Winterface Review
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When I reviewed VITO’s iWindowsMobile’s Communication Suite some time back, I was rather impressed with what they’ve managed to put together that integrates so well to give the user a wonderful experience on their Windows Mobile device. However, I felt that one component of the suite, GoodWin, which was a task switcher and launcher, was rather weak. Considering that it was the core component of the suite, I was hoping that VITO would do something about it.
Well instead of improving on GoodWin, they’ve come up with a whole new application called Winterface. It’s a shell application that can replace GoodWin (I know I would use it to) and a quick glance of it shows a lot of promise. So how does Winterface stand up? Does VITO have a winner here or you better off looking elsewhere?
Introduction
Before I continue discussing the application, let’s cover the basics. Winterface is made for touchscreen devices running Windows Mobile 5 and 6.0 though I assume that it will support 6.1 as well. It’s currently at version 1.01 and this is just 3 days after it was released. Looks like VITO is working overtime to iron out the bugs.
Users who are interested can try it out risk-free for 14 days and after that, they can choose to buy a license for $19.95 if they want to continue using it. Installation size comes up to 1429KB and while you may be tempted to install it to a memory card, I highly recommend that you don’t. Due to the nature of the application, device memory is the way to go on this one.
So why do you want it?
Beautiful Yet Simple Interface
Right from the start, I was impressed. When you launch Winterface through an application shortcut, you are presented with a screen that shows you what you can do. And there are only 3 points there which makes it a whole lot simpler to use your Windows Mobile phone. For those who complain that Windows Mobile has a clunky interface or can be complicated to use, get Winterface on your device and you’ll see just how simplified it’ll become.
Finger Friendly
The icons, which is what Winterface is all about, makes it easier for you to launch and understand the various components you want. There’s no more having to fiddle and figure out where to find the setting to change your Today screen for example. I mean, let’s face it: The icons in Settings are not complicated; they do what they say, but for some users (especially new ones) to find them, can be rather complicated. Well with Winterface, once you set it up the way you want to (more of that in just a while), you’ll have no problems launching the application or changing settings or even calling and texting your contacts. And you can do it all without the need for a stylus, thanks their finger-friendly icons.
Launch With A Gesture
Now here’s a cool part. Because it is a shell, it’s already loaded in the background. But if you, for some reason or other, decide to launch Winterface again, you don’t have to do it like how you launch other programs. Instead, a gesture which starts from the left of the screen and archs to to top before ending on the right side of the screen (see screen shot for better understanding), will launch it for you. Nicely thought out VITO.
Kinetic Scrolling
We’ve heard about it, thanks to Apple who made it (in)famous with their iPhone. It’s a rather useful feature and one that quite a number of developers are incorporating into their applications nowadays.
Well Winterface has kinetic scrolling too. Though you would not use it much except when initially setting up the application whereby you have to go through long lists of applications, settings and contacts and decide what you want to put on the main screen.
Other than that, the only other time when you do use kinetic scrolling is when you move from page to page and pulling up a contact and going through their details. Not much but when you do need it, it’s there.
Smooth Operation
With all this enhancement and on top of Winterface running over the normal Windows Mobile (which some claims to be slow), you’d think that it be slow or laggy as well. Not the case during my experience with it. It responded well and snappy when I flipped through pages tapped on icons. When launching applications, there’s still the slight delay (depending on how big the application is) but that’s normal and Winterface does not impact it negatively.
The only slowdown I encountered was that of the Lock screen (which I will get to in just a moment). Sometimes, after turning on the phone from standby, there would be a delay (about 1-2 seconds) where the screen freezes and it looks like you can’t do anything. The thing is, the device is locked but the lock does not show up. This occurs rarely as I don’t have this problem most of the time. Other than that, operation of Winterface should not have a negative effect on speed and response.
Choose The Icons You Want
What I like most about Winterface is the fact that I can decide which icons I want displayed and where. Be it applications, settings or even my contacts, I can mix and match them to suit my needs. For users who use their device more like a PDA, they might want to choose to have their applications within the first few pages.
For those who use it mainly as a communication tool, then I’d figure that having their contacts within the first few would be a better choice. If you would prefer having settings on the first page, that’s possible as well.
With such customization options, no 2 device would look the same and what’s even better, you can optimize the arrangement based on your needs. How great is that?
Now for the applications and settings icons, when you tap on them, they’ll launch the application or setting in question. Nothing surprising there. But when it comes to contacts, it’s slightly different. Tapping on it would give you a summary of the contact such as the photo, name, phone numbers and email address. You can then choose to either call the contact by tapping on the phone icon or text message them from the message icon. You can even email them (provided your device has been set up to send emails).
Other Features
Winterface has one goal in mind and that’s to make Windows Mobile navigation a whole lot simpler for you. No complicated directory to remember, just set it up and go. Even their settings only has options for you to choose which application, settings and contacts to add as well as what language you want. Nothing else. But that does not make it a sparse application because it does come with other useful features as well.
Lock Screen
Like the rest of the application, it’s simple yet effective. When your device goes into standby, it’ll automatically lock. In lock mode, there’s the date and time and if you look closely at the top, it’s got the network strength indicator, battery level as well as notification setting. And just below the date and time, you see the lock icon that you can deactivate by sliding it across the screen.
Dynamic Icons
Now this does not apply to all icons but it is still a cool feature. If you have an unread text or email message, you’ll see a count on the top left of the icon. Same goes for missed calls. Now you no longer have to wonder if you have unread or missed calls; the icons will let you know.
But that’s not all. The clock icon shows you the current time, the calendar icon is suppose to show you today’s date (I say suppose because as of right now, it does not on my device but VITO is working to fix that). Memory shows you how much free memory is left. Battery shows how much charge is left. Profile shows you if your phone’s sound is set to on, off or vibrate. You get the picture.
Task Manager
It’s also a task manager in case you were wondering. By tapping on the Running icon on the top right, you’ll be presented with a list of applications that are currently running in the background.
Tap on the icon to go to that application quickly. When done, you can just do the left to right gesture to go back to Winterface. But what if you want to end the application? See the small icon at the top right that looks like a square? That’s what you’ll want to tap on to close the application.
To me, I felt that the icon was a tad too small and I had to use my fingernail to close the application. I’m hoping that VITO could come up with an alternative (tap and hold or something) to make it easier for users to end application.
That’s not the only thing that I found wanting in Winterface. Here are a few more.
No Weather Icon
I think one of the icons that Winterface should have would be that of weather and to make it dynamic. So when you look at it, it’ll show you the current day’s weather. Now I know VITO does not have a weather application so this would be a little more complicated to implement but if they could strike a deal with another developer like SBSH and their Pocket Weather, that would be really awesome in my opinion. What do you think?
Unable To Link To Files
While you can link to almost anything on your phone, I say almost because it does not allow linking to files. So for those of you who always access a certain file type, the best thing you can do now is to just link to the application and then open the file when it’s launched.
You Want To Change The Icon’s Picture? Not Now Buddy
Yeah that’s right. Well there’s not much icons you might want to change to begin with considering that most of the applications are well-iconed (if there is such a word). However, for those of you who do not like the grey Internet Explorer picture and prefer the colored version, it’s not possible to do that right now. Another one for the wish list.
No Top Bar
It’s bad enough that the top bar on the lock screen is so faint that one can’t really see it. It’s even worse that it does not exist on the main screen. That means if you need to see the time, you’ll have to go back to the first screen (or whichever screen the Clock icon is on). Would you prefer a small top bar (ala iPhone) on the top of each screen? I know I would.
Does Not Remember Last Page
This is more of a preference as others might not agree with me. When your device comes out of standby, it goes back to the first page, even if you were not on it when the device went into standby. I’d prefer it go back to the last page that I was on so that I could continue from where I left off. However, I am sure there are users out there who would think otherwise so… it’s your call on this VITO.
Can’t Rename Icons
However, I think a feature users would appreciate is the ability to rename the caption below each icon. Sometimes the names are are just too long or you have a preference for something else. Whatever the reason, you can’t do any changes to it right now. It’s been added to the wish list the last time I checked with the developer so hopefully we’ll see it soon enough. Until then, you’ll have to stick with the default caption.
Summary
What I Like About It
- Very clean and beautiful interface, yet keeps things simple for all users.
- Finger-friendly so you can keep your stylus.
- Kinetic scrolling when you need go through a long list of items.
- Almost no (negative) impact on device speed and response.
- Easily launch an application with just a gesture.
- Ability to choose icons from a range of applications, settings and contacts.
- Has a lock feature to prevent accidental activation of icons when device is in your pocket or bag.
- Icons are dynamic.
- Comes with built-in task manager.
What Could Be Improved
- Lock screen can be slow at times when device comes out from standby.
- Support for weather program.
- Ability to link to files directly.
- Unable to change icon’s picture and caption.
- Have a top bar and make it more visible when the screen is locked.
- Preference to remember last page?
Conclusion
I think Winterface is definitely a step in the right direction for VITO. Some may shrug it off as copying the Apple iPhone’s interface but I say if something works great, why not take the idea and improve on it? That’s just exactly what VITO has done in this case. What’s great is that if you don’t like the interface, you could always uninstall it. The beauty of Windows Mobile.
Anyway, back to Winterface. There are some missing features in the application but considering it was just launched, I am sure VITO has a long list of requests sent in from the users who have used it and that they would consider them for the next version. From my discussion with VITO, I’ve been told that they are looking into some of these features which is good news. I just hope they can implement it soon enough.
If you’re looking for a finger-friendly shell and have yet to find out one that works for you, give Winterface a go. Even if you already have a preferred application, why not take it for a spin. You’ve got 14 days with no obligation. But if you do decide it’s the application for you, then go ahead and purchase a license for $19.95.
Have you used Winterface? What do you like or not like about it?
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Thanks for the excellent review. It was a fun read!
Which one would you recommend more – SPB’s Mobile Shell, or Vito’s Winterface?
Well I would say it depends on your needs. Mobile Shell is a lot more eye candy while Winterface is simple yet effective. I’d say give both a shot and see which works better for you.
Nice review. I have contacted Vito and suggested that more information be made available from the lock screen. The date/time is nice but it would be extrememly useful if missed calls, voice mail, and emails were showns in counts on the lock screen. The weather would also be nice. Also, it would help that caller id information be shown when a call comes in, and that the call can be answered by sliding the slider. Basically, do all the things that S2U2 does. I absolutely love that app, and it’s one of the best apps I have added to my Touch Cruise.
I do agree if they could make the lock screen as informative as S2U2. In fact, if that is not possible, I would have preferred that they give us an option to select our lock program.
So let me get this strait… People didn’t like GoodWin because it was just a task launcher/manager with a lot of extra functionality built in. (Time, date, signal strength, new email/sms, running apps, pinable favorites, lock screen, etc…)
So they make this new Winterface… With is a program launcher with less functionality (displayed information) than GoodWin?
