Winterface vs SPB Mobile Shell
The necessity to pull out stylus every time to work with the device can be very frustrating in some situations. Given the users of Windows Mobile devices are always on the go, the stylus becomes a real nuisance.
This is where customizable shells take the stage. They are supposed to change the standard interface and simplify users’ experience of interacting with their WM devices. In this article I would like to take a closer look at VITO Technology Winterface – Next Generation Mobile Shell (as we call it at VITO), and compare it with SPB Mobile Shell.
One screen with all information you need
Let’s see first how SPB Mobile Shell manages with this and then compare to Winterface. This is what the so-called now screen in SPB Mobile Shell looks like after you install it, turn off and then turn on device.
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As you can see a wealth of important information is present: battery capacity, carrier name, type of connection, signal strength, weather, email, text messages, missed calls, phone profile, time & date, the closest events from my calendar (two maximum) with a week overview; at the bottom there are 4 buttons that take you to settings & programs, to contacts; the last one closes the Shell. |
While the abundance of relevant information pleases my eyes I can’t but notice that certain parts of this information are not very noticeable. The idea is to turn on the device and quickly see new information. Would you see a difference between 6 and later on 9 unread emails, text messages, or missed calls? I wouldn’t.
I like the time and date, you can see it clearly. What about appointments? Would you see that I have a dentist visit on Thu? I don’t see it right away, it takes time. I would also like to see not Thu, but Tomorrow and I think it is very important, besides there’s plenty of room on the right from the appointments. The week overview is useless. I do not see the dates with events clearly. They are highlighted, true, but would you guess if I didn’t tell you that these are: 24 and 26 July. The three bottom buttons are good because they are big.
| I have to admit that there is still another variant of this screen in SPB Mobile Shell. It only took me about half a hour to figure this out ;) There is a special setting and it is “conveniently†placed 3 taps and 3 stylus clicks from the screen we’re currently on. In fact, I’ve discovered guys at SPB are very fond of settings. One might say they are the true masters of settings, they even have settings of settings with tiny checkboxes where you are forced to use stylus. This variant of now screen is better, as it has less information. |
As you can see type of connection, phone profile, the appointments and a week overview are gone, and I think for the best of it.
Now, let’s turn to Winterface. Unlike SBP Mobile Shell Winterface offers completely stylus free operation and allows users to do everything just with fingers. The main idea of Winterface is free customization. Users choose how many icons they want to put on every single page (with max of 10 pages). So, let see how it looks like:
| In Winterface all important information is displayed right on the icons. So, the icons of SMS, email, phone, signal strength, battery, phone profile, calendar, memory, clock, Bluetooth – all show relevant information. What Winterface misses compared to SPB Shell is actual information on weather, appointments and the type of connection. Weather is one of the most often requested features in Winterface. Therefore we will add this functionality in the next major version, the same about the appointments and type of connection. |
Even with this questionable limitations Winterface still provides you with one tap access to Calendar and your favorite weather application.
The important point is that from the first glance you see all that requires your immediate attention: new text messages, new email, missed calls – you simply cannot miss these icons.
| Another point is that users can easily rearrange icons on the screen. They can drag and drop an icon in the desired place, and other icons will automatically rearrange accordingly. So, the same page can look like this (it took me only a couple of seconds).
This means absolute freedom of customization and still the ease of use, without any advanced menus with countless tabs and even more numerous options. |
Device Management
Let’s talk about settings for awhile. Microsoft planned it this way that you need to tune the device from time to time by tweaking its settings. The mobile shells are supposed to make it easy for you to find these settings and, possibly, easier to interact with them.
SPB Mobile Shell does this in a somewhat cumbersome way. They place all your settings and applications in one place and they call it SPB Menu. The cool thing about the menu is the multitude of different types of transition between windows, when your whole screen rotates to open a new window. But this kind of stands in the way when you are fed up and want everything to happen quickly.
| It does take a lot of taps in SPB Shell to get to your device settings. It’s usually between 6 to 7 taps to get to, say, Screen settings. There is a short way, though – a 3-tap way to four of the most frequently used settings. And via 3-taps way it is always going to be one of these 4 most used settings or a set of settings that developer decided is enough for you. |
It is quite a different picture in Winterface. Users can place icons to any settings on any page, exactly where they want. The drag & drop functionality makes it very easy to organize and arrange the layout of pages with icons in Winterface.
| Every page in Winterface holds 15 icons and users can have as many as 10 pages, which is definitely more than enough.
