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Windows Mobile's interface is getting better all the time, but it could use some help. Swooping to the rescue are interface replacers like Spb Mobile Shell. With integration for Facebook photos, intuitive navigation, and widget customizations, Spb's mobile interface alternative go a long way toward making Windows Mobile engaging.
The professional view sports a clock and weather widget, your various voice mail and message in-boxes, alarms, and the calendar on a glossy background whose maroon default you can change. Below is a contact icon that opens your contact list. Newly added Facebook integration lets you pick among your friends' profile pictures, select from your phone's media files, or snap a new image. The app also has a launcher that pops up a skinned view of your recently used apps, plus shortcut icons to take you to your full program list, the settings, and the task manager.
Another icon on the main screen displays a stylized 3D carousel of screens to swipe through. Or, switch over to the Lifestyle layout built for casual use. Here you're able to change the background and add widgets, like a battery meter, a mini media player, the weather, and clocks. You can drag and drop them around the screen to place them where you'd like. This view also supports an expanded screen, where swiping to the left or right reveals two more panels as large as your main screen. While spacious in theory, widget packrats will find ways to clutter it, and some may never use it at all.
Spb Mobile Shell navigates smoothly and intuitively, and the app goes a long way toward making Windows Mobile interfaces engaging and attractive. The color settings should be easier to get to, but the biggest drawback for some may be the price. The $30 is more than most cosmetic apps, but the trial download gives you time to decide if the sleekness is worth the dollars. It's tempting at the very least.
Spb Mobile Shell 3.0:Publisher's Description
From Spb Software House:
Spb Mobile Shell is the first program a Pocket PC user needs to install. It dramatically improves the standard user interface and adds features that most users expect from a modern PDA phone. Spb Mobile Shell Features: Now Screen professional layout; The most important information at one screen; Fast and convenient menu with access to all device features; Smart launcher on Today; World time; Weather forecast; Photo speed dial; Auto-hide view for Today plug-ins; Color based themes. Version 3.0 includes Widgets, Facebook integration, back/restore settings, new launcher, wireless manager and more.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 10 votes
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Current version:
3.6 starsout of 7 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-7 of 7
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"Great after the hassel of getting it on your phone"
Version: Spb Mobile Shell 3.0
Pros
Great interface. Lots of options for home pages and ways to things. Really makes the phone more useable.
Cons
Really hard to get to work on phones the website claims its compatible with. Cost too much and I thought I was going to have to ask for a refund when it took so long to work. Not easy to find things, like your pictures and notes.
Summary
I really wanted this for my Omnia i910 from Verizon and so I purchased it but it too all day to get it to work and it required that I reset my phone and in the process I loss all my recent pictures that I took and all my contacts had to reset. It's great after you get it to work but it really shouldn't be so hard, especially if the site says your phone is compatible. I would have rethought the whole thing if I had read some of the frustrations others have had about getting it to work on the Omnia. But in the longrun Its nice to have but be prepared for frustration during the process of obtaining it.
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"Where is it?"
Version: Spb Mobile Shell 3.0
Pros
I would say I think it's amazing, but I can't download it.
Cons
410 error when attempting download
Summary
Possible review- "Amazing and must have for the Samsung Omnia"
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"Great idea, but buggy."
Version: Spb Mobile Shell 3.0
Pros
Exactly the kind of interface Windows Mobile needs. I almost never need the stylus anymore. Can be customized without much difficulty.
Cons
Very buggy. My phone freezes much more often since I've installed. A conflict with the Opera Mini browser causes my screen to keep changing orientation. There also are some battery drain problems.
Summary
If they ever get the bugs worked out, this would be highly recommended. But not yet.
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"Makes WM useable"
Version: Spb Mobile Shell 3.0
Pros
The ability to use your fingers to control your phone and not rely on the stylus or hardware buttons makes this shell very valuable.
Cons
The price is a big drawback to this software. The contact searching is also lacking. I prefer iContact when needing to search for a specific contact. For favorite contacts the SpB shell works great.
Summary
The ability to use a finger to control a touch screen phone is excellent. It is what I expected when I purchased the phone, but was disappointed. I heartily recommend this product to anyone with a Windows Mobile phone.
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"Not quite perfect, but infinitely better than OEM"
Version: Spb Mobile Shell 3.0
Pros
Infinitely better than TouchFLO / Windows OEM. Better than Winterface. II was returning the phone before I tried this. You won't need your stylus anymore. I wouldn't sell a Windows phone w/o it.
Cons
Contacts app is not as well planned as I'd like. Can't configure the programs to prevent me enough to keep me out of Windows Programs interface.
Summary
This is a must-have. I wouldn't allow a Windows-based phone out of the the retail store without it.
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"Simplifies Windows for finger use and fluidity"
Version: Spb Mobile Shell 3.0
Pros
This really helps utilize the Pocket PC's abilities more closely to its true potential. I-phone like movements, great organization and personalization. I have an HTC Touch with a wimpy processor and the Shell works without a glitch.
Cons
Too small are the dislikes to worhy mentioning.
Summary
Well worth the money. GREAT for anyone who has a hard time using their PC phone- it simplifies everything. Makes the device more user-friendly and it's attractive.
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"Holy cow! This is a must have app. Jaw dropping."
Version: Spb Mobile Shell 3.0
Pros
Customizable.
Put any widget anywhere you like.
Weather.
Superb contact organizer
Interface with Facebook to retrieve photos of contacts
Fairly quick.
Looks amazing.
Friends turn green with envy.Cons
$30 to play.
Summary
This is without a doubt my favorite app for my Samsung Omnia. You should at least try it out, you won't regret it.
I will be surprised if Microsoft doesn't copycat many of the SBP Mobile shell features. In general, it puts the standard WM shell to shame. I cannot see anyone use this shell, and still prefer the standard WM shell.
cheers!
Awsome.
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