I really don’t get it. Is it supposed to be better because it looks like the iphone? Honestly? I really do not understand this program.
It’s not as straightforward as that in my opinion.
I can’t speak for everyone but there are users, like me, who felt that GoodWin was a rather weak application. Sure it had a lot of functions, even allowing you to uninstall application from the main screen but the really long list of applications and programs just did not sit well with me. Sure one could add it to favorites but I did not really like that.
However, I prefer Winterface over GoodWin. It might have less function but it’s a fresh release and there’s a lot of potential for it. Right now, the ability to add selected contacts as shortcuts is really awesome. And of all the applications and settings in your device, how many do you use frequently? For those applications, you can then add it to pages and arrange them accordingly.
It’s not supposed to be better because it looks like the iPhone. There’s no points there. It’s better (in my opinion) because I can customize it a lot more than GoodWin without compromising speed and response.
Dear Jason Lee,
Winterface is not a launcher. Winterface is a Mobile Shell of next generation. And I feel absolutely right saying this because it is trully something new in Windows Mobile interface. What do I mean by shell? I mean you do not need Today screen or Start Menu; you turn to standart WM interface ony when launching default applications.
Besides, some like horizontal scrolling (between screens in Winterface) more than horizontal one (in GoodWin)
Btw, current GoodWin users, check out iWindowsmobile.com next week. We’re going to provide you 50% for Winterface.
I just purchased a license for Winterface, of all the interfaces that i have tried on my Tilt ( HTC Tytn II )
this is the easiest to use, and to customize to my liking,
I like the fact that i can add contacts to the user interface for instant calling or messaging, and being able to re-arrange the icon sorting to my liking is great. I have tried a few other interfaces for my WinMo device ( SBSH, iFonz, Touch Cube Mod.) and this is the best that i have found.
That’s great to hear Shimo. I do agree that the customization options available is what makes this a really great application.
Tariq, thanks for a nice review. It is indeed a fun read. You get the exact idea: no iPhone copying, just borrowing nice ideas and taking the benefits of Windows Mobile to implement them.
I would also like to answer the Cons in the review:
1. It depends on the device and to tell you the truth, this is all WM fault when this happens
2. Support for weather program – sure.
3. Ability to link to files directly – give me a good real life example from your own experience when you need to link to a file. Please, make it real. I do understand linking to, say, executables of some applications that do not have icons in standard programs but linking directly to a Word, Excel, or some other file is beyond my comprehension, really.
4. Unable to change icon’s picture and caption. – Well, we are going to redraw icons for all default applications and make them look like our standard icons (IE, phone, Email, Calendar, etc.). Caption is taken from the system. If the system call this item Calendar, we want to call it calendar as well, why change rational? Again, you would go for a long name or something – a real life example, please. About icon pictures – I’m sure if we give the option to edit icons: 1st, it will complicate interface; 2nd, you will ask us to give you the tool to paint these icons
I prefer the option of adding skins in the further versions. Now Winterface looks complete and very straightened up but because icons more or less look the same, but whn you get to editing them, this will be broken. 
5. Have a top bar and make it more visible when the screen is locked. – Now, something really interesting. In the wish list.
6. No reason for this, really. And one reason against. The lock screen is transparent and behind it you can see icons with count like phone, sms, etc. – so you know you have missed calls or new messages.
@ 3 – I can step in here. I’ve started using BatteryStatus (search XDA-Developers) a while ago and I’m working on my own themes. They are .xml files, and I have two ways of opening them: Opening my XML editor and going to File > Open. This will give me a list of ALL my files, so it takes a long time to load and then I need to scroll. The other option is to open File Explorer and navigate to WindowsBatteryStatus and open the .xml file. We all know that the Windows folder takes a long time to load in file explorers. So in this case having direct access to my theme file would save me a lot of loading time.
Now I may not be the typical user, so here’s another example: I can imagine that a lot of the business users keep an Excel file with their driving distances and what they pay for gas. Having direct access to this Excel file is very useful because you can quickly enter the information after you reach your destination.
Thanks for considering!!
Hi Konstantin
It’s great to hear that you are putting some of the cons into wish list (like the weather) and I am definitely looking forward to them.
As for the rest that you requested examples, here they are:
3. spmwinkel has provided a great example. For me, I have a few files which I am working with such as budgets, notes I take when reviewing products and some ideas I like to note down to act on later. These are just some of the examples that I use the same file many times so in my scenario (and those like me), being able to link and launch files directly would be a much welcome feature.
4. I can understand not changing short names and I agree with that. But I have a few applications which are long (like Satellite Data Update, Mocha FTP Server and Cash Organizer 2008). I’d prefer to just call them Satellite Update, FTP Server and Cash Organizer. As for icons, well I can go either way on it. I am cool if the default icons (Internet Explorer and Phone) are used instead so no worries about changing icons then.
6. Good point about the lock screen though. I did not look at it that way.
By the way, there are users who are asking why Winterface does not launch immediately after a soft-reset? Is there a reason for this?
Looking forward to the changes as well
Konstantin,
I know you and I have discussed this, but I still feel very strongly on point three. I can think of countless reasons that it would be helpful to be able to link individual files onto the pages (heck, I do it in Pocket Plus all the time). Here are a few:
1. create a page of photo thumbnails for easy photo sharing.
2. link to apps that do not appear in the programs menu
3. link to Internet shortcuts
4. link to a video or music file for easier access. I could envision having a whole page of music so you could just tap on the one you want to hear.
5. Well, Tariq and SPM already hit on Word/Excel type files.
I think this is a glaring omission in Winterface. Even if it is something which you would not use yourself, I think it is something a lot of users might benefit from. Additionally, unlike some of the other suggestions, it would not negatively impact the ui. From the user perspective, it would only require an additional entry point from the menu options.
Hope you will consider this.
Doug
Dear spmwinkel,
The example you provide with xml files is so rare that I think other than you this is nly happening to the guys from XDA-Developers who are always developing, modding and implementing something new
Hardcore users, in other words.
Excel files. First of all, when you provide example I try it myself to see how it sees in practice. So, I created a couple of Excel files and then launched Excel from Winterface (I completely gave up Start Menu already, just a gesture to start Winterface and off tapping I go) by tapping the nice Excel icon. So, what do I see immediately – I see the list of these two files I just created. Tap on the necessary and here you are entering info about distances and gas (in Russia prices’re also growing
). So, the point – is it so necessar to have a link to a specific Excel file rather than to the list of all of them?
Tariq, notes. There is also a single icon Notes that takes you to all the list of your notes. The same as the Excel example. You may argue you note is in the end of the list and you need to scroll but being an experienced user you know that it takes just putting a couple of !!! marks in the beginning of the name of a note for it to appear first in the list.
Doug,
1. easy photo sharing? Like if you just took a photo isn’t it convenient to send it right away from the photo application. and if it is already xisting photo, then a tap on staandard icon Pictures & Video will take you straight there, to all your pictures, not just one and you can easily share them from this default application present on all WM devices.
2. Yes, agree.
3. Completely different story – adding bookmark is in the wish list already.
4. Well, difficut to argue. Interesting, to wish list. Meanwhile through Windows Media Player.
Ok, I have a preapproval for this feature of adding files
Tariq, the names. Are they really such a bother? I hear it only from you and’ve been receiving huge feedback recently via email. Please, send me a screenshot with the most cluttered screen because of the names.
No auto-start. This is not correct. After soft reset you can make a gesture and go to Winterface. Or you can turn off and turn on device and see the lock screen.
You see, when we immediately displayed lock screen in GoodWin people did not like it. So, now we are all for freedom. Besides, the gesture is very easy and launches Winterface in a twinkle of an eye
Again, thank you for the feedback and I welcome all readers to articipate and share their thoughts. Just share your opinion; it is not only about arguing, it is about everything you like/dislike about Winterface. Comparison to rivals is also welcome.
Yes absolutely, the .xml example is very rare. That’s why I came up with the Excel example. And you’re defenitely right about the fact that it only saves 1 or 2 clicks to immedately open a file, but it’s the small improvements that can make small differences, which combined can be quite important to some.
I´ve put my favourite apps in the Start menu so that I only have to press the Start button and then pick it from the list. However, I hardly ever use that because I also have these apps in a launcher on my Today screen and I can launche them with only one tap. So this one additional tap that is required to open something from the Start menu makes a lot of difference.
(When I´m in a different application, it´s another story. Then it is often quicker to press Start and launch the app than to go back to the Today screen and launch the app from there.)
I appreciate that you´re wondering exactly how useful shortcuts to files will be, but as Doug said as well, there can be quite some uses for it.
The only thing that I would like to see is the status bar on the lock screen needs to be brightened up a little, it is almost invisible, I also notices while snooping around that there is a skins folder, i would love to see a brighter colored skin for Winterface. I would also like to see Internet shortcuts added, this would simplify many things. other than a few minor cosmetic changes, this is by far the best shell for WinMo that I have experimented
with in a while, looking forward to future updates
Dear J Shimo,
Can’t but agree about the status bar. We’re thinking hard on lockscreen optimization.
IE favorites are coming and about skins. So far the skin looks very unanimous with our other applications: SMS-Chat, FunContact and ZoomBoard. But we also plan to maybe roll out a set of brighter icons, the fun way
Spmwinkel, it is very important that you can launch Winterface from any, completely any screen with a gesture, and then start you favorite with one tap.
So, basically you have the same amount of movements: click start, then click an application or make quick gesture and tap an icon. I’m sure you will choose the second variant as it is so convenient to tap large icons in Winterface rather that tiny application icons in the Start menu. Again, stylus is in its place.
Hey, Konstantin. Thanks for taking such an active role in this conversation. It is really interesting to hear your thoughts. Like I have said both here and in my own review at JAMM, I think Winterface is a great program with a lot of potential.
While I like the sweep for those times when you have to leave the interface, I would like it to load automatically when I start my device. Take a look at Mobile Shell. They start automatically, and then a motion closes the app and reopens it. That would be ideal.
Glad to hear that you are starting to come around on files. I know you don;t see this as something you would use, but I think it is obvious from the discussion here that a lot of people could have different uses for this function. Personally, I think it is one of the biggest missing features (along with weather) in the program.
BTW, in October, I am going to do a shell program Shootout with Winterface, Spb Mobile Shell and maybe PointUI. It will be interesting to see how they go head to head.
Doug
Doug
This thing simply rocks! It is responsive and attractive, it’s clearly the start of something big and Konstantin is being cool about listening to users while avoiding feature bloat.
I think I’ve got a major issue that no one else has noticed.
The fact that the launch gesture is always waiting there (daemon?) means that when you play games that involved dragging pieces it sets off Winterface and off you go to Winterface home.
Try to play Crosswords on it and whenever you drag a piece onto the board it bails out and you’re back at the home screen.
