I just got a Sprint Mogul, and I was wondering what the difference was between these two. Should I be using one or the other, or are they made to be used together? I'm fairly new to this, so I'm not quite sure which one I should buy, or if I should be buying both.
Thanks!
I have just the mobile shell, and it severely rocks. Well worth every penny. I tip my hat to the SPB folks.
mobile shell is just that, a shell, adds a nice finger-friendly interface (i found it to be a bit of a ram hog, which sucks with only 64mb)
pocket plus is more of a utility program, it adds functionality to file explorer, PIE, gives you additional button mappings, option to make the close button actually close apps, and safe mode (very useful if you like tinkering with stuff)
they can be used together, or separately (like most SPB apps they integrate seemlessly with eachother) its just a matter of deciding what you want to be able to do
If you go on the site, or somewhere, I forget, it shows the different features of the two to show you why you should buy both, in a checklist format. The only similarity in the two, is they both have a tabbed today plugin. If you had to decide between the two, go with Pocket Plus, it adds the perfect pieces to WM.
Found the page:
http://www.spbclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3941
I have pocket plus and have tried mobile shell. Personally, I didn't care for shell. I believe you can still download and try them both. Do that then decide if you want to buy any of them.
I used shell and phone suite and i have pocket plus but i don't think i like it as much. the one thing that I love is pocket plus and shell is when you lock it you can unlock using the bottom soft key which makes more sense i think. You can download 15 day demos and test it out but I took them all off because they do seem to leak memory.
The only programs I had was shell phone suite and live search and i'd get down to 3500kb in like 8 hours so I had to wipe it and have stock 3.1.2 with nothing added and it's a lot faster.
For those of you who have used BOTH, would you please comment on the value of using MS and P+ together, and specifically HOW you use them together?
I own P+ and have used it extensively on my HX4700. So I realize it has many utilities, like the browser extension and whatnot. The key reason I liked it was because when I used it on my PDA in a car mount, I could make the icons bigger (like TomTom and Contacts) so when I'm driving, I wouldn't crash.
But I'm having a hard time understanding why you'd want both. If you don't need the additional functionality in PIE (because I use NetFront), if you don't need the button mappings, and since there's a very finger-friendly task manager in MS already, I just have a hard time seeing the sense of installing MS and P+ together.
It seems to me that MS is the far better tool for a phone, which will be used mostly by fingers, where P+ seems to be more geared to a stylus and "power users". Therefore I'm inclined to think this is the way to go for me, despite the fact I already own a license of P+.
For those of you who are using both, would you please talk about why, and what value you find in Pocket Plus vs. Mobile Shell? Maybe I'm missing something.
Thanks!
I have used both, and find that a better combination is actually Mobile Shell and Phone Suite (another SPB program). That is the perfect combination for easy touch access to most frequently needed items all displayed very tidily on the today screen. Backlight, photo-speed dial, alarms, weather, missed calls, voicemail, texts, emails, comms manager, and ringer profiles are all neatly shown in just the top third of the screen. I should try to get a screenshot of mine...
Pocket Plus I found very useful for my Dell Axim, which was just a pocket pc, not a phone. Of course, I did a whole lot more with the Axim, and it was much faster and had a lot more RAM than a Titan. Pocket Plus has good features, but I think it has too much unnecessary stuff for a pocket pc phone, especially one short on RAM like the titan.
Hope that helps
Heinous said:
I have used both, and find that a better combination is actually Mobile Shell and Phone Suite (another SPB program).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. I did install the trial version, but found that again, it simply duplicated the utility of what Mobile Shell already gives us. I found that all it did was to pull some features away from Mobile Shell and put it on the Today screen. I think what would make more sense for me is to do away with the 'Today' screen altogether, in favor of using Mobile Shell alone. Is there any way to do that?
