[Q] Set tile icon on website fav?

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SnowJim

Senior Member
Apr 25, 2011
76
2
Hi,

Its possible to pin a website to the startpage, the tile will take a screenshoot that is used as the tile icon.

Is there any way to change this tile on a stock(or custom) phone?

Bestregards
 

SnowJim

Senior Member
Apr 25, 2011
76
2

Localhorst86

Senior Member
Jul 5, 2011
720
157
Germany
I am not entirely sure, no. It's some fancy Javascript bookmarklet, but I think it does this:

the web2tile site creates a temporary webpage using the favicon of the website and displays it using javascript. It then redirects the URL to your webpage and delays loading of it for 30 seconds, giving you enough time to pin the page to the homescreen. The tile will then show the image of that temporary page while directly opening the selected URL.

The Javascript used in the link looks really intimidating, though:

javascript:%20%20function%20jsonp(img)%20{%20document.body.style.margin%20=%20'0px';%20document.body.style.padding%20=%20'0px';%20document.body.style.border%20=%20'none';%20document.body.style.fontSize%20=%20'medium';%20document.body.style.color%20=%20'#000';%20document.body.style.backgroundColor%20=%20'#fff';%20%20%20document.body.innerHTML='%20<img%20src="'%20+%20img%20+%20'"%20style="padding:0px;margin:0px;width:100%"/>%20<p%20style="margin:10px">stop%20the%20loading%20+%20pin%20to%20start<\/p>%20';%20}%20%20function%20call()%20{%20var%20s%20=%20document.createElement('script');%20s.src%20=%20'http://www.web2tile.com/icon.php?url='%20+%20document.location.href;%20s.type%20=%20'text/javascript';%20document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(s);%20}%20%20void(call())

EDIT: If one could find the image location in that script, from where it retreives the image now, one could replace that URL with his own URL to an image file and theoretically allow truly custom icons. I am not capable of doing so :)

EDIT2: HAH! Replace the red part with the URL to your Image: BAM! Done!
 
Last edited:
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SnowJim

Senior Member
Apr 25, 2011
76
2
I am not entirely sure, no. It's some fancy Javascript bookmarklet, but I think it does this:

the web2tile site creates a temporary webpage using the favicon of the website and displays it using javascript. It then redirects the URL to your webpage and delays loading of it for 30 seconds, giving you enough time to pin the page to the homescreen. The tile will then show the image of that temporary page while directly opening the selected URL.

The Javascript used in the link looks really intimidating, though:

javascript:%20%20function%20jsonp(img)%20{%20document.body.style.margin%20=%20'0px';%20document.body.style.padding%20=%20'0px';%20document.body.style.border%20=%20'none';%20document.body.style.fontSize%20=%20'medium';%20document.body.style.color%20=%20'#000';%20document.body.style.backgroundColor%20=%20'#fff';%20%20%20document.body.innerHTML='%20<img%20src="'%20+%20img%20+%20'"%20style="padding:0px;margin:0px;width:100%"/>%20<p%20style="margin:10px">stop%20the%20loading%20+%20pin%20to%20start<\/p>%20';%20}%20%20function%20call()%20{%20var%20s%20=%20document.createElement('script');%20s.src%20=%20'http://www.web2tile.com/icon.php?url='%20+%20document.location.href;%20s.type%20=%20'text/javascript';%20document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(s);%20}%20%20void(call())

EDIT: If one could find the image location in that script, from where it retreives the image now, one could replace that URL with his own URL to an image file and theoretically allow truly custom icons. I am not capable of doing so :)

EDIT2: HAH! Replace the red part with the URL to your Image: BAM! Done!

Nice work!
 

ram49

Senior Member
May 15, 2012
61
10
Kuala Lumpur
Give this app a shot :) . It works fine with most sites. "Bookmark tile creator".

If it didn't get you the favicon, image search the favicon which you want and save it in your phone. Then try "Tiler". With Tiler app, you can use that picture and pin your fav site to your start menu.

Sent from my Omnia using Board Express
 

Localhorst86

Senior Member
Jul 5, 2011
720
157
Germany
The problem with these apps is that you have to keep them installed to keep your bookmarks. Also, there is an annoying black pause when launching the tile. Not ideal, but probably "simpler" than the above, allthough not as "clean"
 

ram49

Senior Member
May 15, 2012
61
10
Kuala Lumpur
Yes. The app need to be installed. But that is fine for me considering I use many bookmark tiles with only one app installed.

On black pause, its obvious due to platform restrictions.

Let me try your above script for the purpose.
 

Localhorst86

Senior Member
Jul 5, 2011
720
157
Germany
just to be clear, it's not my script, I do no know who runs the site www.web2tile.com :)

I just modified the part where it's looking for the image. This method is not without it's drawbacks though:

- the image should preferably be sqaure, otherwise you'll get the text on the bottom of the page as well

- if you want a custom image, you have to find a place to host it. Using skydrive works fine, though.
 

knee_guts

New member
Jun 14, 2012
4
0
Hi,

I am the developer of Bookmark Tile Creator. Thanks for trying my application!


I tried Web2Tile when I first got my WP7 and it was great but I found that it
could be simpler which is why I decided to create an application that served a similar purpose. I developed Bookmark Tile Creator for myself and it is what I use.

Bookmark Tile Creator gets all images that have references like for example 'logo' in them so that they can then all be displayed and the user can select which they prefer to use as a tile.