Some ability to adjust sensitivity to clicking would be nice.
It always takes me several clicks to launch a program.
Otherwise it’s so speedy, very nice!
Reminds me of how a Palm PDA used to respond.
Click something and BAM! it’s up. Now if we could only get the underlying Windows Mobile to be so responsive. This program has me teetering on the edge where I just might keep my Samsung i760 instead of going back to my old workhorse Motorola E815.
Hi Ken
Thanks for the heads up on this.
I tried the gesture when I was in Pocket Informant 8 Month view but what happens is not Winterface launching but I zoom in on those days selected, which is the expected result of PI8. And this was with the PowerDaemon.exe running as well.
Not sure if it’s just for selected applications or in general but like you say, hopefully there’s a way around this.
Doug,
This is gonna be great. By then Winterface will get all featured up like weather and other useful applets (icons-indicators) and we’ll make sure to hire a good jockey to win this race of shells
Ken,
I’m not sure what we can do about this right now but one solution seems to let users choose the gesture. I will check it out with the apps you mention. Give me the link to this exact game you’re playing with words. I just wanted to let you know you are heard and we will take this into account for further relases.
Frankly, we expected this. Looks like folks at PI also decided in favor of this easy gesture
PS Doug, rest in peace about linking to files. Looks like you guys won this one
Developing team says it’s gonna be fun!
I haven’t installed it on my primary phone yet (don’t want to waste my demo time until there are more features added) but does the guesture interfere with say scrolling side to side in opera mobile, or scrolling side to side in pocket ie using HTC TouchFLo?
or how about side scrolling in resco explorer 2008?
Or for that matter while in pocket word trying to select text? This sideways guesture seems very problematic.
the guesture should start in a location where tapping and sliding would have no other function like on the start menu button (like spb Mobile Shell) or on the SIP button (like HTC cube).
Wow! Very interesting discussion! my experience is that the gesture interfere with every application (opera mobile and mini, games etc.)but not the htc cube (i have a htc touch cruise so i am using winterface for its 14 days on it).
This is the only problem that made me decide to wait another release to buy it.
But anyway it is a very good beginning, great job
I would like to add a word of warning: I’ve purchased Winterface two days ago and still haven’t received an activation key. Also, I put some issues to support and haven’t heard from them either. If this is how they treat customers…
Dear bartveld,
This is how we spend weekends
Contact me via konstantin@vitotechnology.com and you will get your code and answer to all your question right away.
This program is awesome. The interface is very responsive using an Atom Life device. Easy to pick, install and arrange programs you normally use in an IPHONE manner. And the program allows you to select contacts and arrange them by pages without limit. You can allocate a page of contacts for Business, another for Friends and so on.
What is missing is a Calendar,Weather and a Lock icon. The program automatically locks when the unit is suspended. I prefer an icon to manually lock and unlock the unit.
“I would like to add a word of warning: I’ve purchased Winterface two days ago and still haven’t received an activation key. Also, I put some issues to support and haven’t heard from them either. If this is how they treat customers…”
OK, I take back these earlier remarks. It’s nice to see a developer taking the trouble to communicate directly with users. Also, the issues I had are resolved in version 1.01. If I could delete my previous post I would.
Ok, Bart! You’re customer number one after reposting
Folks at Vito are quite nice people. I send in some suggestions about Winterface 1.0 and some other of their applications and they gave me speedy answer and quite a little surprise.
I used to use SPB Mobile Shell but now I constantly coming back to Winterface for that shortcut I need rightaway. The advantage of accessing any shortcut very quickly in winterface is un-beatable by anyother application.
Dear Konstantin, I have some more suggestions here about the user interface, after further usage with the program:
The sliding gesture to call out winterface can be annoying sometimes when other programs also use the same gesture for some of their functions. For example, the TouchPal softkeyboard use horizontal sliding gesture to switch between different keyboard layouts, and every time I slide it, 50% of time winterface pops up! Another instance is HiCalc calculator application, it also uses some simple horizontal sliding gesture to switch between function pages and that would almost always bring up winterface… My suggestion for improvement here would be the ability to customize the gesture (Like the way mouse gesture works in Opera browser), say “going down, then go left” or maybe “go up, then go right” to bring up winterface and that would be fantastic!
Also, the slide to unlock key is sometimes quite laggy when the machine just woke up from sleep/standby mode, and sometimes the sliding key would simply just disappear and requires a softreset to bring back! (I can however still slide from left to right on the sliding bar to unlock)
Li, thanks for the feedback.
We’re already thinking about optimizing the gesture and letting users choose which gesture to use may be an option.
But please note that our gesture is not straight line from left ot right it is a curve, like a rainbow
Keypad, got it. I think we will incerease its size.
the problem is that winterface comes up when the gestures is straight line too and not only when i make a curve…
At least on my htc cruise, i dont know if it can depend on the device.
I second the request for linking to a file or internet shortcut! I have several URLs that I use frequently (I visit a list of metro station times constantly) and that is one of the main reasons I haven’t picked this app to use full time.
Also, PLEASE let us change the icons!
Regarding the gesture issue – playing solitaire and sliding cards around does dump you out into Winterface constantly. Not a big deal to me, but some others may find that to be a problem.
I passed quite a bit back and forth with Konstantin on another board and he has been very nice to communicate with.
Konstantin has promised a voicemail count on the phone icon for me!
Matt
When I used the winterface, I found something not correct.
- When I launch the game and try to move the card, somehow the screen is automatically switch to main page and I have to restart the game again. I think it may be due to the “easy start” program – when moving the fingure from left to right or another way.
- Wish come out the buttom customized bar (maybe the call button, reject button) more like a iphone..
Maybe give a page tittle and configurable will be nice. for example, favour page, game page, setting page, contact page.
I the the lock screen but I can not configure password (let say I don’t want to use windows default lock function). Hope to get the feed back from developers.
Thanks
Dear Fenguy,
- the easy start gesture takes you to Winterface indeed. So, we’ll be either changing the gesture or letting users choose the gesture.
- write about this bottom customized bar to me in email and send a pic that you can make in Photoshop. I can predict this bottom bar will eat a chunk of the screen space thus allowing less space for icons. Phone buttons would be useless as you won’t be able to use them when the deice is turn off and you receive a call. The buttons are behind the lock screen and Window Mobile OS doesn’t give as any rights to change this weird small notification appearing in the bottom with answer button.
- why loose space on title, fill it with icons, they are quite self explaining if you oranize them by topic.
- I didn’t get it about the password. you just need to slide the padlock to unlock, no passwords
Dear Konstantin,
Thanks for your quick reply. Your explaination is reasonable. I just want to share my idea:
Windows mobile has own lock interface. If I choose winterface, every time I need to unlock from windows password protect and some times this interface is hiden behind winterface transparent screen, I need to guess where is 1234567890 postion is. If winterface can provide prompt windows to key in password (meaning winterface with password protect option)will be nice. I would rather to use winterface password option than windows default one. This is my wish list. Thanks
I see now. added to wish list
Thanks for your kind support
I think it would be nice if there were an option to “pin” the bottom row of icons so that they would appear on every tab.
That way i could have the same 4 very important icons at the bottom of every tab. Just like on the iphone. Its bottom row of icons stays on every page and can be customized.
Then I could put some of the dynamic icons down there like email and sms so i would always know mesage counts and have quick access to them from every tab.
Hey, an interesting idea
Hi, noticed that the newer version remove all the setting icons to be added to screen. But the version 1.0 got the function to add all the settings to page. Is that true?
not true.
Fengyu – try a soft reset.
Great program, but need the following before I purchase:
1) Voicemail icon
2) SMS, Email, Missed calls, and Voicemail notifications on locked screen
3) Ability to add any link or file to screens
4) Text for contacts is hard to read. Need better contrast or less transparency when I select a contact
Optional, but cool:
1) Dynamic weather icon
2) More ringer profiles
Great program never the less!
GP
Definitely would love to see customizable opening gesture. Panning around in opera mobile always triggers winterface.
Also, would be nice to have a way to add icons directly to a page instead of always having to add them to the first page and then drag them around to other pages. Not only is it annoying, but while passing through the second page to get to the third page, I always end up will re-ordering icons along the way. This sucks because I’ll be used to having the Opera icon in one place, then after moving an icon, it’ll be somewhere else.
But, great app!
Definitely a nice app with good promise..
Some suggestions:
1. Upcoming calendar appointment(s) on the lock screen (along with the other items people have mentioned
2. An icon that allows you to turn on/off bluetooth, and one turn on and off “flight mode” (SPB Phone suite has two icons for this and they are very handy
3. Today screen plugin support — would be nice if you could have a page or pages within Winterface where today screen plugins could be exposed. I use a number of them and not being able to see them or have something as an alternative steers me away from using shell products like this one. Classic example is Weatherpanel or the ability to type a contact/number and dial it.. and list of upcoming appointments (I use SPB diary for this currently)
4. 5 way support.. finger swishing is great and all but the app/shell should support 5 way navigation for flipping pages, selecting icons etc.
Think that’s it for now!
Just thought I would post this little tidbit on “additional icon” requests. I have everything I need on Winterface. i.e. B.T., WiFi, volume control, Backlight adjustment, soft reset button, screen rotate, etc.. How? Simple. Just created “Shortcuts” to all the stuff I wanted to show up in Winterface and, after renaming them, stuck the shortcuts in the “windows/start menu/settings” directory. I did have to go to the net to find some small apps (like screen rotate and soft reset) to install then create shortcuts for them, but it works perfectly. So I would humbly suggest that instead of making this program any bigger for “quicklinks”, just have the user create shortcuts and include a little tutorial on “how to” in the manual.
Bugs: On a PPC-6600 with WM2003SE,
1. The timeclock won’t update unless you touch the screen.
2. The battery icon is dead. Nothing happens upon click/touch. So I just got rid of it and put a shortcut to the WM-power program.
3. The slide lock is non-existent. (maybe WM5 only?)
4. Profile icon is almost dead. I get a popup asking what I want (vibrate, mute, etc. ) but whatever I select doesn’t happen. Pretty embarrassing today in my meeting when I thought my vibrate was on and my “Me So Horny” ringtone went off full blast! I know.. shame on me trusting a trial. LOL
5. No (number of) voicemail indication on phone icon.
6. No (number of) SMS indication on SMS icon.
Wish List:
1. If bugs mentioned above are intentional for non WM5+ systems, then first wish is that they be included for us old skoolers.
2. Sound indicator to show sound status.
Other than that, EXCELLENT PROGRAM! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. But PLEASE!!!!!!……
Don’t leave us old skoolers out in future releases. WM2003 users are still out here and need good software like this.
That is actually a great idea Locutis. If you could email me the steps to go about doing it, I would be glad to do an article here on MTS to help the users out. I do agree that doing that instead of adding on to Winterface might just bulk it up unnecessarily.