Heinous said:
Pocket Plus I found very useful for my Dell Axim, which was just a pocket pc, not a phone. Of course, I did a whole lot more with the Axim, and it was much faster and had a lot more RAM than a Titan. Pocket Plus has good features, but I think it has too much unnecessary stuff for a pocket pc phone, especially one short on RAM like the titan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Like you, I've owned an HX4700 and found PocketPlus indispensible. But, by and large, I used it primarily to make my most frequently used programs easily accessible. One screen was named 'Car' and the icons were BIG so that when it was in my car cradle, I could navigate. But I don't find that the TyTN has less memory than my HX4700, though, so far as I can remember, and I find it to actually run faster in real use.
I think I'm coming down to trying to figure out what to do with the default 'Today' screen. It seems to have no value when used with Mobile Shell.
I'd appreciate hearing ideas on what aftermarket plug-ins I can put there that actually have value, or how to get Mobile Shell to take the place of the default Today screen.
Thanks!
I use both P+ and MS. The Today plugins are disabled for both, and I limit the today screen to Messages, Tasks, and Calender entries.
For P+ I use the Pie extensions, file browser, X Button, and File Manager improvements. MS handles the actual phone usage.
They do overlap a bit but I find that having both is a great utility
Related
Has anyone tried ^subj ?
I've just installed that thing on my Vario II, seems to be ... quite cool I'll give it a try for the next 2 weeks ...
link is in here
cheers
w
First impressions: bloody marvelous.
It'll take a few days to put it through its paces.
same here... looks NICE... $30.00 is a bit on the excessive side, but doable
We have been discussing it on HoFo. The consensus is SUPERB APPLICATION, why didn't we think of it first.
HOFO forum? Can you point me in that direction please.
Mobile Shell looks interesting. Might as well give it a spin as the other Spb titles I have on my TyTN are all stable and funtional.
is a cool app but for me it takes way too much today screen space and leaves little for my fav today app spb diary.
the 'show now screen when device wakes up' is the feature i like most.
@WineCape:
HOFO is Howard Forums.
Great great great.
This is fr... AWESOME.
I asked a few developers to integrate a one-finger navigation with big buttons. But it seemed that every developer was happy using his stylus just everywhere.
This application just gives you the "Nokia phone" feeling... I just deleted some components of SpB Pocket Plus (via settings) since they are not needed anymore
I've been using this for a while now and think it is awesome. I wish that my first pda had had this interface, and I believe there is more to come as the app developes.
Fastest, you get the whole screen for Diary if you use it as a tab in shell.
I use it as the first tab, that way it can use the whole screen and is the tab which shows automatically most of the time. Give it a try.
$30.00 is a bit on the excessive side, but doable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have other SPB products it is much cheaper. I tried it yesterday and think it is a keeper. SPB DIary works great with it.
The thread on HoFo is here: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1104037&page=1&pp=30
17.99 if you have other SPB Products.
Thank you aadadams!
Very attractive.
Might one be able to achieve similar effects with the freeware app CLaunch?
This was mentioned in the HoFo thread as well. I would say that you can have a similar effect using several programs one of which being cLaunch, but one must admit that the implementation provided by SPB is very nice and the NOW screen is a great addition.
very nice indeed i haven't used diary before but I like this better than pocketplus to a degree...if i can get the mem status on the today screen cha ching
marisa4755 said:
Fastest, you get the whole screen for Diary if you use it as a tab in shell.
I use it as the first tab, that way it can use the whole screen and is the tab which shows automatically most of the time. Give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha. just tried that. Superb! Thanks
i like it also.. i just wish they would make a plug in for it so the analog clock would actually display speed when connected to my gps reciever.... only cause i got stopped by a cop that said i was speeding.. then i checked my speed on my speedometer with my gps speed and there seemed to be a 5mph difference...
I just installed all my spb apps (time, weather, pocketplus and diary) on my new AKU3.3 ROM and then I read about the mobile shell.
Looks excellent, going to try it now, from the screen shots, it make wm5 more intuative.
One question I have, does it provide functionality as those found in PhoneAlarm?
No, it isn't a Phone control application. Basically it acts like an improved operating system, but lots of people on spb forums are asking for Phonealarm type capabilities. If there are enough requests they will do something about it.
I'll submit my vote that it's a great app. (The Now screen especially.)
I just wish that PocketWeather integrated nicely. (SPB Weather is a bit lacking IMHO.)
