSS reader also for offline
- Spb Weather - since I don't use the HTC Today plugin with weather
- Spb Brain Evolution - Game
- Spb Mobile DVD - used to have it but don't need it for TyTN II (400MHz)
- Spb Mobile Shell - Didn't like it
- Spb Phone Suite - Didn't see the point of it
You can try all the SpB apps for 15days nad then just enter a serial nr...
Phone Suite is great because it allows you to set what profile you want.
You can fully edit profiles. The best is auto profile, it will switch to normal profile in normal circumstances, then into silent or meeting mode during a meeting (scheduled in the calendar) and then revert back to normal or loud profile. If you connect a headset it will switch to headset profile automatically.
Very user friendly.
jdmba said:
I went for SPB after hating the HTC ones. I like the customizability(?) of the SPB screen (although I wish I could increase icon size to be uniform [added ones are smaller than default ones] and add captions])
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May I ask how you did this? I would find that to be helpful. Thanks
thanks guys! I installed spb yesterday, and i'm trying to tweak it to make it work just the way I want it too. On one hand I feel, the HTC home plugin is simplistic, and sophisticated looking and i should stick with it, but on the other, i feel like the power of pocket plus is immense...i guess i just have to play around with it and find a nice balance!
just out of curiosity..adding all this stuff on the phone, does it make the standard operations slower?
Hi,
I come from land of Blackberry. I'd like a simple home/today screen.
6 or 9 icons which point to things like calendar, email, sms, Opera.
I need to operate these with my finger and not the stylus, or perhaps the side wheel.
Also I want to get back to this screen with a single click of something.
Thanks
D
Dirky said:
Hi,
I come from land of Blackberry. I'd like a simple home/today screen.
6 or 9 icons which point to things like calendar, email, sms, Opera.
I need to operate these with my finger and not the stylus, or perhaps the side wheel.
Also I want to get back to this screen with a single click of something.
Thanks
D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what i have, it sounds like it might be what you're looking for, the clock/calendar is rltoday, mine is a basic setup but you can customize it how ever you want, i've seem some pretty cool looking setups that are pretty advanced for me. The tabs is claunch, which you can have up to 8 tabs, you can have what ever icons you want in it, and you can make the icons as big/small as you want.
brianlb said:
This is what i have, it sounds like it might be what you're looking for, the clock/calendar is rltoday, mine is a basic setup but you can customize it how ever you want, i've seem some pretty cool looking setups that are pretty advanced for me. The tabs is claunch, which you can have up to 8 tabs, you can have what ever icons you want in it, and you can make the icons as big/small as you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, very nice but more than I need. I don't need the calendar or clock, just a set of large icons I can quickly stab at with my fingers!
BTW what is the gmail notification you have there?
Thanks
D
(edit: just checked the rltime website and perhaps it will do what I want after all!)
Dirky said:
Thanks, very nice but more than I need. I don't need the calendar or clock, just a set of large icons I can quickly stab at with my fingers!
BTW what is the gmail notification you have there?
Thanks
D
(edit: just checked the rltime website and perhaps it will do what I want after all!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it's just a few buttons you want then claunch might be something you want to take a look at, i have it setup w/4 tabs, but you can have it w/no tabs and just one screen and then put what ever icons you want to open up the program. the gmail notification is the standard Tilt notification. it came w/the phone.
SPB Mobile Shell, and SPB Pocket Plus are also excellent options. SPB Mobile Shell, is made for ease of use and functionality, but still makes your screen look amazing. You can even get weather updates on it. It also includes something called the SPB menu, which is fantastic for one handed navigation of programs, settings etc...
The first screenshot is of my today screen, at the top is SPB Pocket Plus (but Mobile shell looks similar), I use my tabs hidden, but as you can see from the second pic, if you just click on a tab, it has lots of goodies within. You can also have it so you don't need to click on a tab, and the content is always shown.
The third pic is so you can see how practical SPB menu is.
PS: I am in NO way affiliated with SPB, I just happen to love their software lol.
I agree for simple setup and use SPB Shell is a good starting point and you can customize the layout and icons to your needs.
If your into a bit more messing about and a little more work try Touch Commander.
As a starting point though SPB Shell
MaxMotus said:
I agree for simple setup and use SPB Shell is a good starting point and you can customize the layout and icons to your needs.
If your into a bit more messing about and a little more work try Touch Commander.
