Pointui: New Windows Mobile interface app coming soon
It seems like every week there's a new application hitting the streets that aims to turn your Windows Mobile device into an iPhone. If you really want an iPhone, you should probably just buy one. On the other hand, if you prefer Windows Mobile applications, but like the look of the iPhone program launcher, we can understand why applications like Pointui are attractive.
Pointui appears to be scheduled for a Jan 1, 2008 launch. There's not much info available on the application's home page yet, but there are a series of Flickr photos and the YouTube video you see above. Pointui replaces the Windows Mobile start page with a new home page that lets you launch applications by sliding from one to the next. The settings menus are also replaced by large easy to see buttons.
It's not clear that Pointui will make it easier to use a Windows Mobile device. In fact, it appears that in some situations it could take longer to find and launch applications than it would take using the default interface. But it's nice to have choices. One of the advantages of Windows Mobile for now is that the SDK is available, meaning there are tons of third party applications that let you customize your user experience. The iPhone SDK doesn't come out until early next year, and somehow we doubt the first thing developers will do is try to emulate the Windows Mobile experience on the iPhone.
[via Mobility Site]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-27-2007 @ 5:46PM
Mikael said...
Aww, come on! Im getting fed up with this "boohoo, they are copying the iPhone interface since it is designed to be used by a finger and not a stylus!". If you really love your iPhone so much that you can't point out good software for another platform without saying it sucks since they have a resemblance to the iPhone UI then you shouldnt be doing Windows Mobile reviews in the first place.
"[If you] like the look of the iPhone program launcher, we can understand why applications like Pointui are attractive.". Oh. You mean... Like... They've both got icons and text? And.. And.. Pointui has got quicklaunch buttons for the most used functions on a phone/pda! Now they definitely are copying the iPhone UI!
...
Oh, btw, the only way the iPhone has gotten around the "finding applications problem" you just invented is by limiting the number of apps on the phone!
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12-28-2007 @ 12:10AM
Ypoknons said...
I think the iPhone has been a positive influence in the Windows Mobile community. It's made people rethink UI, increasing the number of touch applications and upping the ante on appearance.
Also, the iPhone is sure stylish, but WM phones' features can be very tempting - especially those physical keyboards, GPS devices etc... So if you want these features and want something more iphone-y at the same time, this is a good way to go.
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12-28-2007 @ 8:28AM
dorian said...
yea, you guys can talk all wonderful things about win mobile stuff but us palm users are still stuff in 2003
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12-28-2007 @ 8:28AM
dorian said...
Sure, you win moblie are complain about how everyone wants to be an iphone.... I just want my palm to get out of 2003
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12-28-2007 @ 10:05PM
Nick said...
there's a short write-up on PointUI on http://htctouch.com
seems like it has a bit of an iPhone look combined with HTC TouchFLO technology.
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12-29-2007 @ 12:02AM
Dorothy Gale said...
Mikael, I'm glad you can see things from a different perspective. It is expected that comparison will be made. If the comparison isn't off the cuff and legitimate then I welcome it. As for the stylus vs finger deal I agree, its called a 'touch screen' after all.
Ypoknons, Long before iPhone was around there were many sources of influence. The desktop environment, consoles (home and handheld) and mobile phones. The iPhone looks like a very polished device and its got the Apple touch to it that a class leader in design. But who says Apple get it right all the time. I agree that the ante has been raised and the iPhone has been a positive influence.
I hope we can return the favor.
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12-29-2007 @ 12:14AM
michael said...
The PointUI looks nothing like the iPhone UI.
Maybe the ease of use are similar, but that's about it. The PointUI seems to have a different approach.
So I don't see why this article is saying that.
I really hope WinMo 8 will be something revolutionary. I love real applications, and I don't see the need to 'Jailbreak' my phone to operate.
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