Let’s say, if a user often refers to battery or memory settings he can place these icons on the front page. These icons will not only open the corresponding settings of power and memory but will also display the actual information: the current battery capacity and amount of free memory right on the icons. |
There are several dynamic icons in Winterface that display actual info: mentioned above battery and memory icons, phone profile (ring, vibrate, silent), cellular signal strength (plus carrier name), date (plus day of the week), clock, sms, email, missed calls, Bluetooth (on/off). We plan to develop more dynamic icons. The users of Winterface help us here a great deal suggesting what other icons-indicators can be implemented.
The bottom line for settings is that in SPB Shell you need to learn their way, and in Winterface you have everything your way: settings icons organized on a separate page or scattered across the pages. Another bonus in Winterface is that users can have duplicate icons on several pages in case they need. For example Bluetooth icon can sit on the first page for quick toggling and on a separate page with all connectivity related settings.
| Hardcore users fond of settings can rejoice with SPB Shell. It has about 8 settings windows with tiny check boxes and sub menus. Not very finger-friendly and by not means intuitive, but you may bury yourself there forever and be happy.
Winterface is solely for easier device management and we think users should spend in settings as little time as possible. This is why we have none in Winterface at the moment. |
A good shell is supposed to incorporate an excellent task manager and launcher since the default interface is given up.
| As a task manager SPB Shell is almost 5-tap process, if you do it for the first time. However after this it becomes a 4-tap process as the icon for task manager is added to the top row of the SPB Menu with recently opened programs. It may also be replaced later by other more often used applications and you end up with taps again. I know tapping is fun but not when you need to switch to a necessary program or close one. |
| Winterface is always a 2-tap process. There is an icon “Running†on the first page that can be moved to other pages just as any other icon. But it is perfectly right to have this icon on the first page – that appears on top after you turn on the device. “Running†opens a semi-transparent menu with icons of all running applications. Users can switch to them or close them with a single tap. |
If we take a look at Winterface and Mobile Shell from the perspective of a launcher, we’ll have the same findings. More taps in SPB Shell, less taps in Winterface. Every page in Winterface lodges 15 icons: for applications, settings or contacts. Users switch between pages by sliding their finger. The transition is very smooth and convenient. A single tap launches application, opens settings or contact details.
I would like to underline that users do not have to find their way through different windows and adjust to a new setting in Winterface like they have to in SPB Shell. In Winterface they always know what they are launching, because they themselves placed an icon in this place.
It is also worth mentioning that both applications support gestures. According to my observations the gestures in SPB Mobile Shell did not work out 85-90% of times. Either they do not work in every application like Winterface’s gesture or they are too difficult to perform, and I tried really hard. With Winterface you draw a rainbow gesture in any part of the screen, and Wintrface launches in a twinkle of an eye. It also doesn’t matter in case with Winterface what application you are currently running. If you draw a rainbow gesture – Winterface opens up :)
PIM: contacts, calendar, tasks
PIM is a set of personal information management utilities that include contacts, calendar and tasks.
| And again I see that it takes several taps in SPB Shell to get to calendar or tasks, while in Winterface you have a one tap access to these applications. True, SPB has 2 closest events (from the Calendar) on the Today screen but this advantage is not going to last long, since we will be developing calendar and task functionality in Winterface shortly. |
| As for contacts both applications provide almost the same functionality. SBP has a separate page with 15 large photo icons. Winterface also allows you to put up to 15 contacts on a single page, displaying photos where available. However, in SPB you can not email a contact from their menu or open a web page. In Winterface a window opening for a contact also shows the name of the company, which may be useful in many cases. |
It is also important that contacts in SPB Mobile Shell are fixed, I couldn’t find the way how to put my favorite contacts to this contact page. In Winterface you decide what contacts are displayed on the page and their order. You can reserve as many pages for contacts as you wish but it makes sense when you have one or two pages with contacts for quick dialing and references in Winterface. The contact icons in Winterface display both the name and a photo unlike in SPB Mobile Shell where they show only either of two.
To sum it all up, in SPB Mobile Shell you need to adapt and adjust (read spend some considerable time) to come to know how to use it while Winterface from VITO Technology adapts itself to your needs.
Even though Winterface yet misses some features like weather icon with the forecast, and more profound calendar & task management (that will be soon added), it is definitely the WINNER for users who are tired of tweaking and tuning and just want their devices to work quickly and efficiently. Winterface has been on the market for only a couple of weeks but it has already produced a huge boom in the market.
