SPB Mobile Shell is one of the essential applications I have on my Nokia N8 and previously on my older Windows Mobile phones. It is a replacement application launcher that works not only quicker and better than Nokia’s default homescreen, but also in a way that makes the device much more pleasant to use. So when SPB asked if I wanted to try out the beta for SPB Shell 3D for Android, I seized the chance. It is hard getting excited about applications these days, more so mobile applications, but I truly had high hopes for SPB.

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What you’ve got here is a vast array of possibilities with the ability to add or subtract panels to and from your home set of screens, each of them containing widgets, shortcuts, and app thumbnails both like you’re used to and in a new SBP set of ways, including, but not limited to, 3D animations. Each panel sits in a carousel next to the rest of your panels as you place it in the editor. While you’re in edit mode, you’re allowed to store panels in a 3D pile, change the names of each of your panels, or change the colors of each of your panels. Colors only appear in the editor and in the 3D carousel, same with names, and to edit the contents of each panel you must be in your normal homescreen edit mode.

In the 3D carousel mode, you’ll see animations of the widgets SPB has prepared, each of them either functioning to show you a preview of your widget’s functions, or to show you bits that you’d otherwise have to enter the widget to see – for example messages will pop up and loop around in the air, each of them just large enough to peek at. Panels in regular homescreen mode appear very similar to what you’re used to in HTC Sense or ADW, one of their only differences being the transition between panels being a bit more dynamic.

Apps

Once you’re out on your desktop and you’d like to add an app to your desktop, you head to your app drawer as you normally would. You’ll notice a flat scroller and a splash of blue, and you’ll see that apps that are already appearing on your panels in your homescreen are marked with a tiny homescreen thumbnail. When you long-press an app, your homescreen panels appear, but you’re also allowed to place this app in a tray that only appears when you’re in this app re-arrangement mode. Very helpful!

WidgetsSPB-Shell-3D-Android-Folders

Widgets behave exactly as they normally would, but your brand new SPB widgets are fabulously 3D in nature, flying here or there when you view them in preview mode in your 3D carousel, and in at least one case (for now) you’re able to see the 3D movement on your homescreen. The single widget that can be activated for 3D on your homescreen panels is the world time viewer, each of the times popping up around the world for you to view from a spaceship’s point of view.

Strikes Against

SPB doesn’t work with bigger screens yet (tablets,) it doesn’t work with live wallpapers, and it only works in portrait mode. These are all items we’re hoping for in the near future.

Strikes For

It’s a completely new way to look at Android without changing the heart of the user interface. You still know you’re using Android, but in a lovely new way that doesn’t bog down your system in the least (or so it appears thus far), adding to the enjoyment you get out of simply moving back and forth between apps as well as leading toward more productive days. You’re able to customize your Android experience in a way that’s only otherwise been available via hacking and rooting your system – this homescreen replacement is available in the Android Marketplace and does not require hacks at all.

One innovative feature that is present in SPB Shell 3D that isn’t present on the default Android homescreen is the implementation of folders. The folders here are a bit different compared to the regular folders you find on the iPhone or Symbian. You can have a compact folder like on the iPhone, or one that opens up partially, with three or seven applications always directly accessible from the homescreen. Tapping the folder icon will open the folder fully. It’s a handsome way of expanding the concept of folders in general, as well as proving that folders can work rather well on a homescreen. In fact some of the widgets can even be put into the folder!

Performance wise, SPB Shell 3D works extremely well on the Milestone 2. I have had performance issue with the Milestone 2′s MOTOBLUR homescreen and third party launchers like Launcher Pro, but not with SPB Shell 3D. Still a little stuttering is expected on the carousel screen. While I am impressed by how much optimisation SPB has made into ensuring a smooth user experience, I am not surprised. Previous experience with their other mobile applications has always given me confidence that they were able to deliver.

As a user of their previous SPB Mobile Shell applications, I found SPB Shell 3D to be a huge step forward. New users may find themselves overwhelmed with the number of features available and settings available. There are a couple of features I wish SPB will eventually port from Mobile Shell 3.5 to Shell 3D like the ability to pin short cuts in the launcher and the more comprehensive contact management system. As is however I have nothing but praises for this. If you are in need of a replacement launcher for your Android phone, SPB Shell 3D comes highly recommended.

SPB Shell 3D supports Android 2.1 smartphones with OpenGL ES 2.0 graphic accelerator and is available from today for US$ 14.95.

It would work on Google Nexus S ,Samsung Galaxy S,  HTC Desire HD and it worked for us on the Motorola Milestone 2 and LG Optimus 2X

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