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The Zune-like Titanium interface for Windows Mobile 6.5 is insanely fluid and gives users access to a bevy of features. Just like with any interface, however, the visual appeal can become a little too familiar, leaving the user looking for other options. What better way to spice things up than with a custom theme? Not just any theme, but one that actually transforms the interface into something else.

If you’re running Titanium and want some Sense action of the Hero variety, you can download/install a theme that will alter Titanium into just that. It doesn’t necessarily have the customizing abilities of the real Sense UI, but it certainly does hold its ground on the visual side of things. Continue reading to learn more about “Titanium-Hero Sense UI.”

The popular Hero look can now be integrated with Titanium via a theme and some plug-ins. It’s still early in development, but it is functional. There’s a learning curve as far as setting up the interface goes, but everything’s pretty simple after that. The main home panel encompasses the Hero clock with flipping animation, current weather, calendar shortcut (shows active appointments) and the famous Sense menu bar. You can swipe left or right to get to a detailed 4-day weather widget.

Messaging and programs can be reached from the right and left buttons, respectively, on the menu bar. From the program launcher, you can connect to custom Twitter and music panels. A neat thing about the music panel is that it can be used with either S2P or Nitrogen. There is also a settings panel that houses wireless connections, wallpaper, sound profile and other system related widgets. The lock screen has been skinned too.

Since the project is pretty much in beta still, there are some bugs. Unfortunately, it’s only available for QVGA and VGA (pictured below) devices. I wouldn’t be surprised to see support for WVGA soon, considering this was originally a QVGA only project. If you’re using a WVGA display and are interested in Titanium-Hero, it wouldn’t hurt to give the developer a nudge on his thread. Head over to XDA-developers for the files.

Quick install guide (install the following files to main memory):

- Install Mortscript 4.2
- Install JMLPanex 2.1
- Install all files from Titanium-Hero pack (QVGA, VGA) - 12 files in total
- Download and place Code.mscr file into JMLToday folder (in Program Files)
- Soft reset

Note: as a reminder, Titanium-Hero is only for devices running WM6.5/6.5.1 with QVGA or VGA displays. It’s always a good idea to backup your data before testing new tweaks or software.

What a lot of people forget--and it's nice to see HTC CEO Peter Chou make a good point of this--is that the iPhone sports a relatively low screen resolution...480 pixels down and 320 across. The latest Windows Mobile device, like the HD2, has 800 pixels down and 480 across. This means that more data can fit on the screen at a time, translating to less scrolling in email (as we get to see in this video), a higher resolution view of photos, and a better web experience.

(via: msmobiles)

There are two new calling features set to debut on the new version of TouchFLO 3D 2.5 on the HD2. The first is Quiet Ring on Pickup which will lower the volume of your ringer when it senses that you have moved the device when a call comes in. The second is Pocket Mode which will increase the volume of the ringer if the device is in your pocket or in a bag.

If you've ever wondered how a video would look on the huge screen sported by the HD2, WinMo.nl has reviewed the device and posted a video on their Youtube channel demonstrating video playback.

It's not quite clear to me what the exact video format was used for playback, neither the resolution, but I can't help noticing how fluid it plays back. After all, it's a kinky processor which beats the lower clocked ones in the same circumstances as Brandon tested the Acer neoTouch compared to the Touch HD.

You can watch the video below or read the translated version of their full review here.

We released a widget earlier this week that has been only intermittently available on the Marketplace. While XDA has found a work around for this problem, a lot of you just want the direct download link for the widget. Well here it is!

Download the Widget
Run this file first to authorize the widget to run

Update: Specific steps to run the widget:

1. Run the authorization CAB
2. Run the widget. It will install the widget to your Start Menu folder so that you can access it from the Start menu

SPB Software has posted an update to their rather popular and highly customizable user interface, Mobile Shell, in their forums. It’s now at 3.5.1 Beta 1 (build 9666) and brings mostly bug fixes. In a recent poll on favorite interfaces among our readership, Mobile Shell took second place with over 700 votes (TF3D claimed 1st). Continue Reading to see a full list of changes, bug fixes and to get the download.

While SPB Software delivers with many bug fixes, they seem to have left HTC Touch Pro2 users in the dark again. It’s quite baffling because the TP2 is one of the most popular Windows Phones to date. Ever since the release of MS3.0 many months ago, Touch Pro2 users have been suffering from strange bugs specific to their device. If you visit the SPB software forums, you will notice many threads opened about these issues without any resolutions. In fact, they don't seem to be acknowledged at all.

Nevertheless, an update is an update and it should improve the experience to some degree for all; so view changes below and head over to the SPB Club forum for the download.

