Skinning/Customizing WP8

[Guest Deya_87]

Hello,

I just got a Nokia Lumia 520 and I wanted to know if there was a way to customize the desk screen in a cool way?
I really dislike the tiles layout overall and I much prefered Android (my old phone) that I could customise at wish.

 

I've downloaded the Wiztiles app (as well as Mytilemaker, Customtilesmaker...) and I can't get something nice.

I've tried searching on Deviantart for ideas but I only found lockscreen images.


Anyone got something fun?

 

 

Thanks :)


 

[Guest Colossae3.23]

Hello,

I just got a Nokia Lumia 520 and I wanted to know if there was a way to customize the desk screen in a cool way?

I really dislike the tiles layout overall and I much prefered Android (my old phone) that I could customise at wish.

 

I've downloaded the Wiztiles app (as well as Mytilemaker, Customtilesmaker...) and I can't get something nice.

I've tried searching on Deviantart for ideas but I only found lockscreen images.

Anyone got something fun?

 

 

Thanks :)

 

Deya,

 

I'm exactly the opposite. I was running a Win8 launcher for months, on my android before jumping to a Lumia 720. :)  Obviously, I like the interface, but I would like more customization, as well. For instance, the ability to change tile colours on the core apps, which can only happen if Microsoft enables it. I'm hoping that the next big update might address this issue. We can live in hope.

 

Maybe you need to give it more time to grow on you?

 

Until then you can try this: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store/app/bbconcept/cf7b67ad-3f50-484a-8647-f7b5bde2eb71

I can't remember what it does exactly, but it does look like android (it might be a lock screen app?) Sorry I can't remember, but it might be worth a look for you.

 

And have you tried any of these? In my opinion they're not great. I have tried them all and then uninstalled them, but they may help you.

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store/app/wp-themes/53f3c11d-4692-440a-b95f-289a654afa06

 

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store/app/shortcuts4all/b9962e9a-7435-4e01-8552-e2374a78bdfd

 

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store/app/skinery-themes/0c413983-24b5-42cb-8408-56f5b1422eed

 

(please note: all the links are to the UK store)

 

All the best

 

PS: If you've haven't seen them, these sites are good places to hear about new stuff:

This is a really good one, and has a really good forum as well http://www.wpcentral.com/

 

This one throws up a warning, in Chrome, about script from unauthenticated sources. Probably best not to click the links on the side. BUT, there is stuff in here that I don't see anywhere else. http://wmpoweruser.com/

Edited November 19, 2013 by Colossae3.23

[Guest awarner]

For me I love the live tiles and the way you can change the sizes and layouts to give more or less information depending on the app, but apart from changing colour schemes and ringtones etc there is not a great deal you can customise as such but do you really need to? The other added bonus is WP is the most secure OS on mobile devices at the moment.

[Guest Colossae3.23]

For me I love the live tiles and the way you can change the sizes and layouts to give more or less information depending on the app, but apart from changing colour schemes and ringtones etc there is not a great deal you can customise as such but do you really need to? The other added bonus is WP is the most secure OS on mobile devices at the moment.

 

Hi Ash,

Sorry for the late reply. Hardly get on here these days. Just to answer your question. No I don't need to change core tile colours, but I'd like to. Mainly, for quick identification. Yes, the icons themselves do differentiate, but colour association is much more intuitive.

Think: traffic lights. Like, if we only had text to read, instead of colour association, our reaction times would be much slower.

As a side note, I'd like to see MS suggest a colour theme for the daily Bing wallpapers. Or, even have it change automatically, with the option to override. So, the core tile colour theme would accent the Bing wallpaper, daily. I like the idea of matching colour schemes, so much that I do this manually every day. But, that's just me.

I am keenly aware that all this colour customisation could actually end up in a proper mess, but I'd still like the option to try stuff...

Edited March 31, 2014 by Colossae3.23

[Guest awarner]

There have been some interesting reports about screen customisation with the 8.1 update, having a background image to the tiles.

Hopefully not much longer to wait for the release. (still no actual date though)