Simple contacts app iContact (v0.5) (xPhone alike)

[larna]

Hello,
I wrote a simple contacts list app for WM5 but i've tested it on HTC Wizard only. If anyone is willing to test the app on their device I'd be very thankfull.

The app is very basic, it only lists contacts in scrollable list. I use it for accessing my contacts by scrolling the list with fingers, similar to *Phone. Just tap, drag and release. To select a contact, just tap and release, and standard contact details dialog should appear.

Exe is in the attached zip file.


UPDATE v0.5, 02.03.2008.

Changes:
- iContact should now be visible in task managers
- added application icon
- alphabet grid can be shown by clicking on ABC button. It stays shown until letter is selected, or you tap on an empty space
- little bit more usefull "Details" screen.




UPDATE v0.4, 09.11.2007.
This version should fix a bug or two, but may introduce some as well. It should fix the most obvious bug with contact name length.
It also introduces a way to look into contact details. But is merely a test and isn't very usable at the moment. Tapping on the contact name will open standard pocket outlook contact details.

Have fun.



UPDATE v0.3, 08.09.2007.
Sorry to say that iContact didn't go very far, but still, i wanted to give you guys an up-to-date version (if anyone is still interested )

There are few changes and they're all very obvious, so, have fun.



UPDATE

- 05.05.2007.

v0.2
App is now known as"iContact".Main changes would be landscape fix and (Oh, My, Oooh) WM2003 support.
As i don't have wm2003 device there are probably still some bugs, but at least it should start, show contacts and scroooooolllll...

The little indicator on the right side has some bugs, i know. But, as it doesn't affects the other app functionality I let it live.

Post your opinions. New features will be discussed when main part of the app works (almost) bug free.

Thx for all your comments. That motivates me the most.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Contacts v0.1 is available for testing purposes in the post:
Here
Explanations and comments are available in before mentioned post.


YouTube video made by nicolas (thx nicolas)

xPhone alike launcher by Grumps (Good job man!)

Thx,
larna

 

[mccune]

It looks cool!

I sort my contacts as a "File As". Any change you will add extra options to this program?

One thing I've noticed is that contacts who only have an e-mail address appear as a white bar, maybe an option could be to filter contacts?

But again, nice Beta!

 

[larna]

Thx for the response. It's my first pocketpc app, and first c win32 app, and first c app ever. So, I'm just starting to learn

You're right about blank fields. It only reads first and lastname from the database.

I didn't understand the "File As" sort option. Do you care about explaining a bit. (Sorry, english isn't my native language).

larna

 

[mccune]

Thx for the response. It's my first pocketpc app, and first c win32 app, and first c app ever. So, I'm just starting to learn

You're right about blank fields. It only reads first and lastname from the database.

I didn't understand the "File As" sort option. Do you care about explaining a bit. (Sorry, english isn't my native language).

larna

What is your native language then?

The file as sort option is like this:

Doe, John -> Last, First
John Doe -> First Last
I'm using Inesoft Address Book, it has an option to sort contact like "File As" this way all contacts are displayed the same way as I saved them

 

[larna]

Croatian is my native language.

Adding sort options shouldn't be that difficult so I guess I'll implement them in some phase. I'm still experimenting with more fluid scrolling.

Thx,

larna

 

[hanmin]

Nice.. very nice! Smooth scrolling effect too. Start fast works well. Ought to post a video up.

Wish list:
Do you think you can add the photos onto the list? Or it will make the software ultra slow?

 

[larna]

I think that would slow down the app considerably. It's already a bit slow on my Wizard running on 180 MHz, but it's fine when overclocked to 240 MHz.

But, I can't say I'm 100% sure it wouldn't work. I'm still a newbie.

Thx for comments!

larna

 

[itesla]

Looks very cool, a couple requests

1) can you make a command line option that filters the list by category? I've got a lot of contacts, but I have a category called Phone for ones I want to get to quickly. Unfortunately the regular contacts app always forgets this filter so it hasn't been much use so far.

2) I see a lot of blank items in the list, if the name is not valid maybe use the "File As" field as someone suggested, or look through the other fields maybe. I use just the company name a lot on businesses. "File As" is probably the way to go though because that is what shows up in the regular contactrs program I think.

 

[larna]

Thx for suggestions, I'll be sure to take look at that.

Stay tuned for next version

larna

 

[sParekh]

just tested on HTC TyTn...

it works... but scrolling does not work!
I am trying to make the same simple app using java
having problems with the API's (JSR 75) not being on my phone
Have you done anything like this for java?
And yes, I did separate post a thread for it here!

Many thanks, and good luck!
Sanjay

 

[larna]

it works... but scrolling does not work!
I am trying to make the same simple app using java
having problems with the API's (JSR 75) not being on my phone
Have you done anything like this for java?
And yes, I did separate post a thread for it here!

Many thanks, and good luck!
Sanjay

Sorry, didn't even come close to java. I can only wish you best luck with your project.

Regarding scrolling, can you select a contact by tap onto it's name?

Thx,

larna

 

[vua777]

Tytn wont work? what your Rom?
my o2 Trion (Hermes100) cingular rom aku 3.5.2 work well with smoth scroll
nice 18k app !

edit: what's your program language to make this app, this is simple, small and super!
you can make Windows Mobile an Iphone Killer keep up your work and ideal!!!

 

[Guybrush]

very nice app, works on my p3600.. continue this nice job

 

[larna]

Thx guys/gals for your comments.

I used "c" with pure win32 api. I thought that would allow me a greater freedom in dealing with Windows shortcomings and greater speed. I guess i just feel there is something wrong with CF.NET

larna

 

[Guybrush]

ScrollWindowEx on a SysListView right ?

 

[larna]

ScrollWindowEx on a SysListView right ?

Well, no.

On WM ListView can only be scrolled one item at a time, not by certain number of pixels. For example, if ListItem height is 30px, if you try to scroll it with ScrollWindowEx by less than half the height of ListItem (15px) it wont scroll. If you scroll it by amount greater than half of the item height it will scroll one item. I don't understand why MS made it like that, but that's how it is.
(If I'm wrong with this, it would mean that I spent a lot of time for nothing )

Instead, I made the ListView height equals all the items that should be displayed and scroll the ListView container (parent) window. On a pixel by pixel basis. It has it's own shortcomings, but the end result is definitely better.

larna

 

[Guybrush]

Interesting thanks

 

[Guybrush]

i found a little bug... rotating screen don't display all contacts and not update lines of listbox... if it start with screen already rotate lines on listbox are correct but don't display all contacts of my list

 

[larna]

Heh, that's just another one in the row...
I guess I'll have to fix that one also.

larna

 

[itesla]

Another idea A way to change colors of background and text would be cool for all the people who like to skin