VITO Releases Winterface: A Combo Shell, Launcher and Task Manager

[Paul Martin]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://iwindowsmobile.com/vito-mobile-shell.html' target='_blank'>http://iwindowsmobile.com/vito-mobile-shell.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Windows Mobile comprising the options of a launcher, a task manager, and a multitude of Today plug-ins. Winterface gives the user unprecedented freedom to easily lay out interface exactly the way they like it. As a shell Winterface removes the necessity to turn to default Windows Mobile interface: Today screen and Start menu. Winterface opens instantly whenever users draw a simple gesture on the screen. It allows users to have as many screens as they need and put on them icons for applications, settings and contacts. As a launcher Winterface features one tap launch of any installed applications and settings. As a task manager Winterface lets you easily switch between running applications. A fixed icon on the first screen lets users see running programs, switch between them or close them."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//spt/auto/1216035489.usr251.gif" border="1" alt="" /></p><p>In a continuation of it's touch-interface programs, VITO has released Winterface, which combines a new shell, launcher and task manager.&nbsp; Unlike the built-in shell, which sorts programs alphabetically under the Program Files folder, you can create your own pages and sort them however you like.&nbsp; You can <a href="http://iwindowsmobile.com/vito-mobile-shell.html" target="_blank">download a demo</a> or purchase directly from Vito.&nbsp; While the regular price is $19.95, they are offering SPB Mobile Shell owners a <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?add=1&amp;cmd=_cart&amp;[email protected]&amp;item_name=Winterface&amp;amount=14.95&amp;no_note=1&amp;currency_code=USD&amp;bn=PP-ShopCartBF" target="_blank">$5 competive discount</a> for a few more days.&nbsp; Additionally, Winterface will now replace GoodWin in <a href="http://iwindowsmobile.com/communication-suite.html" target="_blank">iWindowsMobile Communication Suite</a> v 1.05.&nbsp;How many of you have changed your interface to something like Winterface or SPB Mobile Shell?</p>

[tnels!]

Yet another user interface. It looks good, but why do I have to keep learning new user interfaces and different 'finger gestures?' I remember when Windows was first released long ago. It provided a standard way to interface with a computer; pull downs, dialog boxes, etc. all worked the same from the OS to the applications. What happened?? Today even M$ Office products all have different interfaces! Now the PPC has no standards?! This is total madness; anarchy in the digital world! What is this world coming to??

[gilbertovp]

I'm planning to test Winterface in the next days, it looks beautiful! But i'm an SBSH PocketBreeze user for so many years, I doubt Winterface will change that :-)

[Jason Dunn]

Yet another user interface. It looks good, but why do I have to keep learning new user interfaces and different 'finger gestures?'

I think that because the Windows Mobile interface has grown quite stale, and isn't very finger-friendly, you have all these developers trying to come up new finger-based ways of interacting with their software. It's not a bad thing - evolution is a part of good software design. :)

[gilbertovp]

I heard about something called "iPhone", it looks like everyone wants to be like that, I don't know why either... :D

By the way, Alex Kac wrote a very interesting article about development in Windows Mobile, and he talks about the lack of standard (or the way the hardware manufacturers are replacing the standard functions of Windows Mobile). http://www.pocketinformant.com/Forums/index.php?autocom=blog&blogid=1&showentry=57


Yet another user interface. It looks good, but why do I have to keep learning new user interfaces and different 'finger gestures?' I remember when Windows was first released long ago. It provided a standard way to interface with a computer; pull downs, dialog boxes, etc. all worked the same from the OS to the applications. What happened?? Today even M$ Office products all have different interfaces! Now the PPC has no standards?! This is total madness; anarchy in the digital world! What is this world coming to??

[David Tucker]

I use SPB Mobile Shell, which since version 2 has been a very powerful interface, and I don't see this replacing it. SPB is the only interface replacement who remembered that while the WinMo interface could use an overhaul...the Today Screen is still incredibly useful.

Winterface might be good for people who don't use the PDA functions of their WinMo device but I can't imagine going without my schedule front & center. :)

[MattMojo]

I use SPB Mobile Shell, which since version 2 has been a very powerful interface, and I don't see this replacing it. SPB is the only interface replacement who remembered that while the WinMo interface could use an overhaul...the Today Screen is still incredibly useful.

Winterface might be good for people who don't use the PDA functions of their WinMo device but I can't imagine going without my schedule front & center. :)


I too am a SPB Mobile Shell user and the the only interface that looks even remotely close to competing is the HTC Diamond's. I had a chance to check it out at this years tech-ed and it was nice.

