The complaints on N-series Standby Screen,when compared with the E-series devices was an issue being discussed for a long period of time,but Nokia never responded to it.They put out so many N-series devices expanding their highend product line up,but non of them had an answer, virtually they all have the same standby screen.Instead of Nokia this request has been picked by Epocware and their solution is almost outdating the E-Series,its that brilliant a perfect solution,they have introduced a little system application called Handy Shell,which integrates very well with the S60 UI and take over some Standard Key operations.So lets explore this real handy thing.
Productive Usage of End-Call Key
One of the best things I see on this is that it has given life to the Red End-Call key,which is used only for End a call and not used for anything else in the Idle mode,this is a good point to get the maximum productivity from a key that stands on top of all but not being used to yeild the best of it.So Epocware think about the Pencil key(Dunno how applicable this is when it comes to general use as the Pencil key is no longer present on the newer devices) and the ‘C’ Key.In the new Shell screen I noticed that when press the Pencil Key still nothing happens but by pressing the ‘C’ Key we are prompted to delete the selected application on the Standby Screen,Mhh not really what we want.This may be a bug and hope to see it fixed on the retail version.
Maximum Usage of Screen Space
Have a look at these two screenshots,till now even I never thought that there would be enough space to display such amount of graphical details as it is there on the Shell screen,see how efficiently the small amount of available space was managed to give totally impressive visual output.Both the Signal and battery indicators are limited to a small top most strip along with the Operator label,and it will also show missed calls and unread SMS.Though these are all clustered together inside a small portion of screen still the details are very clear and readable.
Secondly the Clock Pluggin,Displayed relatively larger than the other ones,enabling the user to read the time at a glance.When you select the clock you will be redirected to the Handy Clock if it is installed otherwise you’ll get the default one.Anyway you can define this as you wish from the settings.
Then there is the usual standby screen application list with little bit larger icons,so in my N95 8GB it shows only 6 Icons instead of the 7 that comes in default.
Below that you’ll get the notification bar,the E-series replacement,but it offers much more the first one Indicates the Bluetooth status and the best thing is that it acts as a BT switch in default,if you don’t like you can still set it to launch the usual Bluetooth application.Then there is the Missed call indicator,Unread SMS and mailbox,best is you get a preview of messages without opening them see the screenshot below,So do the Missed calls.Next to the mail box you can see what profile are you in and can change it with two easy clicks also the themes you get the same options.Yet these indicators are not customizable but sure there will be more options on the coming versions.
At the bottom line you get the calendar entries like it is on the normal standby screen.So with all these cool stuff stacked on the front screen you still haven’t lost the traditional Standby screen in case you need,its just a keystroke away from you.These keys are set in a rotational manner so with the Red End-Key you will get the New Shell screen and Traditional one after the other.Right soft key takes you through three screens contacts,Shell Standby and applications.
The app starts automatically,and can set the time for the shell Standby to appear in an Idle screen.There are so many things that are still to be discovered.And there is also a substitution for T9Nav and the SkyeQuickey.So what else we need,this application is bringing a revolutionary change to the way we used to handle our smartphones,we feel like we are using a hybrid of an EXX and a pocket PC inside a NXX.
Note it also supports the Handy weather pluggin but the compatible version is not yet released,So hope it too will be out there by the time this passes the beta period.And there will be more improvements in the final release.
At this time it replaces the Traditional Standby Screen,BT Switch,Skyquikey and Tracker,will there be more?Few weeks ago I wrote this Article on the Active standby usage,but With this new application Definitely I’m gonna use it.
Download : Handy Shell