Epocware HandyShell for S60

Had been trying out this software (trial) from Epocware since it announced the official release of Handy Shell and kinda loved this software. So I decide to review this software after trying the trial version for some time, so that those who have not tried or heard of this application will have an idea how it works.

In a nutshell, it is an application which replaces your S60's Active Standby screen with its own standby screen. With its standby screen, you now have a big clock display, 6 shortcuts to user-defined applications, Calendar appointments and 6 pre-defined icons which comprise of:

• Bluetooth switch - which you can alternatively define to open Bluetooth Manager
• Missed Call - to inform you of number of missed calls
• New SMSes - Non E-series users may like this as it will show a short preview of the sms when the cursor is on the icon
• New Mail - Self explanatory
  
• Profile Selector - Brings you to the Profile Manager. It is a bit redundant as you can easily change profile by pressing the power switch
• Theme Selector - brings you to the Theme Personalisation Screen where you can change your theme faster as compared to using the normal Menu method
  

One thing which I feel Epocware can improve is to display more upcoming appointments instead of just one.

There is another plug-in which will accomodate the Handy Weather feature so that the weather forecast can be displayed on the standby screen as well. However you will have to purchase this feature separately. In the retail version of this application, the plug-in is already bundled in the price and that is for one-year subscription.

The standby screen

By pressing on the right selection key, the application will bring you to the Application Screen, where 12 application shortcuts can be defined by the user. That is very useful if you want to launch your frequently used software FAST.

The Application Screen

By pressing the Right Selection key again will bring you to the Contacts screen, where you can define 12 contacts from your address book. On each contact icon you can define which number is the default number (if the contact have more than one number stored), what action to take upon selecting (call, sms or ask user). That is very handy for those contacts you frequently call/sms to.

The Contact screen

Now here is my most favorite feature: Search function.

At the standby screen, by simply pressing the numeric numbers, the application will display the results of any possible contacts OR applications. For example, as shown in the screenshot, I typed "2427", which may correspond to "char" (T9-like prediction) and it displayed 2 possible contacts which correspond to the prediction. Then when I want to look for the Nokia Maps applications, I just typed "6277" which like you type "MAPS" in T9-like predictions, and the display showed MAPS under the same screen. Even if it is a new number, you can type it in and save it as new contact. In this way I do not have to search all over the place for a application i want. All I need is just to type in the relevant keys and the results will pop up. Cool huh?



In short, I find this software pretty handy and very innovative and it had made S60 a more interesting platform to have on a mobile phone.

If you are interested in the software you can visit http://www.epocware.com to try out the trial version and if you like it, buy it.

And no, I am not earning any commission from this review and recommendation, just sharing good stuff with the S60 users out there :)