As a starting point though SPB Shell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys, must say having looked at the web page and features of SPB shell it does look very good.
Just wondered if it adds any stability issues or slow down to your kaiser device that you have noticed.
I tried to switch my kaiser on this morning with the usual power switch and it would not do anything. The lights were still flashing but nobody was home. I plugged it in to external power but still the same, ended up having to soft reset it. Sadly this is the second 'oddity' I have had in just over a week now. First was when it became unresponsive and would not respond to any screen presses. (I've not loaded SPB yet and to be honest not a lot else) /sigh!
Quick question, how does one get back to the SPB today screen from any other screen in one press? Without turning on/off?
Thanks
Mike
By pressing the End key?
Dirky said:
Hi,
I come from land of Blackberry. I'd like a simple home/today screen.
6 or 9 icons which point to things like calendar, email, sms, Opera.
I need to operate these with my finger and not the stylus, or perhaps the side wheel.
Also I want to get back to this screen with a single click of something.
Thanks
D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi:
I saw this, and thought of your post:
http://www.freestylwm.com/
I haven't tried it myself, but it looks pretty cool, and it's free
If you try it, let me know what it's like
By any chance is anyone aware of a SIMPLE speed dial application (with large buttons) that normally would reside on the today screen. Something along the lines of a picture speed dial or something that takes the name of the contact and makes it large (i.e. finger friendly) and just lists like 5-10 contacts. It has to be an application that normally is a today screen plugin. My goal here is to have a tab within pocket plus that contains this today plugin.
Thanks for the help guys. I've been searching, but have yet to find anything short of a total today screen replacement (which I DON'T want).
quick dialer
Plus has a photo contact option within it. You can set up a tab just for your photo contacts and put whatever photo contacts that you want in it. You can spread them out for whatever spacing you want. That is what I have in one of PP tabs.
By any chance can you point in the right direction to this application (Quick Dialer)? I didn't a forum search, but can't find it readily.
Thank you.
birdheh said:
Plus has a photo contact option within it. You can set up a tab just for your photo contacts and put whatever photo contacts that you want in it. You can spread them out for whatever spacing you want. That is what I have in one of PP tabs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone else know where I can get this "Quick Dialer" the previous poster alluded to?
Thank you.
I use SPB mobile shell and their today plug-in. Pending how you set it up you can have two dial tabs with 5 contacts each. Finger friendly and practical.
tyguy said:
I use SPB mobile shell and their today plug-in. Pending how you set it up you can have two dial tabs with 5 contacts each. Finger friendly and practical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about this I attached a pic of the tab with 15 tabs for picture tabs for easy finger access.
-McMex
mcmexican,
That's nice. Not quite what I'm looking for though.
The closest thing I've found to what I'm looking for is actually the Treo 700W speed dial cab (which allows you to select Pictures, or text buttons). I like to use the text buttons (but wish they were a bit bigger), but I wish when I hit the button it asked me if I wanted to send an SMS or call a different number.
Anyone else have any suggestions? Can anyone point me to the app the birdheh mentioned (Quick Dialer)?
Thank you.
By the way... here's a picture of my current speed dial/weather tab illustrating what I like:
Has anybody tried to use SPBs alternate shell instead of TouchFlo? I used it on my Hermes/TyTn and was very pleased as it allowed me to confige the today screen to give me ALL the information I needed on just ONE (1) screen, with the device still locked so my emails & C° are safe.
Max BrainBox said:
Has anybody tried to use SPBs alternate shell instead of TouchFlo? I used it on my Hermes/TyTn and was very pleased as it allowed me to confige the today screen to give me ALL the information I needed on just ONE (1) screen, with the device still locked so my emails & C° are safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try to make a single search before posting this one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=398656&highlight=shell
search is your best friend
if you would have used search you would have found this too
http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php?searchid=15705079
SPB Mobile Shell works fine
I disabled TouchFlo in the Today control applet, installed Mobile Shell and was up & running in minutes.
The only thing I can't get to work is selecting another theme than the default. Does anyone have experience with this?
This thread is for discussion among those of us TD2 users who have dumped, or might dump, TF3D in favour of either another Today screen replacement or the stock WinMo 6.1 Today screen.
Thus far I'm finding the TD2 a hell of a lot more usable without TF3D. Little things like being able to use a lock password with a 15 minute delay, getting auto-Capitalization when writing texts are good, along with a much faster phone, much less memory usage and....it even seems I'm getting better battery life.
