Is there a decent source for some alternate home screens for the Dash ?
I know there are quite a few home screens for the Q out there, but I find that although many look very nice, they often don't work very well with the Dash. Specifically, they generally do not support a home screen option to jump/click to the Comm Mgr the way that the Tmobile Dash default does. Also many do not properly handled missed calls. And the color palettes end up being suboptimal for the Dash -- e.g. they can render the setup pages for Outlook almost useless.
So how about some Dash-specific home screens ? Otherwise I gather that I can hack my own by snarfing some of the Q images or other images from where-ever and piece together more Dash-appropriate XML from the default Dash home screen.
Try searching the forum, this has been extensively covered.
Dash Home Screens
Here is a link where I found some great home screens.
http://www.kooldezine.com/Q.htm
Thanks for your replies. Indeed I did do a search (even before posting ) but didn't really find what I wanted (perhaps I don't really understand). Mostly what I found were tutorials on how to hack screen files and otherwise pointers to sites with mostly Q screens, which all had the problems mentioned in my OP (i.e. various incompatibilities).
So... I hacked my own... I started with the included Dash default screen, T-MobileDefaultBlue because its the only one I knew that worked the way it was supposed to. I made minor adjustments with two main objectives: 1) I wanted to be able to see the time easily... not some teenie little font, 2) I wanted it to be compatible with most any background image (the default screen doesn't work well with background images at all). I threw in an indicator of voicemails. Here it is, if anyone is interested. It uses a background image "dashhome.jpg" so anyone can easily change the background image. I also made 2 other versions that use a black font and a blue font, in case those colors would be better with certain background images (snowy or sunny scenes). Hope this helps someone:
dashhome.home.xml
dashhome.jpg
dashblack.home.xml
dashblue.home.xml
One more, the version below makes the bottom button bar and other trimmings gray, which may be more neutral...
dashgray.home.xml
BTW, the default dashhome.jpg image, if anyone recognizes it, is of a "vortex" in Sedona, AZ...
You could go to MoDaCo. They've got some nice ones there, but you have to register.
~Cheers~
P.S. The way I have mine, people think it's the iPhone's cousin, .
You've been busy I think if you generalized your searches a bit (if you haven't already) you might find more if you look for 'landscape homescreen' than device specific. A good one to start with: http://www.kolumbus.fi/anders.ruohio/sp.html
With a modest purchase price, SBSH Facade opens a whole other class of homescreens: http://www.sbsh.net/forums/index.php?showforum=57
One that I did a while back for my Dash (for use with Facade), along the lines of 'less is more': http://www.sbsh.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=14372
neurocutie said:
Thanks for your replies. Indeed I did do a search (even before posting ) but didn't really find what I wanted (perhaps I don't really understand). Mostly what I found were tutorials on how to hack screen files and otherwise pointers to sites with mostly Q screens, which all had the problems mentioned in my OP (i.e. various incompatibilities)....
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chaznet said:
One that I did a while back for my Dash (for use with Facade), along the lines of 'less is more'...
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One thing I suppose I should make clearer... nearly all of these other home screens do not provide for WiFi status/CommMgr access (the Q screens for obvious reasons since it doesn't have WiFi). But that's one thing that I absolutely need -- I use WiFi on the Dash more than GSM. I guess that's why I had to hack my own...
Yes I know about Facade... perhaps later... I do like the "less is more" aesthetic...
I have been looking for a nice today screen weather app for some time. I don't use the TF3D interface and did not like the built in app anyway. It had that really pesky problem of limited city selections. Anyway this is not intended to be a full comparison but just some comments I hope you will find useful in selecting a solid today weather app.
Tools I looked at:
-HTC TF3D app
-MSN Weather app
-Elocent Weather: http://www.elecont.com/weather-for-pocket-pc.aspx
-Weather to go: http://tonaya.com/products/wtg/index.php
-PocketWeather: http://www.sbsh.net/products/windows_mobile_pocket_pc/pocketweather
Indirectly looked at:
-Fizz Weather
-SPB Weather
Through this nice "shoot out": http://www.mytodayscreen.com/shootout-weather-applications/ (also included PocketWeather)
MSN Weather: Way too simple only the basics, not a today screen app.