Mojo

[cab124]

Does SPB Mobile Shell work on unconverged devices like the Dell Axim?

[blazingwolf]

Does SPB Mobile Shell work on unconverged devices like the Dell Axim?

Yes it does. You just keep alot of things that you don't need, like the phone signal icon, on the now screen.

if you get in to making your own skins then you can remove all of that.

[Rob Alexander]

I have something of a hybrid on my HTC Touch. I use Mobile Shell 2.0, but I also use the regular Today screen with the HTC Home application and the Mobile Shell Today screen tabs in auto-hide mode. Neither one alone does everything I need, but between the two, I rarely need to bring up the Touchflo interface or use the regular Windows Mobile stuff. This new shell looks nice enough, but I don't see anything about it that looks compelling enough for me to consider switching.

[superrrguy]

Is the start menu too complicated?

Is that why we need all these lauchers?

The only reason I use SPB Shell is to have something to look at instead of the totally useless password screen.

The iPhone is $199 and supports exchange. If we wanted the iPhone interface, we could just get an iPhone.

[Konstantin]

If the simple finger gesture (a rainbow) looks like anarchy or madness in PPC world, then something is definitely getting rotten in the WM world :) I believe it is still very personal and does not relate to every user of Windows Mobile.

By the way, we are selling the new version of iWindowsMobile Communication Suite that now includes Winterface with a 30% discount for SPB Mobile Shell users. Winterface purchased separately by SPB Mobile Shell users costs them only $14.95. Check out www.iwindowsmobile.com

You can read a thorough review of Winterface at MyTodayScreen: http://www.mytodayscreen.com/winterface-review/

[David Tucker]

The iPhone is $199 and supports exchange. If we wanted the iPhone interface, we could just get an iPhone.

The start menu is not optimized for a mobile device screen & input. Its great on the desktop and just ok on my handheld. The SPB Mobile Shell launcher is faster and because everything is bigger, its quicker to see what I want and even navigation is faster.

Even if you don't use your fingers (I prefer not to touch the screen myself), I find it speeds up using the phone. Not to mention...noone is twisting your arm to buy this.

If you don't want a launcher you're free not to. However my phone still does more of what I need than the iPhone. I'm not willing to sacrifice my keyboard. Why shouldn't I have the option of a custom UI? WM is much more powerful than the iPhone...that includes the ability to make a UI that functions differently.

[Chafic]

so I donwload the trial version and isntall it. 15 minutes alter i get the message that the trial period has expired. Way to go!!!

[griph]

I must admit that I liked Winterface a lot - great appearance, easy to use and set up. The only problem I really had was the lack of instant access to next appointment that I get with SPB Mobile Shell or TouchFlo. If the lock screen showed the next appointgment .... I might have been tempted!

[Konstantin]

We will think about this, griph.

Chafic, you must have had incorrect date when installing Winterface, then you synced with a desktop to install it and your date got snced too. If the original date was more than 14 days gone :) that no wonder trial is over, rotate back and try to launch again. ;) Hope this helps.

[traynor]

I have used Mobile Shell 2.0 and like it very much. I have also purchased the iWindows Mobile suite with GoodWin included. I tried Winterface briefly, but had problems with it. When I went into edit mode the icons shook, but wouldn't let me delete any of them. I didn't feel there is a compelling reason to replace GoodWin or honestly to not stick with Mobile Shell.

[dclong]

BUYER BEWARE!

While their products are nice eye-candy, VITO Technology's technical and/or customer support is completely non-existent and will not even acknowledge your emails. As a matter of fact, one email address they widely use ([email protected]) bounces back as being non-existent.

In sharp, 180-degree contrast, Spb Software House is - by far - a supreme publisher with excellent products and titles and phenomenal customer/technical service.

And, no, I don't work there, do not have ay stock with them, etc. etc. - just a great experience

[VitOl]

dclong,
Could you possibly show where you found [email protected]?
Actually, we are now getting support through the form at the site Support (http://vitotechnology.com/en/support/)

If you have any problem I can answer you right here in the forum or write me an e-mail [email protected].


By the way, VITO has started its blog iWindowsMobile blog (http://blog.iwindowsmobile.com), if you want to learn more about the application you are welcome to read extracts from different reviews on Winterface.
For our convenience it would be great if you post your ideas on improvement of the program there.

