Alternatives to SPB PocketPlus?

[martin_ayton]

Much as I like my T-Mo Vario 2 (aka HTC Hermes), I am beginning to get heartily sick of having to soft reset it at least 3-4 times per day. I'm sure that much of the instability is as a result of my having a rush of blood to the head and buying the thing the day it was released, so I have all the joys of a launch ROM.

However, I also have a pile of software loaded and I am aware that some of that may at least be contributing to the problems. One thing I'd like to try is to replace SPB PocketPlus. Just taking it off isn't a viable solution for me: I have it there because I like what it does and I would not want to be without the functionality. So, I'd really appreciate it if some of you would take the time to recommend an alternative or alternatives which would cover the following:

- Make the 'X' button close apps
- Provide app switching, which PP does through tap-and-hold on the 'X' button
- Provide a good, preferably tabbed, launcher on the today screen
- Provide system monitoring indicators (memory status, backlight etc.) on the today screen
- Provide a good battery indicator which, like the one in PocketPlus, is visible in all apps and takes next to no screen real-estate
- Provide 'safe mode' functionality
- Provide multi-window support in Pocket Internet Explorer

Other SPB PP functionality I either already have (such as the ZIP support in Resco File Explorer) or I don't need. You may be able to persuade me that I really don't need some of the above, in which case I'm all ears.

In all of this I'm looking for a smaller memory footprint and better stability. Any suggestions?

[Menneisyys]

Much as I like my T-Mo Vario 2 (aka HTC Hermes), I am beginning to get heartily sick of having to soft reset it at least 3-4 times per day. I'm sure that much of the instability is as a result of my having a rush of blood to the head and buying the thing the day it was released, so I have all the joys of a launch ROM.

However, I also have a pile of software loaded and I am aware that some of that may at least be contributing to the problems. One thing I'd like to try is to replace SPB PocketPlus. Just taking it off isn't a viable solution for me: I have it there because I like what it does and I would not want to be without the functionality. So, I'd really appreciate it if some of you would take the time to recommend an alternative or alternatives which would cover the following:

- Make the 'X' button close apps
- Provide app switching, which PP does through tap-and-hold on the 'X' button
- Provide a good, preferably tabbed, launcher on the today screen
- Provide system monitoring indicators (memory status, backlight etc.) on the today screen
- Provide a good battery indicator which, like the one in PocketPlus, is visible in all apps and takes next to no screen real-estate
- Provide 'safe mode' functionality
- Provide multi-window support in Pocket Internet Explorer

Other SPB PP functionality I either already have (such as the ZIP support in Resco File Explorer) or I don't need. You may be able to persuade me that I really don't need some of the above, in which case I'm all ears.

In all of this I'm looking for a smaller memory footprint and better stability. Any suggestions?

You'll need a combination of some apps to do this. However, they can be even less expensive than Spb, take up much less dybnamic memory and offer better functionality (particularly PIE-wise).

I recommend either
cLaunch + Magic Button + PIEPlus + the safe mode exe of Spb Pocket Plus (you can rightfully keep it if you've already paid for Spb Pocket Plus )

or

iLauncher 3(it also contains safe mode) + PIEPlus

The first option is cheaper; the second isn't but offers far more than SPP.

Please do a generic search for these apps under my nick - I've reviewed almost all of them here at the PPCT forums.

[xdalaw]

How about iLauncher? www.sbsh.net

[martin_ayton]

Thanks very much Menneisyys and xdalaw - I'll go and take a look.

Menneisyys: I'm a little confused by your comment about keeping the SafeMode from SPBPP. I know I can turn the other features of SPBPP off, but they still take up memory, right?

[Menneisyys]

Thanks very much Menneisyys and xdalaw - I'll go and take a look.

Menneisyys: I'm a little confused by your comment about keeping the SafeMode from SPBPP. I know I can turn the other features of SPBPP off, but they still take up memory, right?

Only storage memory, not dynamic RAM. If you also need storage memory, just copy \Windows\safemode.exe (I think that was it) and the HKLM\init registry value, uninstall the app and copy the file / import the reg value back to the Registry.

[martin_ayton]

Thanks Menneisyys - that sounds like a plan!