Elocent: Looks like a solid contender, nice time history graphs, full featured, $10.
Weather To Go: Nice basic today screen, FREE, not maintained. Had some issues with memorization of the default city.
PocketWeather: Pricier at $15 but nice free eval period. Is both a nice light today app and provides more details than most will ever need. The winner for me.
PocketWeather provides current conditions, forecast, descriptive icons, customizeable icons, customizeable today details, sunrise/sunset, wind, humidity, direct METAR reports from nearby airfields, radar pictures, world daylight map, earthquake data and auto updates, strong control over data sources and download frequencies. UV index would be a nice feature that is missing.
In short an amazing little app. Do note I have no affiliation, stake nor conflict of interest with any of the products nor companies mentioned here.
I hope you found this useful in selecting a weather app. Feel free to add reviews, links or comparisons, whatever.
Have you tried WeatherPanel. I think its the best one out there and its free.
^ Looks very solid. I think you have the price wrong. Perhaps you can download for free or perhaps payment is optional but the site ( http://www.marsware.net/WeatherPanel/purchase.htm ) says $13. Moon phase info by any chance - it did not look like it. Lastly it does not appear to be maintained (not since 2005). Thanks.
Edit, update. I DL-ed this but no matter how I choose the two uddate options I can not even get a single data update to populate the today page. Bummer.
Ive been trying to find a good weather app as well. I also have TF3D disabled.. Ive been looking for something that will add in to my zune-ish today screen and has nifty animations. I've been checking out this one which allows to find location by GPS. Not free but has a really nice layout and functionality. Might go with this one..
edit: have new user restrictions and cant post a link. Google GWeather Ageye
I use WeatherBug (free):
http://weather.weatherbug.com/mobile/weatherbug-windows-mobile.html
and SPB's weather plugins.
swamp2 said:
^ Looks very solid. I think you have the price wrong. Perhaps you can download for free or perhaps payment is optional but the site ( http://www.marsware.net/WeatherPanel/purchase.htm ) says $13. Moon phase info by any chance - it did not look like it. Lastly it does not appear to be maintained (not since 2005). Thanks.
Edit, update. I DL-ed this but no matter how I choose the two uddate options I can not even get a single data update to populate the today page. Bummer.
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It was discontinued by the writers but was picked up and supported by PPCGeeks and Storyr in particlular.
This is a great thread on it at PPC Geeks although the same info in here on XDA. http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=7357&highlight=weatherpanel
Try this cab. Weatherpanel 2010 with moon phase fixed until end of 2012.
Hello guys. I had for more than half year a HD2, before that I had an iPhone for more than 2 years, and since 3 days I am a proud owner of a Desire. And I wanted to share my thoughts about it.
1. Comparing the general design of HD2 and Desire - the later feels more solid in your hands. This rubbery feeling of the back cover gives you more grip. In my opinion the build quality is better than the HD2. The bigger screen of HD2 was huge point to impress your friends, but it was too wide for use as a phone. Too big for everyday use.
2. Comparing the screens - the screen of the Desire looks awesome. AMOLED actually rules. Forget about it's not readable in direct sun light. If you enable the auto brightness, it's more than readable outside. Even in a hot day like yesterday (more than 35 degrees Celsius) and very bright sun shining, there was no problem to read whatever you want. And those 16M colors - maaan those home screens looks nice.
3. Comparing the OSs - that's actually the reason I ditched the HD2. After more than 3 days of use, I can say that I love Android. It's everything that I wanted. Windows Mobile was one ugly son of b**tch. Every single 3th party application looked like a windows 3.1. I don't want to go back to 1995, I want a good looking GUI.
The idea of home screens and widgets is brilliant. Customizing was one of things I loved with Windows Mobile, but the beautifully widgets, the nicely done icons of the applications and the awesome AMOLED screen - rules them all. The slogan of Apple "We have an app for everything" (or was everybody) should not be an advertisement. They have an app for everything, but most of the time you use 10% of the functionality of the app. Why not have a widget of that app, that only covers those 10 percent. It's more practical, fast and easy to use.