VITO Technology wants to say thank you to all the users of Winterface who continue to send valuable feedback from the launch day. We carefully examine all requests and will be implementing the best ideas in next versions of Winterface.
I invite you to join iWindowsMobile.com community and start using Winterface now. Upgrades are free for the whole year since the date of the purchase. Feel free to share your thoughts on the topic in the comments.
PS SPB Mobile Shell costs you $29.95 while Winterface costs reasonable $19.95. We are always ready to provide decent discounts for SBP Mobile Shell owners.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:54 am
I agree with most of the points in the review. Simple is good, although some options to customize the interface would be nice…
What about a comparison with PointUI?
Have you considered creating a Forum and a Tracker?
July 25th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Probably, we’ll compare Winterface to PointUI as well.
Now we don’t have such an opprtunity to create forum and moderate it. What do you mean by “Tracker”?
We put all reported bugs in the list and are going to fix them in the next versions.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
You mean you don’t have the opportunity or the time/staff to set up a forum?
Regarding the tracker, here is an example from a project I collaborate (an alternate shell for Windows)
http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=114527
All feature requests and bugs are displayed in a public list (with an assigned priority). This allows all users to see progress and prevents from posting repeated bug reports or feature requests…
July 25th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Nice article… I’ve just installed and started to work with Winterface and I’m liking it.. I’ve tried both PointUI and MobileShell (Paid for) and liked them but found both very resource hungry (I have an orginal Touch with little memory) and ultimately stopped using them.
I was hopeing you might add a calendar as in this mock up screen (or something similar), not sure (having read the article) you will
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9090/winterface1yz1.png
My thoughts are I would really like to see my days appointments when I swith on the device… looking forward to the next release…
Oh, could we have a Wifi monitor? (the same as blue tooth?) I didn’t find one? and also it would be cool to put on the “contacts” and red circle idicator with the number of unread SMS’s from that person as well as the total?
The forum is a great idea… you’re missing a single place to collect and discuss ideas from your customers? and potential customers and the ability to start a community around your products…
July 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Some readers from my blog asked me if it will be possible to customize background of this shell in the next version.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Pedro Lino,
We don’t have time and staff to set up forum, though we’ve got support service where everyone can send letters and receive answers.
Now I see what you mean by tracker, that’s a good idea, actually, we’ve got one though it’s not public. Thanks for giving a good piece of advice.
Wraggy,
Have you got version 1.02? Winterface 1.02 has blutooth applet.
As for the calender, we are planning to add it to the program, thanks for the screenshot. Perhaps, we shall use your idea.
We’ll think about the indicators for the incoming SMS.
masa,
Most of our users want this feature, we hope we’ll be able to realize it.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Olga, Thanks for the quick response…
Yes I have 1.02 (actually I have the communications suite…)
Sorry I wasn’t clear. I actually meant Wifi (I have a HTC Touch) which has both Bluetooth and Wireless Data (Wifi), so I can see the status of both would be really useful to have an indicator for both.
I’m looking forward to both calendar and weather.
Keep up the good work :-)
July 29th, 2008 at 1:36 am
Ok thanks for this answer. I will say them.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:19 am
By the way we’ve got forums where we constantly participate in discussions and where we answer questions of our users.
Here:
http://www.technologyatplay.com/main/forums/forum-view.asp?fid=165
also at pocketpcthoughts.com, modaco.com and some others.
August 10th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Hi,
I have been using Winterface since it has come out.
Anyhow, i like it. It is a step in the RIGHT direction.
I have used SPB Mobile Shell (just the home tab for icons on desktop)
I have tried out the throttler launcher and there touchflow3d.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT I USE BESIDES WINTERFACE…
http://www.subspace.ws/HTC/1.png
http://www.subspace.ws/HTC/2.png
http://www.subspace.ws/HTC/3.png
http://www.subspace.ws/HTC/4.png
http://www.subspace.ws/HTC/5.png
http://www.subspace.ws/HTC/6.png
http://www.subspace.ws/HTC/7.png
I also been testing this out, down the road might be good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ZWX6mwSWo&feature=related
Anyhow out of them i like winterface the best.
I have some major issues though.
1.Please add a today plugin, i hate how it always disspears.
adding this would make it way way way better.
2.PLEASE integrate your SMS app and Contact List directly into winterface. Screw selling all of these as separate apps.