[TOCA]

I once used a similar program called "Experience" for WM2003(SE), what it did was making the PPC look and feel like a PC running Win XP (Start button at the buttom left and a lot of icons on the desktop/Today screen). This new thing looks a lot like it, except it's Iphone black and WM 5/6.

Like some of the other posters, my PPC is not just a toy, when I turn it on I need instant access to my appointments, tasks, contacts etc., and the standard Today screen does exactly that. I have upped it a bit with the Spb Pocket Plus, to have shortcuts handy for most of the other programs/features, and it can be used one handed, using a finger for accessing all my programs.

Having a nice 4" VGA screen (iPAQ 210) makes it even more finger friendly, and I only pull out the stylus for text input, every thing else can be done using my average sized adult fingers :)

Maybe if I had one of those baby sized 2,8" screen thingies, I might need something with a lot of finger sized icons, but since I'm not planning on putting a zoom lense on my eye glasses, every thing smaller than 3,5" is out of the question for me ;)

[eric2k]

Hey Vito Technology and Olya


First off I have to say thank you to you guys for creating such an amazing Windows Mobile application/Mobile shell. You guys are really raising the bar for all the other developers out there on this platform and for other cell phone OEM manufactures.


Anyhow, I have been using Winterface heavily. I Really like it. Here is my list of suggestions and general thoughts. No way is this ment to disrespect or discredit your work. I just love it and cant help but suggest the following.


1. Please add a today plug-in ASAP.



I dislike gesturing to always bring Winterface back up. Or using the standby button to bring it back.
I see no reason why this can not be added? comment on this suggestion?



2. Please fix the battery icon.


it links to nothing.
Perhaps it is just the upside down V gesture beta I downloaded off your guy's blog, but it wont open battery settings right now.


3.Task manager built into winterface


I know this is an easy improvement. Please can you SHOW the memory % in use and update as you closethings.

maybe even the CPU %? This would be so great. also show as you close things the updated %




4.Winterface needs a weather app built into it


ASAP. what needs to be added is something similar to task manager built into Winterface.

A pop up window with the weather integrated into it. This is doable i know you guys can do it.


5.The slide to unlock


sometimes it lags before you can slide and unlock the phone.
Perhaps add a password option so that once you slide to unlock you have to tap a numeric password? That would be nice.



6.The "Profile" sound menu


add an "advanced link that takes you to the sounds and notification settings link. THIS WOULD BE VERY EASY addon so worth it.



Those are my main issues I have with Winterface that need to be addressed in the coming versions asap.

Their is one other gripe a lot of people have and comment on. We should be able to add custom image on background?. Perhaps allow people to develop custom icons or select icon files. Some people whine about IE's grayed out icon and want the colour one for instance. I dont care about this at this point at the produts development


What would be nice is the background image, but it might mess up the slide to unlock at present you can see all the emails/missed calls/sms's ETC even though its darkened. Pictures might ruin that. So you would maybe have to re work the slide to unlock to show notifcations differently. Keep this in mind before adding images. Rather wait then have this issue.


Perhapes if main menu has custom background. Slide to unlock can have a new notification showing missed/new things AND HAVE ITS OWN BACKGROUND?


The V gesture right now does not always worked.... but like i said today plugin is the way to go.



Anyhow, if you ever need someone to beta test or provide thought out feedback on things i am your man, just pm me here or check your email

[VitOl]

Thanks a lot for your great feedback, I've put your ideas in the wish list. We'll probably manage to realise some of your ideas.

A new version has just come out:

New features:
1. New start up gesture. Instead of "rainbow" upside down tick "^"
2. New gesture to close any current application "v".
3. The ability to add separate files on the screen.
4. New applets: Calendar and Tasks show the number of upcoming events and tasks
5. The ability to disable lock screen feature.

Fixed bugs:
1. There is no ability to delete Menu and Running.
2. Bugs with battery and bluetooth were also fixed.
http://vitotechnology.com/images/Winterface_news1.1.gif

[VitOl]

We've recently released a new version of Winterface 1.3 with new skin and new fuctionality:
http://vitotechnology.com/img/Winterface1.jpg http://vitotechnology.com/img/Winterface2.jpg
http://vitotechnology.com/img/Winterface3.jpg http://vitotechnology.com/img/Winterface4.jpg

[VitOl]

The contest “Give a new face to Winterface” is open. It will last till 21st of June, 2009. Great prizes are available for the best skins: a mobile device for the winner and bonus cards ($) for second to fifth place. Read the details on the VITO Technology blog here: http://blog.vitotechnology.com/?p=78.