Hi,
I have been using my vario II since December and intend to get rid of it when i can upgrade as windows mobile is really poor. I mean windows is bad enough on a pc let alone a phone!
Anyhow i just want to do something really simple, I would like to add large icons to my today screen for some programs i use a lot like IE and Salling clicker (so i dont have to keep going ot start). Am I missing something really basic or do i have to go through a load of tweaks to do it.
This is why windows mobile is so poor becuase it shouldnt be this difficult to do something basic.
Thanks
WM itself cannot do that. You'll need to install some other software. Try cLaunch.. if you are more adverturous try rlToday.
that is why i hate windows mobile, its not user friendly at all. I mean i just want to add some icons to my today screen, the problem with windows mobile it may offer extra features but its at the expense of ease of use.
e.g. phone profiles, silent etc if i want to activate them on a nokia i just press the on-off button
never mind, i knew what i was getting into when i bought a windows mobile device, when my upgrade comes around i will just get a normal phone and use the vario II as a bluetooth remote control.
Well, you may want to try using the SmartKey, which takes the left key, if you were to press and hold it, it will open the 'Start Menu', and using your D-pad, it is easy enough to open programs.
As for phone profiles, you can press and hold your 'Communication manager' button and it will go into silent mode. If rather than having 2 phone, you may want to try other programs like.. er.. the.. SPB Shell, that makes WM phone looks like normal phone.
to be fair i know i know how to use the phone, i mean all i want to do is change the icons on the today screen so i can just tap on them and load them! I mean its all well and good having 100s of functions but if you cant access them easily what is the point?
I really think people are crying out for devices which are easy to use and ready to go our of the box, not one where you have to make endless tweaks! Windows mobile is certainly not that, perhaps the new iphone will make a difference.
Well, for one thing, WM device has this 'Today' screen which is one of the unique thing that, other devices (e.g. Palm, iPhone) doesn't have. From my point of view and my usage pattern, I'd much prefer the Today screen than a launch pad.
SPB pocket plus or Mobile Shell will let you add icons to your today screen
hi thanks
i have downloaded spb pocket plus and it has allowed me to add the icons, can you just tell me what is better the shell or pocket plus and what are the drawbacks of pocket plus ? it reminds me of norton i.e. it has a massive footprint and wants to take over your whole system! I have tried to reduce it as much as i can.
I used the gprs monitor a few months back and it slowed my system and effected battery life.
thanks for your help though
cLaunch is less fancy, and small. . and free.
HTC home pluginn
The HTC home plugins (the one from the touch and the one from Kaiser) are not exactly what you are looking for but also can help you.
Those plugins change your today screen and add a TAB where you can put 9 favorite applications and launch them by a simple click on the screen, also gives you a contact tab that is usefull ...you can search for those pluggins in the WM6 section... for me it has worked fine.
Regards
the HTC home plug in is god awful ugly tho.
I thought the HTC Home plug was beautiful. I like the new one even more that has a tab for photo contacts! However, I don't use it on my phone because it seems to make everything take twice as long. Uninstalled it and my phone was zippy again. I use SPB Pocket Plus for icons on today screen and SPB Photo Suite for contacts on the today screen.
chaz_redux said:
to be fair i know i know how to use the phone, i mean all i want to do is change the icons on the today screen so i can just tap on them and load them! I mean its all well and good having 100s of functions but if you cant access them easily what is the point?
I really think people are crying out for devices which are easy to use and ready to go our of the box, not one where you have to make endless tweaks! Windows mobile is certainly not that, perhaps the new iphone will make a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
keep in mind that even with the advanced amount of funtions, they need to be organized somehow.
You also may want to look into PHM Tray Launch. You can have smaller icons placed in the system tray so access your favorite applications. (PM me if u want it, I can't upload it cause of the file extension)
Is there any problem using spb pocket plus, weather, time, diary and etc.?
Does it affect the performance of the Wizard?
Thanks!
amar963 said:
Is there any problem using spb pocket plus, weather, time, diary and etc.?
Does it affect the performance of the Wizard?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have them all and use some of them. I have kept Plus and Diary on my MDA and use it daily.
