What is M2D ?

[Guest arcurad]

Hey guys,

I got a question and sorry if it's a stupid one as i was just given an omnia to play with. This would be my first WM phone. Currently i am still running on Windows Mobile 6.1 and planning to install Manila2D.

My question is, once i am running on M2D is the layout of the OS still the same as WM6.1 or it would be the exactly the same like touchflo 3D running on HTC devices. (eg: the location of the programs, phonebook design, sms feature, virtual keyboard etc, no more WM6.1 looking style) I have tried looking and searched the forum but i can't seem to find an answer.

Help is much appreciated.

Edited September 9, 2009 by arcurad

[Guest jonboyuk]

My question is, once i am running on M2D is the layout of the OS still the same as WM6.1 or it would be the exactly the same like touchflo 3D running on HTC devices. (eg: the location of the programs, phonebook design, sms feature, virtual keyboard etc, no more WM6.1 looking style) I have tried looking and searched the forum but i can't seem to find an answer.

The OS says exactly the same. M2D is nothing more than a home screen. So instead of your normal crappy looking M$ home screen of lines of text, it provides you with a finger friendly interface which links into the most frequently used areas of your device (ie texts/emails/phonebook/programs/contacts etc). It also provides extra functionality like weather forecasting and an integrated photo viewer/music player (so long as you don't install the lite version).

Hope that helps!

[Guest arcurad]

oh ic....thats quite helpful...thanks a million

Basically it only ammends the main interface. Does that means once i go into the programs or settings folder, everthing else will be back to the normal WM interface right ?

On the other note, i notice that the touch sensitivity of the Omnia is quite odd. I would need to use my fingernail to navigate through instead of my finger is that normal ? Would using M2D solve this issue ?

[Guest meabigbaldguy]

Also too, there are a plenty of custom ROMs that already contain a superb M2D package. I would suggest checking these ROMs out - specifically those made by Ryzry, Shokka, Khuanchi, and Sector. I'm rather partial to the first two myself.

In addition to M2D, these custom ROMs also contain many other useful goodies that you just won't find in the factory ROM - including an OS upgrade to WM 6.5.

[Guest arcurad]

wow thats great to hear.....i shall try them out shortly..thanks for the recomendation. Do correct me if i am wrong, the new ROM stays in place even after i hard rest my phone right....

Edited September 9, 2009 by arcurad

[Guest Zealster]

True. The only way to revert back to the original ROM is to visit Samsung's official site. Windows 6.5 is alot more stable than 6.1 honestly. I've always been a big fan of 6.1 for the fact that it doesn't try to do anything crazy like 6.5 does, and believed it to be more stable. But so far 6.5 is more stable than any 6.1 ROM I've flashed to. Also, with FTouchSL installed, scrollbars are a thing of the past! I've all but completely disabled mine for programs that need it (bing, ect). The scrolling in 6.5 is awesome.

If you're looking for a more finger friendly device, try PointUI's Home 2. Their customizations of the regular Home screen are so abundant. I'm currently running PointSense v2, and I haven't had to restart my phone in 2 days, and my battery has lasted very long. I didn't have much success with M2D, but I loved how pretty it is. It is honestly a very beautiful interface untouched.

I'd also recommend S2U2 and S2P to replace the standard Windows lock screen and WMP (respectively). S2U2 does much more than even the 6.5 Windows lock screen: it allows you to view and dismiss standard notifications (SMS, email, appointments, tasks, ect), and allows you to customize it's layout to your liking. S2P provides an iPhone/iPod like flow screen for music, and is very nice. It's a memory hog, but does a good job of allowing you to change between CDs or albums very fast. The greatest thing about both of these programs is that they interface between eachother. S2U2 provides you with a lock screen with the current album art as the background along with music controls (including volume) to change the song or go back or stop/pause. S2U2 also has a S2P sleep timer in case you're the type of person who falls asleep to music. :)

Hope this helps you make more out of your new Omnia!

[Guest jonboyuk]

oh ic....thats quite helpful...thanks a million

Basically it only ammends the main interface. Does that means once i go into the programs or settings folder, everthing else will be back to the normal WM interface right ?

On the other note, i notice that the touch sensitivity of the Omnia is quite odd. I would need to use my fingernail to navigate through instead of my finger is that normal ? Would using M2D solve this issue ?

Yes, you're right, it just amends the main interface, so when you go into the programs/settings folders everything else will be back to the usual WM interface. As per Zealstar's recommendation, go for a custom 6.5 rom, they are far better for stability and finger friendliness.

