Plase Move This to the Dev Section---Willing to make a new shell interface for Omnia

[hellbender_it]

Hi Guys,

Ok, i've thrown the lure on Modaco and now i try here, I'm basically looking for someone to code this idea.

I'm an Omnia lucky owner and i really love it, particularly it's versatility.
I just regret the lack of cool interfaces (put Manilla 2d aside, it's awesome, but it's like having an htc device on out phones, not very exclusive). here are two quick layouts of an idea i had today, it's practically just eyecandy stuff, maybe not the top usability around but, you know, in our life we must satisfy ourselves...
Basically i'm looking for someone to code this, if it's mildly possible, 'cause i'm a poor lazy designer, and i don't chew any "if" or any "else"...

So here they are, a portrait and a landscape view of what's laying in my mind:

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/7342/spinnerinterface01landsob0.jpg


http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/8954/spinnerinterface01portrdz9.jpg



the idea is to have a spinning wheel of icons, transparent if possible (png with alpha?) that can grant access to the corrisponding main ambients of a mobile shell when tapped, just like SPB mobile shell or manilla, only more "graphic". The thing is conceived to be touch driven, with hrizontal sliding to spin the icons wheel and a vertical slide to access a second menu, just in case smile.gif The background (plane + rings) should be still, just a plain image.

I plan to design the "inside" of any section if i find someone crazy enough to follow my babblings, things like a photo gallery, a media player, a weather panel, etc.... (ye ye, like manilla) ando oh yes, no windows bars for now.

If there's someone who own the knowledge to understand the feasibility of this thing, my first question is "Flash lite?" cause i like very much the idea of having something very kinetic and possibly quick, and i'm not completely new to flash to keep me from helping.

Any Thoughts ?

P.S.: i'm sorry if some phrases in my post aren't clear enough, but i'm italian and i'm not so sure about my english.

Cheers.

Hellbender.

PPS: Frak, wrong section, please can a mod move it in the appropriate one ? I'm so lame.

[Black93300ZX]

I'm not an Omnia owner, nor can I help you, but I think it's a pretty cool looking idea. As for the language, I wouldn't have guessed until you said it that you weren't a native English speaker... No worries. I hope someone can help you get this idea off the ground, maybe having a few levels of wheels (i.e. flicking up and down gets to an inner or outer wheel from the one it's at) would make it more fun to navigate. Wheel 1 is your basics, and when you select something (like programs) wheel 2 lists the programs... Quick to get back and forth and easy to sort through. Good luck!

[zeezee]

it will be difficult to remove the window bars and softkeys while keeping the touchflo.
This will have to be done in C++ (basically rework the whole frontend.) -meaning we need to know alot about each API to be able to create a flawless frontend that works with WM6.0+ backend
This will be quite a project.
I like how it looks :D

[hellbender_it]

@Black93300ZX: thank you for your kindness :)

@zeezee: so i assume that products like SPB Mobile Shell are written in C++. I would be happy with just a fullscreen app that overlays on the today screen (SPB like), non necessarily a total integration like Manilla 2D. I haven't any idea about the performance.

"...meaning we need to know alot about each API.." you mean each single app i would add to that interface ? Because i was thinking that could be initially just some sort of launcher with graphical navigation, and adding features with time.

Obviously the BEST should be to intregrate every single function inside the same graphical environment, but for starters this is far from my expectations.
For now it's a spare time project, i'll take everything community can give to help.

Hellbender.

[psychoben87]

I really like the idea, especially the concept mock up interface you have developed. However I think you might get a better reception if you try and aim to make the application available for all HTC users, aka a universal front end to the essentials much like what SPB Mobile Shell does. Sadly my programming expertise is not that great to help out, sorry.

Best of luck getting others onboard to help you out with it!

[Black93300ZX]

I really like the idea, especially the concept mock up interface you have developed. However I think you might get a better reception if you try and aim to make the application available for all HTC users, aka a universal front end to the essentials much like what SPB Mobile Shell does. Sadly my programming expertise is not that great to help out, sorry.

Best of luck getting others onboard to help you out with it!

That's true, if you made it generic for Windows Mobile I'm sure you could find plenty of developers here who would help you out. Unfortunately, asking for help with software for a Samsung on an HTC forum may present problems. :|

[psychoben87]

That's true, if you made it generic for Windows Mobile I'm sure you could find plenty of developers here who would help you out. Unfortunately, asking for help with software for a Samsung on an HTC forum may present problems. :|

I could be wrong but I'm under the impression the Omnia runs windows mobile 6.1 which iirc is the first samsung phone to use windows mobile.

[Black93300ZX]

I could be wrong but I'm under the impression the Omnia runs windows mobile 6.1 which iirc is the first samsung phone to use windows mobile.

It does, but I'm saying I think originally he was asking for this to be made specifically for the Omnia, wouldn't work with HTC devices... Just like a lot of the customizations on the Tilt won't work on the Touch Pro. If he asked for it to be a generic program for Windows Mobile, however, he might have better luck as developers will have their phones to test it on.

[l3v5y]

For a start, Flash Lite is probably easier, but using C++ may end up with a better finished product that's more compatible.

I love the idea, and think the graphics look great!

I can help code it, but I'm certain there are better people with more time than me.

If the whole interface were 2D rather than 3D (using scaling to produce a 3D like effect) it'll run faster and probably better. And it'll be far less reliant on hardware.

I don't own an Omnia, but I'm sure there's an emulator available for the resolution, and it would be cool to have it on other screens as well.

Oh, and since I seem to be the first mod here, I'll move the thread.

[psychoben87]

It does, but I'm saying I think originally he was asking for this to be made specifically for the Omnia, wouldn't work with HTC devices... Just like a lot of the customizations on the Tilt won't work on the Touch Pro. If he asked for it to be a generic program for Windows Mobile, however, he might have better luck as developers will have their phones to test it on.

Oh opps, thanks for pointing that out.