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HTC home or SPB mobile shell?

Hi all, i wanna ask if i should install mobile shell onto my kaiser? really luv the page of mobile shell but heard it drain out the battery and slow down the ram...is that true?
i want something to display my battery % without clicking in as well a clena calender on interface...pls let me know which software provide it.
thks alot!
p.s. the Kaiser really smooth runnign so far + the radio rom really much improved comapre to my previous Trinty.

Yes it's true!
From my experiences, everything you've heard about the SPB shell and other apps (Diary, Weather, etc.) do in fact drain the battery! There is also a noticeable slowdown in performance with these running.
With these installed and enabled on my Task Window, I go from 100% charge down to 60% in about 3 hours. I was obviously tethered to a power plug or car adapter.
I've opted to go with the native HTC Home plugin and will work this weekend to customize the weather, the CUBE, icons, and all the other goodies.
TEC

chocodip said:
Hi all, i wanna ask if i should install mobile shell onto my kaiser? really luv the page of mobile shell but heard it drain out the battery and slow down the ram...is that true?
i want something to display my battery % without clicking in as well a clena calender on interface...pls let me know which software provide it.
thks alot!
p.s. the Kaiser really smooth runnign so far + the radio rom really much improved comapre to my previous Trinty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in the same boat as you and I was just debating myself on the same thing.......
I had used many SPB software and had SPB MS/Backup/PhoneSuite on my P3600i prior to the Kaiser. But HTC Home gave me substantially similar functionality (except for SBP Backup which I installed on my Kaiser), I am very hesitant in installing SPB software if they are not needed, especially when the Kaiser is so stable without MS/PhoneSuite.......

I use HTC home plugin and the battery life is good.
For battery indicator, I suggest "batti"
http://pda.jasnapaka.com/batti/
It is very light, very small, works well, customizeable
For calendar, you may look Calendar+ or TodayAgenda.
Btw, do you use SPB GPRS Monitor as well?
I am considering of using it, but thinking of memory drain.

hey all,
thks for all da infos~~~i think i will keep my HTC instead. Since it's really smooth runnin dun wanna slow down by any softwares.
Kaiser is soooo much improved on speed .......previous i hv problem with mapking R12 (the speed , the reaction.....just so dead slow) now really kickin off!
i m luvin it!~~
ps. For the Batti software....seems it's similar to the preinstall one...anyone?

No, it is not the same
Batti gives you "line" indicator at the very top of your sceen.
chocodip said:
hey all,
thks for all da infos~~~i think i will keep my HTC instead. Since it's really smooth runnin dun wanna slow down by any softwares.
Kaiser is soooo much improved on speed .......previous i hv problem with mapking R12 (the speed , the reaction.....just so dead slow) now really kickin off!
i m luvin it!~~
ps. For the Batti software....seems it's similar to the preinstall one...anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

but i got the line indicator now as well.....hmm.......

I immediately switched back to Mobile Shell. Don't get me wrong; the default design of WM6 is fine but the clock is way to large and some tabs really bug me (like quick-choice for the sound profiles).
My phones need to have a clean interface so now I'm only running the default install of Mobile Shell, Owner and Calendar. Loads of room on screen to spare for new/cool apps.

SPB Shell is the way for me.
My experience is that with HTC Home plug-in battery drained faster than with SBP Shell. I also find Shell easier to use with fingers. An more configurable.
I have cLaunch with large iPhone icones attached to one of the Shell's tabs - works very nice.

Quick question for you Mobile Shell user
I like the PHOTO tab in the HTC Home where you can put 9 pictures for speed dial.
And I saw SpB shell can have that too.
But from the screenshot in the website, it displays about 5 pictures ...
Actually, how much can you have with Mobile Shell?
Thanks

gogol said:
Quick question for you Mobile Shell user
I like the PHOTO tab in the HTC Home where you can put 9 pictures for speed dial.
And I saw SpB shell can have that too.
But from the screenshot in the website, it displays about 5 pictures ...
Actually, how much can you have with Mobile Shell?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mobile Shell can have 3-4 contact tabs with 5 contacts each.......

oh....HTC plugin drain faster the mobile shell? u serious? oh man....wut should i do now....