Weather is not accurate. Get SPB Traveler instead of Weather and Time.
I would not buy SPB Finance if you use Quicken 2007 or 2008. It is not compatible with SPB.
SPB Backup is good.
Tried SPB Wallet and it was not an app that I found to be something that I couldn't do with phone contacts or Excel.
Hope this helps.
If you want a Weather app, I would suggest Pocket Weather.
Dear asctony,
Thanks for your reply
I just want to know if these applications cause any conflict in general.
As you mentioned, Weather is not accurate but at lease it's much better than HTC Touch Flo weather plug-in
I have SPB Weather and find it's reasonably accurate in the UK. (Not perfect 2+ days ahead, but to be fair nor are most online weather sites I find.)
I'm also evaluating SPB Phone Suite at the moment, which is useful for adding photo dialling icons to the today screen. It also adds a lot of other phone-related 'fixes', which I must admit I haven't really noticed/used. I will almost certainly buy this, although for $19.95 it's pretty expensive.
amar963 said:
Dear asctony,
Thanks for your reply
I just want to know if these applications cause any conflict in general.
As you mentioned, Weather is not accurate but at lease it's much better than HTC Touch Flo weather plug-in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not incurred any conflicts and I have a lot of apps on my MDA and have had it for 14 months.
If I were to buy SPB Apps today, based on what is available, I would buy:
1. Backup
2. Diary
3. Pocket Plus
4.Traveler (Weather, Time, Conversion, etc., all in one)
SPB Apps are buggy at times and don't seem to be consistant in how they perform. So, again, I have tried them all, and only use Backup, Diary and Pocket Plus.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Here is the site to obtain more info.
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/downloads.html?en
I think the most popular are:- \ My experiences with them:-
SPB backup \ very good and simple, can have problems finding a file to backup, which causes it to fail the automatic soft reset after it backs up (this can be solved with a reg edit)
Weather \ I have used this every day since I bought it, it's the best if you can't use freeware and you can add custom data sources. I currently have data updating issues, maybe due to wm6. (Traveler is possibly better, but a much bigger program, which includes currency rates, clothing sizes, more cities by default and a small clock, but NOT the same functions as spb time)
Time \ It used to be a must have for me except for two reasons, 1 the alarm doesn't work correctly for wm6 and, 2 alarms don't support wma (only mp3)
Diary \ faultless. not the most customizable available (sbsh) or the simplest (today agenda (freeware)) but the best I think
Pocket Plus \ Simply put - not required. It looks nice but I can't think of anything it can do that freeware can't (wm5NewMenu is very good) can't do, so I gave up using it (SBSH's ilauncher is possibly better)
They're a good company for ease of use products, they all look nice and are uncomplicated in general. But, their support can be lacking, and their releases are slow and infrequent, compared to sbsh who often release updates weekly compared to twice a year from spb, and they are not as customizable as even some similar freeware apps.
I have Spb Mobile Shell and works great
bbobeckyj said:
I think the most popular are:- \ My experiences with them:-
SPB backup \ very good and simple, can have problems finding a file to backup, which causes it to fail the automatic soft reset after it backs up (this can be solved with a reg edit)
Weather \ I have used this every day since I bought it, it's the best if you can't use freeware and you can add custom data sources. I currently have data updating issues, maybe due to wm6. (Traveler is possibly better, but a much bigger program, which includes currency rates, clothing sizes, more cities by default and a small clock, but NOT the same functions as spb time)
Time \ It used to be a must have for me except for two reasons, 1 the alarm doesn't work correctly for wm6 and, 2 alarms don't support wma (only mp3)
Diary \ faultless. not the most customizable available (sbsh) or the simplest (today agenda (freeware)) but the best I think
Pocket Plus \ Simply put - not required. It looks nice but I can't think of anything it can do that freeware can't (wm5NewMenu is very good) can't do, so I gave up using it (SBSH's ilauncher is possibly better)
They're a good company for ease of use products, they all look nice and are uncomplicated in general. But, their support can be lacking, and their releases are slow and infrequent, compared to sbsh who often release updates weekly compared to twice a year from spb, and they are not as customizable as even some similar freeware apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right!
