The iPocket Project - Transforming the JAM into an Apple-lik

[malencar]

Every couple of months for the past 3 years a new rumor about an Apple-branded PDA emerges. And every single time it proves to be nothing but a rumor.
Well, I decided to stop waiting and make my JAM look like an Apple device in what I'm calling "The iPocket Project".

The project is comprised of re-skining the interface and every application possible with apple-like look & feel. I work in the design industry and it won't be aproblem for me to create the designs, but I'll need some help turning the graphics into usable skins. Here are the steps I'm going to take to achieve this:

- Wallpaper
- PhoneAlarm Skin
- Interface Skin (through 3rd party app)
- Intellidialer Skin
- Intellipad Skin
- Phone Dialer
- Windows Media Player Skin
- Sugar cube trick to get rid of the iMate Logo
- Adding an Apple Logo

Any help will be greatly appreciated and, of course, all the pieces will be available here for free download.

To get things started, here are the first JPGs I've created:

http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/JAMMAC.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/Dialer.jpg

Howard Short, I know you are really good with dialer skins. Wanna give me a hand?

[skagen]

You do realize that it won't ever function as seamlessly as an Apple, no matter how you skin it, right? :D

[zetsurin]

If you are prepared to offer Wisbar Advance 2 and Snoopsoft Dashboard your patronage, you can have an interface like this one:

http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1767&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/showthread.php?t=22310&goto=nextnewest

Unfortunately, the links are down due to Duckie's server bandwidth being exceeded, but the QVGA version has been temporarily uploaded to the following location:

http://s7.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1HZMH6TJP9ROS08EY5YBA0WBC0

I was already a registered owner of Wisbar Advance, but soon became a registered owner of Dashboard based on the strength of this skin. It goes a long way to transforming the PocketPC interface into something useful rather than just being pretty as well...

Also be sure to check out Buz Lightyear's fantastic keyboard skins in these forums as well. He made a beautiful OS X style one.

By the way, I love your dialer skin graphic! I think there is a tool to allow you to create a .psk file (or something like that) which allows a 3rd party tool to install it. I'll do some hunting...

EDIT: Howard has provided the links to the PSK creator here http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=35335. However I am not sure if it will do the intellidialer parts (which you have in your screenshots). I guess if someone (Howard?) has a photoshop file or similar with the necessary cutting lines it should be straighforward to chop those parts out into the necessary in* files to be copied to the \Windows dir. Also, I should be able to knock up the necessary DLL that would be needed to provide the depressed states for those buttons if you can provide a graphic incoporating the depressed states you would like to be seen.

Heck, if nobody steps forward, just post up png/bmp/gif files of exactly what you want seen in the dialer and I will chop it up for you.

EDIT2: Link to buz_lightyear's excellent keyboard skins: http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=16303&highlight=keyboard

http://forum.xda-developers.com/files/sized/osxgraphitelabel_preview-200.png

Cheers,
Zet

[zetsurin]

Ok, I have created a Photoshop document with the necessary slices set up to allow creation of the various images necessary for the dialer, including the intelidialer section. Ipload it somewhere later. Working on a landscape one shortly. malencar, all I need are the graphics, including down-states and I can package the dialer up into a CAB or a ZIP.

Note that I am currently investigating how to not have the dialer overlay the graphics with it's own text. It doesn't appear to use strings in the registry, so I am checking the dialer code to see if those strings are in resources. Basically we would want the strings removed or at least want the font adjustable. It's currently touch and go whether the fonts can appear the same as in your picture. No problem with the button graphics though. BTW, what font did you use?

[malencar]

I've made a new, refined version for the Dialer. Here it is:

http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/JAMMAC/iPocket-Dialer.jpg http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/JAMMAC/Dialer_numberpressed.jpg http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/JAMMAC/Dialer_buttonpressed.jpg

Zetsurin, I'll PM you the link to download the original PSDs I'm working on.

