Weekly Poll: Cell Phone Themes on WC?

Published on March 3, 2008 By Zoomba In WinCustomize News

This week's poll is a pretty straight-forward one for a change with just two answers: Yes or No.

For some time, cell phones have grown in complexity. Many now even run a version of Windows as the OS. With this growing complexity comes the ability to customize the look and feel of the user interface. Sony phones specifically offer a lot of customizability, and Research In Motion, makers of the Blackberry, recently made their phone OS skinnable as well. So there's a growing space for this kind of customization.

My question is, is there demand from the community for these skins? Should we expand our galleries to cover cell phone skinning? Hit the button below to vote.

Comments (Page 1)

ZubaZ

on Mar 03, 2008

I'm all for adding more skinning oppertunities to WC. New galleries equals new people and I generally like people.

One of the things that I think would actually make this type of thing more successful though is breaking out the galleries like you did with Dreams. Dreams.wincustomize or cellphoneskins.wincustomize.com an wallpapers.wincustomize.com would clearly let those foks that are interested focus on thier area of interest and the main WC cite could be mroe general but maybe only show a set # of the best of the sub-sites.

But, as usual, I don't knw what I'm talking about.

Philly0381

on Mar 03, 2008

Yes the technology now has evolved to that point where the normal cell phone is so much more, actually it's a hand held communication device. Lots of things that the user can do that the fact it can make phone calls can very easily be lost.

I did however vote no for the gallery library, why, don't really see it bringing in new members to the community. I could be very wrong here, just thinking that most cell phones are in the hands of the younger generation that want cool ring tones and text messaging and taking pictures.

HG_Eliminator

on Mar 03, 2008

I think as Phone skinning grows, there will be a need for someone to fill the gap. I think it would be a nice idea, as well as bring more members to the community

(one can never have too many friends)

Lantec

on Mar 03, 2008

ABSAFRAGGINLUTELY! Sorry if I hurt your ears.........

If you've got a PPC or Smartphone and you do a little checking you'll see customization is big business. Companies like Resco, SBSH, Lakeridge & SPB make cool apps that you can then use to mod your today screen.

When it comes to skinning phones, this is the man Juni

My ATT Tilt

Philly0381

on Mar 03, 2008

Okay, so I could be really very wrong with my thinking.

theAVMAN

on Mar 03, 2008

I already started attempting to skin mine w/Windows mobile by direct image edit partly successful !

So Yes I think we are going to see more and more user and skinner choices.More rapidly than ever we move into the age of "Everything Electronic" balanced by our "WE WANT IT OUR WAY" mentality.

There will always be some of us who are willing to make it that way for everyone else.
I say WC always should be that place!

IMO

Island Dog

on Mar 03, 2008

I would personally prefer a section dedicated to cell phone size wallpapers. I think that is more popular and practical than cell phone skins.

vStyler

on Mar 03, 2008

If it raises the exposure of customization more to the general population, I'm all for it

ZubaZ

on Mar 03, 2008

We haven't seen a lot of news here but the MyColors skins produced for Chameleon really look good.

Take a look

CarGuy1

on Mar 03, 2008

I beleve there is already a gallery here for the ones that are Windows moble devices although there are not alot of skin choices. WWW Link

Zoomba

on Mar 03, 2008

PocketBlinds is a defunct product for PDAs mostly, not necessarily cell phones.

ZubaZ

on Mar 03, 2008

I beleve there is already a gallery here for the ones that are Windows moble devices although there are not alot of skin choices. WWW Link

That gallery is for PocketPC . . a bit out of date.

PocketBlinds is the first free form skinning extension for Windows CE 3.x or later (PocketPC). PocketBlinds allows you to skin the title bar completely and add/position as many buttons as you can fit. Moreover, it is compatible with the WindowBlinds plug-in format allowing users to easily make their own title bar "gadgets" (MP3 players, stock tickers, memory meters, etc.). It's also free.

Two things to remember:

(1) PocketBlinds integrates directly into the OS by extending the Windows CE GWE(Graphics, Windowing, and Events) subsystem, so it is fast and small.

(2) PocketBlinds skins are truly free form. It also has an open plug-in architecture, which means that users can make their own plug-ins to extend the navigation bar.. It also means users have a great deal more control over where a button is placed.

* [January 2005] Windows Mobile 2003 devices are not currently supported by PocketBlinds. We've recently begun working with another developer on updating PocketBlinds for newer devices, which he should then be offering in the coming months.

He's also the gentleman who's taken over the WisBar development,
so it'll sort of be one-stop-shopping for PocketPC skinning.

More news will be on http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/ when PocketPC 2003 support is available.

https://www.stardock.com/products/pocketblinds/

sAARGe

on Mar 03, 2008

Yes .........

Ton-K300

on Mar 03, 2008

I actually started skinning cell phones about 3 years ago but ended up doing walls

so YES

Chef Garry

on Mar 03, 2008

While I certainly like the idea, would themes for Blackberry be possible? As RIM doesn't use Windows interface, that might be a whole other issue altogether.

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