Most of the bugs people are reporting are actually TF3D issues which are resolved by ditching TF3D.
So has anyone else taken the plunge and gone back to the standard WinMo6.1?
I used to installed Ultimate Launch then Spb Mobile Shell in my original Diamond. Now I am using TF3D in my Diamond2. I wish Mobile Shell 3 may upload a more bug free version for the new device such as HD and Diamond2 and I may switch back to Mobile Shell. Perhaps WM6.5 release may change my plan and look forward to what HTC still put their manila on top of those WM6.5 device.
As I said, the thread is for people who are NOT using TF3D.
Personally I think WM6.5 will render TF3D completely redundant by handling the one thing it's good at - gloss.
Another thing I've noticed about not using TF3D is that the phone's response to tilting it to landscape and back is a lot faster.
My case as well: I've got the feeling that TF3D is more like a heavy bag.
As soon as I deactivated, the phone became easier to be handled and plus, presenting extra memory/battery resources as well.
However, a Launcher is very much needed, since neither the TF3D, nor the WM's Today screen don't offer the possibility to get to your action choice with only one button-tap.
Is there a good free launcher which can do that?
cheers!
I'm finding judicious use of which apps you put into the Start Menu helps a lot - the apps I use on a daily basis are all there, others I can get to via their presence on the Today screen, such as Tomtom.
The start menu seems to appear quicker than the TF3D one does as well.
Another thing I'm liking is the Today plugin for the RSS reader - TF3D2 didn't seem to handle RSS alerts well, when you acknowledged them it didn't take you into the RSS reader.
Best of all though is the fact I can now password protect my phone properly and delay it for 15 mins so I'm not badgered for the password all the time.
I'm finding that I don't need the stylus much either, despite the smaller menus and so on.
I just can't get over the extended battery life and improved memory usage though!
Without TF3D and three apps running (calendar, contacts and file explorer) my memory is loaded only 38%.
With TF3D it never went under 50%.
As for the battery, I can only say that it seems that lasts longer, but I didn't really seriously monitor it.
I was using PointUI Home2 free version on my Diamond, it's great. Less memory usage, and huge customisability. I had 5 "tabs" with the homescreen (see attachment) calendar & tasks, comms, stock, and weather. Worked great.
The default Home2 theme is a little mucky, but there is a huge range of alternative themes. I made a nice black one that suits the diamond.
If I get rid of TF3D then
- can I alter by normal threaded SMS for to show more than 1 line that I have typed in my new reply (like TF3D does)?
- can I still create push internet sites without TF3D?
- will the hardware button for program files still work? Will this take me to the same screen?
Can I exit TF3D without disabeling it just to check out how things look?
I have disabled and tweaked so much of TF3D that I am also thinking that it is going to be off my device with the 6.5 ROM anyway .... why not do it now.
chch said:
If I get rid of TF3D then
- can I alter by normal threaded SMS for to show more than 1 line that I have typed in my new reply (like TF3D does)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
- can I still create push internet sites without TF3D?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe so as this is an Opera thing but I don't use Push Internet at all so I can't be sure
- will the hardware button for program files still work? Will this take me to the same screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you mean the flag button, yes it still brings up the Start Menu, but you'll get the normal WM6.1 one, which contains your most recently used apps, your seven favourite apps you've selected to appear on the menu, a shortcut to Settings and a shortcut to all your Programs.
Can I exit TF3D without disabeling it just to check out how things look?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just go into All Settings, Personal, Today and uncheck the TF3D box to turn TF3D off. Give it a few days of usage before you make your mind up. Don't forget to turn on and customize the other Today screen plugins to get the full experience.
I have disabled and tweaked so much of TF3D that I am also thinking that it is going to be off my device with the 6.5 ROM anyway .... why not do it now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts entirely. In a couple of months' time TF3D will be completely redundant anyway.
Incidentally, I've started getting right into Today screen plugins...TodayAgenda is frankly the best app on my phone. I use the Todo (Tasks) app more than any other app on my phone. TodayAgenda allows you to have your task list (with only the active tasks showing, huzzah!) right there on your today screen, so you don't even need to unlock your phone to see what you need to do next! And you can complete tasks and create new ones right there on the Today screen. It's awesome and I can see this becoming my new most-used widget.
Just this one plugin renders TF3D utterly redundant as far as I'm concerned!
