Let’s Take A Walk Through TF3D…The TP2 Edition!
A while back we took a walk through all of the tabs and features of TF3D. That was a detailed tab by tab explanation of how each tab works and the features of the tab (some of which aren’t obvious on its face). Now that we have the Touch Pro 2 port of TF3D I thought it was time to take another walk. This one will be less wordy and have more photos though. It’s really meant to show anyone who has not tried this out what it looks like and what features it has. At the end I’ll have a brief Q&A to answer the questions that have been repeatedly asked about this. So, let’s go.
The Home tab is just like the home we’ve always known, except like all of the tabs it now functions in landscape as well. You’ll notice in this landscape picture all of the tabs are visible and in the other tabs just a small tab in the lower left corner is visible – pressing the small tab brings up the entire tab so the tab is hidden when not needed thus providing more screen space or expanded when you need it.
The clock and alarm settings have been revised to be more finger friendly and you can see the tabs at the bottom of the clock page as well. By the way it includes the white ‘flipping’ clock that is animated.
Next up is the People tab – the tab that has undergone the largest facelift. As you can see, within favorites a single button dials mobile, work, sends an email or sends a text to that contact.
The left soft key brings up ‘all people’ and there are tabs for favorites and call history as well within that page.
If you select a contact (either a favorite from the main People tab by pressing their picture or by going through ‘all people’) you go to that contacts card which has all of their information (and pressing on it leads to the function so pressing ‘call work’ begins a call, send emails begins an email to them, etc). Each contact also has a text messages tab that shows you threaded texts with that person (and you can write/send directly from that tab), an email tab with all of the emails with that person and a call log specific to that person. This gives you a lot more control and functionality with each contact and finding information (like that email that they sent you the other day) becomes a lot easier.
Next up is the Email tab that is similar to the traditional TF3D tab.
This is followed by the Messages tab (which are your text messages).
The Programs tab is up next.
And the left soft key is ‘All Programs’ which is a finger-friendly ‘flickable’ list.
Next up is the Calendar tab.
Any date with the gray triangle has an appointment and pressing it brings up the day view. It’s all really fast and has some nice animation when switching views.
The Internet tab comes next but the “Push Page” is not functional yet. There is a search bar located at top. I scrolled up a little in the first pick to show you the text that was lower down.
Stock tab is next up.
You can add additional stocks, rearrange stocks and see the details here.
The Picture tab is the same as the old TF3D.
Music is also the same.
Weather now gives you the 5-day forecast on the main screen.
And the Settings tab has been expanded to have additional settings.
Sound settings are now more functional
You can toggle the gsen, rearrange or turn off Tabs (it restarts TF3D which takes about 10 seconds) and you can modify My Contact Card which is also in your People tab. This lets you have a vCard on your phone you can easily send to others.
What else can I tell you about the new TF3D? Well I think it’s a lot faster and more responsive than the traditional TF3D but let’s get to the Q&A.
Q: What phones can this be used on?
A: Any version of the Touch Pro/Fuze or the Diamond
Q: Where is the latest version of TF3D located
A: Here
Q: Do I need a custom/cooked ROM to use this?
A: No. While it is recommended it is not required. In fact, I am NOT using a custom ROM and it’s flying. A clean ROM (one that was recently reinstalled) is recommended.
Q: Do I need a certain build of Windows Mobile? I hear a 21xx build is needed?
A: NO. I have tested this on both the stock and leaked AT&T Fuze ROMs and both work (those are builds 19xx and 20xx). Having a higher build lets you add a few other applications that were also ported (menu and notification enhancements) but those are not a part of TF3D and are not needed to run TF3D.
Q: I heard there are some files I can add to \Windows that will make my phone act like a 21xx build so I can install everything – should I try them?
A: NO. I had to hard reset my stock Fuze ROM and the leaked Fuze ROM after trying that. It doesn’t work and I don’t recommend trying it and if you don’t know what I’m referring to that’s probably a good thing:)
Q: My weather tab doesn’t work; my text messages don’t send; the people tab crashes; I can’t change my contacts photos – what do I do?
A: These have all been fixed in the latest beta version of TF3D and cab’s are provided in the fourth posting for any individual problems. If your Programs tab soft keys get stuck take a look here for Showaco’s solution.
Q: I can’t get the ‘programs tab’ to show
A: Install the ‘no programs’ cab in the optional cabs folder that comes with the download and it will show it.
Q: Can I uninstall this if I don’t like it?
A: NO. You will need to hard reset if you don’t like it. BUT the better alternative is to back up everything on your phone first (Sprite backup is already on your phone) and if you do not like it just restore your phone to its previous state.
Q: Do I need to slide the keyboard open to rotate the screen in TF3D?
A: No. This will work for the Diamond which lacks a keyboard. Just use the gsen application we discussed here to enable rotation in any/all of your applications including this version of TF3D.