I hate how… i have to minimize those apps.. … lame.
(i can show you a screen shot of how gay this is)
Iphone (i know but..)
I click contacts.. i just click middle button im back.
Hell…. regular… WM or that touchflo3d(copy) i push end and it goes back.
Winterface… you cant… you end up back at the windows screen not winterface… annoying as hell.
With winterface.. using vito’s own apps… i have to finger around then minimize…. :( or push end…. then i have to go to start menu and open winterface again..
See if we had winterface as a today icon.. it’d minimize or close it… but id be back at winterface no need to go to task manager
3.customization
backgrounds?
allow people to customize own icon set?
This should be one integrated touch suite.
I have more but for now PLEASE fix these…
(i would honestly like… Time/battery/Start menu/ added back like my screens :P
then rest of screen winterface via a today plugin)
WOW i would die for that.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:34 am
adding weather would be great. especially if you keep the interface clean and very “iphone-like”. it would be nice to simply change the image og the home icon with the current weather conditions and launch a weather app when pressed. also, can you customize the icons?
August 12th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Would it be possible to add alarm support? I have found that when the alarm goes off I have to minimise/exit winterface to dismiss/snooze the alarm. I really like the interface and am looking forward to all the bugs/issues being ironed out.
Cheers.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Skiff, we are planning to implement a clock applet. It means when you click a clock icon there will be a separate semi-transparent window like for a contact or calendar.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:25 am
http://100recipes.info/salad-recipees.html
September 19th, 2008 at 7:41 am
I like the interface but i seem to have a trouble with winterface interfering with pasword code to secure my mogal.
mogal times out and locks it self. when i try to get back in i only see winterface screen, but password screen is hidden under it. if i hit winterface screen in the proper spots where the number would be i can unlock mogal. but having the password screen would be much better.
October 11th, 2008 at 4:01 am
I agree with John Root, Winterface doesnt work at all with HTC phones. I have a Mogul or called Kaiser as well. I have the lock function set on, and I also have the password code after 15 minutes of inactivity. Winterface blocks this and you cannot unlock the phone. I even have the phone completely blocked after receiving a SMS. I downloaded the full Winterface which includes SMS and Contacts, you must basically turn the phone off to get access back. And there is no way im going to use the phone without the password function. Until that isnt fixed, im not going to buy Winterface. Also, it just requires you to hit the key on the phone which is not the touchscreen and Winterface goes to the back and Windows comes up again. The concept is nice, but the concept is actually from Apple. Its the best i saw to have a iphone on Windows but it needs some fixes.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
SPB provide great release notes. Winterface are too lazy to provide any.
SPB Mobile Shell can be skinned to use icons like Winterface or the iPhone so a huge proportion of the comparison information written above is actually wrong.
Winterface is still a great and very bug free product but lets tell it like it is …. SPB Mobile Shell can also become a finger application …… you do need to be just slightly above newbee to follow the instructions and install an overlay over SPB Shell …. there is also the hastle factor in doing this.
Winterface is great out of the box. I can’t wait for 16 icons but then with no release notes I will never know :-(
November 20th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
The above sounded a bit harsh ….sorry
but how much prodding do they need to provide release notes :-)
December 19th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Ohh, I really want an iPhone but don’t want to quit Verizon. So I bought the Omnia i910 and downloaded SPB Mobile 2.0…but I’m such a newbie to this I don’t know if I should try the Winterface or just keep playing w/SPB.
Yes, the stylis is a pain and I want to do everything w/my fat fingers. Was a piece of cake to connect to our Exchange server & Gmail, and PPTP vpn…but that’s all W Mobile 6.1 stuff.
Can these skins/shells really make a mediocre phone like the i910 run like the iPhone???
apologize about the terrible spelling…I’m lefthanded!!!
December 19th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Also, anyone know what FTouchS is? 3rd party app for my pda?
tx,
Estevan
February 12th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Keep Winterface small and simple!
There r many weather plugins in the market….
A gesture for minimise will be a great addition
see ya
December 6th, 2009 at 8:43 am
I downloaded WinterFace for my Palm Treo. At the Main menu, (not the WinterFace main menu) The Icon bar that shows WinterFace blocks almost half the screen. It makes it where I can’t see my picture background on my phone that much. Its pretty bothersome somewhat. What do i need to do to fix this problem so the Icon doesn’t nearly block all the freakin’ space on the screen??