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Sometimes, it is really hard to decide which software is the best for your mobile. Reading forums and looking at screenshots may give some good idea but sometimes, things do not seem to happen the way we would like it to be. SPB Pocket Plus is a simple software but with complicated features. You are most likely to install it and leave it as it is without running it frequently. It is designed to run in the background of your Windows Mobile and makes you comfortable navigating your Windows Mobile device.

Since I got my Samsung Omnia, I only had my Today screen up and running for a few days. The customisation was limited and in matter of no time, I upgraded the ROM. The new and improved Today screen has more widgets and the touch screen has better responses. However, I was still not satisfied with the things I could do with Today. SPB Mobile Shell is the answer but SPB Pocket Plus is another answer to get the most out of Windows Mobile.

The Functions
With SPB Pocket Plus, I am able to control the following features.

Today Plug-in
- Customisable Today plug-in that includes a battery monitor, backlight panel and application shortcuts

Close Button
- Have the X button really close programs; add a Task manager to X button menu

Taskbar Battery Indicator
- Battery indicator attached to the taskbar

Pocket Internet Explorer
- Multi-window Pocket Internet Explorer enhancement with tab switching

File Explorer
- Additional features for file explorer, ZIP support, ability to view and change file extensions and attributes, etc.

File Open/Save Dialog
- Improved system file open/save dialog. Allows browsing to any directory from within any application

Buttons
- Extend hardware button usage with long hold action

Safe Mode
- Safe mode can help you restore your mobile device when it cannot be loaded in normal mode

Smart Scrolling
- Easy window content scrolling with fingers for selected application

Today Plug-in
I only use Today Plug-in to view my task list. Hence, organising Today Plug-in with SPB Pocket Plus is almost pointless for me. If you rely on Today Plug-in, SPB Pocket Plus could also help you with the plug-ins likes battery meter, memory, free spaces and the likes without having the needs to install another application. You can easily add programs and even change the icons to your liking.

Close Button
This is one of my favourite. Windows Mobile runs in a way that it minimises the application even though you press the X button at the top right corner. It would be frustrating to go to task manager and close running applications manually. SPB Pocket Plus overwrites the X button to close the applications immediately after you press the X button. You can also add a list of programs that get exempted from being closed when the X button is pressed.

Press and hold and you will see a smaller version of task manager where you can see running applications. You will also have the options to close all active applications or minimise them.

Taskbar Battery Indicator
In here, SPB Pocket Plus provides you with three options to choose from; Small Bar Indicator, Large Bar Indicator and Icon Indicator. If you look closely from the screenshot below, you will see that there are small bars above the taskbar. If you choose Icon Indicator, you will see a classic battery bar on the taskbar.

Pocket Internet Explorer
Opera is still the best browser and I use it all the time. However, SPB Pocket Plus addition has enhanced Pocket Internet Explorer to become a multi-tab browser. Enabling the Smart Scrolling function has enabled Pocket Internet Explorer to work almost like a Opera browser.

File Explorer
Windows Mobile File Explorer is like a restricted file manager. It might get you anywhere but you might not be able to do anything you like. Often, a third-party file explorer would beat the Windows Mobile File Explorer easily. However, SPB Pocket Plus has made File Explorer survives on my Samsung Omnia. In fact, I have never searched for third-party file explorer since I installed SPB Pocket Plus.

Buttons
Being a touch screen mobile phone, Samsung Omnia only has a few buttons to play with. With the introduction of SPB Pocket Plus, I am able to assign long hold action on most of the buttons and that gives me the flexibility in assigning to applications on a single button.

Safe Mode
I am lucky not to have seen the safe mode screen on my Samsung Omnia. SPB Pocket Plus gives two selections to show safe mode prompt; On every reset and If the device is reset more than once within 3 minutes. Personally, I do not think that your device will get so serious that you have to go into the Safe Mode of SPB Pocket Plus. On the other hand, I doubt that I could do much with the Safe Mode feature.

Smart Scrolling
Most Windows Mobile applications are still relying on the scrollbar. Undeniably, scrollbar is not at all finger friendly. Hence, most users will probably install third-party applications to manage contacts, sms-es, pictures and the likes which enable them to thumb scroll. Again, SPB Pocket Plus has made almost all Windows Mobile applications scrollable using only finger.

Verdict
SPB Pocket Plus is a very easy to use application yet it has the power to enhance overall Windows Mobile user experience. I have used Sony Ericsson P990i previously and I have to be using third-party applications all the time as the default applications are just not up to the mark.

SPB Pocket Plus has certainly made things easier to do with Windows Mobile. Like other applications, it is not perfect. The Smart Scrolling function still needs improvement, as it is not very precise. You will be frustrated scrolling up and down using your finger in applications like File Explorer and Pocket Internet Explorer.