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One of the things I find annoying in browsing for apps through the Programs entry in the start menu is that if you browse sub folder in it (like Games) you can't go back without closing the Programs menu...
Is there any freeware and lite app or hack that can add a Back and Front options to the WM bottom bar only when browsing Programs?
Thanks in advance
Bump...
Come on it's been a week... Doesn't anyone know of an answer?
Sorry if this seems shameless but if I get it right this thread has only one week left and then will be deleted...
If nobody posts an answer, then it's probably because nobody has one.
I don't have an answer for your question, but a piece of advice instead: ditch the default start menu - it's crap Use QuickMenu, TouchLaunch or MortButtons (this one takes some time to configure properly but it's probably the most powerful), or more than one of them. They all have their pros and cons, but all are better than the default start menu that hasn't changed at all since windows CE 3.0 (probably since 1.0, but 2 is the oldest one i used ). QuickMenu is great because it behaves like the start menu on a "big" windows - it's cascading plus it has some neat options lik ebuilt in task manager, screen rotation and SIP selection. Also, it can replace the default menu entirely. But it's not very finger friendly and it's best used with a D-Pad, a stylus or with a finger where you're not in motion. But it's rather hard to use with a finger on a bike or on a bus.
TouchLaunch is still a beta, but works really smoothly, and is very finger friendly. Also, it can view all shortcuts you have in the start menu ignoring folder structure, so as long as you know program's name, it will be really easy to find.
All of them are free and availible here at xda-devs, just do a search. So my advice is to try them all and choose the one you like the best, but forget about the default menu.
Thanks for the reply
I realized that people might not now the answer but they might as well have missed the thread since it was burried by a whole week of q&a's...
I've actually tried QuickMenu and TouchLanch in the past but I removed both. The first is a lot less finger-friendly than Omnia's big screen implementation for the start menu and seemed kind of unstable (at least the version I tried. I switched to wktask as a task manager/lister/launcher (I keep only the most usefull shortcuts).
The second is kind of heavy, didn't fit to my whole screen (and I couldn't config it to... at least that version) and the Launcher that comes with Omnia has a feature very similar to it (which is also heavy... that's why I still use the default Program folder sometimes)...
I generally use the default Start menu Programs browser for apps I use less often.
Will try MortButton though I don't know if this is what I'm looking for (or if I can even use it)... I always thought there would be a small .exe or scipt to address this WM flaw.
I don't understand what do you mean?
When I go to 'Programs', then 'Games' via the start menu, if I press OK it takes me back to Programs.
Maybe you have a task manager set up that closes windows when you press OK.
Strange... Is there an "OK" in your system? Mine is WM 6.1 (oficial rom). I don't have any buttons in the bottom bar while browsing Games and on the top bar there's an "X" in the right.
It doesn't seem to be the task manage. I'm pretty sure I remember this behavior as the default and I just double checked after exiting wktask and even after a soft-reset (with it's autorun feature disabled)... Even without a task manager that folder is closed without returning to Programs...
First off I want to thank everyone here at XDA for all the hard work and effort you put into tweaking these great devices.
Now, on to my question, I've searched here and the diamond forum and I can't find any mention of a way to change the shortcut buttons on the landscape TF3D screen. I would really like to be able to customize that screen with shortcuts to applications I actually use. There must be a way to do this, has anyone got an idea?
First post , please go easy on my noobness.
Searchipoos......
Post #9 on first page, bottom ish of second page for a bit extra
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=426328&page=2
Thanks Ouza but I saw that post and it's not what I'm looking for. This only deals with changing the two softkeys at the bottom of the landscape screen (which is nice in itself).
I'm wanting to change the 6 big shortcut ''buttons'' above that.
Basically I'd like to make the landscape screen the same idea as the programs tab in TF3D or something like it.
Any ideas... anyone??
I would seriously like to change the big shortcuts as well.I have a dock in my car using the video out. Video out forces Landscape mode. When I hop in my car, I dont want to take notes or check tasks, I want GPS, internet radio, Live Search...
