Smart Phone: Samsung Omnia From Verizon
March 5, 2009 | In: Electronics, Gadgets
When the Blackberry Storm came out from Verizon I was so excited I went that day to try it out. Unfortunately I was disappointed with the keyboard. Maybe it was because I had been using an iPod Touch for a year and the keyboard was much smoother. I ended up getting the LG Dare which by the way is a great phone. I just wanted something more, where I could click on links from my email and sync it with my Microsoft Outlook.
Not long after the introduction of the Blackberry Storm another touch phone came out from Verizon which hasn’t been advertised much but I find to be a great phone. That phone is the Samsung Omnia i910. It is a Windows Mobile device with a touch screen that doesn’t have the click like the Blackberry Storm but more smooth like the iPod Touch. That’s probably why I like it so much. The keyboard does vibrate when you type but it is not annoying.
Now, there are things that I didn’t like so much and have had to change. I call it pimping out my Samsung Omnia. Not all of Windows Mobile is designed for touch screen and there is a stylus that needs to be used at times unless you change some settings and buy some programs to make the Omnia work better.
First off I want to share a video with you of how the Omnia looks right out of the box. This video is from Phone Scoop a great site if you are looking for reviews and latest news about mobile phones. They also have great a forum to help with selecting and using your mobile phone.
Software I have added to change appearance and performance. This software should work with any Windows Mobile touch device.
- Spb Mobile Shell: Cost $29.95. This is well worth the money changing the Windows Mobile inteface giving a more finger friendly way to navigate your phone. There are a lot of other Spb programs including weather, backup, keyboard and phone suite programs. There are themes for the mobile shell. Check out this forum post for packs and directions, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2587806&postcount=4369. There is a whole thread with even more information,SPB Mobile Shell 2.1 Theme / Skin Collections Thread.
- PhoneEx: Cost $24.95. I love this program. It gives and easy phone dialer and contact manager without the need for use of a stylus.
- Fingermenu: Freeware. Replaces the standard menu with a more finger-friendly menu. Definitely makes using the menu button easier.
- ThumbCal: Cost $18.85. This is another program that makes using an application, here the calendar, a finger-friendly program. It will also integrate with Spb Mobile Shell’s calendar which is quite nice.
- Resco Keyboard: Cost $19.95. I tried other free keyboards and the Samsung keyboard but I like the Resco Keyboard the best. There are different skins like you can make it look like the iPhone keyboard if you want. I use a skin called Gesta. Dowloading skins to your device is very easy.
- Resco Photo Viewer: Cost for Standard version is $24.05, Pro version Cost $69.95. I like this better than the photo viewer that came with the Omnia. The editing capabilities are nice and it is easier to send photos and attach to contacts. Plus browsing is a breeze.
- Resco Explorer: Cost $29.95. A touch-friendly file explorer with a wealth of other applications to make exploring your Windows Mobile device easier. There is a registry editor, zip compressor and recycle bin just to name a few.
- WKTask: Freeware. A great way to take control of terminating programs, a problem that exists with Windows Mobile which will keep a program running in the background. With WKTask you can really close a program. Other options are available including a battery indicator at the top of the screen.
So, I paid a bit of money to get my Samsung Omnia to work the way I want but I will tell you I love my phone. I can text and write email easily, I can see my calendar and adding appoinments is a breeze, dialing and scrolling through contacts which I have a lot is effortless, and I love the look and function of the Today Screen and Spb Menu.
If you have a mobile device definitely check out Spb Mobile Shell. For a touch controlled device check out the other programs which may just make your unit work more like you want.
Are there any programs that you use on your Windows Mobile device you would like to share? I am always open to trying new programs.
By the way, right now on Verizon the Samsung Omnia online costs $99.00 with a 2 year contract. That’s a bargain.
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