Hmmm, too little
mlai said:
Mobile Shell can have 3-4 contact tabs with 5 contacts each.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

That is interesting...
chocodip said:
oh....HTC plugin drain faster the mobile shell? u serious? oh man....wut should i do now....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea...I didn't find this to be true at all in my case. The native HTC plugins don't drain my battery at all.
I've now removed all SPB apps and am running just the HTC Home plugin. I now got the CUBE to animate so I'm really excited! I'll work on more CUBE and Home plugin customizations.
TEC

where u gt the cube? can u post the link?
thks

Go here...
chocodip said:
where u gt the cube? can u post the link?
thks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=326523&page=2&highlight=touch.dll+cube
Check out Post #11...
TEC

I love SPB Mobile Shell, I was using it with my original TyTN. However, for some reason, it kept freezing my TyTN II device whenever I key locked it. I also noticed my device was sluggish with it. I am NOT a fan of the HTC Shell one bit. It takes up the whole screen. So, now I use iLauncher for my shortcuts to programs or as my shortcut phone calls to contacts.
I hope SPB Mobile Shell comes out with a new release which corrects many of these issues.

technillion said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=326523&page=2&highlight=touch.dll+cube
Check out Post #11...
TEC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant seem to get it to install. Are you using HTC Home - stock, out of the box? I have Home Customizer on mine and keep getting the black screen.
Thanks.
-Jeff

Use Batti for Battery Display ALL THE WAY! (Since Blue Angel...)
I got my TyTN(Hell it is hard to type it right) yesterday and i find the HTC Home application very neat. Compared to SPB Shell, I think i will use the HTC Home and forget about installing the resource exhaustive SPB applications(not too bad but still)
SPB Shell needs some refining before i will consider it again.

I used Mobile shell on my 8125. Loved it. but i find that everything i used it for is now built in to my TyTN II. Weather, photo speed dial, program shortcuts, time, phone ringer settings switching.. There is no need for the now screen with the HTC home plugin.. I did use spb menu but now that my new device actually has a start menu button this really isn't needed any more either. So i saved myself a ton of ram and skipped on Mobile shell.
I did install diary though. It is still the best calendar today plugin for me. I disabled all the tabs except the calendar tab and have it setting just bellow HTC home.. works well. And you know what? it is actaully very fast and doesn't use very much ram if you disable all the tabs

SPB Shell locking phone

Hi Guys
SPB Shell is locking my phone as soon as I try to click any of its options -which is a bit rubbish as you can imagine!
Basicaly, the problems started as soon as I installed the "Diamond Theme for SPB MS2.1" (see thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=402021&highlight=spb+shell+diamond+theme )
When I soft reset, the phone comes back up as the default SPB shell and does not show the new skin (should it?). Now I am new to SPB Shell so I guessed i needed to switch themes? I then click on any SPB menu/option and it freezes instantly, requiring a battery out reboot.
The skin instructions say to copy the skin details into the program files\spb shell directory and thats it, no other instructions.
Yes I have used search but, as that thread has over 1200 replies .... I get more hits than an Uzi at 2 feet. Besides which, is this not an SPB Shell issue rather than a theme? Of course, it could also be "pilot error" i.e. im being an idiot!
Im running standard, out of the box, Diamond with no cooked roms. I am also using the latest trial verion of SPB from the SPB website.
Any ideas? Am I being a muppet?

The problem is that the skins you have tried to put in SPB is in QVGA whereas the Diamond is VGA so it is uncompatible.
For the moment there are no many VGA skins but you can find some here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=405646

I downloaded some VGA specific skins..... unless they were labeled wrong?

Monty Burns said:
I downloaded some VGA specific skins..... unless they were labeled wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the VGA skins and also had problems. The skins did not look very appealing anyway. Ended up reinstalling SPB Mobile Shell which overwrote the new skin with the original and all is good again.
Extremely impressed with SBP Mobile Shell. The interface is as fast as the iPhone, is highly functional, and looks great also with its 3D effects. Have now given up on Touchflow 3D.
Strongly recommend all Diamond users at least try SPB Mobile Shell.

