Review of SPB Mobile Shell for Windows Phone

I have had the honor and privilege of being a Microsoft MVP in Mobile Devices since 2006.  It is an award that personally means a lot to me and has allowed me to develop deep relationships with other MVPs in the community.  Still, as an MVP, I have to admit that the native user interface of Windows Phone is, well, lacking.  To be sure it has been dramatically improved in Windows Phone v6.5 but even it is a bit lacking.  HTC has done a good job with their HTC Sense UI shell but it is only available on HTC devices and you may not want to go out and buy a new phone just for a new UI.

SPB Software has had an application that solves the problem for Windows Phone users for several years and the latest version of SPB Mobile Shell is nothing short of outstanding.  The application, which can run on Windows Phones running v5, 6 and 6.5, gives users a fast, customizable and well integrated user interface that covers the native UI.  In many ways it is better than HTC’s solution (in fact I run SBP Mobile Shell on my HTC phones) because it can be customized to fit your needs specifically.  It is a great answer to a common complaint on Windows Phone devices.

SPB Mobile Shell requires 8.6MB of storage space on your Windows Phone and must be installed in your phone’s main memory.  Because it is taking over the user interface, your phone will require a reboot after installation to assure it is properly running.  Installation is done via Windows Mobile Device Center or via a .cab file directly on your device.

Once the reboot is done the Mobile Shell UI is started automatically and will be with any subsequent reboots of your phone.  This gives Mobile Shell a big advantage over other UI replacements which often require you start the UI manually.  By default Mobile Shell will start in the Lifestyle UI but you can switch it to the Professional UI if you prefer (which I personally prefer although my good friend @jeffsandstrom prefers lifestyle for his needs).

Figure 1 - SPB Mobile Shell Lifestyle UI

Figure 2 - SPB Mobile Shell Professional UI

What makes Mobile Shell an outstanding UI replacement is the fact that it is highly customizable.  Virtually every facet of the interface in either the Professional or Lifestyle layout is customizable.  To access the menu manipulate the UI, tap the menu button in the lower right corner of the display.  This will bring up a semi-transparent menu that shows you the options that you have for that particular screen.  In some cases it could be something as simple as changing the background in the Lifestyle UI…

Figure 3 - The Menu in The Lifestyle UI of Mobile Shell for Windows Phone

Tap the Change Background option and this will bring up a sub-menu asking where you want to get your new background file from:  Picture File, a Local Gallery or Online Catalog…

Figure 4 - The Change Background Sub-Menu in Mobile Shell for Windows Phone

In my example I have chosen the Local Gallery which are images that are on my Windows Phone in the SPB directory.  Once I select a background it is automatically applied to my Lifestyle UI.

Figure 5 - Local Gallery Background Selection in SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 for Windows Phone

When using SPB Mobile Shell in Lifestyle or Professional UI modes you have the ability to have multiple panels of information.  By default there are three enabled in Lifestyle while Professional has one enabled.  This can be adjusted in the settings of the UI (Figure 7).  To move from panel to panel just swipe your finger left or right across the display of your phone.  In this regard Mobile Shell makes your Windows Phone similar in function to an iPhone and on higher end devices is just as responsive.

Figure 6 - Swiping Right or Left Slides The UI Panels in Mobile Shell 3.5 for Windows Phone

Figure 7 - Changing The Layout Settings in Mobile Shell 3.5 for Windows Phone

Regardless of if you are in Lifestyle or Professional UI mode, each aspect of the interface is customizable to meet your needs.  In each UI – and each panel of each UI – you can move the various components (widgets) around to suit your needs better.  Further, you have a long list of widgets that are built into Mobile Shell that can be added to your panels.  Some of these widgets include Facebook and Twitter integration, Media Player, A birthday widget, access to all your Wireless connectivity in one widget and so forth.  On many of these widgets you can change the default behavior by having it select a different application than the default.  For example, having the Internet widget select Opera over Pocket Internet Explorer for an example.

The ability to customize Mobile Shell to the look and feel you need is what really sets it apart from any other UI shell available – including HTC Sense and the iPhone.  Mobile Shell’s UI combinations are almost limitless.

Figure 8 - Select Edit Layout to Edit the Layout of The Mobile Shell UI

Figure 9 - Each Widget on the Mobile Shell UI can be Moved or Edited to Fit Your Needs

Figure 10 - SPB Mobile Shell Includes Many Widgets to Enhance Your User Experience

With Mobile Shell 3.5, SPB took full advantage of the advanced graphics engines of modern Windows Phone devices.  The 3D Carousel allows you to quickly flip through the various panels of the Mobile Shell UI.  From it you can select your main UI display or can select the Settings, Contacts, SPB Menu or Program Launcher.  The carousel is also tuned to work with your device’s accelerometer if it is enabled with one.

Another enhancement is the ability to view text messages in a 3D, card like format instead of the built-in SMS application.  This message interface allows you to flick between messages by flicking your finger up or down across the display.

Figure 11 - The 3D Carousel Display in SPB Mobile Shell for Windows Phone

Figure 12 - The 3D Messages Interface in Mobile Shell 3.5

One of the important aspects of SPB Mobile Shell to keep in mind is that it is not just replacing the main UI of your Windows Phone.  It goes much deeper than that.  Mobile Shell can be configured to replace your Start button menu and all of the menus within your phone.  In addition, it adds a quick launch function and a most recently used function which are also configurable.  These are accessible by tapping the Launcher or Favorites icon on the bottom of the main UI display.  In fact you really won’t find a “Windows Phone” menu until you go into specific functions (such as setting up sounds for events). 

Figure 13 - The Launcher Menu of SPB Mobile Shell for Windows Phone

Figure 14 - The Favorites and Recently Used Launcher in SPB Mobile Shell

Figure 15 - SPB Mobile Shell can Replace your Windows Phone Start Menu

Finishing up this review of SPB Mobile Shell, as you go through the application you will find a bevy of features and functionality that make using your Windows Phone a breeze to use.  This includes things like a World Clock so you can keep track of multiple time zones, weather integration with the SPB Weather also possible and Facebook intergration with your contacts.  All of these make SPB Mobile Shell well rounded and requires you to get out of the shell very rarely.

Figure 17 - Weather Widget Gives Detailed Information in SPB Mobile Shell

Figure 18 - World Clock in SPB Mobile Shell

Figure 19 - Facebook Integration with Contacts in SPB Mobile Shell

SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 is in my opinion the best shell replacement application for Windows Phone.  I have had the opportunity to review many of them and while some are good they all pale in comparision to Mobile Shell.  The level of configuration available to users make this application truly customizable to any users needs.  Add to that the wide range of built-in widgets and integration points with other SPB applications and you end up with a unified user experience that is difficult to beat.  I have been using SPB Mobile Shell since the 2.0 release and no matter the phone, this is the first application that gets loaded on it.

SPB Mobile Shell is available for $29.95.  Now through May 31st you can save 15% by using this link and using the coupon code CFMOBSHELL