Spb Software House Solves an Age Old Problem
Posted on 24 November 2006, at 9:57 pm, by Judie Lipsett
Those who know their way around WM5 may or may not be comfortable skinning their Pocket PC’s various applications, but I bet that it would be a safe bet to say that most don’t because they think the process is to intimidating. I’m not just talking about adding a custom Today Theme, I am talking about a unified theme that goes across all of the skinnable standard applications…including the dial pad on the phone edition.
So let’s take a look at Spb Software House’s UniThemes. This utility ties all skinnable standard applications, like Calculator, Dialer and Windows Media Player together by using the same theme across all of the different apps.
UniThemes conveniently tie in with Spb’s skinnable applications including Pocket Plus, Spb Weather, Spb Time and others…
According to the press release, “Spb UniThemes are available for free for Spb Club members. All other users can buy them for USD9.95 from the Spb website.”
The full press release follows…
Spb Software House Releases Spb UniThemes 2.0
November 23rd, 2006 – Spb Software House, the leading Pocket PC software developer, unveils Spb UniThemes 2.0 – the improved technology for changing Pocket PC look-and-feel. Every UniTheme is a complete set of skins for all skinnable standard applications, like Calculator, Dialer and Windows Media Player as well as Spb’s own Pocket PC applications, all designed in one style.
With new 2.0 version Spb Software House proposes 6 new and updated UniThemes with smart installers and improved Windows Mobile 5 support.
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One of the biggest Pocket PC disadvantages is different look and feel of standard programs like Calculator, Dialer or Windows Media Player. These programs are the most used standard utilities but they have entirely different appearance in color and in the way the buttons are represented. It gives the users an uncertain feeling when using the device. Such inconsistent look and feel is one of the reasons that people tend to choose other devices with different operating systems.
Spb Software House solves this problem by releasing UniThemes 2.0. This technology gives a consistent look-and-feel to all standard Pocket PC applications and to popular Spb programs. Each UniTheme includes skins for all of the standard skinnable Pocket PC applications (the Today screen, Windows Media Player, Dialer, and Calculator) as well as skins for all of Spb’s skinnable bestselling applications (Spb Pocket Plus, Spb Time, Spb Weather, Spb GPRS Monitor, Spb Finance, and Spb Full Screen Keyboard).
With this new version of UniThemes the installation process has become much easier. While only experts could install all the skins before, now a new smart installer that comes with each UniTheme 2.0 makes skin installation easy even for an average user. Other new features include improved support for Windows Mobile 5 devices and for new Spb products.
Spb UniThemes also help OEMs to distinguish their devices from competitor’s products. “Individualism has just started with some OEM”, – said Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, CEO of Spb Software House, – “we have the first contracts with OEMs where the design of the software fits the device itself. This will strengthen the OEM brand and it is a great benefit for their customers”.
There are almost no limitations for future aspects of using individual skins, such as for special target groups, corporate design, etc.
Spb has released six different UniThemes and will release more soon.
*** Pricing and Availability ***
Spb UniThemes are available for free for Spb Club members. All other users can buy them for USD 9.95 from the Spb website.
*** Further Information and Downloads ***
Further information regarding Spb UniThemes can be found at the Spb website:
*** About Spb Software House ***
Spb Software House is a software development company, specializing mainly in Windows Mobile software for Pocket PCs. Founded in 1999, the company offers advanced software solutions for use in a wide range of applications.
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6 Comments For This Post
November 24th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
That certainly does look good!
November 25th, 2006 at 12:09 am
The Charming Day theme looks very nice!
However, it seems to me that the others used to all be free, period. Not that I’m complaining about it.
November 25th, 2006 at 12:13 am
I think they still have free themes, but these are uni-themes!
Anyway, best I can tell they are still free, you just have to sign up for the Club. 
November 25th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
I tried installing the unitheme last night, but I ran out of storage.
So tonight, I’m going to try installing the individual parts of it that are available on spbclub.com
November 25th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Do you have to install the themes on device memory, or can you install them on the storage card?
November 25th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Okay – one of the portions of the uni-theme has to be installed on the device (I can’t remember which) but the others can be put on the memory card. I did the install late last night…and I have slept since them.
