WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

*Updated 12-13-10*

Fixed: recurring pictures after restart of program, clock hiding itself

Download the CAB to re-install, or if you have already installed before, download the ZIP, unzip and place the EXE in your install directory.

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u..._0014_111g.jpg

So I had been waiting for a WP7 themed App launcher for a while when I finally ( a few weeks ago) decided to just man up and make one. So, this program is something that started out as a personal program, so there may be a few things to iron out still.

Features

• Stand-Alone Program
• Smooth Scrolling
• Custom Program List
• Program, Contact, or Web Tiles
• Easy Theme Color Changing
• Full Screen "Lock" Screen (when installed to device, for now)
• Two Tap Call, Email, or Text From Start Screen
• Picture Tile Uses Pictures From your Phone!
• Random Contact Pictures On The People Tile
• 34 Tiles Max

I've tried to make this look as much like the WP7 Start Screen as possible. The Picture Tile shows pictures from a directory that you select. People Tile shows random contact pictures on it. You can add Programs and Contacts by simply long pressing on them and choosing "Pin to Start". I have really enjoyed making this and hope you enjoy using it!

How It Works

When you start it up it will ask you what email address you'd like to use as default. Tap the one you use the most, I guess.

Then it will ask you to choose your preferred web browser from a list of all apps on your phone. Tap the one you use. There will be a short delay to the next screen.

Next it will ask what folder you want the program to pull images from for the Picture Tile. Choose the folder (only 2 levels deep right now) that has a few images (up to 250kb .jpgs or up to 850kb pngs) in it and click the save button.

Then Tap anywhere to start using your new WP7 style Launcher.

Tapping the Phone Tile will take you to your phone dialer.


Contacts
Tapping the People Tile will take you to a list of your contacts. As of now there is no easy way to get to a specific contact, just scrolling.

Tapping on the contact brings up a full-screen Contact info page that includes their Mobile, Home, and Work phone, as well as their email address, home address, and picture. Twitter and Facebook are also there, but you will have to input them manually. They are taken from the IM2 (Facebook) an IM3 (Twitter) of the contact. Tap on the phone numbers to call them, tap on the email address to email, and so on. Tap and hold on a number to be able to change it (this will change the actual contact info on your phone, not just in the program).

Press and hold on a contact while in the list to be able to pin them to your Start Screen.

Programs

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u..._0004_111g.jpg

Tap the arrow to show your Program List (updates only on restart of program for now). Tap on the Program to run it, tap and hold to be able to Pin it to the Start Screen.

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u..._0005_111g.jpg

Colors and Web

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u..._0007_111g.jpg
While at the Start Screen tap and hold on the right-side black column next to your tiles to bring up the "Change Color" and "Add Web Tile" Options.


http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u..._0008_111g.jpg
Tap Change Color to be presented with a selection of colors.

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u..._0009_111g.jpg
Tap a color and it will change the look and feel of the program.

Tap Add Web Tile and be presented with two text boxes, one for a url, one for a name. Tap OK to open the page with your preferred browser. After 30 seconds a screenshot will be taken of the top left corner of the screen and added to your Start Screen.

Tap and hold on any tile to be able to Delete or Move it. Moving it is done by tapping on another tile, which then swaps the two tiles.

Tapping just below the clock will show the Title Bar for 5 seconds. Tap the X button to exit the program.

Lock Screen

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u..._0003_111g.jpg
The "Lock" Screen Does not lock buttons yet. It only locks the screen, but it shows missed calls, unread text messages, date, time, and any appointments for the day (one at a time).

Hope you guys enjoy!

PS - This Software is Considered Beta. I have only spent a few weeks on this, and only during my spare time. If you find a program-breaking bug, PM me. I can't promise that there will be many updates, as this is more of a personal pet project, but I'll try and fix major issues.

Wirelessly posted (htc Pocket PC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint MP6950SP)

Wow!
All I can say is Wow!
This looks great man!
I must say, I always admired your work when I had my Vogue and I saw and tried all the cube mods you made but I am very impressed with this!
I will be very interested to see how this progresses.
Congrats!
Great Job and Thanks for making this and sharing! :thumbleft:

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Looks cool! But for some reason it isn't working for me.

Still looks awesome! Keep up the good work!

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

I've already found a couple bugs to squash in the morning.

Insomniac, is it just not starting, or are you getting an error message? This App is for WM 6.5 and I have it running fine on the Sprint Stock 6.5 ROM

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

wow! this looks cool!!:) gonna give it a try! thanks!

Wirelessly posted (HTC Touch Pro2 (Sprint): Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 8.12; MSIEMobile6.0) Sprint T7380)

Looks awesome! Unfortunately, it won't start for me. I can get it to install, setup runs fine, but after setup it just takes me to my WM 6.5 Start Screen and nothing happens.

I'm also running 6.5 Stock Sprint ROM.

I can't wait to find a solution. I'm currently running CHT, which I would keep if it wasn't so RAM intensive. Time for something new, and yours looks like a good fit for my needs.

Keep up the good work!

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Has anyone gotten it to work? I'm trying to think if there is something that might not allow the program to run and not coming up with much.

Those of you having problems, try soft resetting and running it then. Let me know how it goes.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Also, when choosing a folder for pictures, make sure you choose one with at least one picture that is smaller than 1MB in size.

Wirelessly posted (HTC Touch Pro2 (Sprint): Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 8.12; MSIEMobile6.0) Sprint T7380)

I did attempt the soft reset a couple different ways, to the tune of 3 uninstall/reinstall attempts to get it to run.

In the comment regarding less than 1 MB photo: If I do that and manage to get it to run, would I be able to go back and change the folder later?

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

The folder is controlled by the xml file in the WP7 folder.