Riker88 said:
I tried the VGA skins and also had problems. The skins did not look very appealing anyway. Ended up reinstalling SPB Mobile Shell which overwrote the new skin with the original and all is good again.
Extremely impressed with SBP Mobile Shell. The interface is as fast as the iPhone, is highly functional, and looks great also with its 3D effects. Have now given up on Touchflow 3D.
Strongly recommend all Diamond users at least try SPB Mobile Shell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right. I try Mobile Shell and I am very impressive. This is much faster than TF3D and much more customizable .
Now I am just looking for an application that can replace the media player in the touch flow, instead of using Media player (not really easy to use with the fingers! )

Spb Mobile 2.0 vs Tf3d

I'm not really gettin used to touchflow yet and I'm checking out other options. So... Lets get down to business:
The things that bugs me in touchflow are:
1.the todayscreen not being able to show more calendarevents.
2. the sms screen, the whole layout really
3. The mediaplayer
4. The alarm, every aspect there as well
I know that there are substitute programs for most of these problems BUT as I have to go in and select the appropriate program I fail to see the advantage of Touchflow..
The things I love with Tf3d are its speed and beautiful graphics and they will be soarly missed if I would go with another shell.
Are there any other touchfriendly options?
What are the pros and cons with Spb mobile shell 2.0? Especially regarding these issues!
Yours sinceraly
Adis Hardis

Sorry but I think you're a bit lazy. Why don't you just download a trial of spb mobile shell and see for yourself?

To be fair, I think he wants opinions..
SPB Software always rates highly in my books, I used to use the Shell on my Hermes. My girlfriend used to hate it, as it restricts access to the main features of the phone unless you kill it off.
But I guess if you tweak it to how you want it, then you never need to access the back end of the phone, pretty much like the HTC one I guess.
SMS's are visible (at least the count) on the main screen, and link direct to the pocket outlook folder
Media player - There's non built in, so again it's just a link.
Urm, Alarm again is built in.. Unless you put SPB time on??
Guess its worth a try! There's plenty of support on their forums, and hundreds of themes for it

I'm no expert in these areas but can I install spb without uninstalling? (and loosing all the settings and so forth). Cause thats my main concern!
Lazy or not, thats what forums are there for in my opinion, to get input and help...
Adis Hardis
Ps
Thank you MikeSel

Yeah you can, there simply 'today' plugins so you can disable one, and enable the other.. Make an informed decision and then dump one if you like.. Or just keep both, and leave one disabled
Have fun, and give me a shout if you get stuck!

Nice, I'm on it, thanks for your help Mike!
Peace
Adis Hardis

i just recently installed SPB mobile on my diamond and i love it a lot more then TF3D. I thought TF3D was great at first, but it a shame it's not configurable even with TF3D advanced config etc installed. Only the very basic functionality is available. It does look very good though and maybe the future could hold great things for it. But for now and the near future SPB mobile is the winner for me
-it's better and more customizable
-it's got lot's of good plugins
-the latest version got guestures like touch flow
-runs smooth as silk
-great animation without slowdowns
-all of the functions are easy accessible

Tried spb 2.1 for a week, but changed back to tf3d.
For my use, tf3d its enough and mobile shell, is atm a bit slower than tf3d and i dont like the default look. And with a better looking vga skin its slower than the first versions of manila, so i stay with tf3d.

spb Mobile Shell vs TFL3D

Is there allready a discussion between those 2 user forntends?
http://www.areamobile.de/specials/Xperia_X1_vs_HTC_Touch_HD/Video.php
In this german comparisson between the Touch HD vs Xperia X1 the Touch HD was winning 3:2 and one reason was the better user interface of TFL3D vs the Panel system from the X1 but they have not taken the spb Mobile Shell into consideration which is available for free for the X1.
Beside that they have not rated the battery capacity, so at the end I would say that for both devices it is at least 50:50 and the user have to decide what direction he want to go - more multimedia with a bigger screen or more business with better battery and keyboard.
This is the background of my question. And I think it is a fair question because the spb Mobile Shell is free for the X1.
Claus
PS: Me personaly I am more in favor of the X1 (because of the battery and the hardware keys)

dingolino said:
In this german comparisson between the Touch HD vs Xperia X1 the Touch HD was winning 3:2 and one reason was the better user interface of TFL3D vs the Panel system from the X1 but they have not taken the spb Mobile Shell into consideration which is available for free for the X1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add to that that the Touch HD TFL3D is already ported to xperia and then the whole decision is based on if you want a hardware keyboard or prefer a larger (in size) screen.
For me the hardware keyboard wins by far.