I've been using Time since 20 days and it was great with WM5, but after I flashed WM6 to my phone I noticed some problems.
I was thinking that maybe other ROM version will work fine with the application but failed with different ROMs.
Which software you recommend as best and guaranteed alarm? web address please?
Thanks to all
amar963 said:
Dear asctony,
Thanks for your reply
I just want to know if these applications cause any conflict in general.
As you mentioned, Weather is not accurate but at lease it's much better than HTC Touch Flo weather plug-in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may want to read some of the postings on SPB's Forums before you decide to buy any of their products.
Here is the link for their forums:
http://www.spbclub.com/forum/index.php
asctony said:
You may want to read some of the postings on SPB's Forums before you decide to buy any of their products.
Here is the link for their forums:
http://www.spbclub.com/forum/index.php
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks!
The web site you recommended is great
Spb backup is great.
I also use Insight every day to keep up on things.
I didn't like the weather app, I use Marsware WeatherPanel....It is very accurate and fast.
Spb Diary -- Could not get through a work-day without it. Rock-solid, no-nonsense app that gets the job done better than a lot of flashier programs.
Spb Pocket Plus -- Essential to the way I work and navigate in WM 5. It adds a few small but but critical tweaks. You may not need it though.
Spb Insight -- If you do a lot of reading on the internet, this is an indispensable app! It will change the way you use the web. Best 20 bucks I've ever dropped on any hardware or software.
kidlockatong said:
Spb Diary -- Could not get through a work-day without it. Rock-solid, no-nonsense app that gets the job done better than a lot of flashier programs.
Spb Pocket Plus -- Essential to the way I work and navigate in WM 5. It adds a few small but but critical tweaks. You may not need it though.
Spb Insight -- If you do a lot of reading on the internet, this is an indispensable app! It will change the way you use the web. Best 20 bucks I've ever dropped on any hardware or software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with most of the comments. However, I don't use Insight anymore. I use NewsCopier - Free Edition V 1.1. I found it much faster and more selections. Here is the link for it:
http://www.freeware-palm.com/download-newscopier-v1-1.html
asctony said:
I use NewsCopier - Free Edition V 1.1. I found it much faster and more selections. Here is the link for it:
http://www.freeware-palm.com/download-newscopier-v1-1.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear ya.
I'll bet there are several better headline/summary/link news readers than Insight, but that's not why I use it. What I like about it is -- I can update complete articles for 20 feeds in a snap on a wireless broadband at home every morning, and read them all day without having to connect to the internet or any cellular service at all.
And they don't need to be RSS/Atom/etc. feeds, either. Half the stuff I download comes from sites that don't even use feeds. Or if they do, I pull stuff that they don't feed.
But not everyone may want or need that.
I use Spb Mobile Shell (top of my Avatar photo) It's weather tab is fairly accurate and tracks with the local forecasts. The photo speed dial tab is nice as is the battery / most recent applications tab. The clock is there, but I don't access the multi time zones much.
As far as performance, I have only run it on the Uni and the Athena, without conflicts or hang-ups. Can't testify to using it first hand on the Wizard.
kidlockatong said:
I hear ya.
I'll bet there are several better headline/summary/link news readers than Insight, but that's not why I use it. What I like about it is -- I can update complete articles for 20 feeds in a snap on a wireless broadband at home every morning, and read them all day without having to connect to the Internet or any cellular service at all.
And they don't need to be RSS/Atom/etc. feeds, either. Half the stuff I download comes from sites that don't even use feeds. Or if they do, I pull stuff that they don't feed.
But not everyone may want or need that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I download from 20 different feeds daily also. I just counted them to see how much I was downloading from. I also read them during the day without being connect to the Internet or any cellular service using NewsCopier. So, there are commonalities among both apps. The good thing about this thread is that you now can try both of them and even more and make your own decision. Not every app is suited for everyone or anyone user.
asctony -- Thanks! The page didn't seem to mention that. Will definitely follow up on it. Is that version usable on a wizard?
Got it. Thanks again.