I will dig deep into the registry and let you know what I find.
I want the same thing !!
Video out in the car, so I want to be able to start my Navigation from the landscape-menu.
Jochen
Change Landscape Menu
For the TV out menu that pops on screen after you plug in the video out cable, you can change the shortcuts in the registry.
HKLM\Software\HTC\TVOutPopUp\
There are four links in there, you can change them to any app installed on your phone. Only problem im having is changing the icons.
I have to bump this thread. There must be a customizer out there for the lanscape shortcuts! I just may go back to HTC Home if there is no way to put shortcuts in landscape!
I doubt this is exactly what you're looking for, but herg62123 is working on adding landscape tf3d to his project. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=447056
Not quite,
I have my TP docked in landscape in the car and I would like to open apps like NAV, or Picture Dial, or Kinoma Play in landscape.
jlivefat16 said:
First off I want to thank everyone here at XDA for all the hard work and effort you put into tweaking these great devices.
Now, on to my question, I've searched here and the diamond forum and I can't find any mention of a way to change the shortcut buttons on the landscape TF3D screen. I would really like to be able to customize that screen with shortcuts to applications I actually use. There must be a way to do this, has anyone got an idea?
First post , please go easy on my noobness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there is going to be any easy way to customize those shortcuts. I'm pretty sure the landscape shortcuts are hard-coded in one of the binary manila files.
That sucks!
Well I guess HTC Home will do for now.
You could change the softkeys to point to two of the apps you want to run. Not the perfect solution but it's better than nothing...
I guess....
Maybe I can use 2nd today and set a button to it with AEbutton and have HTC HOME for landscape and TF3D for portrait.
Thoughts?
sandiegodude said:
I guess....
Maybe I can use 2nd today and set a button to it with AEbutton and have HTC HOME for landscape and TF3D for portrait.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a good solution. I haven't used either product but from what I've read on here that should work. good luck!
Glad to see this topic getting some attention finally
For anyone interested, try out this theme with a slimmed down version of tf3d in landscape. It may suit what you're wanting more.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=458036&highlight=landscape
Frankly, though, I didn't like it, and preferred to go back to my old theme. My main goal was having a landscape screen with a handful of a few apps I'm most likely to use, but in this theme you still have to scroll through your entire list of apps installed so, it really wasn't any kind of shortcut.
I'll keep sorting through all the manila files for a solution. Anyone with any reference docs or anything on creating themes or customizing tf3d would help as I've never dealt with it until now.
jlivefat16 said:
Glad to see this topic getting some attention finally
For anyone interested, try out this theme with a slimmed down version of tf3d in landscape. It may suit what you're wanting more.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=458036&highlight=landscape
Frankly, though, I didn't like it, and preferred to go back to my old theme. My main goal was having a landscape screen with a handful of a few apps I'm most likely to use, but in this theme you still have to scroll through your entire list of apps installed so, it really wasn't any kind of shortcut.
I'll keep sorting through all the manila files for a solution. Anyone with any reference docs or anything on creating themes or customizing tf3d would help as I've never dealt with it until now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been searching around and noticed that indeed themes do change the "landschape shortcuts" but there doesn't seem to be a "general" program that's able to change them. I'm a little confused, because some reactions state it isn't possible to change these "shortcuts", saying they are hardcoded. Does this mean they're rooted so deep in the code that it's very hard to change them? Anyway I keep following this thread and hopefully some come up with a solution... Keep it up!
*Wish I could help*
pointui 2 free beta is released, i've tried it and its ok just ok (tested on touch cruise)
Code:
http://tinyurl.com/cebfez
Downloads
Code:
http://rapidshare.com/files/196857766/Pointui.Home2.VGA.WVGA.Free.Latest.cab
or for qvga
Code:
http://rapidshare.com/files/196857765/Pointui.Home2.QVGA.WQVGA.Free.Latest.cab
n1ck75 said:
pointui 2 free beta is released, i've tried it and its ok just ok
Code:
http://tinyurl.com/cebfez
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the info i'm going to try it
finally...