I am not sure why there is a lack of support for WM2003 but hopefully VITO/Konstantin can address this.
Sure,
Using file explorer (or equivalent) just simply choose the program you want an icon for (in Winterface) then “copy” it. Then goto the “windows/start menu/programs” directory and “paste shortcut”. (I miss-typed in the previous message saying “settings”. No “settings” directory.. put them in the “programs” directory). Then after that, what I do is rename (tap-hold-rename) the shortcut to whatever name I like.
Note: there is no need to keep the .lnk extension. WM knows all.
Then just fire up Winterface and touch “menu” then touch “applications” and VIOLA.. there they are!
Again, I have a PPC-6600 running WM2003SE (I LUV the big screen!) and it works flawlessly for me. You new-skoolers may experience different results.
I forgot to mention in the last post:
1. I found all I needed on FREEWARE sites!!! Screen rotation, soft reset, etc.. Didn’t spend anything other my time surfing.
I would also like to add 1 more request:
1. Fancy flip transitions upon “touching” any icon (I just luv to show off!). Exactly like (or better than) the one that happens when you touch the “I” in the menu screen. If anything, have it “fancy transition” to a screen that says “executing selection” for 3 seconds or so then go away and let everything happen as it currently does. Again.. just a wish.
Hope this helps!
Also, it works for pictures and music too. You get the generic icon for both, but it’s still a quick link to them.
Before I start answering the latest post with the feedback, let me thank you all for the tremendous feedback you provide. We really appreciate your interest in Winterface and want to assure you that we read carefully everything you write, evaluate it, and consider for implementing or fixing in the future versions of Winterface.
We’ve updated Winterface at http://www.iwindowsmobile.com/vito-mobile-shell.html to 1.02. Now there are two new dynamic icons: bluetooth and phone settings (both addable from Setting): the first displays bluetooth status: on/off, phone settings displays cellular signal strength and carrier name.
George,
Here’re the answers to your post.
1) Voicemail icon
A: Already in Winterface wish list. Will be implemnted in the next major update (about a month’s time)
2) SMS, Email, Missed calls, and Voicemail notifications on locked screen
A: Voicemail see above, SMS, Email, Missed calls – all can be placed in visible position on the first page. The lockscreen in Winterface 1.02 is more transparent. So, now 10 of the 15 icons on the first page (320×240) are visible on lockscreen clearly. You can put there: email, sms, phone (with missed calls, from applicatins), phone (with carrier signal, from setting), battery, profile, memory, calendar, bluetooth. All the icons are cleary visibl through the lock screen. In future version ther will be option in the main menu to turn off the lock screen for the users who do not like this transparency.
3) Ability to add any link or file to screens
A: Will be implemented in future versions. Also read the comments by Locutis for the current nice workaround.
4) Text for contacts is hard to read. Need better contrast or less transparency when I select a contact
A: This is very individual. Unless everybody is bombing me and our support with such a request, I think we will leave it as it is as I for example do not have problem with this and anybody else in the team reads the text on a contact details card without any trouble
Optional, but cool:
1) Dynamic weather icon
A: Already in the wish list, in the next majr update.
2) More ringer profiles
A: Like? Coud you specify more exactly, and this is again very individual.
Great program never the less!
A: Thank you very muuch.
———
Vincent,
This is the answer for you:
1) customizable opening gesture
A: in the wish list already. but I’m still thinking of some unique gesture.
2) “Also, would be nice to have a way to add icons directly to a page instead of always having to add them to the first page and then drag them around to other pages.”
A: icons are added to the page that has space, when there is none they go to the next page. This also happens ton ver often. You ran into it while setting up the thing but then you have everything up and running. So, I believe this is not a huge issue. Again, it is very convenient to add all the icons you need in scope and then rearrange them.
“Not only is it annoying, but while passing through the second page to get to the third page, I always end up will re-ordering icons along the way.”
A: This never happens if you do everything correctly, i.e. you drag without interrupting through the page to the next one. The surrounding icons give some space and rearrange to show what it would lok ike if you dropped the icon you are dragging, but they return to their places after you pass their page and put the icon on a new page
———-
Scotty,
Now it is your turn.
Definitely a nice app with good promise..
Some suggestions:
1. Upcoming calendar appointment(s) on the lock screen (along with the other items people have mentioned).
A: I think we can do this the way we are doing it with the contacts. A semi-transparent window with the appointents appears when you tap a calendar icon, and the icon itself shows the number of appointments for the week or month.
2. An icon that allows you to turn on/off bluetooth, and one turn on and off “flight mode” (SPB Phone suite has two icons for this and they are very handy
A: Bluetooth is there (in 1.02 addable from Settings). Flight mode – have added to wish list.
3. Today screen plugin support — would be nice if you could have a page or pages within Winterface where today screen plugins could be exposed. I use a number of them and not being able to see them or have something as an alternative steers me away from using shell products like this one. Classic example is Weatherpanel or the ability to type a contact/number and dial it.. and list of upcoming appointments (I use SPB diary for this currently)
A: I would like to know what Today plug-ins you urgently need. Calendar issue I addressed just a little above, weather as well, contacts for quick dial are there. What else? Also, youu can always close Winterface with a single press of red phone button and see the Today
4. 5 way support.. finger swishing is great and all but the app/shell should support 5 way navigation for flipping pages, selecting icons etc.
—————–
Locitus,
Thank you very much for your great feedback. Unfortunately, I have bad news though you do not deserve them at all. We belive that developing new features like weather is more appropriate than supporting WM 2003. It takes developing a completely different copy of Winterface. Winterface officilally supports only WM 5 and 6.
Thanks for the great workaround with placing icons for files on Winterface pages and other solutions for screen rotate, soft rreset icons. We will add this to the manual.
Bugs: On a PPC-6600 with WM2003SE,
A: not supported officially.
Wish List:
1. If bugs mentioned above are intentional for non WM5+ systems, then first wish is that they be included for us old skoolers.
Can not promise this.
2. Sound indicator to show sound status.
Interesting.
Other than that, EXCELLENT PROGRAM! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. But PLEASE!!!!!!……
Don’t leave us old skoolers out in future releases. WM2003 users are still out here and need good software like this.
Rep
————
Jus a quick follow up.
VITO Technology has started its blog at http://blog.iwindowsmobile.com. If you want to learn more about Winterface you are welcome to read extracts from different reviews on Winterface.
Please, feel free to post your comments at the blog as well. I would really appreciate it if you could post your comments to iWindowsMobile.com Blog. It would be more convenient to us.
I have been to the blog, but what you should really create is a forum for discussing with users and a tracker with two lists: Bugs and Feature requests
I downloaded and installed v1.02 and it has improved a lot!
The gesture bug is still there (maybe there is no solution for this…) Try playing Solitaire and dragging a card from left to right
One suggestion: could you please add an option to display larger icons with no text?
Thank you for this great program. If it keeps evolving at this rate, you will certainly have one more copy sold in the near future
Cheers,
Pedro (from Portugal)
Thank you for a very good program. Given the unfortunate WM2003 news, I can’t justify spending the money on a program that will leave me hanging. I wish you guys the best of luck! I think (know) you have a WINNER! When I am finally forced to convert/upgrade my OS, you are the first on the install list!
If I discover some more “work-a-rounds”, for us old skoolers, before the trial ends, I will post them here (I couldn’t figure out how to post on the blog).
Again Good Luck and Excellent Job!
Hi Konstantin,
Found two bugs:
- Battery button is dummy one
- My phone (samsung omnia) hang up. After uninstall, everthing is working fine.
I confirm that with a Samsung Omnia i900 installation, the phone does hang after entering sleep mode – but not every time. Trying to understand the circumstances, but it is difficult to pinpoint. This was the same with v1.01. I have ensured there is no Samsung Today screen shell running, but even with a basic Start screen, the problem occurs.
Fenguy,
- must be device specific. Please, contact our support http://vitotechnology.com/en/support
They will provide you th means of solving this problem.
Locutis,
Just contact me via email when you convert to a newer OS I think you well deserve a free copy
Pedro Lino,
not sure about larger icons without text, but will discuss it. In fact you might notice that the touch area is slightly bigger than the actual icon (this is a principle for all touch objects in our programs).
Konstantin
I’m aware that the touch area surrounds the icon and text. That’s why I suggest to have an option to use the whole area with just a larger icon. Not only it looks better IMHO but the text is only useful if you don’t know what the icon is.
What about setting up a forum and tracker? I think this should be your priority to get organized input from the users…
Robert,
If you contact our support, this couuld help a lot for fixing Winterface for Omnia. See the post above with the link.
Hi Konstantin,
I did contact with the support team and explain the whole situation. Unfortunately there is no feedback from them not as your prompt answering.
I would say the product and idear of Winterface is excellent except the bug making me trouble.
>>> Omnia hang up!
Please help
Fengyu
The answer will follow. This is due to the tremendous amount of feedback we’re receiving.
Konstantin,
I like your solution for appointments. It sounds slick and is consistent with the rest of the interface. Would you consider doing the same for tasks? So that you would have an icon showing the number of tasks in (for example) the next 7 days. Tap it and you reach a list of your tasks organized by due date.
Doug
Absolutely, Doug! Thanks for bringing in.
Hi Konstantin,
Love your program.. however, it does hang on my Samsung Omnia i900. Had to push the reset button a few times to restart phone.
Otherwise, its GREAT and I think it beats iPhonz/S2U2 easily.
Am still using your trial version.. will definitely get the entire suite if it does not hang/freeze up the phone so often.
Also, fun contacts is much easier to use compared to the default contacts program..
Suggestion,… that the search not be limited to Name and company, but also perhaps addresses.. sometimes we may want to look up persons within a locality…
Please address the freezing up issue with the Omnia, a couple of us users are just waiting for it to be stable before purchase.. Thanks greatly
Hi Konstantin,
Sorry its me again..
By the way, your SMS-Chat is great too.. except it seems to take the messages out of the default Message Inbox and Sent into its own mailboxes..
Problem is that we cannot seem to find the threads after it is uninstalled..
Is there a way that SMS-Chat can use the default Message mailboxes instead of its own?
Thanks
Francis,
Could you please submit your problem here: http://www.vitotechnology.com/en/support/?
This will help us to work out a solution for your device. The more detailed description of freezing/hanging (maybe even screenshots or photos) you provide the quicker there will appear solution. Thanks for your interest in Winterface.
About SMS-Chat, this is supposed to be different. SMS-Chat used to create its own folders but not anymore. Make sure you are using the latest version from iwindowsmobile.com. Otherwise, please also report at the link I provide above. Again, thnks for your interest and time.
Speaking of SMS-Chat, this application has proved to be the choice of many even despite built-in 6.1 threaded messaging. Maybe somebody from MyTodayScreen will write a review of it someday.
