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I've been toying with the idea of changing to a WM6.5 based ROM, either Miri's or Davideuck's, but I'm so happy with Dutty's Xtreme ROMs that it's going to be a wrench if I do. I love the functionality of TF3D but find it annoying that you have to have a 3rd party UI running on top of Windows just to get a reasonable-looking and easy-to-navigate interface.
The thing that bugs me is the whole Titanium vs Manila thing. Personally, I can't see the point in having both TF3D and the Titanium home screen installed on the phone at the same time.
The Titanium home screen is simple and elegant but links to standard naff-looking WinMo apps (calendar, photos) whilst TF3D has eye-candy aplenty and quite usable and functional manila apps built-in like the calendar, weather and contacts browser (especially in the newest, prettier versions). I'm aware that we can run certain HTC apps within Titanium (Calculator/Album/Camera/etc), but the experience then feels disjointed and not cohesive at all.
So my question (and point for discussion) is this: Can we ever envisage a time when HTC's (or whomever's) bolt-on UIs are not required? Will MS ever produce a UI that is pretty and easy to navigate? Or will we always have to rely on 3rd party apps just to make our phones usable without the need for a stylus?
I quite like the new titanium, don't miss manila at all. Using Miri's 7.2 standard.
I think it will be WM7 that should/will get rid of the stylus once and for all.
The new start menu is more aesthetically appealing, but i find it less functional than the new start menu in manila, my issues w/ the new start menu in manila, is that noone has made a background for all cabs for this version yet, and htc should really have included this by default, seems kind of dumb to me to have only wallpaper support for the home tab.
I've found that even though its monochromatic, i prefer tf3d v2 and its new notifications, context menu's and additional tabs on tf3d more than i prefer what MS has done w/ wm 6.5.
What i like about wm 6.5 is that it gives the visual impression that you have more screen real estate due to the transparent top & bottom bars, but sadly that's only on the start bar & today screens. I also like the new lock screen, and the icons throughout the system, smoother, better antialiasing.
I also miss the ability to select multiple files in file explorer, but i find that functionality has been gone for a while, once the kinetic scrolling was introduced, the ability to block select multiple files was lost. I know that other 3rd party file managers have the functionality built in, but you lose the visual cohesivehness with the operating system.
even though they take up the whole screen and are again monochromatic, i don't know why but i prefer the htc context menus to the wm 6.5 one's, i'm not sure if its the font type or size which could be part of it, but i think the wm 6.5 context menus looks less visually cohesive, even though it shares the theme of the OS.
I honestly am glad that HTC put out the tf3d v2, i wasn't particularly impressed by v1, and took it off the device as soon as i got it, resigned to have to deal w/ wm's ugliness, and millions of menu's, but i think v2 is a noble effort, they've certainly made me enjoy my Touch HD more. a
whole lot more.
Also prefer the HTC calculator, and HTC dialer to the stock MS one's. I'm just over the moon w/ tf3d v2, and i'm also running Miri's rom.
DRTigerlilly said:
The new start menu is more aesthetically appealing, but i find it less functional than the new start menu in manila, my issues w/ the new start menu in manila, is that noone has made a background for all cabs for this version yet, and htc should really have included this by default, seems kind of dumb to me to have only wallpaper support for the home tab. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is background for all tabs available. mun_rus works great for me and there is another cab available to have both the old start menu and programs tab.
Quite so, but the BG for all tabs doesn't extend to the new Start Menu.
Ive been using Onkolos light WM 6.5 since friday and love it. I havnt used Manila as I like the new Titanium but I have installed Yota contacts and dialer as I dont like the windows contacts and the dialer is faster.
Downside is they dont work in landscape mode but Im using changescreen at the moment to experiment getting windows to rotate but not dialer & contacts. I would prefer to use flip it but didnt know what to enter for windows rotation.