Yeah, windows mobile did have MyPhone, but compared with google way of syncing you "priceless" information - maan google is years ahead. Before I had a dozen of word documents and when I update them in my phone, I had to manually copy them to the home pc or the office one. But what happens when I update the same document on my phone and then on my pc and try to merge them... conflict. Now with Google Docs, the moment I update my documents, they are already updated on internet and I can access them from wherever pc or mac I want. The only draw back is that I can't seem to find a good spreadsheet editor to edit the online Google Docs Spreadsheet on my phone, but probably I will.
The Calendar sync also works great - you have a web calendar with all your appointments.
The Google market - wow there are a lot of great free apps. BTW, google, please enable paid apps in Bulgaria, pleeeease.
Google Goggles rules. I am a developer and I still can't understand how it works. Those google developers really know what they are doing.
I loved my iGO navigation software on the HD2, because it has a very precise maps for my country and I was worry if I am able to find a good navigation software for the Desire. Actually I found MOTONAV, an extension of the iGO that can work the the maps of the general iGO, and actually it is better experience than the HD2.
...more to come...
Sorry for the messy story, but I just wrote whatever thoughts came into my mind about the new phone and probably the it's a little bit hard to read.
I really do not miss my HD2, even a bit. I can't even think of one thing that the HD2 is better. Not one.... maybe internet tethering, but that won't be a problem when Froyo comes.
I came from the HD2 as well and I think I made the right choice too.
Wifi tethering is fully working on Eclair Android 2.1 as well. Have a look here. No need to wait for Froyo.
Edit : and regarding paid apps, search for Market Enabler.
This thing has not gotten near the respect it deserves on WP7... this browser is amazing compared to IE, it renders about a millisecond slower and I have a landscape address bar, better access to tabs, and just a more enjoyable and fun browsing experience. Worth the 1.99 without a doubt.
Is version 2.0 even out yet? I thought the announcement last week said it would come to the Marketplace 'within the next few weeks'.
OGCF said:
Is version 2.0 even out yet? I thought the announcement last week said it would come to the Marketplace 'within the next few weeks'.
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Just now came through some time within the last 30 minutes or so. It's so much better than IE.
Really? Awesome! I didn't buy version 1 but I think I'll buy this one. I'll get the trial first.
Best buy I've made next to ilomilo... really an awesome browser.
Downloaded it love it but having trouble loading YouTube videos anybody know why? YouTube works with IE
I love this one but unfortunately the rendering is IE.
So the same issues as stock browser for me.
But the UI is great.
Surfcube 2.0 is great, but the Tile on the startscreen is bad...it's not a square so it destroys the elegant design of the tiles.
That's the only reason for me not to buy it, I can't live with such a fractured startscreen
Hello guys, it's the developer of SurfCube. Thanks very much for this thread, we are very glad that you like our work! Also, thank you for the purchases - every penny we get is going back to development. If you have time, we would really appreciate a rating in the Marketplace.
Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions! So far, SurfCube's development has mostly been request-driven, and we intend to keep it that way,
@Asheyb8: As for playing Youtube videos, unfortunately we as developers have to work really hard to get it done from the browser. Microsoft didn't give us the facilities that would make it easy, and have to settle for lots of hacks.
@skycamefalling: are you using your phone with the light theme? I admit the icon looks a bit out of place there, but we cannot put transparent pixels in it - that would show the accent color instead of the background, and the icon would look horrible with purple, blue, red, etc tile colors. If you don't want to pin the app to the start screen, just use voice recognition to start it
vbandi said:
@skycamefalling: are you using your phone with the light theme? I admit the icon looks a bit out of place there, but we cannot put transparent pixels in it - that would show the accent color instead of the background, and the icon would look horrible with purple, blue, red, etc tile colors. If you don't want to pin the app to the start screen, just use voice recognition to start it
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No, I am using the black theme because the display is a SAMOLED. I just tried the light theme and there the tile of your Surfcube looks good because it is a black square and fits the other squares on the startscreen.