I love SMS Chat… my biggest problem with it is that URL get broken if they span more than one line. So, if someone sends me a link, say to this review of winderface and it looks like this:
Hey, check out this link: http://www.mytodaysc
reen.com/winterface-review/
then when I click on it to view it in my browser, I get:
“cannot find the server http://www.mytodaysc“
Will fix it, Vince.
Hi Konstantin
Have emailed Vito support.
Just another suggestion:
Pls have the ‘Minimise’ button as the last lowest button instead of ‘Cancel’ in both FunContacts and SMSChat..
This way, one can use single hand to minimise the programs into the background..
Most times, we click the ‘Close’ button, and the whole program closes, and we will need to launch it again the next time we access it…. it should be running in the background to make things easier..
Got it, Francis,
Here is a version of Winterface that has a different gesture. In this version the gesture is “upside down tick”, or “upside down V”. Please, before posting use it for a while and then let us know:
1. how well it starts Winterface: always, most of the times, seldom, almost never.
2. whether this new gesture interferes with other software you personally use: no conflict, sometimes (I can bear it), too often, constantly.
http://iwindowsmobile.com/files/Winterface-new-gesture.cab
Post your observations here or at our blog: http://blog.iwindowsmobile.com
Thanks, Konstantin.
Downloaded to my laptop. But when I try to download OTA, I just get a bunch of gibberish. I’ll have to take a closer look later.
Doug
Am wondering if the freezes and hangs are due to the fact that I install winterface in ‘\My Storage’ instead of ‘Device’.
Will try this new version in ‘Device’ and see if it is more stable. thanks
Francis : I also installed winterface to my storage card, On my Tilt (kaiser/tytn II), it works flawlessly.
Konstantin: the new gesture works great, always. And doesn’t interfere with any of my programs anymore, when scrolling horizontally
Please keep up the good work, this is the best interface for WM so far!!
Hi all
So far so good.. only one episode of ‘freeze’ after I took a phone call… had to reset.
The gesture inverted V works fine.. does not seem to interfere with programs much except for once in the game Solitaire when i was moving the card about.
The new SMS-Chat is also great… so is FunContacts, although it will be good if the search engine can go thru all fields ie first name, last name, company and address.
ZoomBoard is abit difficult on the Omnia cos the Omnia default keyboard has bigger keys than the ZoomBoard keyboard.
So far I am very happy with the trial and will probably get it at the end!
Well anywhere and everytime I load any version of Winterface on my Omnia, it only is a matter of time (minutes) before it will lock up – always after being in sleep mode though. Unfortunately, that is often if a call comes in and you can’t answer it. I think the Omnia has too many of its own layers on top of WM which may be causing memory conflicts. Up to the point of locking, the form and function are just about perfect though. Inverted tick – no issue – not that it’s necessary – as Winterface invokes itself without intervention when it awakes from the phone’s first sleep. Maybe that’s part of the problem – multi-loading – which you can’t check because the phone is frozen up….
Nice app. I prefer it over my spb Mobile Shell. I’m just wondering though, why is it that all the pages only display 15 icons and not fill the entire screen with 16 icons complete? Is this a programming thing that I wouldn’t understand? It would be nice to have a “balanced” screen with all 16 icons filled. Has this been brought up anywhere in any forum? Or is this feature put there on purpose?
Well, it works perfectly on my ASUS P750, but the Contacts and Winterface are NOT “sensitive” to the ASUS numeric/T9 keypad. In the regular Win6 interface, I just start typing and the closest name apears (T9-based) ready to call etc. In Winterface and Cotacts this does not work. IMHO it is a severe limitation and usage downgrading to those who expressly need the real keypad functionality.
In addition, while browsing the pictures in EyePhoto, I am thrown back to Winterface too many times. It would have been cool to have the “two finger zoom and rotate” iPhone gestures. The current zoom and rotate is adequate but not great. Rotate should remember the last position for each picture.
On both Contacts and Eye Photo it is VERY annoying to be forced to backtrack to be able to exit the program. IMHO there should be an “exit program option” at every point.
Memory issues – the Installer installs ALL the languages although I use only English. It would be nice to be able to select which languages you want before installing. Also, it looks ot me that Winterface uses up a LOT of my RAM on P750, but I may be wrong. Can anyone shed a light on this? BTW memory: the memory active icon should show memory left not how much memory is being used. It is more useful that way. I suggest it also changes color when the remaining memory goes below, say 25%.
There are too many interface limitations – especially the fact that Winterface and Contacts ignore existing keypads – that prevent me from buying this otherwise intriguing addon now. Maybe when all the bugs and with some more usability it will make it on my buy list soon.
My 2c.
Hey Konstantin,
How about a choose able static background? Imagine this behind the icons wizzing around?
dam… won’t let me paste.. but please consider it. It would be really kool if you could choose your own background.
Keep up the good work!..
6 days 2 go for me!
L.
Thank you all for the feedback. I will not be posting the answers for a while, as I’m on vacation since the next week but be sure that we pay the closest attention to your comments and most of them end up either in Wishes or Bugs of our project Winteface. Thanks God we have http://www.task2gather.com to input all the feedback and work on the project
PS Locutis, send me email to konstantin@vitotechnology.com. I’ll get you a code for your great feedback earlier.
Hi Konstantin
First off, I really like your Winterface application and the direction it is headed.
After using the trial for a few days I thought of something that might be quite handy that I haven’t seen suggested yet.
When you click “Menu” on the main screen and then “Applications” or “Settings”, I know this is the screen where you can add your applications or settings to a Winterface tab but I think it would be awesome if you could actually launch an app (Maybe by holding down on the icon for a second) from this menu too. This would save some valuable space on your tabs for applications that you rarely use but would still have access to everything that is installed on your device.
Konstantin,
Very nice product and it is always great when a developer really listens to feedback and real life examples from the community. I do have one suggestion coming from a SPB Mobile Shell guy…is it possible to have an icon that will toggle through the levels of backlight? I know that you can add the Backlight setting icon, but then you are at the mercy of a couple of sliders…having a dedicated icon that would just toggle through the different brightness levels would really help make the device easier to use when switching environments (indoors/outdoors).
Thanks again for all of you and your team’s hard work.
Hi Konstantin,
Thank you for this wonderful application.
In addition to the many requests already mentioned here some features that I would like to see changed:
1. the possibility to switch transparency off completely or to have the possibility to change the level of transparency. While being outside (in sunlight) it is already difficult to see the content of the screen (Tytn II) without transparency effect. The transparency makes it even more difficult to read the content on the screen, not to say impossible.
2. having the possibility not to use the “slide to unlock” feature when the phone comes out of standby.
3. Winterface allows adding icons for contacts. I would like to have the possibility to add icons per phone number. As I often make phone calls while driving my car (with hands free kit) I appreciate the functionality of triggering a phone number directly without having to select the contact icon first and then selecting the phone number of the contact. I prefer to push only one icon to initiate the phone call and keeping my eyes on the road instead of having to first select the contact icon, then analyze the content of the screen and then selecting the desired phone number. Having the Contact/phone on one icon would really be helpful and making my/the phone&driving experience a lot safer.
4. Operating the phone – pushing icons – while driving (car of bicycle) it often happens that my finger rests/pushes a few second on the screen resulting in the triggering the “configuration” function which allows moving icons around on the screen and between the screens. This is most annoying. I would prefer if all configuration functions were moved under the Menu icon so that while operating the phone there is no risk in suddenly finding oneself within the configuration function.
Kind regards.
Mike
Does anyone know why there are only 15 icons on each page and you have no option to fill the whole page with 16 icons? I think it would look better if the whole page is filled with icons and there’s no blank space in the bottom right part of the screen.
Is this a design flaw or design art?
If you have a device capable of landscape mode, Winterface arranges tge icons 3 X 5. So im guessing to keep the 2 modes similar they use 15 icons
Well that makes sense J. Shimo. Thanks. I don’t understand though why most (if not all) of the winterface screenshots are portrait mode. One has to switch to landscape mode to be able to see a “balanced” screen and understand why there are only 15 icons and one is missing. I hope Konstantin can update this to have an option to have 16 icons for portrait and 15 icons as is for landscape modes respectively.
Hello,
Can anyone give me a date when we can expect the promised major update.
Best regards,
Bertie
Recently changed devices, went from TyTN II to iMate Ultimate 8502. While on the TyTN the softkeys still functioned under Winterface (i.e. pressing the Agenda softkey got you to Agenda) the softkeys now are pretty much dead. ???
(Funny, by the way, how the original review has turned into a forum on Winterface by now)
Well sorry to say that today, 14th August, chose to download yet again the latest v1.1 hot off the press. – Sorry because, as before, the software does not seem to sit comfortably on the Samsung i900 Omnia. As reported here before and to the support desk, the software appears to invoke itself without any launch gesture once the Omnia hibernates and is awoken. It’s a real shame that arguably the hottest WM6.1 device out there at the moment is unable to take advantage of this otherwise great UI enabler. Do the R&D team ever test before launch? – This is basic QA.
Once this is fixed, like others, I will certainly buy.
Update. I retract some of the above. After soft-resetting the phone and enabling the Winterface Lock Slide, the phone does now not hang anymore after ’sleeping’. I’ll continue to monitor v1.1, but after an hour now, so far, so good.
PS. Shame the colour has been removed from some of the preset icons….
Ahh, spoke to soon. It’s dead. It’s official. Won’t wake up. Only a soft reset brings the phone to life.
There’s something fundamentally in conflict between Winterface (any version) and the i900 internals – get that fixed, and the product shines but with the sporadic ‘hangs’ of the phone, none of the 1.1 benefits may be realised.
Robert,
We can’t buy all devices that are on the market. Therefore if you’ve got any bugs you can help us out this way, go to our blog http://blog.iwindowsmobile.com/?p=11, follow the instructions there and probably we can fix the bugs.
Just downloaded and tried the new version of Winterface (v1.1) on my XDA Orbit 2 (HTC Polaris). Looks brilliant and is very responsive. However, the program contains a very annoying problem which really kills the usability of this software for me. When you first start it up there is an introduction screen which explains how the gestures work and you can only get past this screen by correctly entering the tick gesture – this hardly ever works for me, so makes it very difficult to get the interface working. There should be an option to skip or disable this screen so that the user can just go straight in to the interface without relying upon correct recognition of this gesture. Similarly, there needs to be some non-gesture method for re-invoking the interface from the today screen.
I have the same problem as Shaun when using 1.1. I can’t get the phone to recognize the tick to get Winterface started. We need a way to get into Winterface without a gesture.
Those who had problems with “settings” and device hanging please download new version at our site. We’ve tried to fix the problems. Perhaps, Winterface will start working at Omnia.
Thanks for the quick remedial gesture, but in my case at least with the Omnia, the hanging remains after the phone sleeps.