There is a splash screen that appears very briefly when a user uses a tile created with my app.
The reason for the inital 'splash' screen is that Bookmark Tile Creator is actually launching the browser and this is the only way to do it.

I have recently submitted an update that fixes a few minor bugs and am waiting for it to be certified and published.
Fixed a rare case when an image is selected and the
tile isn't created.
Fixed an issue when back button is pushed after using a tile created by the app and it takes you back to the 'splash' screen.

The next release will support more image formats.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any feedback / suggestions for my Bookmark Tile Creator!
 

SnowJim

Senior Member
Apr 25, 2011
76
2
Hi,

I am the developer of Bookmark Tile Creator. Thanks for trying my application!


I tried Web2Tile when I first got my WP7 and it was great but I found that it
could be simpler which is why I decided to create an application that served a similar purpose. I developed Bookmark Tile Creator for myself and it is what I use.

Bookmark Tile Creator gets all images that have references like for example 'logo' in them so that they can then all be displayed and the user can select which they prefer to use as a tile.

There is a splash screen that appears very briefly when a user uses a tile created with my app.
The reason for the inital 'splash' screen is that Bookmark Tile Creator is actually launching the browser and this is the only way to do it.

I have recently submitted an update that fixes a few minor bugs and am waiting for it to be certified and published.
Fixed a rare case when an image is selected and the
tile isn't created.
Fixed an issue when back button is pushed after using a tile created by the app and it takes you back to the 'splash' screen.

The next release will support more image formats.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any feedback / suggestions for my Bookmark Tile Creator!

Nice, So the tile is created with its thumb and it does not need to go online to get the thumb? How about uninstalling Bookmark Tile Creator, will the tiles still work as before?
 

Localhorst86

Senior Member
Jul 5, 2011
720
157
Germany
of course does it need online access. Just like web2tile it grabs the image(s) when creating the bookmark and then apparently lets you select the image you want (whereas web2tile by default uses the favicon or you can point it to a specific image by editing the javascript before creating the tile).

Both methods do not need to get online to grab the thumb once the tile is created. So, with the modified web2tile method you can delete the image from your webspace as well after you created the tile.

Bookmark tile creater pros/cons:

pro:
- easy, fast
- you can select your icon

cons:
- you need an extra app for that
- small delay upon launching a tiled bookmark (that's simply a limitation of the system)


web2tile pros/cons:

pro:
- if you're happy with the favicon, it's easy and fast as well
- using builtin system feature, no need for a third party app
- because of the above: no delay upon launching a tiled bookmark.

cons:
- no customization, or at least a lot more complex approach to do so


EDIT:

both have the disadvantage that there might be webpages that don't work with either method. My carrier has a dedicated webpage that allows me to track my data usage. This website is only accessible from my mobile connection (won't work via WiFi or PC), presumably an internal webpage. It wont work with web2tile and bookmark tile creator as both can't access the website since they are not able to reach this internal site.
 
Last edited:

knee_guts

New member
Jun 14, 2012
4
0
Nice, So the tile is created with its thumb and it does not need to go online to get the thumb? How about uninstalling Bookmark Tile Creator, will the tiles still work as before?

Correct, the the images are stored in isolated storage.

If you uninstall the application your tiles will be removed along with it.

Bookmark Tile Creator will improve when I add .gif support in version 1.3. The reason it wasn't in there from the get go is because that format is not natively supported.
 

ram49

Senior Member
May 15, 2012
61
10
Kuala Lumpur
@knee_guts: Just a quick question. With the gif support, and if it's a animated one, will the live tile icon also replicate the animation??

Sent from my Omnia using Board Express
 

knee_guts

New member
Jun 14, 2012
4
0
Hi again,

I would love it if any of you guys could put an honest review on the marketplace for Bookmark Tile Creator.

Thanks.
 

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    I usually use this, this uses the website logo most of the time:

    http://www.web2tile.com/

    Follow the instructions on the website.

    EDIT: The video link on the website shows it in action. For me, this works fine, btw. :)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BqlgfVDJMA
    1
    I am not entirely sure, no. It's some fancy Javascript bookmarklet, but I think it does this:

    the web2tile site creates a temporary webpage using the favicon of the website and displays it using javascript. It then redirects the URL to your webpage and delays loading of it for 30 seconds, giving you enough time to pin the page to the homescreen. The tile will then show the image of that temporary page while directly opening the selected URL.

    The Javascript used in the link looks really intimidating, though:

    javascript:%20%20function%20jsonp(img)%20{%20document.body.style.margin%20=%20'0px';%20document.body.style.padding%20=%20'0px';%20document.body.style.border%20=%20'none';%20document.body.style.fontSize%20=%20'medium';%20document.body.style.color%20=%20'#000';%20document.body.style.backgroundColor%20=%20'#fff';%20%20%20document.body.innerHTML='%20<img%20src="'%20+%20img%20+%20'"%20style="padding:0px;margin:0px;width:100%"/>%20<p%20style="margin:10px">stop%20the%20loading%20+%20pin%20to%20start<\/p>%20';%20}%20%20function%20call()%20{%20var%20s%20=%20document.createElement('script');%20s.src%20=%20'http://www.web2tile.com/icon.php?url='%20+%20document.location.href;%20s.type%20=%20'text/javascript';%20document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(s);%20}%20%20void(call())

    EDIT: If one could find the image location in that script, from where it retreives the image now, one could replace that URL with his own URL to an image file and theoretically allow truly custom icons. I am not capable of doing so :)

    EDIT2: HAH! Replace the red part with the URL to your Image: BAM! Done!