SPB’s Mobile Shell is one of my favorite Windows Mobile programs and one of the first things that I load on any new device. It’s like a launcher program on steroids, integrating contacts, weather information, and utilities into customizable screens.  SPB just announced the release of their latest version of Mobile Shell, version 3.5.  Among the updates in the new release are:

*–New widgets for tasks, a picture frame, Facebook status, Twitter status, birthdays reminders, four instant wireless switches (WiFi, Bluetooth, Flight Mode, and Phone Switch), internet search, operator’s name, date, and alarm

*–Updated to the contacts, wireless manager, and weather widgets 3D email and SMS viewer

*–Streamlined background change (with cropping and easy to view local gallery)

*–Current weather conditions (in addition to forecast) Improved 3D carousel design (e. g. added reflections)

*–Widget skin selection with preview and new skins for most widgets

*–Widget-based Professional home screen

*–Option to have only one home screen (lifestyle or professional)

*–Option to change the number of screens in lifestyle or professional layouts

*–Weather in Agenda view

*–Tactile feedback on tap-and-hold

*–Option to choose the default tab for Contacts and Launcher

*–Improved design of most dialogs (popup menus, settings, etc.)

*–Category filter in the contact list

*–Improved widget edit mode (widget can be dragged to other pages, recycle bin for easy delete etc.)

*–Color themes support on Windows Mobile 6.5

*–Integration with SPB Weather and SPB Traveler via widgets

*–Improved “Choose Shortcut” dialog box with similar look to SPB Menu

Mobile Shell 3.5 is available at SPB’s website for $29.95 ($14.97 if upgrading from version 2) or you can get it for 15% off at the Gear Diary Store, with the code GDFallTweets.