I sent my device log earlier to Olya. I still wonder why with this phone, there is no need to launch the Winterface software as it appears to launch itself once the phone ’sleeps’.
Any information on how to CUSTOMIZE the Winterface skin?
Black and white is a poor choice when every smartphone manufacturer prides itself with QVGA/VGA screens exceeding 65,000+ colors.
I think I’ll wait for the proper full release of Winterface as the incremental maintenance releases continue to hang the Samsung i900 Omnia even if the phone is not touched or used in any way.
hi:
i just installed the 1.1 winterface. when i click on the contacts, it takes me to the wm6.1 interface, which is made for a stylus. is this correct?
this is a great app!
thanks!
Yes, this is correct unless you install FunContact from Vito Technology which will bring up an iphone like contact manager which uses kinetic scrolling. http://iwindowsmobile.com/contact-manager.html
thanks for the reply!
guess i’ll just buy the suite then. i find this the most finger friendly app. haven’t tried spb, but it looks to be stylus oriented & i tried touch commander it was slow & cumbersome.
is winterface a newer & better app than GoodWin?
I would LOVE to try this shell, but I can’t get it installed on my HTC Diamond!?
Installation seems to go OK, but when I start it by tapping the Winterface Icon, the device locks completely. It does show the word ‘winterface’ in the top left corner, but the phone is totally locked (btw, before starting it up, I have disabled Touchflo 3d). Then after a soft reset, I tried to use the gesture to start it. Well, it starts, but freezes again. No icons are shown at all… What could be wrong?
Henk,
Thanks for letting us know about the problem, we shall try to fix it ASAP.
so, any update ? I have a feeling there indeed are HTC Diamond users who succesfully installed it?
Just for the sake of completeness I’d like to mention that Winterface works flawlessly on my I-Mate Ultimate 8502.
Henk,
We have reports from our customers that Winterface works ok on their HTC Diamond. I think in your case it can be a conflict with some other 3rd party software.
Konstantin,
thanks for your reply.
I am using a 3rd party ROM, but this ROM is just based on the latest Windows Mobile OS. It has some tweaking programs included, but even when trying to install winterface before anything else, it’s failing to start.
As said, it IS running, because when I use the gesture, it starts (the name winterface shows up in the top left corner), but I see no icons…
I don’t feel too much for installing a fresh, bare minimal ROM at this time to see if it works, but perhaps I’ll do that later.. Thanks anyways for the support sofar!
I really enjoy Winterface.
I cannot figure out which application to put on my initial screem to show number of new voice mails.
Anyone care to help?
Thanks.
Hi I would like to know if Winterfacve is optimised for the Samsung Omnia wich I have just bought. Also, is there amy chance of a touch-friendly application for finances (Spb Finance is awful on this device) and a today screen like SPB Diary (also awful on Omnia).
Thanks
Kayus,
We have very different reports from Omnia users. Some say it works fine, other have bugs.
You can try and help us improve this by downloading fully functional trial (www.iwindowsmobile.com/files/Winterface.cab or http://www.iwindowsmobile.com/files/Winterface.exe) and doing this:
Winterface
b) tap menu, than settings.
c) go backwards.
d) tap applications.
e) go backwards again.
f) close Winterface.
g) go to Program Files/Winterface/ find the file device.log and send it to konstantin@vitotechnology.com. Also specify you device model in this letter and let me know if you are using any cooked ROM.
We’re currently not thinking about finance software. Omnia is a very peculiar device. Samsung changed a lot in the default WM software, so many 3rd party applications that work on other devices do not work on Omnia.
It’s been my experience through trial and error that as a basic minimum to avoid hanging, Omnia users should ensure installation of Winterface in to ‘Device’ when presented with the question and secondly, should ensure that any of the Samsung Today screens (1 or 2) are not running. A soft reset should then be made and watch WInterface run itself (somehow?) after the phones awakes from its first sleep. – no need for ‘inverted tick’.
Konstantin, you may wish to also emphasise or list known 3rd party products that WM users may, or typically also install that come in to conflict with Winterface.
Robert,
Thanks for posting this useful for Omnia users info. As for the list of all imcompatible software, this is close to impossible. There are thousands of applications for WM out there that may conflict with Winterface.
Generally though it is not 3rd party applications but ROM modifications implemented by OEM, what we see in case with Omnia.
Hi,
I noticed a version 1.12 now so decided to try again on my htc touch diamond and guess what, it works! Nice job
Only 1 icon missing, which is quite important for me: CALENDAR? In all the screenshots I see it next to the internet explorer icon, but not on my device? Is that a bug or should I activate it somewhere?
thanks!
Henk,
You can add Calendar from the main menu > applications.
thanks Konstantin!
However, the icon looks now different from what I see in the screenshots above and it also does not show the number of appointments for today?
It shows events for today, tomorro and for the day after tomorrow.
OK, it works now. When I added the calendar the first time, it showed the “standard” windows icon (in the application list and on the winterface icon screen once I added it). I removed / added it again and now it shows the correct icon + number of appointments.
great stuff
Voicemail notification?
I bought and use winterface and really like it but I found something that you may want to consider adding. I must have been out of my cell phone area because I didn’t recieve a phone call but did get a voicemail. I did not know I had a voicemail until I went back to the Windows Mobile today screen. Is there any chance you can add a voicemail notification to the Winterface screen? This was a downfall of SPB Mobile Shell also until they fixed it in their latest version.
I have the same concern, I asked on Sept 1 but have not gotten any reponse.
Hopefully we will hear something soon.
Dave and Hiram,
We are planning to implement this in future versions. Maybe not in the next one. Now we are working on weather.
I have tried several shells and am currently running SPB stuff. I prefer the look of Winterface as it provides a nicer looking screen with more contrast.
What is preventing my switch is the lack of 2 applets:
FIRSTLY: I need to be able to see the data connection (available or in use) and an indicator if I am connected. Having this feature would also beat SPB who sell it as a separate non integrated application (messy stuff). I see that even HTC are providing SPB GPRS Monitor as WM has slipped up by not providing connect/disconnect functionality from the data toolbar icon (this is the whole point of a PPC, the icon exists showing the status so why have to go into the menu to get access!).
By not having this functionality the Winterface Shell is just copying the obvious short coming in Microsofts own interface except worse …. you don’t even see the status. An applet please
SECONDLY: A WiFi applet so that I can:
- see if WiFi is off or on
- see if I am connected or not
- turn WiFi off and on
I don’t see how you can do this by copying across your own program.
ALSO
Your icons are brilliant! Standard coloured icons can look crap on a black background. I can see icons above that are not in the Manual. Do I have to download the trial version just to find out the full list of available icons?
Great job for such a new product.
Craig,
Can you write to me with a more detailed description of the 1st applet for showing connectivity?
Yes, download the lates version from http://www.iwindowsmobile.com/vito-mobile-shell.html to see all available black and white icons.
You want me to post here or how do I e-mail/pm you?
Craig,
Please e-mail me at konstantin at vitotechnology dot com
ok have been playing with the trial version for hours now
Observations:
…. all my links to SPB stuff looks the same and has names in square brackets 
Can you please tell us how to edit to use Winterface icons for our own apps?
- data connection indicator is a must (please make in turn on/off like SPB GPRS Monitor can). This will be an excellent selling point for you.
- interface is smooth and fast. Like having a new phone
- I love the Winterface icons but can’t use them instead of my own
I really want to use the contacts icon as I own a different contacts application which is the best
- my deleting of icons issue is solved
- only bug is that some icons keep going blank (not Winterface icons) like the screen brightness icon
- I guess WiFi applet not a big issue as my phone has an indicator light and there is an icon that takes you to the appropriate screen
Great stuff
After several days use my key issue is that I keep going back to the WM Today Page to see if I am connected to a data connection!
When I leave my internet browser it returns me to Winterface. I then have to open a Today Page like application to gain access to to be WM Toolbar and see if a data connection is open. If one is then I open SPB GPRS Monitor (comes free with HTC devices now) which is an icon on my WM Toolbar. I then select the disconnect option.
When having browser issues I also find it handy to use this method to open an internet connection separately from opening the browser so I can isolate the issue.
My data connection is charged based on time and Winterface costs me money not knowing I have an open data connection!
My only other issue is not being able to use the provided Winterface icons for my own applications. I can always make up a shortcut with my own new icon so if the data connection problem can be solved then I will buy Winterface
One thing I can advise you right now Craig is to put a Comm Manager icon on one of the screens. Usu the Comm Manager has a data toggle on/off.
You can create an icon for your own application. In the main menu choose File and then navigate to the file that starts your own program.
2everybody
Thank you very much for your useful feedback. Please, in future, report the issues here: http://vitotechnology.com/en/support
This is the shortst way for the wishes to the next version of Winterface and for the bugs to be fixed.
Hi Konstantin,
Cheers, I have Comm Manager on my main (1st) Winterface screen. My key issue is that I can not tell if a data session is open without going looking for it (opening Com Manager etc).
Can you tell me if Winterface plans to provide something that tells me a data session is active (like the WM toolbar does)?
I am happy to buy Winterface if I know that in say 3 months time I will get an update that includes some sort of data session indicator.
Cheers Craig
A while ago I posted this:
“Recently changed devices, went from TyTN II to iMate Ultimate 8502. While on the TyTN the softkeys still functioned under Winterface (i.e. pressing the Agenda softkey got you to Agenda) the softkeys now are pretty much dead.”
No one has responded to this particular issue, so I’m just wondering: am I the only one? Do the softkeys work on any device but the iMate? Or does nobody use the softkeys now that they have Winterface?
For the rest: I enjoy this prog every day, wouldn’t want to go without it.
Hi bartveld,
There are no soft keys in Winterface …. so you mean that the soft keys in your Today screen have stopped working?
Well, not in my regular Today screen; there they work fine. But they also worked fine under Winterface on the TyTN II (so while in Winterface I’d press the Calendar softkey and it worked). Do the softkeys still function on your device while your running Winterface?
Just to be clear now …. the softkeys are the two sftware keys that appear on the bottom of the screen.
As per the screenshots above, when I am in Winterface there are no softkeys to press.
Oops! You’re quite right: I mean the hardware keys which refer to the software keys that can be found in the bottom bar of a regular (non-Winterface) Today screen. Of course there are no softkeys at the bottom of Winterface, but the functionality of the “regular” WM-softkeys through the hardware keys was available on my TyTN II.
So to rephrase the question: Do the hardware keys that refer to the traditional softkeys still function on your device while your running Winterface?
No they don’t, but my softkeys had been mapped to SPB Shell and SBP Contacts. I never changed them before installing Winterface but my tabbed SPB Mobile is effectively running underneath.
I have a dedicated button for opening the WM drop down menu but this also does nothing inside Winterface. My 2 ok butons (side and face) will close Winterface. My other programmed button performs both its functions (jump to messges and start camera) from Winterface.