I prefer touch flo and the way htc have tried to hide the boring style of the windows interface. I love all the new htc menus, skins, finger friendly apps etc.
I tried 6.5 but after a while reverted back to manilla because in 6.5 it was still the old interface below. Only the home page and menus had changed. I also tried 6.5 with some htc updated replacement skins and apps but did not like the mix of two styles and preferred to have a consistant theme throughout.
Am using the new topaz manilla 2 - davideuck v5 and am very happy with it and sticking with it. Manilla all the way...
Major_Sarcasm said:
Quite so, but the BG for all tabs doesn't extend to the new Start Menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what you do is that you set the background wallpaper for the "today" screen as the same background wallpaper for your tabs, and it will be the same. An extra step, I know, but this also extends to your WM6.5 lock screen as well.
skulk3r said:
what you do is that you set the background wallpaper for the "today" screen as the same background wallpaper for your tabs, and it will be the same. An extra step, I know, but this also extends to your WM6.5 lock screen as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Major_Sarcasm & myself are referring to the new htc start menu in wm 6.1 not wm 6.5
Having tried various flavors of it, I don't give a bean about Titanium (MS in general); I find it cumbersome. TouchFlo to me is simple and efficent enough. Now, if there is a Zune phone (with at least 120 gb), that will be the day.
aabye said:
Having tried various flavors of it, I don't give a bean about Titanium (MS in general); I find it cumbersome. TouchFlo to me is simple and efficent enough. Now, if there is a Zune phone (with at least 120 gb), that will be the day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
manila unfortunately comes with a price.....major hi-jack of memory.
no a problem for me,remember we had pda's before manilla ...
Hi, I have bought pocketshield and found it doesn't work in all applications as manila is set as part of my start process. To make all apps work with pocketshield, am I safe removing manila - sorry to be dim but what is it giving me that touchflo doesn't..?
YES, PointUI
I have to say I'm in the Manila camp. Especially the latest versions of Manila from custom ROMs.
It's good looking, and functional.
And with each new version it goes deeper and deeper into hiding the ugly WinMo interface, which is a big plus for me. Also, I have to say that Manila has been surprisingly solid when it comes to speed and stability, especially for someone like me who's constantly digging around the _manila files and playing with them
The biggest minus for me personally is that HTC didn't take in account that people may want to change the colors and graphics, so visual customization is major PITA.
band27 said:
manila unfortunately comes with a price.....major hi-jack of memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no more than 20-30% free memory, and my device is very fast and stable. Memory is there to be used, why else did you pay for it?
vangrieg said:
I have no more than 20-30% free memory, and my device is very fast and stable. Memory is there to be used, why else did you pay for it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't agree more. I don't see a point in saving up free memory. As long as I can run 2-3 large applications simultaneously and still be able to answer a call or read an SMS, I'm perfectly happy with my device.
Zepiii said:
YES, PointUI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. It's amazing what it can do
I'm the biggest fan of it
HastaSSSS
im not a fan of the titanium in 6.5 , i like manila better, but i like pointUI even better as the same for ms3 wich i use the most
I rather quite like touchflow as it give you all of the main features of a phone such as the touch HD without the need to run different apps (ie can view newest text messages without running the ms messaging app).
as for if MS will ever make a really nice UI, i think by winmo 7, MS will have to hav made a new UI (because of pressure from iphone OS) and then, as a major release, all the regular apps (windows media player, album etc) will also get a facelift, with the former already having been confirmed for a new release.
thats what i think anyway...
This is my first skin for Wisbar Advance Desktop, and I think it's pretty good... The white circle at the bottom is an on-screen scroll wheel, sort of like an iPod, to make on screen navigation easier and quicker. The Windows Icon launches the programs list (i.e. start menu). It also features a new start menu almost identical to beta versions of Windows Mobile 6.5, as well as a sort of TouchFlo 3D-esque interface. I will be releasing it along with a new website later this month, as I still have a few things left to do on both the website (giovani-design.com), and the software. I promise it's gonna be sweet though! Anyway tell me what you think and hopefully I'll be releasing it soon!