With the black theme you cannot see the black square around the cube-icon, so it looks like there is only the cube. Between all the other square tiles of the startscreen this looks bad. It would be nice if the tile would have a colour different than black so it stands out from the background.
Of course, this is just my opinion...but I don't think my collegues would be happy if I started talking to my phone to open your browser
skycamefalling said:
No, I am using the black theme because the display is a SAMOLED. I just tried the light theme and there the tile of your Surfcube looks good because it is a black square and fits the other squares on the startscreen.
With the black theme you cannot see the black square around the cube-icon, so it looks like there is only the cube. Between all the other square tiles of the startscreen this looks bad. It would be nice if the tile would have a colour different than black so it stands out from the background.
Of course, this is just my opinion...but I don't think my collegues would be happy if I started talking to my phone to open your browser
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Interesting, I guess it is a matter of taste - I personally love the icon on the black theme, because it stands out - but I feel it is out of place on light, because of the different square color.
vbandi said:
Hello guys, it's the developer of SurfCube. Thanks very much for this thread, we are very glad that you like our work! Also, thank you for the purchases - every penny we get is going back to development. If you have time, we would really appreciate a rating in the Marketplace.
Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions! So far, SurfCube's development has mostly been request-driven, and we intend to keep it that way,
@Asheyb8: As for playing Youtube videos, unfortunately we as developers have to work really hard to get it done from the browser. Microsoft didn't give us the facilities that would make it easy, and have to settle for lots of hacks.
@skycamefalling: are you using your phone with the light theme? I admit the icon looks a bit out of place there, but we cannot put transparent pixels in it - that would show the accent color instead of the background, and the icon would look horrible with purple, blue, red, etc tile colors. If you don't want to pin the app to the start screen, just use voice recognition to start it
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Hello. It's great you're here.
I have a question:
Is it possible for you to build browser based on different rendering engine than IE built into WP7?
doministry said:
Hello. It's great you're here.
I have a question:
Is it possible for you to build browser based on different rendering engine than IE built into WP7?
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at present nope. even though i'm not the developer, i know it isn't possible.
The Gate Keeper said:
at present nope. even though i'm not the developer, i know it isn't possible.
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Yes, you are right. Technically it is possible, but it would require tons of work, and most likely, even then it wouldn't be smooth and fast enough. Same goes for porting an existing browser engine.
However, HTML5 support should hit WP7 this year, and I expect the IE engine we are using to be updated, too.
Thanks. I was asking mainly because of annoying problem with support for certain pages, not html5/flash related.
vbandi said:
Hello guys, it's the developer of SurfCube. Thanks very much for this thread, we are very glad that you like our work! Also, thank you for the purchases - every penny we get is going back to development. If you have time, we would really appreciate a rating in the Marketplace.
@Asheyb8: As for playing Youtube videos, unfortunately we as developers have to work really hard to get it done from the browser. Microsoft didn't give us the facilities that would make it easy, and have to settle for lots of hacks.
Hacks? so youtube won't work at all? That is a pity since its a very cool browser, is there no way to get around this?
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AsheyB;11281266
Hacks? so youtube won't work at all? :confused: That is a pity since its a very cool browser said:
By hacks, I don't mean OS hacks or anything illegal. I mean, we as SurfCube developers have to do a lot of extra work, some of those may not be too elegant, and may not work in all circumstances.
But if enabling video support in a third party browser is possible at all, rest assured, we will do it.
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vbandi said:
Interesting, I guess it is a matter of taste - I personally love the icon on the black theme, because it stands out - but I feel it is out of place on light, because of the different square color.
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Just a quick note to say that I also really like the cube icon on the black theme (SAMOLED screen here). It gives the app an elegant look that makes it stand out from the other tiles, and I like periodic alterations from the standard theme (Surf Cube, AP Mobile, Office, Newsroom, etc.). Kudos on the version 2 release, by the way; it's the best browser purchase I've made on the platform.
Would it be possible to have the tabs in the next release able to completely rotate as an option? Also, do you know if it is possible to do any sort of text reflow on zoom with 3rd party browsers based on the IE render engine? I would guess not, based on the browsers that are out today, but it's one of the features I really miss from Opera.