My 5 way scroll wheel is obsolete inside Winterface.
I am not too worried about all the above. my next phone probably won’t wave a scroll wheel (kind of obsolete now that you can scroll screens).
I am now also interested to know why we lose the softkey options (from the associated hard keys)
bartveld,
Post your question to http://vitotechnology.com/en/support
I had to check that I had read the comprehensive FAQ when I submitted but there isn’t one for Winterface
I posted to http://blog.iwindowsmobile.com/?p=11 but haven’t heard anything back, so I thought I’d post here where items seem to be quickly responded to.
“I’m using a Verizon HTC X6900 and have Windows 6x on it, I’ve installed Winterface and I find that IE will not load properly (I get a blank white screen) after Screen Lock and intermittently and it takes a soft reset to be able to accurately bring the program up. I’ve read – I think everything that’s out there and haven’t seen this with anyone else. Do you have any ideas? I am running the 14 day trial, and have removed any SPB products. Any help would be appreciated. I truly like this program and would like to continue to use, but this could be a show stopper for me. I should have mentioned that Im running iWindowsMobile Communication suite 1.5 as downloaded from this site.”
Also, I do not see upcoming counts of meetings on the calendar icon. I tried to grab the log, however, it did not work. So any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
Craig,
80% confirmed about data statu icon. 20% for the chances that WM will not let us do it.
Bartveld,
Send the log file to dia at vitotechnology dot com
Jennifer,
Please, submit your issue here http://vitotechnology.com/en/support
And do this (and thanks in advance):
1.Install Winterface.
2. Start it.
3. Tap menu, than settings.
4. Go backwards.
5. Tap applications.
6. Go backwards again.
7. Close Winterface.
Then go to the Winterface folder, copy device.log file and send it to (dia@vitotechnology.com). Accompany the letter with a detailed description of what exactly doesn’t work on your device.
Konstantin,
Thanks for the update. I am very happy with the fact that your people are looking at a solution even if there is a small chance that it is not technically possible.
Thanks for all the good work.
Jennifer,
If I were you I would first try using another browser. IE is a poor WM browser. You get a better web experience from products like Opera.
I am launching Opera from Winterface and it works just fine. I stopped using IE a year ago due to all the problems it has.
Maybe you should download a trial version of Opera and see if it works through Winterface for your device.
I have been using WinterFace for a couple months now w/ a HTC Titan, under WM 5 and 6 I found it not very stable – the lock screen very rarely worked coming out of standby. However, after upgrading my ROM and radio versions of the phone which also brought me up to WM 6.1 the lock screen issue is fixed.
The main issue I am having now (which was prevalent in under the older WM o/s’s as well was when tapping an icon, the screen would flip to the Winterface is registered screen. At first installed under WM 6.1, this issue was non existent, however over time it has gotten worse. Now, I am unable to use it as it will not allow me to access programs – I simply shut it down. Frustrating. Hands down though, Winterface is a great shell – when it works, I really enjoy it.
Has anyone else had this issue?
An update to this post – I just learned that an update to winterface is available – unsure when this was released, there is also a free weather cab. http://iwindowsmobile.com/vito-mobile-shell.html
Anyway, going to try this new version out, hopefully it clears the bugs I am having
Well, update 1.15 has another bug – the battery indicator, while working correctly as an icon, when pressed it actually takes you to the “task switcher”. I guess it’s time for version 1.16?
Yes – found a couple minor bugs in this version as well – though my main issue with the screen always flipping to the WinterFace is Registered has been fixed.
On my device HTC Titan, the battery icon does nothing…just shows the level but when pressed it does not take me to the battery controls…no biggie there for me.
The minor bugs I have come accross is (aside from it using way more memory than before), on the calendar items, instead of showing a number for the apt’s for the day, it has some weird symbol I am unable to figure out.
The other issue is the pictures for the contacts are messed up (like screen jidder lines) – again, no biggie – having pictures there is just fluff anyway.
Unfortunately with my device, when running Winterface, FunContact and SMS Chat – I am up to 87% memory – not leaving much for some of my applications. This seems to gain to about 92% after running for 24+ hours so I am wondering if there is a memory leak?
My only other ‘wish’ would be for the weather ap to have more days – I like to know the week’s outlook
Good job to Vito for the tweaks to this level!
I will be trying it but I have been using the weather screen in an iPhone XDA-Developer SPB Shell modification and it is soooooooo good I may run that instead
Hi. I use Winterface about 3 months on my HTC Kaiser and I like it very much. Much better and easier than SPB Mobile Shell, which I used before.
“Well, update 1.15 has another bug – the battery indicator, while working correctly as an icon, when pressed it actually takes you to the “task switcher”.”
Strange… works perfectly OK for me.
Hi,
I think they could consider two good ideas for this interface:
- create a slide to answer tool (it’s a problem not solved by windows mobile… sometimes I answered calls only because of not controlled touches in my jeans pockets…
- create a mp3 player, linked to the lock screen.
- the way to configure a button for scrolling around opened applications
Bye!
hi i have winterface on my o2 xda II. it works great and i love it but the lock screen doesnt work ever.i ticked and unticked it and left it for ages, itried everything but it just doesnt work. also the contacts doesnt work properly either.FunContact that is.
please can you fix these probs and add more wiked things to it, to make it more stylish and nicer such as replacing the calender, calculator, internet, notes and make it more like sms chat and FunContact.also can you make a new file explorer. just make a new skin for it like how you made running and these other wiked programs.
ill buy it straight away if these get fixed for the o2 xda II. cheers
Well, I have to “bump” my earlier post as it seems it was missed by Konstantin.
“Any information on how to CUSTOMIZE the Winterface skin?
Black and white is a poor choice when every smartphone manufacturer prides itself with QVGA/VGA screens exceeding 65,000+ colors.”
Thanks.
I have now tried
- Winterface
- SPB Shell
- an XDA-Dev iPhone like overlay to SPB Shell
- PointUI Home
I am currently running PointUI. One of the great things about PointUI is what I find unworkable under Winterface. PointUI offers a toolbar which is nicer and more productive than the WM toolbar. Winterface fails to cover the functionality available in the standard WM today page let alone add anything.
I own Winterface. I recognise that updates are coming out all the time but Winterface refuse to put release notes on their site so I can not check when there is a new version I should try. They seem to think that users will compensate for their lack of effort by installing and uninstalling versions to see what the changes are.
I would like to check out new versions of Winterface. It is a good product. I am put off by the laziness/unhelpfulness of not providing release notes.
PointUI is great (and free) if you want to check that out too.
Some of the info you’re looking for can be found here: http://blog.iwindowsmobile.com/
AI,
Currently there is no way to customize the colors in Winterface. The black background ensures the highest performance on all devices.
We may develop a bright skin in future versions of Winterface.
New version is out 1.20. I can only repeat what I said about the previous version back in Oct 27:
“Well, update 1.15 has another bug – the battery indicator, while working correctly as an icon, when pressed it actually takes you to the “task switcher”.”
One month ans a simple bug such as this hasn’t been fixed yet.
RGR on your position regarding wallpapers, icons and looks customization, Konstantin. Black may be more efficient than having a wallpaper, but that does not explain those bleak B&W icons when it is obvious that some of the icons are in color. Apple must know something if they invested so much into a colorful and attractive UI. Maybe sometimes it pays to listen to what they have to say.
In any case, for now I’ll still keep my $ until the nagging bugs are fixed, you recognize that some of us use keyboards which are easier to use to find contacts than finger-browsing a never-ending vertical list, and when some colors find their way in this otherwise VERY promising interface.
Best,
Al
AI,
The bug with the power button is a device specific bug. On other devices we fixed it. We need you cooperation in order to fix this bug. Every OEM and carrier make changes to the OS and this is how you receive this bug.
If you could follow this link and submit your bug, we will fix it. The link is: http://www.vitotechnology.com/en/support/vito-mobile-shellfaq.html
Konstantin,
Thank you for the reply. It is NOT the “power button” I’m having problems with – it’s the battery ICON which when pressed, takes me to the “mode switcher” app, instead of showing me the batt charge status app…
This bug appeared in version 1.15 and it is still present in 1.2.
I use an ASUSP750 phone with Win 6.0.
Best,
Al
AI, please follow the link I provided n the previous comment to fix this bug for your device.
Well, did that several days ago but never got a confirmation that the report was received or being investigated. Is this normal?
Al
Give ‘em some time…
Oh, they can have time. I only expected some kind of feedback to tell me that my message has been received and taken care of.
After all – THEY requested ME to send the report, not the other way around. At this stage I only wonder if my report got to the right person/place, not if/when the bug is fixed.
Al
AI,
Most probably we got it. Sorry if we did not answer you.
Hello, I has installed Winterface 1.2 in my HTC Diamond, I works great except for the one minute delay while starting. Also, after soft reset, it does not start completely because my device turn off after 50 seconds.
Any fix to solve this issue?
Regards,
Roberto
PD. This also happens with previous versions.
Roberto, I wonder about the setup of your Diamond. On mine loading takes about 20 seconds. Do you still have TouchFlo loading in the background? Any other heavy duty stuff loading?
Hello Al,
Please mail me to alex at vitotechnology dot com
I will try to solve your problem.
hello i have a little problem. i am using sms chat 2.16 and winterface 1.20. i buy recently the spb full screnkeyboard and when i am using sms chat i canot open it in full screen. if i use the default mail program no problem. I dont know if it comes from winterface or sms chat ? can you help me ? thanks. jose
Jose,
I suggest you to use ZoomBoard.
Hi,
I have downloaded trial version of winterface 1.2 on my HTC touch. It’s a wonderful application and working fine on my HTC touch but I noticed at if I attend a phone call and after completion of call the screen remains in old style, means winterface screen does appears automatically. Same way If I turn off display temporarily and again turn it on normal screen appears and have to click on winterface panel.
Can I know whether my data session is open or not in winterface 1.2
Prashant,
Turn on the lock screen in the settings.
Can I know whether my data session is open or not in winterface 1.2 – not.
Hi Konstantin,
Thanks for prompt reply. Any plan to include Data Session info in next updates ? I would also like to know if winterface application uses more battery.
Thanks.
Plans confirmative
battery problem solved, may persist but this may happen on some devices. In this case you could help us fix this for your device by going to vitotechnology.com/support.php
I’ve had little reply sofar to my request for a new activation code (I’ve changed devices again; it happens). Looking around on the website of vototechnology I chanced upon this remarkable bit of info:
“According to our licensing agreement, the license you’ve bought contains three activation keys and you can receive the other two once per three months from the moment of first activation by contacting us via our support form describing your problem and specifying your current activation code for the product you want to activate. After you have used the third key you will need to prolong your license by buying a new copy of a program.”