Key bug fixes and changes:

- SPB Pocket Plus close button makes Shell unresponsive
- Set Ringtone doesn't work for Contacts
- 6.5: Theme shows incorrectly for Carousel and Tiles views
- Added current conditions threshold for weather widget
- Agenda: One day is shown twice, 25 осt date is the transition to "winter" time
- 3D SMS viewer: First word disappears after enter
- Twitter issues fixes
- Kinetic scrolling doesn't stop on Asus P565
- 3D SMS viewer: Picture is absent.
- 3D viewer: Date isn't shown for SMS and Email
- 3D email viewer: First account always shows
- Birthday widget doesn't update itself when contact info is changed
- New filter category is available only after MS restart
- Task widget makes task sychronization with Outlook longer
- Feature: introduced default action for weather widget (now choose between "Open forecast" and "Open conditions")

We're proud and excited to announce that we are among the very first websites to have a dedicated content widget in the Marketplace. Our widget is available for free and can be found in the the Lifestyle/Recreation category of the store, or you can simply search for "pocketnow.com".

The widget lets you take pocketnow.com content with you in a super mobile-friendly format that even displays the video content that we produce. You can also view our review archive and catch up on the latest products that we've evaluated.

At this time, the widget is only accessible from the Marketplace in the US, though we're likely to make it more widely available in the coming weeks.

A big thanks goes to WebIS (makers of Pocket Informant) for developing the widget, and for Adam Lein for making everything come together.

Also, we're happy to reveal to you the new pockentow.com video introduction, which shows our new logo due to be unveiled in full when we launch the site redesign in less than a week. We hope you like it =D.

If you have a 6.0/6.1 device, you too can use the Marketplace.

Update: Many of you are having trouble finding the widget. We're hearing from Microsoft that apps may take a few days to propagate to all of the servers. So check back for it soon!

The terribly popular screen locking application, Slide2Unlock2 (S2U2), received an update today that brings a long list of changes and additions. To the delight of many users, compatibility has been improved for Windows Mobile 6.5. If you’re new to Windows Phones and are looking for an application with advanced features to lock your screen, S2U2 is calling your name. Hit the break to see the full changelog and download link.

S2U2 can be downloaded from the developer’s (A_C) website. For support, visit the latest thread on XDA-developers. It should work for virtually all Windows Mobile 5 or greater devices with support for a healthy array of resolutions. Feel free to make a small donation to him as this app is free and has always been a popular choice among Windows Mobile users.

Changes of v2.10:

- further enhanced S2U2 Settings to edit the Exceptional EXEs list; change the run application after unlock;
and change "Language" (must download the language pack & copy it to S2U2's installed folder first).
- added to show Caller/Sender pics on the missed call/message pop-up.
- added to show account name on the email pop-up.
- added option to show "Active" or "Due Today" task. (S2U2 Settings -> Information -> Task Count)
- added option to set the "Top Curtain" floats. (S2U2 Settings -> Appearance -> Top Curtain)
- added a new set of graphic files for showing the full-screen battery - battery0.png, battery10.png... battery100.png.
download the S2U2BatteryPack-QVGA.zip or S2U2BatteryPack-VGA.zip & refer to the BatteryReadme.txt inside for details.
- added option to show "Full Screen Battery on top of wallpaper".
- added Mouse lock for Omnia.
- added option to show S2P current album pic or not.
- re-added option GDI to "Display Mode" with faster performance.
- moved the option "Lock when Screen is Blank" to Power section to cater on battery and external power situations.
- extended the limit of "Boot up Delay" to 60s.
- fixed the corrupted screen on Touch Pro 2 when the orientation is changed, change the "Display Mode" to GDI.
- fixed the mis-shown of Bluetooth icon on Touch Pro 2.
- improved compatibility with WM6.5 devices, especially the CallerID.
- a few minor bugs fixed.

In this video, we take a tour of Windows Mobile 6.5 build 23502 from XDA. While there aren't many changes beyond what we saw in build 23081, the new build is significantly faster than all previous builds of 6.5.1.

Recently we showed you that in the upcoming version of TouchFLO 3D, you can view a tidy index of all of your SMS conversations with photos of your contacts.

Digging a bit deeper, we find that the threading for the SMS has also changed in TouchFLO 3D 2.5, due on the HTC HD2. Shown below on top is the old threading style where the text entry box was shrunken; the screenshot below that shows the relocation of the "send" button, which allows for a larger text entry box. Also new is that along with each SMS you get a picture, which gives a personal touch to the text messaging experience.

HP has developed a new application for Windows Mobile, Symbian, and the iPhone to allow Windows phone users and their counterparts to print directly from their smartphones. HP recently conducted a study and found that many people capture images at least once a week with their phones and up to 70% want printing capabilities direct from their smartphones. The iPrint application should give users this option, allowing printing via Bluetooth to one of HP's mobile printing printer solutions.

According to HP, the iPrint application should be available as a free download from the Marketplace for Mobile, Ovi Store, and the App Store for those users who are interested.

