This weekend I received the 21 entries for the SymbianPlanet Themes Factor contest, installed them all (using AutoSisInstaller, naturally) to my N95-3, and then scored them each on a number of aspects. The final results will be published on SymbianPlanet soon, but that’s not really what I wanted to explore. I was having a chat with my friend Antoine about themes.
You see, Antoine is rather disappointed with the current state of most themes – including S60. He feels as though they’re rather limited, and should be able to do more. Antoine uses the terms suit and event. Currently, themes are like suits – you put one on and it changes the outward appearance, but that’s where it stops. The changes merely include backgrounds, icons, and color schemes – nothing deeper.
What Antoine would like to see is something more of an event (this term is admittedly slightly confusing to me), where installing a new theme could change your phone’s menu layout, organization, or other, deeper feature. For instance, activating the ‘Phontography Theme’ might add a camera shortcut to your Active Standby apps, and maybe even install a few additional photo editing tools, if I get his thoughts correctly.
I liken this to the difference in a Theme and a Shell. Themes, in my opinion, should be what they are – simply change backgrounds, icons, etc. Shells, on the other hand, would be able to add a new type of menu layout, and maybe new shortcuts here and there. When thinking of the ‘look and feel’ of S60, the ‘Theme’ would control the look, while the ‘Skin’ would cover the feel aspect.
It’s an interesting discussion, for sure. What do you think? Is there more potential in the idea of a theme, or would you rather simply see themes remain the same, but a new class of ‘shells’ emerge, similar to Handy Shell?
Themes should be what they are right now, although a little bit more should be added.
Like whether the Active Standby should be active or not, Clock style analogue or digital and similar display options.
For the scenario where the icons on the standy should change and other similar changes, i feel Nokia should expand the “Modes” feature of the E66 and E71.. Instead of just the two modes, they should let the user add as many modes as he wants. Infact, this might be also turned into a replacement for the default and age old “Profiles” feature. Instead of just changing the ringing styles and alerts for different scenarios, you could change the complete set up of the phone.
While in a meeting, the Meeting mode can give you quick access to QuickOffice, Sound Recorder, Wireless Presenter and switch to a more sober and formal theme, remove the Share Online plugin from standby with more space for the Calendar plugin.
Instead of the Outdoor profile for going on hikes or hanging out with friends, you can have a Outdoor mode, which will change the ringing style to loudest and the most alerts available, give quick access to Camera, Gallery, Music and change the theme to something fun and light hearted.
Never mind themes or shells. Why is the Active Desktop not more open? I should be able to add all sorts of panels, shortcuts, menus to the screen. E.g. expandable panels could provide me with far more shortcuts without placing ugly text lines permanently on the desktop.
Also, why the HECK can’t I still change the wallpaper to fit the entire screen?
I am waiting for the day when someone will come up with a decent desktop replacement for S60. No, Handy Shell is not it.
guys check out my new theme at http://s60blog.com/2008/09/notebook-v10-theme-testers-invited/
hope u like it. it has FP2 transitions too :-)
guys check out my new theme at http://s60blog.com/2008/09/notebook-v10-theme-t...
hope u like it. it has FP2 transitions too :-)