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1...efrontcopy.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/914...ntcopymedi.jpg
My email address is [email protected] if you have any questions. I will try to answer them as fast as I can.
Included software and programs:
Windows Mobile WAD skin ~ Giovani|Design edition
calculator skin ~ Giovani|Design edition
new start menu ~ Giovani|Design edition
iPod-like scroll-wheel
WA3 Themes to streamline all task bars, buttons, fonts, etc.
New fonts (Futura, Modern No. 20, Eurostile, etc.)
New start up sound and image ~ Giovani|Design edition
Custom sounds
Custom Windows Media Player skin and home screen integration ~ Giovani|Design edition
New loading color wheel ~ Giovani|Design edition
Possibly new picture viewer similar to the Microsoft Surface Concept UI
ALL NEW ICONS for all programs ~ Giovani|Design edition
New dialer skin ~ Giovani|Design edition
Other handy freeware from various developers to optimize usability and functionality
Modern clock on screen when locked, similar to the Blackberry Bold
AND MUCH MORE!!!
It looks and sounds very good!
Can't wait to try it.
Will you link to your webpage from here?
Yes, I will be posting the website here. It may take some time though as this is a bundle of both premium software, and a completely redisigned user interface, exclusively from Giovani|Design. There is a preview of what the website's start page will look like on this thread so be on the lookout for it. As always, feel free to ask any questions. I check my email on a daily basis so a quick response shouls be expected.
Hail SILLWANDERZ!!
This sound fantastic!! Really can't wait man..
For sure i will test it.
Keep up the great work!
Sounds and looks promising hope to see it soon.
Thanks! I am positive that this will be one of the most smooth-running streamlined UI, no clutter everywhere like other UI's, and everything is being tested specifically on the HTC Touch HD. It will probably be for the more advanced users of the Touch HD because the UI is actually in a big folder. This folder will contain WAD and WA3 files to redo the home screen, toolbars, fonts, etc. The folder will also contain many .CAB files that are either software designed by Giovani|Design (such as the iPod-like scroll wheel), skins (dialer skin, calculator skin, Windows Media Player skin, etc.), or software that alters the sound and image the phone produces when it starts up.
Please name any other UI's (or full today screen plugins like TF3D)!!
which work on Touch HD!!
Kristaps-K9-Lv said:
Please name any other UI's (or full today screen plugins like TF3D)!!
which work on Touch HD!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are plenty:
1. IPhone Today (Ver. 1.2.5) - can be found in "Developement and Hacking" in the general section. There is a cab for wvga resolution. Works great, highly customizable and very fast (at least as fast as the IPhone swipe speed). Works great with icons by Reflect. I highly recommend. BTW - follow the manual to install (not only cab installation)..
2. SPB Mobile Shell 3.0.1 - Great UI. I also use an additional package called "Sense le Revolution v.2" which simulates the Sense UI of the HTC Hero (search the threads to find link to this). There is also Android UI's and IPhone.. Those can be found on www.mobilecustom.fr/forum though you need to know french (or use Google translate.. )
3. Throttle Launcher - free UI, customizable. I left TL since it did not work very well after an upgrade to a higher version.
4. WAD2 (WisBar Advance Desktop 2) - very customizable and there are many ready UI designed by people (search the threads). I left WAD2 since it is very heavy and does not respond well..
4. Point UI - I tried it for five minutes and left it.. Did not like it at all..
I have three UI's running on my Touch HD - IPhone Today on my today screen, SPB MS3 with Sense v.2 (there is a button to show Today screen - this is how to change to IPhone UI) and I changed Softkey number 1 (with SKTools) to get TF3D to start (by starting Manila.exe)..
Eat this IPhone.. This phone just keeps going, no matter what you throw at it..
Good luck..