Cheers

[zetsurin]

Malencar, that's looking awesome! The only technical hitch currently is that the dialer software currently overlays all button graphics with white text in the standard system font. ie. not what we want. I'm looking into it for now, trying to get the DLL's out of my PDA at the moment and will take a closer look... Tempted to just start extending the open source dialer D9 (www.pocketgamer.com/D9) to accomodate those graphics. That would also provide an opportunity to create a dialer which is much better for single handed operation but also a lot more work... the built in HTC dialer app, for all it's fault does seem to be quite tweakable, so there is still hope yet.

[malencar]

Zetsurin,

Here is the version with separated blue buttons so it can work with the white font. For the PSD just go to the same link I sent you before on the PM. I've also included a cut-out blue button with no text to make your life easier ;-)

http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/JAMMAC/Dialer_Bluebuttons.jpg

[malencar]

WMP10 Skin - iTunes Pocket. This version is audio only (anothe one with video coming soon). I'll work on the button pressed states and upload soon.

http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/JAMMAC/WMP10.jpg

[zetsurin]

malencar,

Well one the way with the dialer skin. Should be ready sometime this evening (or your morning) :)

I had to manually remove the text from the Talk button, as the dialer (man, the standard dialer is CRAP) insists on overlaying the text on that as well. Anyway, it's looking pretty good. Expect a ZIP file later with all the images.

Cheers,
Zet

[zetsurin]

Malencar,

Here's an early file for the dialer. Not all the images are done yet (some of the buttons, and also none of the intellidialer section), but it serves as a good checkpoint on the progress so far. Just copy the files in the ZIP to your /Windows directory on your Pocket PC.

[j_metselaars]

Maybe this is what you want to achieve???

http://storage.msn.com/x1pnp_rgmi5o53t0d6Y5LvvpNNdbWcZT8mZe640RRYFGkPSkmG BXDwLY-s6PJidqbGbNM2jEPY2VnyjbgnYNC-yDe-i9ptJ65fQ

This is totally IPocket isn't it? Although it's another device, it could be done with a JAM and that would take you less work! And menu-structures could be the same as Apple...

By the way, could you maybe post Mediaplayer skin you made?

[EXO]

The all white dialer skin and Pocket Itunes skin for WMP are great. Mind hooking me up with both of them ?

[malencar]

Maybe this is what you want to achieve???

This is totally IPocket isn't it? Although it's another device, it could be done with a JAM and that would take you less work! And menu-structures could be the same as Apple...

By the way, could you maybe post Mediaplayer skin you made?

Did you make that? What did you use to customize the top and bottom bars?

[Mikee4fun]

nice job guys! Just for the 411 wisbar advanced is not compadable with pocket pc phones period. Even the latest beta is a no go. The caller ID does not work when wisbar advanced is going. As for these other skins and phone dialers they rock!

Mike

[zetsurin]

Guys, as for skinning the OS, it just doesn't get better than Duckie's skin IMHO.

I run Wisbar Advance 2 (latest beta, not the .10 final which isn't compatible with Phone Edition) and Snoopsoft Dashboard. I think it's a magic combination. Check out the attached screens...

[malencar]

Aiight people,

Version 0.1 (beta) of the iDialer is here. Zetsurin and I put this together and it is working fine. The Portrait and Landscape versions are included as is the Intellidialer skin. Just drop all the files in your \windows folder and you're good to go.

I'll upload a version with minor refinements as soon as possible.

On another subject, anybody out there willing to put the WMP10 skin together? The design is ready and I can send the PSD file to whomever is willing to help.

Cheers

Malencar

[Mikee4fun]

Sorry to tell you but the latest beta in wisbar advanced does not work correctly with the pocketpc phone. The caller ID does not work. So if you don't care about caller ID I guess then you are ok . Try calling your voice mail and then while in your voice mail have someone call you. You will hear the audio beep saying someone is trying to call you but no notification and no way to switch to the other call.

Mike

[Mikee4fun]

Also the arrow back button is covered by the intellidialer skin. Any reason why?

Mike

[malencar]

Also the arrow back button is covered by the intellidialer skin. Any reason why?

Mike

Yeah, this is the first beta so, it definitely needs tweaks. The back button thing is a mystery to me. I fixed it and made the button smaller but for some reason it keeps stretching to the size you see now.