XavierGr said:
For me the hardware keyboard wins by far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree
can't wait to have my xperia...

Maybe somebody who has both
TFL3D and spb mobile Shell on his X1 could comment?
Claus

they are about the same...you can do more stuff with mobile shell, but TF3d looks better...so its a matter of taste really...just install both and try

SPB Mobile Shell seems far superior to me. TF3D is way too slow and requires several more clicks to get to where you want to go. It looks great, but also is less responsive and slows down the rest of your phone's interface.
One issue I have with Mobile Shell is that the task manager seems to have disappeared. Does anybody know how to get this back? It is still running, as I can see the icon flickr in it's spot sometimes, but for the most part it is gone. Also, I can't seem to uninstall TF3D which is ridiculous.

Task Manager will disappear when you use SPB Mobile Shell Panel!
+1, same here. The task manager icon on the right corner of the screen will disappear when switching to SPB Mobile Shell Panel. That's just a really wield bug and Xperia staff did not test it thoroughly at all before release!

Touch3d slows the phone down quiet alot, and crashes and is not 100% usable right now (some things still need more work to be done to be usable on xperia)
the spb on the other hand is faster, designed for the xperia, free. It is not impressive, but it is "efficient".

Efficiency is everything.
Sure, TF3D looks great but, as previously stated, eventually it slows down the device to the point where you just want to cry, alternatively, throw it out the window. I also suspect touchflo eats battery like crazy. Besides, Mobile Shell looks pretty good as well.
TF3D was great fun for a while but now I realize it really isnt very useful. I'd rather have quick and responsive before shiny and cool.

SCtud said:
SPB Mobile Shell seems far superior to me. TF3D is way too slow and requires several more clicks to get to where you want to go. It looks great, but also is less responsive and slows down the rest of your phone's interface.
One issue I have with Mobile Shell is that the task manager seems to have disappeared. Does anybody know how to get this back? It is still running, as I can see the icon flickr in it's spot sometimes, but for the most part it is gone. Also, I can't seem to uninstall TF3D which is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd also like to know how to get the HTC task manager to show up in the upper right while using SPB mobile shell...

dinan said:
I'd also like to know how to get the HTC task manager to show up in the upper right while using SPB mobile shell...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, me too - its the main thing that stops me settling on SPB at the moment! Ruddy stupid bug, that one!

i've figured out the solution to not having the task manager is to install aeb plus and set one of the buttons to open it's own proprietary task manager (i've set it to double click the right silver button).
works awesome and i don't have to rely on touching the corner of the touchscreen which requires using two hands.

I'm still trying to figure this out too. Very inconvenient

I think you'e missing the point.
SPB panel tries to place as much stuff as possible, into 'thum-able' icons so u can use the phone one handed without the stylus, hence task manager is located under the tool menu with large close this, close all options.
The only bug I found so far on SPB is the quick contacts, when you switch from portrait to landscape you lose the first entry in the list....very annoying.
I've used TFL3D and while very pretty the usability of SPB is greater hence i've switched back, my only requirement would be the ability to skin the SPB UI, now that would be cool

I'm experiencing some troubles with SPB, while I really enjoy using it, sometimes the phone freezes after using SPB for a while and then pressing the "panel" button.
Anybody else have this problem?

SBP on Xperia and task manager
When SBP pannel is active, the task manager is still accesible through the Button "Tools". It is removed from the corner to make it more "finger friendly". When you launch it, it displays the task list and then you have similar options than in the standard WM task manager, but arranged as a list of big buttons.
I agree that loading touchflo 3D slows down the UI (and eats 30Meg of memory). SBP is"ugly" but quick and efficent, specially if you remove the animations. However if you've used SBP in other WM device, there are lots of possibilities to customize backgrounds, colors, fonts etc. Maybe they want to get people used to it and then launch a "pro" version of the panel with enhanced look and functions (and not for free obviously)..

may i know whats the function of the Spb shell? Installed it,it's there in the settings, but no single change in the phone.

