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As a long time Mobile Shell 3 user, I was very excited to get my hands on Mobile Shell 3.5, as well as read Forge’s excellent review of the newest version of the Windows Mobile UI replacement par excellence from SPD Software. UI replacements may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Mobile Shell is one of the most popular and certainly does a good job at improving the WinMo experience.

As with most highly powerful, pervasive software suites such as UI replacements, there are all sorts of little touches inside Mobile Shell 3.5 that one picks up over time that can be really helpful, especially to simplify common tasks. After working with Mobile Shell 3.5 for a week, let me point out some of my favorite Power User features in the new version.

SNAP THAT GRID

One of the biggest pains for me in Mobile Shell 3.0 was positioning Widgets properly on the Lifestyle screen. Inevitably they ended up looking just a little bit off. SPD has addressed that problem by making widgets snap to an invisible grid. Just get the widget close to where you want it, and the software will align it with the grid automatically. The grid is pretty precise so you won’t find it limiting your inner page designer too badly. Very very helpful.

Other nice additions to the look and feel of the UI are an option to select Professional style Incoming Icons Bar even in Lifestyle mode, and most Application Widgets now have a snazzy new Box option from the skins menu, that puts a semi-transparent button around the icon. Chic.

GET ANIMATED….OR IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE

Remember that just as with MS 3.0 there are some nice animation options to improve the appearance of your UI…however these can put a heavy performance and/or battery drain on some phones. An easy solution is to try other animation styles, to see if the situation improves…or just shut Animation Transitions down completely to save wear and tear on your CPU. Find this option by selecting Spb Mobile Shell from programs, and choosing Animations.

UNDER PRESSURE?

Select Weather from the Carousel and now you have two screens for your selected city to choose from. One with the five day forecast and a second that gives you information on wind direction, speed, barometric pressure and humidity. Great fun for all you climate wonks out there and also useful for anyone (like me) who needs to keep track of air pressure and humidity quickly and easily.

GET INTEGRATED

Certain aspects of Mobile Shell can be expanded by integrating with other SPB products. For example, if you also have Spb Phone Suite installed, you have full access to a wide variety of preset profiles and ringer options, all at the touch of a button. It is also possible to integrate Spb Traveller with the Mobile Shell, for you road warriors out there. Find the Integration menu by opening the Spb Mobile Shell program.

ONE STEP CALLING

With MS 3.5, not only can you place a contact on your home screen, but now you can select what action is taken when you touch the icon. In MS 3.0 touching the contact would open their contact page. Now you can select to do that, OR call their home or mobile number directly, send an SMS or an MMS or open Outlook to send them an email. This may seem like a small element, but it makes the phone much easier to use when time is sort and you may not want to spare the attention to open the contact page and press another button to call, such as when driving or being chased by a bull.

Another nice touch is the contact icon now has a small image in the lower left hand corner showing you what action you chose, calling a home or mobile number, emailing, or sending an SMS or MMS.

Make all this magic happen by opening the lower right hand menu icon (or just press and hold the contact icon), selecting Edit Layout and then Default Action.

These are just a few tricks to make Windows Mobile 3.5 more useful and customized to your specific needs. Feel free to comment and share some of your own favorite shortcuts while using Mobile Shell.