Manila
No Manila
Just out of curiosity to see what you guys are using.
I personally dont use manila, with the default home screen i see everything im interested in on the main screen.
i use it and like it
now i wait for a final version of manila 2.6
wah im surprized haha,, i actually thought everyone would be using the default home screen!
Woaaaah, why would you buy an HTC device if you shut down the main reason of it? TF3D makes WM so much easier and it's the biggest reason why I bought a HTC TD2. But to answer the poll, I sometimes turn of TF3D and use the normal home screen with some plugins like SPB News, SPB Weather and SPB Wireless Monitoring.
I started off with manila in Wm6.1
But when i went to WM6.5, Titanium looked a hell lot better than the normal today screen.. and it took up a lot less resources. (I found manila to run pretty slow.. random split second halts and judders here and there)
Manila
had a BA earlier.. had winmo 6.5 with titanium on it. Now i'v switched to Blackstone..
still have the default ROM wid winmo 6.1 n manila 1.3xx version i m liking it over titanium on BA
thinking of flashing soon so that i can compare titanium and manila on my blackstone
I think manila/htc sense is not just the best UI on wm devices, but also the best UI on all phones. I think it's far better than the s-class UI on LG devices and much, much better than the touchwiz interface on samsung devices.
i do agree that it makes everything so much easier, but what kills me is the warp, like Nickch said, the split second, while scrolling from side to side, and then without u wanting it you've stopped at the music tab, and you cant go on cause the phone takes a mini time to load ur music files,.. i hope in the HD2 is much smoother!
SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 FTW
i usually install a manilla ROM but adding TFDETACHER to switch it to the classic today screen !
SPB 3 - best UI I've ever seen
Manila to me is better: I tried PointUI, SPB 3, Titanium (gastly!), standard home, widgets home and so on...
The only problem is the limited link personalization.
D'rath
I use Manilla - while it isn't as customisable as other shells, it is the most practical. You can see multiple appointments without hassle and has a favourite programs launcher =]. Another big plus is the Manilla Calendar app in v2.6 - the fact that Manilla even covers the ugly Windows Calendar app when you input a new appointment is awesome.
Tried SPB Mobile 3/3.5, but the widgets are just too ugly and i couldn't find widgets that I liked with the user-made ones
PointUI looks interesting, but i feel that it wouldn't provide /that/ much of an advantage.
Titanium is good looking and smooth, but impractical for appointments and the user-made plugins (e.g.: fav contacts, etc) are not refined enough to look that nice.
I swap quite regularly between Titanium and PointUI. I love both of them equally. I did really love TouchFLO for a long time, but found what other people have said - it's occassionaly laggy and/or slow, and sometimes doesn't even notify me of things like new texts or emails.
Looking forward to trying the latest Manila on my new HD2 next week. I reckon the 1GHz CPU should make a difference, maybe
SPB Mobile Shell 3.5
I was using Manila for couple of days and then I found SPB Mobile Shell 3.0. After this switching back to Manila (every time when I installed a new ROM), was a disappointment. Still completely faithful to SPB Mobile Shell, now in updated version 3.5
I tried them all for a while (SPB,Titanium, PointUI), forcing myself to like them, but in the end I ALWAYS go back to manila. It presents all the info nicely on the home screen, and allows a nice interface to see your sms and emails with just a tap on the slider. I love the way sms and emails appear in manila, instead of SBP using the standard windows mobile messaging thingie.
Now tf3d 2.5 or 2.6 watever it is rocks my pants off and to me is the best interface for the hd.
I love Manila 2.5, but it could be visually better with the Manila 2.1 "People" and "Email" Widgets...The cube-like slider columns and row isn't much of an eye candy! IDK..just my opinion...
I use Manila 2.5 and I have to say I'm impressed with it. I love HTC's additions to hide the base WM environment. I have tried Point UI, SPB MS 2/3/3.5 and a couple of others and the only other time I would use something that wasn't TF3D would be if I wanted simplicity and in that I would use titanium.