I just tried it. It ran great on my XV6800. But yeah it was just ok and I don't see myself keeping it.
already taken it off. Maybe i was expecting too much
yea, their original Pointui was much better. This Pointui 2 was such a hassle to install that i could never imagine purchasing it. Also, it just doesn't look very nice.
For the long wait, and all of the "Viva la revolution" quotes on their homepage, it was really a let down. The scrolling does work well though.
That's my take.
The pointui tool to warn the users to the release was not working I did not receive no warn.
I'll try it now.
Well this is a beta (I have to remind myself), and I am going to use it exclusively all day. Maybe I might change my mind. But if not then back to good ole HTC Home.
edit: it just went blank so I had to reset it via the today screen. forget this i will go back to HTC home now.
segadc said:
Well this is a beta (I have to remind myself), and I am going to use it exclusively all day. Maybe I might change my mind. But if not then back to good ole HTC Home.
edit: it just went blank so I had to reset it via the today screen. forget this i will go back to HTC home now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i second that!
I'm divided. There's not a whole lot to it, but it's "widget"-based and adding more widgets will certainly improve things. As it is, I like it okay. It's prettier than HTC Home and more functional and responsive than M2D, in my opinion.
I've yet to find a Homescreen replacement I really like. HTC's solutions are all weak in the functionality department, I think. SPB is pricey. Winterface is buggy and too minimal. Home 2 isn't perfect, but I think it's pretty close to what I'm looking for, so I'll keep it around for the moment.
I like that it plays nice with the existing Windows top bar instead of trying to replace it like some homescreen replacements. I'm not a big fan of the top bar, but replacing it is always flaky in my experience.
I'm surprised it doesn't include a dialer skin -- didn't Home 1 have a dialer?
I'll continue to look for the perfect UI too, so far my favs are winterface (buggy - not on my fone) and RLtoday. Hopefully, as said before, this being a beta it can only get better
(expect in the case of longhorn and vista lol)
Off topic but I have been using Home 1.5 forever since it is so stable for me. What are the benefits of 2.0 and is it worth it? I don't want to fix something that's not broken.
edit: Back on topic. Yeah it will be interesting to see some custom plugins and themes for Pointui 2.
I think they should have held off a bit longer until they replicated more of the functionality of older versions / BellUI. I hope there's more to come apart from applets because useful as they are they're not a full solution.
However as a basic framework it's cool, and with the addition of user made applets it's got a lot of potential. Will have to see how it goes.
Code:
http://rapidshare.com/files/198996426/16.02.2009.Pack.rar
theme and applet pack
I tried it and took it off in 5 minutes.
What I like - it offers me a completely different UI feel from what I use (WM 6.1)
What I don't like is the lack of plug in support.
1. Contacts - it doesn't recognize current contact programs (icontact burt edition); it's contacts program doesn't bring in photos (booo)
2. Weather - it didn't pick up my city so that is a complete waste of a tab.
3. Programs - why have a program tab/menu but not automatically pull up all the programs I have. I don't want to reinput that into the ui.
At that point I was fed up.
addicus said:
I tried it and took it off in 5 minutes.
What I like - it offers me a completely different UI feel from what I use (WM 6.1)
What I don't like is the lack of plug in support.
1. Contacts - it doesn't recognize current contact programs (icontact burt edition); it's contacts program doesn't bring in photos (booo)
2. Weather - it didn't pick up my city so that is a complete waste of a tab.
3. Programs - why have a program tab/menu but not automatically pull up all the programs I have. I don't want to reinput that into the ui.
