New to Omnia, New to Winmo - a few queries

[Guest deepside]

So this is my first windows mobile device.I've just moved from an LG Viewty, which I had for a short time, prior to that I had a Nokia N95-8gb. 

I have done a HEAP of reading, and am absolutely loving the customizability of this phone! It's truly amazing. (well, I suppose the customization of winmo more than just this phone)

I do have a few queries though.

First up, a bit of background: I installed SPB shell, trial version. Liked it, but not all that much. Dumped it, and put on Touchflo2d/manila2d. Absolutely love this one :)

I have also put on S2U2 (slide to unlock), and am liking this as well. 

I was hoping to use this thread to help me set my phone up exactly the way I want.

Issues:

1) I want a way to lock my phone using S2U2 whenever I want. The default times available in the windows power options are 10 seconds and 30 seconds. I want something in between ideally. The problem is, being a touchscreen, and a resistive one at that, chances are that the accidental button presses, are going to happen whilst the phone is going into my pocket. So I would like to be able to lock it quickly and easily when I want> I've read that people have mapped their camera button to it. How do I do this? I prefer to map it to the end key held down (as per default). Is this possible?

2) I would like to remove google maps (thus saving memory), and then install another GPS software ( have yet to decide which one). I want this to come up in the slide menu of TF2D. Is this possible? 

3) The TF2D interface is really nice, and I like it because it elimnates alot of the winmo interface. When I receive an SMS or MMS, I get a notification in the bottom part of the screen, from winmo interface. I would prefer for this NOT to show up, and would like it to just use the TF2D notification. Is this possible? (even the whole 'connecting to GPRS

4) As much as I like TF2D, TF3D looks even better. There are a few video's on youtube with TF3D. I believe these are just skins. Where can I find this, and what is everyone's opinion on it?

5) when I moved to TF2D, the torch application stopped working. Can I get that to come back, where when I hold down volume down, it turns to torch on for x amount of seconds (or until I let go). 

6) Finally (for now at least), the whole messaging system looks crap, the keyboard is hard to use etc. That is the biggest fault in my opinion. I know there is various other keyboards out there. I don't want a qwerty keyboard, i prefer the phonepad style ones, but with slightly bigger buttons than the samsung offering. Also, the send button is right next to the backspace button, and so I've accidentally sent 'half typed' messages already. Can something be done about this?

Thanks for everyoen's time and expertise

Edited January 24, 2009 by deepside

[Guest deepside]

:) no1 at all?

[Guest Yunabeco]

1) I want a way to lock my phone using S2U2 whenever I want.

Hitting the power button on the top of the phone will put the phone into sleep mode (will not shut it down unless you press it for a while) and lock it with S2U2. At least it does in mine with the default settings.

2) I would like to remove google maps (thus saving memory), and then install another GPS software ( have yet to decide which one). I want this to come up in the slide menu of TF2D. Is this possible?

Google Maps is a builtin software, and may or may not come with the TouchFlo version (or ROM with Manila2D) you downloaded. There's a configuration tool named M2DC that allows you to deactivate the tabs/slide menu at the bottom, including the Google Maps one. Removing Google Maps is a bit tricky as its part of the ROM.

However I have no idea about replacing it.

3) The TF2D interface is really nice, and I like it because it elimnates alot of the winmo interface. When I receive an SMS or MMS, I get a notification in the bottom part of the screen, from winmo interface. I would prefer for this NOT to show up, and would like it to just use the TF2D notification. Is this possible? (even the whole 'connecting to GPRS

In the Settings (Or Settings/All settings), Personal tab, check Sounds and Notifications.

Go to the second tab at the bottom, namely Notifications.

In "Event", select "Messaging: New text message" and uncheck "Display message on screen". Same goes for the event "Connection established", and other stuff you want to keep quiet.

4) As much as I like TF2D, TF3D looks even better. There are a few video's on youtube with TF3D. I believe these are just skins. Where can I find this, and what is everyone's opinion on it?

There's a thread with the beta for TouchFlo3D (Manilla3D) here. I don't have the link right now though. Same goes with a thread for Manilla2D skins.

5) when I moved to TF2D, the torch application stopped working. Can I get that to come back, where when I hold down volume down, it turns to torch on for x amount of seconds (or until I let go).