[zetsurin]

Sorry to tell you but the latest beta in wisbar advanced does not work correctly with the pocketpc phone. The caller ID does not work. So if you don't care about caller ID I guess then you are ok . Try calling your voice mail and then while in your voice mail have someone call you. You will hear the audio beep saying someone is trying to call you but no notification and no way to switch to the other call.

Mike

Actually, I just double-checked and I have the .24 beta. Anyway, I guess I'm not so popular as I have never had a situation of someone calling me while I was on another call :( It does tell me who is calling me when it's ringing though, so caller id in that sense seems to be OK. Anyway, that version works fine for everything I do on my mini, so I won't bother upgrading until all issues are ironed out. It must be a pain for the author to get it working right, don't you just wish there was a bit more standardisation in the design of these phone devices, that sure would make it easier for the developers.

[zetsurin]

Here is the DLL you need to install in order to have the down states working on your buttons. Back up your PPC first as this DLL needs to go in the \Windows directory, plus you will need to make one change to your registry in order for it to be used.

The registry change you will need to make is this:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\Phone\IcoFil = tapres_iPocket.dll
(ie. set the key IcoFil to have a value of tapres_iPocket.dll)

In the future all these files + registry key can be put into a CAB file so you won't have t resort to manually editing the registry. Speaking of which, what is a good CAB editor that everyone uses?

malencar, when you install this you will notice one thing that needs to be done with the skin: the top row of buttons needs to go up by 1 pixel, and the bottom row of buttons need to go down by 1 pixel. If you look in the zp file I provided a few posts up, I had done this and it lines up fine with the down states. The reason for this is that only one image can be provided for the down states.

[malencar]

Sorry to tell you but the latest beta in wisbar advanced does not work correctly with the pocketpc phone. The caller ID does not work. So if you don't care about caller ID I guess then you are ok . Try calling your voice mail and then while in your voice mail have someone call you. You will hear the audio beep saying someone is trying to call you but no notification and no way to switch to the other call.

Mike

I don't use Wisbar Advance. Caller ID works fine on my Magician. The only glitch I've experienced is the back button being overlayed by the Intellidialer Skin.

[Mikee4fun]

I am referring to Duckie's skin IMHO, which needs wisbar advanced to run. Not the phone dialer skin. :lol:

[PapaDocta]

@malencar

nice stuff, waiting for new releases..

keep up the good work...

only one problem... the font color of the Call Histroy and the Speed Dial are in white which is sometimes diffecult to see... any quick fix for that?

and one small request.... can you make the icons of the missed, received, and out going buttons aqua blue instead of white..........

thanks

[iffu2004]

Hi

I tried to download the QVGA link of Mac Today plugin. I copied all the files to windows folder & when I select tiger.tsk in today plugin. I could find all the skins are loaded except the topbar.. (start menu icon remains the same) the picture of Mac OS doesn't appear.

could u suggest me what to do...

Thanks
iffu

[Mikee4fun]

Where is the WMP10 skin? Please put it up for download.

[zetsurin]

On second thoughts, maybe the Wisbar Advance / Dashboard combination isn't as magic as I stated before. I have been noticing my PocketPC has been missing calls (not ringing at all) and it's pretty safe to put that one down to Wisbar. Also, Dashboard has been randomly causing me to have to hard reset as it's occassionally giving me a cryptic error message. I wouldn't so mind regarding the latter if Snoopsoft answered their support messages, but they haven't responded to any of my queries so far. I will say that in Wisbar's defence, these Pocket PC Phones are so far from standardised that I can understand the challenge, plus support via the forum for that app is second to none. As a last resort I tried the latest .29 beta but it kept existing at random time intervals.

Anyway, after switching off Wisbar I have noticed that my PocketPC is much snappier as well, but no more mac look :(

I might try to trials of Pocket Breeze and PocketPlus as those two apps seem to work really well together. Anyone know if there are any Mac skins for them? The nice thing about using Wizbar is that it can skin interface elements such as checkboxes and radio buttons in all apps.

[htvi]

yeah, fuck wisbar it's slowing the whole jam down, sometimes you didn't see whos calling you... im gonna use now a different program...

ok, where i can download these incredible skins and how i need to install them?