At that point I was fed up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am glad some people take some more time to evaluate software. You do have a favorite contact tab with pictures. It is quite easy to add your own city for the weather tab. Alle your programs are available through the menu button. there is probably a lot more functionality you did not discover. Just try to look in the community site of pointui and you'll be surprised.
emay said:
I am glad some people take some more time to evaluate software. You do have a favorite contact tab with pictures. It is quite easy to add your own city for the weather tab. Alle your programs are available through the menu button. there is probably a lot more functionality you did not discover. Just try to look in the community site of pointui and you'll be surprised.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked but didn't want to have to do it AGAIN. I already have my contacts with pictures on my phone that is set (icontactbe6.4.5) and I like it better.
I looked to put my city on the weather and it didn't come up. Why waste my time at this point.
I am looking for improvement to how I use my phone and Point UI wasn't it. Plus I like using QuickMenu to get to my programs. If I didn't have soft-keys on my phone it may be a better option, but I do and it isn't.
addicus said:
I looked but didn't want to have to do it AGAIN. I already have my contacts with pictures on my phone that is set (icontactbe6.4.5) and I like it better.
I looked to put my city on the weather and it didn't come up. Why waste my time at this point.
I am looking for improvement to how I use my phone and Point UI wasn't it. Plus I like using QuickMenu to get to my programs. If I didn't have soft-keys on my phone it may be a better option, but I do and it isn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's fine if you don't like Home, but emay was just pointing out that Home 2 DOES do the three things you're asking for.
The contacts manager absolutely does use contact photos.
Adding custom cities to the weather tab is definitely possible, it just requires a quick edit to the applet's XML, and there's a walkthrough on PointUI's site for doing so. They've stated that they'll make it more elegant in the future, but it IS possible now.
There's a full programs list accessed through the menu -- what you were looking at was the "quick list" where you add your favorites. There's a different spot for the full list.
Keep in mind that this is very much a "1.0" release right now. It's stable, fast, and functional, but lacks a lot of the polish and power that will be added as the community adds new applets and the official team adds the features that will make up the "Pro" version.
Personally, I'm REALLY liking Home 2 so far. It's just very solid.
I haven't tried every homescreen replacement out there -- just HTC Home, M2D, M3D, SBP MS 2.0, and ThrottleLauncher. And Home 1, as well.
Home 2 definitely has the best combination of functionality, speed, stability, and flash that I've seen.
I love POINTUI
I found the first version (HOME 1) a year or so ago to use on my PPC. This program proved to make my phone experience much more enjoyable. I have recently attempted to place Pointui 2 on my Tmobile Dash with no success. I know in time they will port ot all to this device, but first they must finish this PPC release. I can not waste until this is available to me.
I just want to start a thread on what people genuinely think about the adjustments Microsoft© have made for the Windows Mobile 6.5 beta which was leaked everywhere.
Please dont just come on and say you hate it or just start complaining.
Just balanced and constructive suggestions. (could admins plz remove single minded complainst etc..)
Microsoft© wont ever learn anything about what people really want if there is nowhere that people can collate their ideas about improvements.
Please just state what device you have and which rom, then your point/s.
Ill start it off:
Im running wm6.5 (pdaviet rom) on my Elfin.
1) When i lock my phone, it hangs for a couple of moments before locking. Its only very short, but its still annoying. So, that could be faster.
2) When locked, It would be easier to use if you had the button at the top and have to move it down (or visa/versa) possibly an entry in the settings menu for editing the location of where you want the button to start and end to unlock?
3) I find if a problem when scrolling through the start menu and it stops after four lines of links. I think it would be much easier to remove this limit and let it scroll freely. The user can then stop it where they want.
4) seriously, make some new interface for the basics like the callendar app. They are always included, but it seems pointless making a more usable interface overall when you have to pull out the stylus the second you get into a default, simple app. Many people nowadays are simply resorting to 3rd party apps with better interfaces. (I have actually made my own design rework of the callendar app)
5) The menu given for start menu items needs to be extended to having an option for moving an item around. This should either have a selection of "move (up, right, left, down)" or you should be able to drag icons around.