The RSS reader has a plugin too, which is really useful.
Does anyone else have good suggestions for really useful Today plugins? I tried PointUI Home2 but that's more of a replacement than a plugin.
Hi Jim,
By TodayAgenda you mean the calendar inputs shown in the Today screen?
If this is so, I'm a little disapointed because it shows only the next one, not the next week ones, let's say...
Is there a way to have more than one event listed?
thanks
grgmhlch said:
Hi Jim,
By TodayAgenda you mean the calendar inputs shown in the Today screen?
If this is so, I'm a little disapointed because it shows only the next one, not the next week ones, let's say...
Is there a way to have more than one event listed?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I'm talking about TodayAgenda - it's a plugin, you have to download and install it. It lets you look as far ahead as you like and does both Todos and Calendat entries (although I only use it for Todos).
Also, try WMP Status 1.0, it shows you on the today screen the artist, album, track and track number that you're currently playing in Media Player. Very useful as you don't need to unlock your phone to see what you're listening to!
grgmhlch said:
Hi Jim,
By TodayAgenda you mean the calendar inputs shown in the Today screen?
If this is so, I'm a little disapointed because it shows only the next one, not the next week ones, let's say...
Is there a way to have more than one event listed?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incidentally, if you go into Settings / Today and highlight CALENDAR, click OPTIONS, you can set it to show all upcoming appointments instead of just the next one.
Jim Coleman said:
Incidentally, if you go into Settings / Today and highlight CALENDAR, click OPTIONS, you can set it to show all upcoming appointments instead of just the next one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Jim.
It seems that I've missed the Option button.
Thanks for the TodayAgenda tip too.
grgmhlch said:
Thank you Jim.
It seems that I've missed the Option button.
Thanks for the TodayAgenda tip too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Check out WMP Status 1.0 as well, it's really useful when you're listening to music!
Ok, since I droped TF3D, I also dropped the phone dialer skin, leaving the WM one, which is fine for me but apparently it has a bug:
it doesn't show me the calls&contacts, in its scroll-down field, even though there is some information present, because if I tap, it opens the call's details window.
In other words, it's like a list on which the items have the same font color like the list's background.
Did anybody experienced the same?
Is it possible that another dialer skin would change this behavior?
I put Phonealarm and today agenda straight on my phone and removed TF3D its just too restricting. I can get to everything i need with one click on the home screen none of this swishing fingers to get to stuff.
I really don't know what some of yoy are complaining about...
Not Capitalizing the first letter... NONSENS, when i write a SMS the first letter of a sentence is capitalized..
Memory consumption.......
Why do you think this device has so much ???? Because HTC wants you to run TF3D and still have more then enough memory free to run Whatever app......
I was sceptical at first too. But if you give it a chance you will see that once you have seen every screen (without a reboot) it's VERY fast, and very comfortable...
I am sure i will keep TF3D for a while !
Jim Coleman said:
Does anyone else have good suggestions for really useful Today plugins?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to run 2 Today pages using Second Today.
Weather (SPB Traveller) , CLauncher and SPB Phone (can't beat the options here) on the 1st Today. SPB Diary full screen on the other (2nd) Today.
Custom links to Internet and GPS Navigation complete the productive config.
I travel for business. Calendar and Contacts and the most important.
TF3D Calendar can't make top 20 on market I would say. Contacts in TF3D are death by scrolling (by default). The new D2 Dialer is more productive for contacts than any of the TF3D contacts screens!
I agree that all these other UIs that don't allow Today plugins are missing the point. People want to pay for and use specialist programs where certain functionality is important to them.
Jim Coleman said:
I'm finding judicious use of which apps you put into the Start Menu helps a lot - the apps I use on a daily basis are all there, others I can get to via their presence on the Today screen, such as Tomtom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With a WVGA screen, I really wish there were a work around to be able to place more than 7 apps in the start menu. Can't believe I've never found a hack for this.
Alternatively, I love to be able to route the start button to the All Programs folder but never been able to find this either. Two simple things that must not be easy or else we would have seen them before.
BTW, I unchecked TF3D within 24hrs (a month ago). I use SPB Mobile Shell for the shell. For the today screen (WM 6.1) I use Today Agenda, Google Search, Elecont Weather (paid) or WeatherBugDirect (free). I also run all my tasks and appointments from the traditional today screen via TodayAgenda.