The Volume Down key only works on the today screen, and Manila2D (TouchFlo2D) replaces the today screen. You can use the application Favorite Settings, which comes in newer ROMs, to activate and deactivate the flashlight manually; I don't know of any other workaround.

6) Finally (for now at least), the whole messaging system looks crap, the keyboard is hard to use etc. That is the biggest fault in my opinion. I know there is various other keyboards out there. I don't want a qwerty keyboard, i prefer the phonepad style ones, but with slightly bigger buttons than the samsung offering. Also, the send button is right next to the backspace button, and so I've accidentally sent 'half typed' messages already. Can something be done about this?

There are commercial software available to replace the default keyboards. TouchPal and Resco Keyboard Pro come to mind; they are all usually available as trials. I'm not sure if they have a Phonepad style though.

[Guest deepside]

Thanks for your reply.

I've noticed that hitting the power button and putting it in standby will result in it taking longer to start ringing when an incoming call is placed. Also out of curiousity, in my power settings, I have it set to turn off device if not used within 1 minute. If i turn this setting off, and just turn the backlight off in 30 seconds, how much of a difference in battery life can I expect?

Is it possible to get favorite settings seperately? Googling for it doesn't help much as you can imagine!

[Guest Yunabeco]

There should be a Favorite Settings CAB available here (rapidshare/source thread).

I don't know about the difference on battery life for the backlight off; it will be there though.

Oh, and if you want to lock your phone without putting it to sleep, you can assign one of the buttons (Settings/Personal tab/Buttons) to the program S2U2, which will lock it.

[Guest deepside]

awesome. I was hoping to use 'hold end' for turning on S2U2, but it doesn't seem that it's possible.

Favourite setting is pretty cool.. So there is no way to just start the flashlight by a hold down key press? Also, my communications manager was Opal comm manager. The wireless won't work with it. How can I fix it?

[Guest Jesse73]

awesome. I was hoping to use 'hold end' for turning on S2U2, but it doesn't seem that it's possible.

Favourite setting is pretty cool.. So there is no way to just start the flashlight by a hold down key press? Also, my communications manager was Opal comm manager. The wireless won't work with it. How can I fix it?

Install this cab from Passoa 'torchbutton omnia' then go to settings/personal/buttons and assign it to the button you want, I've got it on my main menu hold button, works a treat

TorchButtonOmnia installer by PaSSoA : TorchButtonOmnia.CAB

[Guest deepside]

awesome! thanks for that :)

[Guest deepside]

Ok, so now a few more questions.

Is it possible to get a different messaging application going? I dislike the colours and jsut teh general 'outlook' feel. Can we make it match M2D better?

Same goes for the dialler and contacts.. I know there are tonnes of contact programs, but do they work well with M2D? Will there be compatibility issues with M2D and any of the above?

Cheers

[Guest rossyl]

Ok, so now a few more questions.

Is it possible to get a different messaging application going? I dislike the colours and jsut teh general 'outlook' feel. Can we make it match M2D better?

Same goes for the dialler and contacts.. I know there are tonnes of contact programs, but do they work well with M2D? Will there be compatibility issues with M2D and any of the above?

Cheers

any news on this?

[Guest necosino]

Use google, there are a lot of WinMo messaging applications out there..

[Guest semmtexx]

awesome. I was hoping to use 'hold end' for turning on S2U2, but it doesn't seem that it's possible.

There is an app that will let you map the "end" key. Search for it. It's around here somewhere I just don't remember the name. You gotta be a little more resourceful and self relient man. I remember a few years back when I got into winmo, I would ask questions on forums and get blasted all the time. Your lucky you haven't been already. I'm not trying to be a jerk but google is really your friend.

[Guest Yunabeco]

An app that does the job is AE Button Plus, which claims to be able to remap all buttons, including the call and end ones. Updated in April 09. I'm not sure if it works with the Omnia or WM 6.5, as I'm not using it.

There are a lot of WinMo messaging apps, such as Vito SMS-Chat, but none of them will totally replace Outlook like ThumbCal does for the calendar; i.e if you open a SMS notification it will open it in Outlook.

Also, thread necrophilia.