6) The titanium today screen needs more options which should be customisable from the settings menu. This is what people on this forum have been doing, so i think it should be there by default with the ability to add more simply.
(This could possibly attract a little bit of attention from developers?)
7) Create a view for the contacts app where you simply scroll through a grid of the pictures associated with contacts. This would only be used by people who have pictures, but if this feature was available, it would prompt people to get pictures of the people in their phonebook.
8) Solitare - Make it look better. New backs for the cards? Better ending when a game is won - possibly more similar to the latest desktop version?
9) Make it easier to turn on/off/connect with bluetooth and wifi. I dont know too much about any other connections, but with these two, its more hastle than it should. What i currently have is an icon in my start menu. One with the bluetooth logo, the other with the wifi logo. These simply start and stop them. Also, when you connect to a bluetooth device, it would be nice if it displayed a menu of things you could continue to do, like "send (contact, file, etc)
10) Include a better way of turning the phone off or soft resetting it. Having to hold down the power button or poking the little hole with the stylus is reminiscent of having to hold down the power button on a PC when it crashes. A software alternative to this, included with windows mobile, would be well recieved.
11) some form of backup/restore solution. This would help reasure users that might be afraid of loosing their contacts or other data.
12) after going through the start menu into an program, or further into the settings and into a setting app, it would be nice to go back to the start menu upon closing the program. Its annoying when your altering all your settings and each time you go through a bunch of settings, you have to go through the start menu again to find the next lot of settings.
13) final thing: the scrolling is nice and smooth, but this added ease to scroll up and down seems to have sacrificed being able to select things easily. It takes several attempts to go into folders in the file explorer without scrolling up or down.
Positive things about 6.5:
The honeycomb menu makes the start menu easier to poke at.
The swiping between tabs in programs, and pictures in the "photos and videos" app is handy.
The enlarged menu lists are much more finger friendly (but the large buttons at the top and bottom hinder them slightly.)
Titanium is fun simply because of the three different ways of moving between tabs (its a simple thing, but it keeps me happy)
The calculator looks very nice
The little curves on the tabs is a nice change, more smooth looking
The whole UI looks better
I was a bit dubious of the start button going strait into the programs menu, but it grew on me very quickly and now i think its great.
Please add any ideas you have.
I hope Microsoft looks at this and takes the ideas people put into consideration before the official release.
I wish 6.5 have:
- A completly renewed UI that is really FINGER FRIENDLY in all aspects and in all menus, not just on the today screen...
- Totally removed the super ugly honeycomb
- A really noticeable better performance
Come on folks! give some more ideas!
I'm trying to use the default WM 6.5 today interface, chome is it?
Anyway, some things bug me compared to TF3d and TF3d2, so I'm asking if there are some experts who might be able to help me out?
Is there a way to get the Pictures today plugin to point to a different folder than the location where camera pictures are stored? I've tried using the today chome editor, but can't get anything to take. I have a folder on the root of my storage card call Pictures were I store photos from my desktop. I'd like it to point there.
I find both quick launchers to not be very effective if you have many programs you want to add there. Is there another way other than the start menu to have a quick launcher? I liked the one in TF3D. I find continuely scrolling left or right one program at a time to not be very effecient.
The same goes for Internet favorites as well. A better way other than scrolling left or right to find the one you want?
I'd appreciate any advice. If there isn't a better way then that's ok, I just figured I would ask. Probably just me.
Thanks.
if you like tf3d why dont you run tf3d?
You can always create a folder in the start menu with links to your pie favorites. It's pretty easy to do. I don't use the pic panel, but go here:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\CHome\CMyPhotos]
"LocName"="My Photos"
"ICONPATHS"="2451;2451"
"GUID"="{4F612B1A-E470-4b31-9386-AC396AEDAAF9}"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\CHome\CMyPhotos\Images]
"chMyPhotos_DRM"="2453"
"chMyPhotos_default"="2452"
See the last value? Maybe if you change it to \Storage Card\Pictures, you'll get what you want. It's just a guess.