Since using a Samsung Omnia handset with Windows Mobile 6.1 since the beginning of the year I have found the features extremely useful but the Windows Mobile operating system leaves much to be desired. The interface seems muddled and is certainly not ‘finger friendly’. Most handset providers have customised the Windows Mobile 6.1 software heavily in an effort to improve matters.
Smartphones growing ever more popular
Smartphones offer users an electronic personal organiser (with a mobile phone built in) and are growing rapidly in popularity. I know this personally as more and more clients enquire about setting up their email accounts on smartphones such as Blackberries and iPhones. Google have even developed their own operating system for mobiles, Android. Microsoft offer Windows Mobile (soon to be rebranded as ‘Windows Phone’) as their contender. Read this Guardian article discussing Microsoft’s challenge to compete.
Come on Microsoft. Sort it out!
I decided recently to find out when the next version of Windows Mobile would be released, in the hope that an upgrade would resolve many of my complaints. After all, I can’t upgrade my handset until Christmas 2010 and living in North Norfolk means an iPhone is out of the question (we have such poor O2 network coverage – see previous post).
Sadly it seems that Microsoft (as usual) are dragging their heels and falling behind. A minor upgrade (to 6.5) is due this Autumn. Windows Mobile 7 (aka Windows Phone 7) has been delayed until next year. With the resources they have at their disposal and the advantage of an existing client base already using Windows on their personal computers, one has to question what on earth Microsoft are up to. Back in the nineties, Microsoft were very slow to recognise the importance of the internet (and personal computer reliability). Now it would appear they are missing out yet again.
SPB Mobile Shell to the rescue
Thankfully, I have discovered the answer to my prayers in the form of SPB Mobile Shell – an award winning software package which dramatically extends the interface and features of Windows Mobile. Benefits:
- Finger friendly
- Easy to use
- Feature rich
- Better looking (see these screenshots)
- Highly customisable
- More efficient
- Fast
The software is both fast and easy to install. In the UK there is a small cost of $29.95 plus VAT. This works out at around £21 using today’s exchange rate. It is worth every penny.
Download SPB Mobile shell today
If your phone uses Windows Mobile and like me you can’t wait for version 7 to be released (and possibly improve usability), then head over to SPB Software and download SPB Mobile Shell right away. It’s available as a free trial download for (15 days usage with full functionality).
Problems installing SPB Mobile Shell on a Samsung Omnia?
When installing the software on my own Samsung Omnia, I had to ensure that all the ‘Samsung Today’ features (Samsung customisations) were entirely deactivated first. I would also suggest turning the phone off and on after doing this. After several attempts it finally installed. The other common problem is ensuring that enough storage capacity is available on the handset. A thorough spring clean of your own files (music and photos) as well as installed software is also recommended. It might be slightly frustrating but well worth the perseverance in the end – don’t give up!