JGUI Vista Smartphone Interface

JGUI has been producing software for Windows Mobile devices for some time now and they sent me a notice about a new interface for Windows Mobile smartphones and Phone Edition devices that is so cool I jumped right on it.  With all the mania surrounding the launch of Windows Vista, this program is not only timely but one of the best interfaces I’ve seen yet for Smartphones.  I immediately loaded it up on my Samsung i320 Windows Mobile Smartphone and was hooked right away.

The Vista Smartphone Interface (VSI) is a beautiful interface that transforms the smartphone into a very cool tool.  The Today screen becomes an interactive, animated screen that displays the date, the time with an analog clock, signal strength and battery level.  Heck, it’s too hard to describe, you just need to see it for yourself:

VSI is free for the home screen only but to get the full joy of the program you need to purchase the full version.  You can find it on Handango for $19.99 (cheaper for club members) and on the JGUI web site.

Comments

[Elo]

Errr, James how many phones are you using anyway ? I thought you were on a XV6700 lately ?

[Feralboy]

Very, very, cool! I downloaded the trial from Handango and loaded it on my T-mobile Dash. Unfortunately, it won't run ): Oh well...maybe the next version.

[jk]

Elo, I picked up aT-mobile account since I get a lot of phones to tryout, especially from Nokia. I am using the Samsung currently and really like it. I still have the xv6700 and use it for my business phone, which is Verizon.

Feralboy, email the developer (JGUI) as they are still working on it. Perhaps the Dash is locked, like the Blackjack.

[JG]

I got report from someone with HTC Dash, and he said that Vista Smartphone Interface runs smoothly. Probably he has unlocked device. When I will summarise all reports, I will add details on VSI page.

[rolajos]

Thanks for showing me this program. First I was disappointed that I have a PPC phone and it would not be available, but then I saw that it is also available on ppcs. Hooray.

So I installed the beta version, since trying out the regular version wasn't optimized for portrait screens, it works quite well. Though it still needs some tweaking on the layout.

What is cool though, is that you can use gestures to flip the pages left to right, I don't know about up and down yet, since it is trial, only limited on the items shown, but it is definetely cool.

Thanks

[Feralboy]

Thanks for the suggestion JK -- and thanks for the response, JG. It actually crashes my T-mobile Dash and I have to power cycle it to get it to work. I don't know if that sounds like a locked device or not, but there you go.

[Aaron]

You need to app-unlock your device to install this. I have a tmobile Dash that I unlocked and it runs perfectly. Pretty much exactly as JK showed in the video.

[Jeff Hensel]

I like this application but I feel it would be even more cool and valuable if it was a true Today screen and not an application. You cannot go to the missed calls from this screen, you must get to it from the regular Today screen or the phone. Also, Handango shows 19.99 as their regular price but Shopping Cart charges 24.99.

[david12031]

I downloaded the paid version from Handango, installed on my T-Mobile Dash (T-Mobile Customer) and it does not work! During the installation process, it asked me if I wanted to continue, as it would install a earlier version of Windows. After a "successful installation, I tried to open BUT the screen goes black and the Dash freezes up... Who knows what's going on, so an email has been sent to the developer and Handango. I will advise on final details...Thanks for the opportunity to post this! Regards, David

[John]

Works great on the Q, some features are not working yet but I think that they will get it working even better

[Rick L]

Disappointed. No ability to add your own icon shortcuts...:( This would have been much better as a plug in for WAD or similar.

[Stéphane Husselin]

I bought the full version. It works great on my HTC P3600 (with WM5). But it would be better:
- with a "program screen" on which we can add shortcuts.
- if this was a real today plug in, instead of a standalone program
- if with could display received email or messages
- if we could have access to task, calendar, contacts and mail box

Anyway, I find this software very cool and I hope next versions will bring some of the features I listed!

bye

PS: what is the "Cover up the incoming phone..." option? I do not see any difference with and without.

[Mike]

I have the Cingular 3125 and I have tried to download the Vista Interface but it will not work. I have also tried App unlocking my phone but all it does is flash a black screen and then right back to the normal screen

[bob122]

I have a Blackjack. I downloaded and installed\
appunlock.cab. I've also downloaded Vista Smartphone.
I've tried everything, but the program never stays as a homescreen. My phone always defaults to the old homescreen. Any suggestions?

[toby]

bob122: since its a program and no homescreen u have to set it to "Cover up the homescreen" and it will always stay on top!

[K_T]

Just to let you know that I installed the trial version and was so impressed that I bought the program and works great on my Samsung Blackjack. The one thing that it has that your video did not show is it has an application launcher which has a little note that is not functioning yet but in the works.

[K_T]

Update to my previous post: I attempted to sign up on the news page and selected the news server that I wanted and got an error code 0xC00CE508 then my phone locked up and had to do a hard reset and then uninstall and re-install the program. I notified the developer as to the problem. Kept selecting the home button and could not even get back to the news page to try to make a change. Kept trying to download the new news when the error popped up.

[dbw]

I have a T-Mobile Dash with Windows 6.0.
What do I have to do to get VSI to work on my phone?
Will I have to unlock the phone? If so I don't know how to do it.

[Dre]

I have a Motorola Q. I purchased VSI and the software keep giving my errors. Can someone tell me which version to choose. also how to unlock my phone if that is the problem. Thanks

[Dre]

I have a Motorola Q. I purchased VSI and the software keep giving my errors. Can someone tell me which version to choose. also how to unlock my phone if that is the problem. Thanks

[Ray]

How can it be that a program is charged for but full of bugs (means still in beta-phase and under development) ????????

[K_T]

I too bought the program as you can see from my previous post. However, I too am still waiting for the software vendor to fix the bugs, etc. I still have the original software on my pc just in case the bugs are worked out. But do not have installed on my phone. To many bugs!

[Ron Creeach]

I to have a MOTO Q. When I try t answer a call it locks up. I go to news it locks up. No icons, no missed phone calls it locks up. Hangigo is 29.99. If you wanta true program that does ot work, cannot get any help or support just takes your money, then this is it

[LAMPRO]

WOW, i love this app. Yes i wish it were a true today screen, but that wouldnt allow for the scrolling screens and animated bgs, all of this is great stuff. I wish the bugs were tweaked a lil more, I had a couple of errors in the loading process, and initial moments after install, but since then no probs. I think there needs to be some extra fetaures, like accessing the contact list from the today screen, and keeping the last couple of messages from email and txt on the today screen as well. overall, this is hot and I cant wait for a new update.

great work jgui!!

ps, i have a sprint q

[cb]

I have blackjack phone. tried it with not using appunlock.cab and it would not run. Then uninstall it and ran the appunlock.cab. then did a fresh install of the VSI and it "WORKS GREAT". i did have to turn off auto check weather and news as it killed battery. i just push check now and in a split second it refreshes data. Might be cause i work were cell signal works half the time. no big deal.
makes it fun to look at my smartphone when i am out and just want to see temp or headline news. the icons are cool to as the cloud and rain icons are animated and move.