[Mobile Shell 3.0 Widget] WeatherPanel (with current conditions)

[storyr]

Introducing WP-Activate (v 2.0)

A self-updating WeatherPanel widget widget for Mobile Shell 3.0.



Overview

• Displays current weather condition data (and icon) inside Mobile Shell widgets
• Weather information is extracted from WeatherPanel (source: weather.com)
• The widgets are extensions of the Mobile Shell Link widget
• The overall solution is a combination of Mobile Shell, Mortscript, Total Commander and custom code written by me (WP-Activate.exe)

Widget Features

• Shows current weather conditions on your Lifestyle screens
• Multiple widgets, with different sizes and layouts
• Opens WeatherPanel when activated
• Configurable widget refresh rate
• Uses WeatherPanel's hourly forecast data if current data expires (after one hour without an update)
• No need to manually update qa_layouts.dat or the registry (see WidgetInjector)
• Works fine with VGA and QVGA (sorry, I haven't tested WVGA or WQVGA)

Prerequisites

• Spb Mobile Shell 3.0
• WeatherPanel must be installed and running in your Today screen (get it HERE)
• Must use custom WeatherPanel theme (not default themes)

Diffuculties/Shortcomings

• Currently shows data for only one city (the default city configured in WeatherPanel). Of course, you can always scroll through all of your cities after opening WeatherPanel.
• Mobile Shell does not display partial transparency in icons. So basically, most weather icons look like crap. To counteract this problem, I made up a new set (using Yahoo icons) - with backgrounds.
• I couldn't figure out how to align the text (it may not even be possible with the link widget). So, it's always centered.

Layouts

-

On the upside - there's a lot of potential here!

UPDATES

May 24, 2009 6:10 PM
   + Revamped "widget injector" to use Rar instead of Total
     Commander (thanks to Strops over at Spb Club)
   + Streamlined install - widget injector and configuration are
     now part of the initial CAB install.

May 20, 2009 10:00 PM
   + Added new icon set (Flat White Icons)
   + Added two methods for scheduling refreshes. This is to 
     address issues some have had getting the widgets to
     refresh they're data.
   + Updated configuration script - can now pick icon set and
     method for scheduling refreshes. See 2nd post for screen-
     shots. 
   + Tweaked the Pro widget a little - increased font size and
     moved icon a little higher.

May 15, 2009 7:50 AM
   Made the compact widget even more compacter ;)

May 14, 2009 11:30 PM
   Added compact layout. Repackaged widget xml into it's own
   standalone xml file (WpWidgets.xml). Injector now has less
   work to do.

May 14, 2009 11:20 AM
   Updated the WidgetInjector... yes again. Got a little over-
   zealous with the "kill FingerMenu" change.  This version should
   work fine with FingerMenu running, and hopefully will work with
   the HTC menu enhancement too.

May 13, 2009 7:48 PM
   Tweaked the WidgetInjector again. The issues had nothing 
   to do with timing, but rather menu enhancement software.  
   This version kills FingerMenu before starting the widget injection 
   process.

May 12, 2009 7:30 AM
   Tweaked the WidgetInjector. It's not working for some folks, 
   so I slowed it down to see if that helps.

More information on the following posts...
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v

[storyr]

Installation Instructions

1. Start in Mobile Shell

2. Download WP-Activate.CAB file, copy it to your device, and install it.

-------

3. Exit Mobile Shell, then restart it (or soft-reset).

-

6. Go to a Lifestyle page and select Add Widget. You'll now see WeatherPanel widgets in the Indicators section.

---

7. Enjoy!

[storyr]

Like is said in the first post, Mobile Shell will not display partial transparency in icons (it shows black). To counteract, I made this set of cropped Yahoo icons with backgrounds:



New set added. Flat White icons:

[storyr]

Tips and Tricks

Change what the widgets do when activated

Navigate to the following registry keys:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Spb Software House\Shared\Spb Menu\Customize2\WeatherPanel\Widget1]

- and -

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Spb Software House\Shared\Spb Menu\Customize2\WeatherPanel\Widget2]

Change the "File" string value to point to whatever you want, such as you Second Today link or the Show Today link.

Show Today link = \Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Spb Mobile Shell\[Show Today].lnk

Move the WeatherIcons.dll somewhere else

The WeatherIcons.dll is fairly large. If you'd like to move it to your storage card - go ahead and move it, then navigate to the following registry entry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\UranusWare\WP-Activate]

Change the "IconSource" string value to point to it's new location.

Change the display units to Fahrenheight or Celcius

The widgets display the units that are configured in WeatherPanel. Change the WeatherPanel settings to adjust the units.

See THIS post for more info.

[CozBoogie]

Ooooooooo....you're such a tease! Can't wait!

late,
Coz

[safety officer]

That what I have been waiting for, can't wait any more. Thank you so much.

[HBOOT]

Thank you sir, we ll try. I assume this can run with other weather app,say spb weather...

[storyr]

Originally Posted by hbenz2008

Thank you sir, we ll try. I assume this can run with other weather app,say spb weather...

Yea - it's completely independent of Spb - requires WeatherPanel to be running on your Today screen (or in Second Today, Ultimate Launch, etc.)

Spb will probably release a better weather widget soon, making all this work moot...

[HBOOT]

Cool man, I for one am ok with spb weather (not the one built in MS3) I dont mind having current temp showing up...dowloading now I think an official MS3 upgrade should be coming up soon as I believe they are responsive

[darren.wlsn1]

storyr, im getting this error on a stock tp. any ideas?