So I wonder, is there anyone out there who has already been forced to “buy a new copy”? How do users judge these practices? Are people actually willing to buy a new copy as punishment for the fact that they regularly change device? Or have to upgrade their ROM? Or simply have to have a hard reset and do a fresh install? Is this acceptable?
(I wonder if I will get my activation code…)
Well, I got my code. The general question still stands.
Suddenly I notice some weird behavior on my Diamond: when I press the volume up/down button on the side of the device Contacts is started. This only happens when I have Winterface active; when minimized or shut down I get the volumecontrol screen of the Diamond. So this must have something to do with Winterface, but it’s not like I can assign programs to buttons in Winterface, now is it?
Anybody else have this behavior?
I would like to see the bluetooth icon light up blue to indicate on. Any chance of this?
A big chance, Phil, but already in the new year.
I have sbp gprs monitor installed on my HTC Touch and also I am using Winterface licensed version. In sbp gprs monitor there is a button to disconnect GPRS. How can I configure this button in Winterface as separate button ?
is it possible to make winterface the main screen instead of having to draw the gesture to get into it?
You said:
“the calendar icon is suppose to show you today’s date (I say suppose because as of right now, it does not on my device but VITO is working to fix that).”
I discovered how to solve the problem with the calendar icon not working.I discovered it’s because I’m using ThumbCal as the default calendar app. I uninstalled ThumbCal (www.thumbapps.com), restart Winterface, add the Calendar icon, and it worked.
After that, I reinstalled ThumbCal and the correctly-working calendar icon continued working…, but with 2 issues:
- again, it cannot be added. It’s working because I added it without ThumbCal installed. The icon which is available to add is not working again.
- the correctly-working calendar icon accesses the windows calendar, no matter i configured ThumbCal as the default calendar app.
I added another not-working calendar icon and now I have 2 calendar icons: one for the notifications and another for accessing ThumbCal.
I hope it helps you. You can use (and spread) this info. I sent it to VITO.
Why there is no replies or updates to the queries ?
There are no comments from the R&D crew since Dec 23rd, and no software updates either. Winterface is stuck at version 1.20
It looks to me that:
a. They either stopped development and bug fixing…
b. or they are working on a major service pack.
I hope it’s (b).
If it’s (a), then this will be the first and the last product I buy from these guys.
Al
Last Feb. 5th, I got an answer to some sugestions. It said:
“Thank you for your suggestions, we will add them in our program wish-list. We are currently working to resolve known flaws (e.g. calendar problems) and adding some frequently suggested features (wi-fi on/off).”
I hope it helps you.
Hi All!
Thank you for sending us a great amount of interesting suggestions for improving Winterface.
At the moment the new version of Winterface is being tested. I hope that next week we’ll be able to release a new version with major improvements.
Regards,
Olga
VITO Technology, Inc.
Well Olga, “next week” came and went just like the weeks after Chritsmas. Do you have any sneak peek screenshots and/or list of changes/additions or any hint about those “major improvements” you mentioned? I have been checking your official blog at http://blog.iwindowsmobile.com/ regularly, but there are no news or hints about a new, less buggy and more user-friendly version of Winterface.
Sorry for sounding impatient but in this case, usually “no news is bad news”. I decided to buy an incomplete product (IMHO), since I noticed you were updaing and improving it regularly. I hoped that buying it I will also support its development towards making it closer to what I expect from such a product (I did send my suggestions in the past and also published them on this board).
Now everything seems to have stopped.
Al
Al, you’re so impatient:)
Nothing has stopped. We were polishing Winterface app. I hope this week we’ll be ready to release the new version. When it is out I’ll let you know!
Still on version 1.2 Still can’t work out how to add 16 icons to a page (don’t reply with any landscape answer because you can’t think outside the square). Still an FAQ link on the website that does not link to FAQs (I pointed that out months ago).
Look at PointUI Home2 or SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 … quality products that list version information.
This may sound harsh but I have already paid my money to Vito and the same situation continues. I am not using Winterface on my phone now as I was waiting for improvement. I am currently running something very useful instead using SecondToday, cLauncher and some SPB apps.
Well, it’s here, version 1.3! All good things come to those who wait…
I don’t get it: why are the icons in the light skin so much bigger and where do the icons which “fall off the screen” go? You’d expect to be able to scroll down and see them, but no…
FINALLY! Yes, I LOVE the new interface. I agree that it is a bit confusing how the customization works, but I got the hang of it. Here are the issues I see with the new interface/approach:
1. Winterface should remember BOTH the “black” and the “light” icon configurations. Now when I move between the black and light, the “black” config is lost.
2. The light config should have the option to hold the same number of icons as the black. While I see a LOT of advantages in the bigger icons, many will dislike it because the VERY limited number of icons it can hold on one screen.
3. I guess that now it is possible to allow users to design their own icons (at least for the “light” version) and offer the option for different background bitmaps + semi-transparent icons.
Al
Welcome to version 1.3 ! New interface is good but as Al said it should remember BOTH the “black” and the “light” icon configurations.
Secondly I noticed that in new version battery is drained quickly. I use HTC Touch. Any one else is facing this problem ?
I would like to see data counter and sms counter in updated version. Any hope ?
- Prashant
OK, some issues with 1.3:
1. The battery still points to the Mode Switcher
2. The WiFi icon points to “Configure Wireless Networks” and despite the “on/off” indicators, it does neither turn WiFi on/off nor show the WiFi on/off status if I turn it on/off from the windows environment.
3. Where is the “camera” icon?
4. It would bevery useful to have a “DATA” icon similar to the Blutooth one, to control and indicate the status of the GPRS etc. data connection.
5. The Day/Date icon should be improved. The day name is too small to be readable at a glance and what’s more, it is also covered by the number of meetings indicator. I suggest to use the abbreviations “SUN”, “MON” etc., use a bigger font and move the day name below the date.
I use an ASUS P750 with Win6Pro.
Al
CORRECTION!
The WiFi icon indeed shows if there is an active connection, but when you press it, it takes you to the wifi settings – this is useful in its own way, but misleading. I suggest you remove the on/off indicator from this icon and leave its “wifi settings” functionality. You can also remove it altogether since there are other icons in the “settings” section that do that.
A more useful WiFi icon would be one which combines the Blutooth on/off functionality and the Cellular connection quality icon.
When you press on this icon, you would turn WiFi on/off. If you turn WiFi on and if there is a preferred network available, it connects, shows the connection strength and possibly the WiFi network SSID. If there is no preferred network around, it opens up the standard available networks list and allows the user to select the WiFi network.
IMHO this is a much more useful Winterface icon. The current one is only misleading.
Al
I just read following news at official blog http://blog.iwindowsmobile.com/
We’ve just updated Winterface to version 1.31. The following bugs were fixed:
* e-mail notification problem
* icon sleep can be deleted now
* menu “Add” works fine now
* some bugs on Omnia device
* skin support for the Today screen
But there is no link to download updated version.
Can any one help ?
Prashant
Thanks… Now new version 1.31 is available at blog for download. A quick comment : In day and date icon name of day overlaps on date in HTC Touch when full screen is not selected. In full screen it appears correctly.
-Prashant
Nice. But what the heck is “skin support for the Today screen”? BTW, the manual needs to be changed urgently to fit the new skin, options, etc.
Al
Hmm – “all quiet on the Russian front”.
Of course, I still don’t know what “skin support for the Today screen” means and the manual is still not updated. Has Vito stopped supporting the app?
Al
Al, I am sorry the manual is still not quiet up to standard but we are working on it, having someone mother tongue to proof read and if necessary rewrite it. Hope you can have a little bit more patience and it will be all done nicely and professionaly. Any other question please contact us at support@vitotechnology.com. Winterface is one of our bestsellers we are always providing support on it.
Could the release of SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 (Pretty nice I must say) spell trouble for Winterface?
The contest “Give a new face to Winterface” is open. 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.
test
Since last four months all are silent…!!! No further development or up-gradation in winterface…
Any good news to come ?
Sure, we’re currently working on a new version. I hope we can release it soon!
Thanks Olga for your positive response. Look forward to see new version very soon. My suggestion for new version is to provide separate icons for different midlets.
No updates or word for 5 months already. Apart from receiving a sarcastic reply to a suggestion I placed on how to improve the “responsiveness” of potential participants to the “Icons Contest”, there was no further news about a change/progress/new features/fixes, etc.
I mean if somebody at Vito develops a new version and if the release would really be “soon” I would expect so see some screenshots, some sneak peeks, some hints as to WHAT will be improved (if at all) or added to the app (if at all), you know, just to keep us salivating and maybe prevent us from moving to “greener pastures”. My take is that there is no new version “soon” – maybe for Christmas, but not “soon” – or people at Vito don’t understand what their community needs to hear and see.
Alas, in one month I will be getting myself an iPhone GS and get it over with all the mess of using 3rd party apps to make my Smartphone be more “human”, and waiting for updates, fixes, flexibility, “new versions soon” and so on. It is the same with all “iPhone-like” applications and developers, not only Winterface.
The disappointment from this state of affairs is something I don’t find worth “fighting” for anymore. Maybe I’ll revert to Smartphones once Microsoft understands what a cellphone is – maybe they will get it right with Windows Mobile 2020, or leave this market altogether.
On 2nd August Olga informed that they are working on a new version and hope to release it soon!……… when that soon will come ?
Sorry guys… after holiday time, it has taken us a bit longer than expected but we are nearly ready with it and testing for the new version is starting today. Winterface 2.0 will be out soon!!!! Following your suggestions we will make sure we can share some screenshots as well.
Regards,
Vito Technology
Hi Olga,
Seems to be a good news if Winterface 2.00 will be out Soon…. Do we expect within a week time ?
yes, I think within a week is a reasonable time. We are testing it now, found few glinches to to fix but shouldn’t take too long.
Do we expect in a day or two now. Week is almost over !!!!
Read “Winterface 2.0 Sneak Preview” here: http://tiltmobility.com/winterface-20-sneak-preview/
Hi Olga, Very much excited to see the sneak preview of Winterface 2.0 When it will available for download ?
Had version 1.3.1 activated on my Asus p750 phone (Win Mobile 6.0 Professional). Downloaded Winterface 2.01 CAB, installed it. During the install it locked up. Had to hard reset and reinstall. Then it crashed. Then I had a hard time to remove Winterface from the task manager – had to reset the device a few times until I gained control, stopped the task and uninstall. Then I reverted to 1.3.1 (re-installed it) and all went back to normal.
2.01 is a dud ,with an incredibley frustrating and failing upgrading process, and it will not make it on my device until the installation process is solved – for free or otherwise.
Ramayana, we know about the isues we’l fix that ASAP. Thanks!
Same feedback on 2.02 CAB. It’s a frustrated no go.
Most people would agree with this, in my opinion the author could not be more right.