Cheers, and keep up the good work.
VelJharig said:
Would it be possible to have the tabs in the next release able to completely rotate as an option? Also, do you know if it is possible to do any sort of text reflow on zoom with 3rd party browsers based on the IE render engine? I would guess not, based on the browsers that are out today, but it's one of the features I really miss from Opera.
Cheers, and keep up the good work.
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Thanks - if you really like SurfCube, a 5 star rating in the Marketplace helps a lot
I am not sure I understand what you mean by rotating the tabs, can you elaborate on that?
Text reflow is unfortunately not possible - I have found no way to determine the current viewport of the browser. Even if there was, it would require tons of html / javascript trickery, and may not be practical. I miss text reflow, too - but most sites can be read pretty well in landscape mode.
Cheers
I tried out the first version and at first I thought it was a browser where you rotated the cube not only to different settings pages, but also to different tabs of the browser (for instance, one side of the cube is Google.com, and the other could be set at yahoo.com, etc).
To me that would be more useful as I don't go into settings very often. Favorites would be the most used setting, and I don't use that very often.
So what if you could make it a cube with each side a different tab, and be able to specify a different start page for each side of the cube...
If it already does something similar, I apologize.. it is cool though.
Hey guys
Another app that i have found and i would like to share is Skitch. Its free on the market and its fun to use..And most of all its NOT on iOS. (eat that Apple).
Only reason why i am sharing this is i saw a thread were someone was asking for Galaxy Note style apps for our Galaxy S2. Well here is your answer my friend. Anyway read the description and please if you like feel free to download it.. Just please do not forget to press that Thanks button if you like what i have shared.
Annotate, edit and save your photos & scribbles… fast
Skitch, the popular desktop app has gone mobile. Annotate an image with arrows, shapes and text. Sketch something new and markup an existing photo, then save your creations to Evernote or share them with other applications.
Drawing attention to your images has never been easier. Here are some ways to use Skitch:
- When you’re at a conference, take a snapshot of the people you meet, annotate it with their names and save it into Evernote.
- Annotate any image, screenshot or photo saved in Evernote thanks to a streamlined Skitch/Evernote integration.
- Download a screenshot attached to email. Open it in Skitch and add your comments. Save to Evernote for later review.
- Take a snapshot of something awesome, resize it, draw an arrow, add a caption, then post the image on Twitter or Facebook.
- Grab a picture of a whiteboard in a meeting or lecture, add a comment and save to Evernote.
- Quickly sketch out a map, diagram or unicorn!
Powerful features to help you get even more out of Skitch:
- Zoom and crop images.
- Create smooth, lines and scribbles to explain an idea.
- Add text using a special high-contrast coloring scheme for readability.
- Markup text with the semi-opaque highlighter tool.
- Re-position and delete shapes, text and drawings at any time.
- Share your work with with any application that accepts images.
Skitch is fast and fun!
Enjoy..
Link:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.evernote.skitch&hl=en
And to check on how the app works please look at the video link here to...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKkgxmZl3Kk&feature=feedu
Ps:I am not gaining anything out of this, just sharing apps that i find fun and useful...(Just to make it clear)
Nice share dude, thats a good app...a quick play shows its got potential and its pretty easy to use
(will give thanks later, work pc doesnt show the button)
Darkside Agent said:
Nice share dude, thats a good app...a quick play shows its got potential and its pretty easy to use
(will give thanks later, work pc doesnt show the button)
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Thanks mate. Much appreciated.
Perhaps I am not getting this, but the Note has a stylus....a finger will never be able to create accurate handwriting on any screen, so how is this like the Note?
Thanks
Thanks for sharing
very great app
THUDUK said:
Perhaps I am not getting this, but the Note has a stylus....a finger will never be able to create accurate handwriting on any screen, so how is this like the Note?
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Good point but its the first steps in getting similar apps like the Note. and knowing the great devs on here probs they might get a stylus to make it work
You can only hope
So will the NOTE stylus work on our SGS2 screens?