Uhhh..its a user interface. Add it to your panels and try it out.

mkent_barbados said:
Uhhh..its a user interface. Add it to your panels and try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TYVM. But how will i add it into a panel?

...push the panels button, push the icon that looks like a spanner, choose a blank panel, pick the panel you want to assign (it's in the user manual).

new touch flow 3D or SPB mobile shell 3?

Before switching to TD2, i used SPB mobile shell and I was very satisfied about that software
TF3D is so much like an eye-candy, but for the way I use WM phones, I prefer having multiple functions on one screen, provided that we can put lots of things at the same time on a 480x800 screen.
I hope both companies can come up with new version of their software to perfect user experiences. I look forward for this to happen more than seeing WM6.5 or WM7
what do you think? and sorry about my english

If you say so, I think PointUI HOME2 is much better suitable for you. You can have different theme, different arrangment of the screen. And the most important, it is free.

Current version of Spb Mobile Shell (3.01) still has issue in Diamond2. You may refer to Spb forum regarding those issue. I just wait for a more stable Mobile Shell version, just like the ancestor stable verion 2.15, to run in my Diamond2.

The moment I got my D2, I disengaged TF3D and use SPB MS 3.0. TF has just too many gestures to get where u want. SPB MS makes it easy to access the applications.

IMHO....
TF3D is an extremely unproductive UI. Contacts and calendar are the two most important things for business and TF3D is configuration limited scrolling hell.
With the calendar I can see today and tomorrow. It has a gimmicky month view but in all not very useful at all.
The contacts themselves within TF3D are annoying as I have to scroll even when in a contact to get to the option to view the standard WM full details because TF3D does not display what I want to see. By default finding a contact in TF3D is like having to win a game of Teeter first.
SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 is also very unproductive. It does not integrate with SPB Diary (not today plugin friendly) and amazingly does not even integrate with SPB Phone (try to turn rules on and off from the Shell!!!). You lose weather views and the easy moving between cities even if you have a licence for SPB Traveller!
The contacts screen from Mobile Shell 2.0 is the best I have seen. It has "dedicated contact names T9 search for any part of contact string" (very valuable feature).
The HTC dialer on the Topaz offers non-T9 name search only from the beginning of each word (vastly inferior to SPB Shell 2. Contacts) but it is still quite usable.
In a choice of TF3D vs SPB MS3.0 vs no shell I would choose no shell.
Maybe install SecondToday. Put your calendar (something like TodayAgenda or SPB Diary) on the second Today screen. Put your calls/e-mail/messages, program launcher, music player and weather application plugins on the front page.
We should be able to use specialist programs for functionality that is important to us. The above 2 shells exclude the ability to mix and match what we want. For many people they will not allow a UI that suits their lifestyle.
Why did we want a WM phone in the first place?
We may as well be choosing above between Nokia and Motorola. These shell providers could do better and they should!
IMHO

I've had no problems with SPB shell 3. It works great. I have all the other spb shell apps and they all work great! It's nice to be able to have 2 different types of today screens. and the lifestyle today screen is great. one page for media, one for phone controls/tools and one for games and 'other'
it's much better than touchflo

Ich switched from TF to Mobile Shell and i think Mobile Shell delivers what i expected from TF...

I prefer shell than TF3D too. I usually get to what I want faster...

Mobile Shell 3 interfere HTC dialer
If you look at the following thread in Spb forum, you may find one of Mobile Shell issue in Diamond2:
http://www.spbclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25814
You just cannot tap the left bottom "Contact" button in the default (HTC) dialer to open contact.

Maybe we could all get back to the old and ultimate WisBar
Regards,
Carty..

SPB Mobile Shell 3 is better than TouchFLO

chch said:
SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 is also very unproductive. It does not integrate with SPB Diary (not today plugin friendly) and amazingly does not even integrate with SPB Phone (try to turn rules on and off from the Shell!!!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, this is very annoying to me. I like the phone suite for the sound profiles that you can set including the automatic. Why can't I put that plug in on a main screen of the shell?
I'm also very annoyed how the custom layouts get all messed up in landscape. for the most part sbp mobile shell 3 is pretty good.