With regards to the fingernail thing.... if you have to use your fingernail to navigate and not your fingertip, I'm afraid changing levels of sensitivity in the registry won't do much for you. You need to replace the digitizer....I had to do it because I hated using my fingernail. Now with the new digitizer I can use the pad of my finger with ease. Here's an example one from ebay.... Link to Ebay.

When you've flashed a custom ROM, performing a hard reset will not erase the custom ROM, just take it back to how it was when you first flashed it.

Finally, in my experience with WM devices, try to minimize 3rd party software, they have a habit of dragging the OS down inexplicably. Others of course will disagree, but this is just from my experience. So S2P & S2U2, I tried and couldn't get on with. I hate programs that completely mask over WM. Not processor friendly! Anyway, experiment, not much can go wrong :)

[Guest arcurad]

True. The only way to revert back to the original ROM is to visit Samsung's official site. Windows 6.5 is alot more stable than 6.1 honestly. I've always been a big fan of 6.1 for the fact that it doesn't try to do anything crazy like 6.5 does, and believed it to be more stable. But so far 6.5 is more stable than any 6.1 ROM I've flashed to. Also, with FTouchSL installed, scrollbars are a thing of the past! I've all but completely disabled mine for programs that need it (bing, ect). The scrolling in 6.5 is awesome.

If you're looking for a more finger friendly device, try PointUI's Home 2. Their customizations of the regular Home screen are so abundant. I'm currently running PointSense v2, and I haven't had to restart my phone in 2 days, and my battery has lasted very long. I didn't have much success with M2D, but I loved how pretty it is. It is honestly a very beautiful interface untouched.

I'd also recommend S2U2 and S2P to replace the standard Windows lock screen and WMP (respectively). S2U2 does much more than even the 6.5 Windows lock screen: it allows you to view and dismiss standard notifications (SMS, email, appointments, tasks, ect), and allows you to customize it's layout to your liking. S2P provides an iPhone/iPod like flow screen for music, and is very nice. It's a memory hog, but does a good job of allowing you to change between CDs or albums very fast. The greatest thing about both of these programs is that they interface between eachother. S2U2 provides you with a lock screen with the current album art as the background along with music controls (including volume) to change the song or go back or stop/pause. S2U2 also has a S2P sleep timer in case you're the type of person who falls asleep to music. :)

Hope this helps you make more out of your new Omnia!

Thanks a zillion Zealstar, this definitely helps alot...that shall be the first thing i will try. If i am not mistaken, WM 6.5 is not officialy out yet right ? The ones available at the moment are extracted out from the Diamond2 or custom made as i am aware of.

One question though, after i install WM6.5 am i still able to use M2D ? I kinda really like the interface. It looks kinda awesome.

[Guest arcurad]

Yes, you're right, it just amends the main interface, so when you go into the programs/settings folders everything else will be back to the usual WM interface. As per Zealstar's recommendation, go for a custom 6.5 rom, they are far better for stability and finger friendliness.

With regards to the fingernail thing.... if you have to use your fingernail to navigate and not your fingertip, I'm afraid changing levels of sensitivity in the registry won't do much for you. You need to replace the digitizer....I had to do it because I hated using my fingernail. Now with the new digitizer I can use the pad of my finger with ease. Here's an example one from ebay.... Link to Ebay.

When you've flashed a custom ROM, performing a hard reset will not erase the custom ROM, just take it back to how it was when you first flashed it.

Finally, in my experience with WM devices, try to minimize 3rd party software, they have a habit of dragging the OS down inexplicably. Others of course will disagree, but this is just from my experience. So S2P & S2U2, I tried and couldn't get on with. I hate programs that completely mask over WM. Not processor friendly! Anyway, experiment, not much can go wrong :)

Thats a good suggestion to try jonboyuk. in regards to changing a new digitizer, is there a difference between the one on ebay and the original as they look the same to me ? I would get one if needed in order to avoid the fingernails.

thank god, the custom ROM will stay once i have flashed it, less hastle. I shall keep all of your advice in mind :) Time to try out !

[Guest Zealster]

The seller I bought from was Yallstore.com on ebay. I honestly think that any new one works, but one from yallstore worked fine. And yes M2D works perfectly fine with 6.5 I'm pretty sure. Although I'm not totally sure since I don't use it. There should be no reason it doesn't work though.