Q: Is this a final release?
A: No, there are still some tabs being worked on with resizing issues and some functionality issues but overall I think it’s a keeper. If you require perfection then don’t try this. If you want a faster and more functional user interface and are willing to have a few new toys but some features don’t work you may want to give it a whirl, but back up your phone before you do this.
Q: Are any other major items in the works?
A: Yes. In fact a FaceBook tab is in the works (see here)
Q: I’m not willing to part with my FuzeBerry theme – will it still work?
A: Mobile Matt has released a new version just for this version of TF3D which you can read about here.
Q: When will the final version be released?
A: When it’s ready:) This is an extraordinarily difficult project and the fact that XBoxMod and his team even attempted it is amazing. They have been releasing incremental updates and we will continue to post major updates to the site.
Q: Can I install this to my storage card?
A: No. It will install to main memory and it takes up quit a bit so clear out some room (remove the bloat if needed) but by most accounts it’s worth it.
Q: Will it slow down my phone?
A: From my experiences I have no slowdowns at all and in fact I think everything is running better now. Not sure if it’s in my head but I haven’t had any stability issues since installing this or battery life issues and the in-use memory doesn’t seem to be impacted at all. The start-up time of TF3D seems reduced as well.
Q: I have a question about TF3D – where should I ask it?
A: Well you can always join in on the frenzy over at XDA or you can just jump onto our forums. I think all of us upgraded to this version of TF3D and we have different ROM’s so we can probably help you out or at least point you in the right directions. You can join us in this thread.
Q: Is it really that good?
A: This is a full user interface (unlike the user interfaces that are merely application launchers that some phones call a user interface). It’s fast, sleek and works well and really improves the ease of communications and everything you care about is just a flick away. Emailing\texting\calling has been simplified by enhancing the contacts management and finally it’s finger friendly and anyone can pick it up and learn to use it in minutes. It’s either that or I drank too much of the Kool-Aid:)
Q: The people who are porting these have spent a lot of time- can I support them?
A: Yes. They have a link (here) for donations. We are not in any way affiliated with them nor do we benefit from them. I just think they’ve worked really hard on this so a few dollars seems fair for extending the usefulness and life of my Fuze.
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Comments
Doug Smith Sorry everyone if you posted a comment and it got deleted. We had a major issue with a plugin that caused some massive formatting issues. I had to delete David’s post, and repost it to get it to look right.
Please feel free to comment away, or take the discussion to our forums!
VERY nice work David. The article was awesome, the pictures…..not so much. 
Addam This is great but I’m still going to wait for the final version. One thing I noticed, the grey bar across the top of you screenshots. Is there anyway to get that to be a matching black? Is this something that the team is addressing? I am really excited about this.
andrew I followed the instructions to the letter on the xda page, and downloaded the fix…when i try to add my city, the TF3D resets itself…if this is a bug that has already been mentioned, please pardon this post, but i notice that in the article mentioned on this website, the weather seems to be fixed…im using the RRE 5.7 ROM
[...] andrew: I followed the instructions to the letter on the xda page, and downloaded the fix…when i try to add my… [...]
David K Addam- the gray bar is set by your theme so I can make it black by changing my theme in Settings to the black theme (black.tsk) and then it will be black as well.
Andrew- in the fourth post of the XDA thread is a cab and your answer (and it works- I’m using it)
IF you have a problem with the weather tab crashing after you finish installation…
Delete:
\Application Data\HTC\databases\forecast_cache.db
And Replace(with attached file below):
\Windows\2330fc3c_manila
andrew I tried to use active sync and total commander to delete the file, and im unable to…something about file being in use…any workarounds?
Keith How do you get landscape mode to work? I tilt my Fuze and the orientation does not change. Do you actually have to open the keyboard or should it change using the g-sensor?
bpm2000 great stuff- ill wait til its really done before plunging in. Sucks the music tab is still the same – its pretty much useless other than for the most casual listening.
David K Andrew – use total commander and go tot he manila file and change the attributes so it is not system/read only then you can replace it.
Keith – did you isntall the gsen app? it’s here: http://www.fuzemobility.com/gsen-now-enabled-in-more-apps/
and you can add more apps to the whitelist with this app: http://www.mobilitydigest.com/gain-more-control-of-the-gsen-apps-tp2-edition/
andrew im not very familiar with total commander, how do i change the attibutes? I clicked file, and properties…but where do i go from there?
David K once you go to properties there’s a box ont he left called ‘atrributes’ and just uncheck everything
andrew i did that….i made sure all the boxes are not checked and i still get the same message
you know who andrew make sure tf3d is turned off before you delete the forecast_cache.db file
Keith I do not see the “Programs” tab. I checked the settings tab and don’t see it listed there either.