[gm]

yeah, fuck wisbar it's slowing the whole jam down, sometimes you didn't see whos calling you... im gonna use now a different program...

ok, where i can download these incredible skins and how i need to install them?

maybe you're not using the latest BETA that will actually work with pocket pc phones. the latest beta is located here (http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/downloads/beta/wisbaradv2.20129.exe)

been a long time WA user and using it with pocketbreeze and pocketweather. most the time, there are WA theme suites that already include pocketbreeze and pocketweather icons(especially those apple-looking skins)

[gm]

Sorry to tell you but the latest beta in wisbar advanced does not work correctly with the pocketpc phone. The caller ID does not work. So if you don't care about caller ID I guess then you are ok . Try calling your voice mail and then while in your voice mail have someone call you. You will hear the audio beep saying someone is trying to call you but no notification and no way to switch to the other call.

Mike

caller id works fine with my jam using wisbar advance(i currently use beta 2.20124). i never upgraded to the latest build yet but it seems that this build is far more stable than the latest.

[zohaer21]

i think this thread has gone off topic discussing wisbar...
i like the dialer skins .. can we have wmp10 ipod skin ????

[Mikee4fun]

LoL Wisbar advanced even with the latest beta! has caller Id issues. Chris will fix it in time, it is just a nightmare. Now yes pls the wmp 10 itunes skin pls. Hehe Also you can get one at http://browse.deviantart.com/skins/media/wmp/wmpppc/

Mikee :wink:

[malencar]

All right, here is version 0.5 with the following fixes/new features:

- Entire dialer skin (including intellidialer) is darker to increase readability
- Back button no more behind Intellidialer screen
- Complete landscape version of dialer
- Splash Scheen for iMate Jam with Apple Logo
- .tsk theme with apple wallpaper and colors

For the Dialer just drop all the files inside the iDialer_V0_5 folder into your \windows directory on your PPC

For the Splash Screen, just run the .cab file on your PPC.

For the Theme just drop it on your \windows folder and select it from settings/today

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Malencar

[malencar]

A little bonus for y'all:

The defaul page that comes in Pocket IE sucks a** so, I created my own little "Pocket Portal" with links to services and sites optimized for the PPC screen.

If you want to replace the original files just drop the contents of the attached folder into your \windows directory. You can also save the folder anywhere you want and make it your homepage on pie's options.

Enjoy!

[JwY]

i just tried your updated idialer and think it looks very awesome
thanks for the hard work, both of you

[da6y]

THX a lot, man :wink:

[rlengthorn]

Let me add another thank you, the dialler is excellent. I eagerly look forward to the Media Player Skin.

[PapaDocta]

malencar,

thanks for the great and the best skin...........

i have some comments tho..... first look at screen001.jpeg

look at the clear and cancel buttons and the Enter button the handset is really close to the Enter

screen002.jpeg

1. there is a shadow on the Call History and Speed Dial which a bit off
2. the star sgin needs to be lowered a bit...............


thanks for the great skin i love it....................

[BVH]

This is GREAT work! Thank You!

[lyka]

malencar,

thanks for the great and the best skin...........

i have some comments tho..... first look at screen001.jpeg

look at the clear and cancel buttons and the Enter button the handset is really close to the Enter

screen002.jpeg

1. there is a shadow on the Call History and Speed Dial which a bit off
2. the star sgin needs to be lowered a bit...............


thanks for the great skin i love it....................


With a bit of photoshop work you can resolve your problem. I did it for me. If the autor allow me i'll post the file corrected.

[dornier]

Maybe this is what you want to achieve???

http://storage.msn.com/x1pnp_rgmi5o53t0d6Y5LvvpNNdbWcZT8mZe640RRYFGkPSkmG BXDwLY-s6PJidqbGbNM2jEPY2VnyjbgnYNC-yDe-i9ptJ65fQ

This is totally IPocket isn't it? Although it's another device, it could be done with a JAM and that would take you less work! And menu-structures could be the same as Apple...

By the way, could you maybe post Mediaplayer skin you made?

Hi,

Where can I get this Ipocket product from? I really like it, but can't find it anywhere on the net.