Right now the program cannot handle any image 1MB or bigger or it runs into an OutOfMemory Error. (This is probably what is happenning, it just doesn't show up). I'm looking into it.

For now you can just copy a small image to the folder you want. It doesn't affect anything but the image displayed on the Start Screen Picture Tile. Tapping it takes you to the WM Photo Viewer.

Wirelessly posted (htc Pocket PC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint MP6950SP)

Bummer
Too bad this won't run on 6.1 :(

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Remind me now why I need WP7. This looks just as good to me. Will let some kinks get worked out first before I jump on the bandwagon though...I got a hard enough time finding a ROM I like...

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

everything works for me, quick! thanks! you should post this over at xda!

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

No error message, it just won't start. Set up runs fine, but after that, nothing.

I am running stock Sprint ROM. Only thing I've done is install CHT stuff.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Insomniac, check and make sure you have a smaller sized image (200k - 800k) in the folder you select for the Pictures Tile, otherwise the program will hit an endless loop and shut itself down.

Will be working on this for future versions.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Got it to work! As it turns out, there weren't any pictures in the folder I selected, they were one more folder deep. My bad.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Neat, another one to ad to the list to try :(

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

worked great even on my touch pro will try it on my TP2. easy to setup as well please let me know when it is in a ROM. most important with netflix player plugin

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Working GREAT on my TP2 with Vin's Neodium ROM no Cookie. Looking forward to future releases with added functionality!!!

Only bug I have found so far is that if I pin a contact to the start screen, close out of the app, and then re-open the app, the image changes to the stock internet "ppcgeeks" image. It still links to the contact, just the image changes.

Can't wait to have a chance to take the phone into the local Sprint store with the app running & see how the sales reps respond. Now, just trying to think of a good excuse to go in.........

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

This bug and the clock disappearing from the top right corner when you add a contact to the Start Screen are the two bugs I have found so far. They are easy fixes and I should have them fixed and uploaded this afternoon.

(The clock comes back after you view a contact from the Start Screen and then go back.)

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-12-2010
 

Any Idea why It won't give me a option for Internet? Using Energy reference. Also, great job with this app. I am very impressed and thankful for all your hardwork. keep it up.

(update) I think I resolved my own issue, sorry about that.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

*Updated 12-13-10*

Fixed: recurring pictures after restart of program, clock hiding itself

Download the CAB to re-install, or the ZIP, unzip and place the EXE in your install directory.

Wirelessly posted (htc Pocket PC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint MP6950SP)

Just curious but, why won't this work on 6.1? :scratch:

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

The program utilizes the WM6.5 Physics Engine/Gesture Recognizer DLL. As far as I know these are not found in WM6.1. I had to re-compile the DLL for this to work right, though, so the DLL is in the install directory.

If you'd like to test, please do so! Can't hurt! :mrgreen:

Wirelessly posted (htc Pocket PC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint MP6950SP)

Well, I tried the first version you posted but it wouldn't start and I remember it said it couldn't find that physics engine. I'll try the new version if you think I will have better results. :)

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

This is pretty nice for such a small file size! Great work Musicman

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

The new version will not effects whether it will work on 6.1. I fit didn't before, it won't now, and it probably won't ever. Sorry. :(

Wirelessly posted (htc Pocket PC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint MP6950SP)

Well that makes me a Sad Panda. :(

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

Awesome! I just installed it and I love it! Thanks, Musicman~

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

this is way cool, installed it and am loving it.
a bug i did find is if you delete a tile it stays there just turns black, for instance i deleted the picture tile and now its just a black square i cant do anything with.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

try what everyone said to get working on tp2 and nothing but looks great

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

Right now the only tiles that delete permanently are the very last tiles. If you delete further up it will turn into a blank space. You can move other tiles into the blank space, but you cannot delete it unless it is at the bottom.

So, to delete the Picture tile, swap it with the Calendar (with no other tiles below it) and then delete it.

I'll work on it for the next version and see what I can do.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

Are you using WM6.5? What messages (if any) are you getting?

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

i think that there may be more constraints then just the file size for the pictures. all of the pictures in the fold i chose were smaller then 800k that said when i remove the sample avatar pictures wich are the only ones that always show on the tile for me it wont work. the avatar pics are not only small in file size but in dimensions aswell. just throwing this out there...

works just fine if they are there great work!

just tested with another small picture; it worked just fine with the avatar pics gone and another small pic there... but its much smaller then 200-800k

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

That's interesting. I've had pictures that I've taken with my camera that are 878kb show up in the Picture Tile. What format are you using? JPEG? I would be interested in getting one of your pics and try it and see what's going on.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

some of them are the sample pictures that were preloaded, others are pictures i have taken with the phone. but the only pictures i have had it load are the samle avatar pics and other very small pictures I grabed to see if it made a difference

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

And the pics are in the folder that you are choosing at setup? They need to be in the actual folder and not in a sub-folder in that directory.

I'll test again with the Sample pics and see if I can replicate what you're describing.

Edit: Initial tests are showing you are correct. I'll look into it. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

it pulls up the small pictures so i have it on the right folder.

its mydocuments/mypictures

its not a big deal to me but it might be the reason some people cant get it to work... i just know if i didnt have one of these really small pictures in the folder it would just sit and spin... and im not sure but my small picture is the first picture alphabetically so im not sure if that matters or not...

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

After some more testing I have discovered that the program will easily use PNG images up to 850kb, but does not use JPG images over 250kb. More investigating is required, but for now I guess use PNG images.

Re: WP7 Style Launcher for TP2 *Updated 12-13-2010*
 

didnt work for me on vins newest plutonium 6.5.x. lets me set it up then never loads.