Manila for me wins hands down currently.
I don't like Manilla 2.5, it's just too slow. I like Manilla 2.1, which is a lot faster, but I'm sad to see that all the roms that come with manilla are full of bloatware
patcooke said:
SPB 3 - best UI I've ever seen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
I am absolutely agree with you!
this is my first winmo phone so far
along its good features there are some bad ones
in comparison to other phones i used
its alot more complicated and dinasaur like user interface(at least for finger tapping)
i already lost my stylus which is gay... it caught onto something today and is now M.I.A. (only had it for 2 weeks)
the menus are way too small for normal finger and i dont have any nails.
i didnt nottice any major increases in the amount of tweaks besides registry editor. but that is acomplished by other means in many other phone OSes. like patches and editing the install files.
as far as actual user interface there are random one liners here and there.
for example: a pretty common guide you find in alot fo phone forums is how to create your own skin(theme) even software for it is available and beeing developed. not for WINmo.
you would think there would be much more flexibility in creating your own unique user interface. but as far as i know its opposite.
most of the skins are just wallpaper and color variations.
with same layout and menus.
now heres what i need help with
im using leaked TMO rom with 6.5
today window:
can i move the clock to the top bar?(im not that blind, the digit animations are cool for first few days...) i jsut want something simple.
can i make the weather tab more transparent?
can i get rid of call history and calendar buttons?
can i switch the camera and all people soft buttons?
can i make the shortcuts like they are on blackberry phone so it will show selected shortcuts wen i press one button without scrolling?( one of the cooked roms had something similar where shortcuts were under calendar scroll up)
then.
how can i arrange the start menu in windows style but with medium sized icons i hate scrolling thru a long list of programs.
is there a setting to go straight to INBOX and ALL messages? because the preview is very annoying. i still have to press a button to view. theres no purpose for it besides being cool at first.
thats it for now
forgot one more thins
how can i select an item without activating the link?
in other words "mouse-over" since theres no cursor when i tap it automatically selects and opens the item. i fkn hate that. when you try to select something in order to go to menu and it activates the item so i have to close it and start again.
like tapping on a phone number it starts caling right away WTF. makes me not want to use alot of features when i have to do everything twice..
SPB Mobile Shell
Too long try to minimize writings so people dont get bored
have you checked SPB Mobile Shell? .. its a really good customizable UI
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/mobileshell/
It sounds like you just don't like the HTC Sense interface. As mentioned, SPB Mobile Shell is a very popular alternative. Otherwise, there are countless other Today screen plugins available (but many are outdated and require stylus). Or perhaps the default WinMo 6.5 Titanium interface will suit your needs?
im not sure if it comes with the winmo 6.5
whats the difference between sense and touch flo? if any
fuzzysig said:
im not sure if it comes with the winmo 6.5
whats the difference between sense and touch flo? if any
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
default WinMo 6.5 Titanium interface is the normal Windows Mobile 6.5 UI, the one with the one list and you go up and down and scroll vertically.
Manila 2.0 = TouchFlo3D 2.0 (No weather on the clock and no shortcuts above the tabs)
Manila 2.1 = TouchFlo3D 2.1 = Sense 2.1 (Weather on the clock, and no shortcuts above the tabs)
Manila 2.5 = Sense 2.5 (Weather on the clock + Shortcuts above the tabs)
you probably have WM6.5 with Sense 2.1 (A.K.A TouchFLo3D 2.1 A.K.A Manila 2.1)
you can either use the default WM6.5 UI (A.K.A Titanium interface) or Sense 2.1 (A.K.A TouchFLo3D 2.1 A.K.A Manila 2.1) or install SPB Mobile Shell for a whole new experience.
hope things are a little bit clearer
what about the inboxes is there any way to get rid of that dang preview screen and go straight to inbox for txt and email?