Thanks,

GP

[da6y]

http://home.planet.nl/%7Everho612/gsplayermilk.PNG
http://home.planet.nl/~verho612/Gssite/Milk.zip
http://home.planet.nl/%7Everho612/Gssite/Mac.PNG
http://home.planet.nl/%7Everho612/Gssite/BluMilk.zip

[JwY]

malencar,

thanks for the great and the best skin...........

i have some comments tho..... first look at screen001.jpeg

look at the clear and cancel buttons and the Enter button the handset is really close to the Enter

screen002.jpeg

1. there is a shadow on the Call History and Speed Dial which a bit off
2. the star sgin needs to be lowered a bit...............


thanks for the great skin i love it....................

it is great indeed. you could use the hold button and rename it to the call history and speeddial to get rid of the shadow

i think it looks better without the shadow so you may want to consider without it in your next release. just a suggestion :)

[coreymcl]

Maybe this is what you want to achieve???

http://storage.msn.com/x1pnp_rgmi5o53t0d6Y5LvvpNNdbWcZT8mZe640RRYFGkPSkmG BXDwLY-s6PJidqbGbNM2jEPY2VnyjbgnYNC-yDe-i9ptJ65fQ

This is totally IPocket isn't it? Although it's another device, it could be done with a JAM and that would take you less work! And menu-structures could be the same as Apple...

By the way, could you maybe post Mediaplayer skin you made?

Great how do I get this interface? It looks like you have it done? Where can I download it?

[coreymcl]

After following your instructions I still have the Windows logo verses the Apple one for the start menu on my PDA2K. Can you tell me how to fix it?

[Mikee4fun]

I cant get the back arrow button to change, is there a registry edit for this?

[Mikee4fun]

I cant get the back arrow button to change, is there a registry edit for this?

[malencar]

I cant get the back arrow button to change, is there a registry edit for this?

Delete the original button file from your windows folder, soft reset, install the new button file, soft reset. That should do the trick.

[Mikee4fun]

Nope that doesn't do it. I had Howard Shortt's thingy installed http://www.howardshortt.com/skins.htm

Unintalled it and still a no go. It left a back button that I cannot remove. Even if I delete the dlrclr_land.gif, and dlrclrd_land.gif in the windows root folder I still have the old back arrow from one of the old skins.

[rocket]

When I use installed malencar's ipocket theme, the today screen, colors, etc were fine, but, like coreymcl, I still have the windows logo at the start button. Is it supposed to be that way?

[Mikee4fun]

Had to do a sprite backup and then it worked. For you rocket you have to use wisbar advanced.

Mikee

[marshall_teller]

Hi
i has wondering where i can download this cool Mac-like Dialer skin?

[Mikee4fun]

Where is Duckie's skin IMHO skin? Please upload.

Thanks,

Mikee :lol:

[steelorange]

Here's a cool utility that will play ONLY MP3 files on your pocket pc device.

*Btw, the scroll wheel works like its real counterpart :D

Enjoy!

[armei]

http://www.pocketmac.net/products/devices/pro_features/1.html
i got this theme from the POCKETMAC PRO..
if anyone wants it just lemme know i will upoad it for u ;)
This version still it uses Wisbar to change a look and feel only that this is a very lite version of Wisbar... it doesn't slow down ur magician.. believe me. no problem about coming call or msg.
however, it has some drawbacks... well.. it doesn't have da Phone Signal icon... and no missed call icon... cuz it's basically designed for PDA only - -! the rest i think it works fine with me.

I use PHONE TODAY to show Signal STrength and missed call...
so i think i'm ok with this

[CEBEP]

what can I say, grate work. many thanks.

[MindBlower2k4]

any work done next??

its a shame nobody does anything with this anymore...
so please~!

[CEBEP]

what else are you looking for?

[Delete4Ever]

any steps by steps instruction for the reg tweak to work? thanks

[Aftershock.base]

Anything new to the project? I love what you guys have done. If you need any help, let me know (just not with $$$ :) ).

[xcilion]

Is it true the Splash screen is black?

[rocket]

My splash screen is light grey with a white apple logo in the center.[/img]

[charleslee]

Hi guys,

nice mod here.