I've used them all. The only one I use now and is rock solid is Diary. Phone Suit is VERY buggy. Most of the features only work intermittently. Weather is not nearly as good as WeatherPanel. I could not get Finance to work with MS Money Plus (2007). SPB Shell, Plus, Time, Traveler, and all the rest are too heavy on the PDA resources compared with what they do. The cost benefit analysis leans too far toward cost to justify using them.
kidlockatong said:
asctony -- Thanks! The page didn't seem to mention that. Will definitely follow up on it. Is that version usable on a wizard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a T-Mobile MDA. Model: WIZA200 Pocket PC
I run with:
IPL 2.26
SPL 2.26
GSM Radio 2.25.11
OS WxtRom 2.26.10.2
I have been using that version on my MDA for over 8 months. No problems and I do use it daily.
Let me know if you need anything else.
Guys,
Do we have a CAB file for either iLauncher (http://www.sbsh.net/products/ilauncher/index.php?page=summary) full version or something similar that will allow us to create our own shortcuts on the today screen?
Control your Pocket PC using the all new iLauncher, packing together the most important set of utilities to better manage your Pocket PC!
iLauncher is an all-in-one application that brings the most powerful utilities that are missing from the Pocket PC operating system to your Pocket PC device in one package. These include: A tab-based launcher Today screen plugin with various information widgets such as battery and memory meters, speed dial shortcuts, screen capture utility and more; A task manager context menu that allows you to track and control the current active applications; A true 'X' button functionality that really shuts-down running applications as opposed to simply minimizing them; A safe-mode protection utility that makes sure your device will always initialize correctly and much more!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hawk
yes, wisbar advance desktop
its amazing, and does exactly what you want, also has the option to add meters such as battery or ram and other great stuff, including today plugins, except calendar. Can also be made to look like an iphone [like mine]. It has unlimited possibilities and you can do whatever you want with it. And the best bit, only 10 usd (5gbp) amazing i know! screenshots of mine if you really need them!
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/products.php?prod=WisBar+Advance+Desktop
rory
x
oh yeah, its a great plugin. Well worth the money.
Don't warez.
never seen this before, looks almost identical to spb pocket plus today screen
pff pocketage or WAD(or both)
Recomended
Use Claunch, very similar to iLaunch, only free. Sorry no link, just have to google it.
I have used Claunch for several months om WM5 and it was perfect, but after upgrading to WM6 i'm having some troubles with it. it for sure will not work together with HTC taskmanager 2. it would be very nice if they came up with a stable WM6 version
It is stable for me, now that I use WA3, it sometimes would not appear on my today screen without a refresh before I moved up to WA3, never liked the htc taskmanager much, there are so many taskmanagers, wisbar is the king in my book.
doing a poll to see which is more popular among X1 users.
i like spb shell because its simpler and faster.
I like TF3D cause it make the PDA Phone not like PDA phone anymore = ="
And TF3D is pretty good look, also TF3D access is not slow
And I agree with you SPB Shell is access is faster than TF3D "mean the click times to access which you want"
BOTH!
Why choose between them when you can have both?!
I have Manilla 3D as a panel and SPB MS (retail version) mapped to my right hardware button
call me old-fashioned, but i am using the WM Today Screen with a couple of plug-ins (PocketInformant, Pocket Weather, ...)
SPB Shell would be pefect, but as long as it has problems showing whole day appointments, it's not usable for me.
honestly speaking i prefer the SE Panel 1...but it doesnt mask the Windows mobile as much as the other two..hence i didnt mention it.
but for quick access ..its best
tflo3d rulez. spb software is p.i.t.a. to skin (even more than manila...), poorly documented, poorly integrated even with other spb software, huge, memory hunger and drains battery very quickly. Only pro is that support landscape
I'm actually using SE panels and love them.
That's exactly what I need: a lot on the screen, all the apps shortcuts.
I appreciate all the other solutions but they're less functional just for me.
And not really my taste. Especially Spb.
So I just use panel with 25 apps on it plus all the connectivity and calendar+clock. I also have some most used apps on popup menu.
The second panel is only clock+calendar&entries and CommManager shortcut. Perfect...
P.S. As I see there's no functional difference between two SE panels....