The photo below shows the application on an iPhone, though the capabilities offered on Windows Mobile and Symbian should be similar.

Click on to read the full press release of iPrint.

HP Brings Mobile Printing to the Masses with Expanded HP iPrint Photo Application


San Diego, October 6, 2009 – HP today announced that HP iPrint Photo, the first free mobile printing application that allows for quick and easy wireless printing of 4 x 6-inch photos for iPhone and iPod touch, will now be available for phones using the Symbian and WinMo operating systems. Additionally, HP will offer an enhanced version of the current HP iPrint Photo for iPhone and iPod touch.

In January 2009, HP introduced the HP iPrint Photo application for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch, where one of the biggest challenges for consumers was the ability to print from their mobile phone. The rollout of the application to further devices marks an important change – the ability to print from almost anywhere at any time.

“A recent survey found that 45.6 percent of smart phone owners capture photos once per day or once per week and nearly 70 percent want to print photos taken from their phone(1),” said Antonio Rodriguez, chief technologist for HP's IPG Inkjet and Web Solutions Group. “HP looks forward to making this process easier, more convenient and fun for more consumers.”

The expanded HP iPrint Photo application will offer more consumers greater convenience and time savings as wireless printing is the extension of the smart phone photo capture and viewing experience. Users will be able to print the images they want – when they want them.

· HP iPrint Photo for Symbian and WinMo will be launched with enhanced photo navigation from original iPrint Photo for iPhone and iPod touch application. Consumers with mobile phones on the Symbian and WinMo operation systems will be able to download the HP iPrint Photo from their smart phone “app store,” such as Windows Marketplace, Nokia’s Ovi Store, to easily print photos from their phones.

· A new version of HP iPrint Photo for iPhone and iPod touch, available from the Apple App Store, will offer a variety of enhancements, including support for different types of paper and additional of photo print sizes.

HP iPrint Photo is a free, downloadable software application (or widget) that allows customers to effortlessly print photos they’ve captured with their Symbian, Windows Mobile, Apple iPhone or iPod touch devices almost whenever and wherever they want. For more information on HP iPrint Photo and how to obtain the application, please visit the HP Mobile Printing site.

(1) InfoTrends US Cam Phone User Study, April ‘09

About HP
HP, the world’s largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

Note to editors: More news from HP, including links to RSS feeds, is available at http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/.

With Google launching Google Maps with Navigation to give Android 2.0 users turn-by-turn voice guidance on the recently announced Motorola Droid, we wanted to take a spin of the new Navigation application. Unlike other subscriptions-based services like TeleNav, VZ Navigator, Sprint Navigator, and AT&T Navigator, Google's solution is free of charge. However, like the mentioned competitor, it will only work with an active data connection to pull mapping and routing data over the air so maps are not stored on your device.

The cool part about Google Maps with Navigation, a service that is still in beta and is currently only available on Android 2.0, is that it actually has text-to-speech, which means it will read the street names. Rather than saying "turn left in twenty feet," Google Maps with Navigation will actually state, "turn left in twenty feet at street name."

Check out our video below:

Windows Mobile users interested in navigation options should also check out Bing and trip planning. Adam gave us a neat solution using Bing Mobile to plan and coordinate your next trip.

For complete Droid coverage, stay tuned to pocketnow.com. Please also see our unboxing and hardware tour and software preview video. The Droid is expected for consumer availability on November 6 for $200 post-rebates and contract.

New in TouchFLO 3D 2.5 is a an album view, shown top, that lets you get an index of all of your albums with a little preview, which is handy if you have multiple albums on your device. Also new is Facebook integration into the album screen, shown bottom. Here you can tap on any of your Facebook friends to bring up a list of their albums. Tapping on an album will proceed to download all of the images from that particular album. Pretty neat!

Click on to see more TouchFLO 3D 2.5.

TouchFLO 3D 2.5, due on the HD2, will have a handy SMS index screen that lets you see in a quick glance who you've been text messaging, and who has recently sent you a new message with a green counter icon. This screen also provides images for your contacts and is much nicer to look at that the default Windows Mobile 6.5 index screen.

For more on TouchFLO 3D 2.5, check out our recent tour.

In that last generation of TouchFLO 3D, the internet tab allowed you to add Push Internet pages which would preload certain favorites at a specified interval. It seems that this feature didn't get much use because it's being phased out for the next version of TouchFLO 3D to show up on the HD2.

As show below, you can add a grid of favorites to the new Internet Tab. What's neat is that you'll also get a mini preview of the content of the webpage (similar in function to the iPhone). Then, you can place any of your favorites (with the mini preview) on your Home tab, giving you one-touch access to your favorite site.

For more TouchFLO 3D goodness, check out our build 1920 tour, a look at the People tab, and a video showing the new text selector for the HD2.