But if you look closer, other than "*", some other number's alignment are off too. just compare the numbers "1 2abc 3def", "4ghi 5jkl 6mno" and "7pqrs 8tuv 9wxyz"

not sure if it was off in the original mini dialler, can't remember, anybody any idea?

next question is, the carrier logo, if i don't want it there, and just have the original "text" version (so when i roam, i know which network i'm connected to..), what should i do? just delete the carrierlogo.gif? or need to do some other registry hacks?


thnx!!


malencar,

thanks for the great and the best skin...........

i have some comments tho..... first look at screen001.jpeg

look at the clear and cancel buttons and the Enter button the handset is really close to the Enter

screen002.jpeg

1. there is a shadow on the Call History and Speed Dial which a bit off
2. the star sgin needs to be lowered a bit...............


thanks for the great skin i love it....................

[bruxelles5]

OK I get all files except the APPLE Skin for PhoneAlarm

Like this (from the Author of this post)

http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/JAMMAC/Macskin.jpg

[Bright Star]

I've installed the cab which skinned my device, but some screens are not available anymore, for example the camera setting I can't type any value to change contrast, saturation and more.
Furthermore, the callerID detials screen is missing sometimes the contact name.

I've tried HR but it still remains the same.
How can I restore things back to normal ? Will re-ROMing my device (current ROM 1.12) will help solving this ?

10x in advance,
BR

[xcilion]

I know this is one old topic but, to Malencar

Can you release the iTunes WMP10 skin or send me the graphics so i can finish it? There's a crowd waiting for it, it looks great!

[zairyaab]

good work... !! good start....!! but a sad ending.... !!

anyways good work brothers...if someone could please post a complete guide from scratch ....like DCS posted when he had posted wm2003se....

cheers...

[swedbass]

I want this skin too!!!!!

http://homepage.mac.com/malencar/.Pictures/JAMMAC/Macskin.jpg

Found it: http://www.pocketmax.net/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=994.0;id=226

[Panja]

Great stuff guys!

I now have an Apple phone/ppc :P

[gogol]

How can we change the windows logo in the top left corner ?

[vijay555]

Gogol - try wisbar, gs pocketmagic or smallmenuplus

V

[orfe]

Hi all!!! I would like to change my default dialer pad to the malencar's one!It looks cooool!!! But I can't find a topic which explains how can I turn to default skin if I want!! Where do I have to put the dialer skin? And is it possible, after that, to turn to the default skin, like if nothing happened! Thank you so much...

[orfe]

can somebody help me?!

[nickmgray]

can anyone help me out with getting the files for the dialer? There seem to be no links here in the thread that link to it.

[reclus]

Maybe this is what you want to achieve???

http://storage.msn.com/x1pnp_rgmi5o53t0d6Y5LvvpNNdbWcZT8mZe640RRYFGkPSkmG BXDwLY-s6PJidqbGbNM2jEPY2VnyjbgnYNC-yDe-i9ptJ65fQ

This is totally IPocket isn't it? Although it's another device, it could be done with a JAM and that would take you less work! And menu-structures could be the same as Apple...

By the way, could you maybe post Mediaplayer skin you made?

Hello, i copied the files in the ZIP into my PPC Windows directory. But my phone skin doesn't change. Any idea? Thanks.

[hanmin]

Hi all!!! I would like to change my default dialer pad to the malencar's one!It looks cooool!!! But I can't find a topic which explains how can I turn to default skin if I want!! Where do I have to put the dialer skin? And is it possible, after that, to turn to the default skin, like if nothing happened! Thank you so much...
Copy all the files in the ZIP into the WINDOWS directory of your device to make it iPod-like. If you may want to switch it back to default, copy all the GIF and BMP files from your WINDOWS folder before putting in the iDialler skin (you can use total commander to copy, much easier)

can anyone help me out with getting the files for the dialer? There seem to be no links here in the thread that link to it.
The iDialler.zip at this page
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=22078

Hello, i copied the files in the ZIP into my PPC Windows directory. But my phone skin doesn't change. Any idea? Thanks.
I have the same problem with my MDA Compact 2 (aka Charmer). Not sure why.