David K From the post:
Q: I can’t get the ‘programs tab’ to show
A: Install the ‘no programs’ cab in the optional cabs folder that comes with the download and it will show it.
cparkhorn Just curious, I’ve got a Fuze that I got when they first came out, like 2 days early from my store, and the CE OS 5.2.19971 (Build 19971.1.2.6) is obviously lower than 21000, should I avoid putting this on my Fuze? DavidK seems like you’ve had yours as long and keep the standard ROM, so I’m curious if you are above 21000 or if it’s working and you’re below like me. I’m not a ROM flasher, I could probably do it, I’m just not willing to take the risk.
Follow up on that, the leaked ROM, since it’s an ATT Rom, do you need to go through all the Hardspl, CID unlock (which I haven’t) to put that ROM on my device? Then I could put this TF3D TP2 on.
Keith Thanks for the help, as far as landscape, the first program you suggested didnt fix it, so I tried the program from this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3519849&highlight=landscape+sensor#post3519849
It works, but when I turn the fuze sideways, it takes about 20 seconds for it to change.
David K cparkhorn- I addressed this in the Q&A but you can use this with a stock ROM. I am currently using it with the leaked ROM. The leaked ROM does not require any unlocking- it flashes just like any official ROM would flash so just run the installer and it’s good to go. The leaked ROM is good – I recommend it.
Keith- that should be the case. Is that true in all programs when you rotate or just TF3D? Your polling may have changed from another app- ever try keep your backlight on by installing a cab? The old method changed gsen polling and made it painful…
Keith It is in all programs. I hit the start button and go to calculator, turn it on it side. Then after about 20 seconds it will change. Same for HTC album. Any ideas?
Keith that did it…it was set to 10000. Does the photos page in TF3D2 go to landscape mode? That is the only one that doesn’t switch. It won’t go to landscape mode when I do start–>programs–>album either.
drjim Great post, David.
but now I’m really confused. I was thinking about going big and installing EnergyROM 32609 which includes the TP2 TF3D port. But I just read that this port doesn’t require flashing and can easily be installed with the cab.
So now I’m thinking that I should go with a more proven EnergyROM, perhaps 1.3 or 1.5 (as recommended by Farmer Ted) and then just install the port cab.
The reports on the 32609 version of EnergyROM sounds like they have most of the bugs worked out and it appears to be dramatically faster than previous version (according to Farmer Ted’s testing).
What to do, what to do?
Any suggestions?
andrew in the optional folder, i only see the rhodium volume control cab, the rhodium menu enhancement cab and the htc notication cab…which one needs to be used so i can see a normal start menu?
andrew ok, so i installed the manila hide start menu tab…and when i press start, it still comes up with the programs tab, not the normal start menu
Keith Think I may have found a bug. When I go to the “People” tab and look at contact, there are several buttons for mobile number, work number, home number and etc. No matter which one I hit, it always dials the mobile number. Anyone else have this problem?
MadSCi Sounds fantastic!
I have to use my phone for work all the time – so I’ll wait until the remaining issues are resolved to I don’t have to install it twice.
In the meantime I wonder if you could comment on how quickly the “People” tab actually loads up all 15 favorite contacts?
I have shrunk down the photos I used to actually fit the size of the picture displayed, and still it takes forever to load up (about 12 seconds). Doesn’t sound like much but really, what’s the point of a favourites list that take longer than entering a number or name you know?
Any comments?
Thanks
MadSci
David K MadSCI I only have 4 contacts loaded to favorites no but there’s no delay.
Dave- that bar used to cause a glitch anyway…it added to the rotation issue when apps would stop running when you go into landscape
Keith- there is a fix for this that’s floating but it’s not finalized yet but it won’t be long until it’s incorporated
Mark A Sorry to be such a newbie. But, the 8.2m file downloads with the suffix “.rar”. When attempting to open, a warning indicates that no application is associated with “COMPLETE MANILA PACKAGE released”.
Suggestions? (other than a long walk off a short pier)
David K use winrar to unpackage it (rar is like zip): http://www.win-rar.com/download.html
Mark A David K – Thanks.
New issue: I’m getting the error message “‘pocketrar380′ is not a valid Pocket PC application.”
David K nubie – this will. 99% of the things on this site will apply to the Sprint version (except the AT&T ROM and the push to talk remapping).
Ken I downloaded the new TF3d and it looks great, except I keep on getting a connection error when I try and update my weather, any ideas?
drjim See weather fix on Post #4 of XDmod’s TP2 TF3D thread. Also, install Joe’s weather app for this:
[...] A spectacular 5 row QWERTY Keyboard, 3.2 Megapixel Camera with auto focus, and a new version of Touch Flo 3D that we have all been talking about! One thing to keep in mind, is that this is the European [...]
Cleanermonkey about new TF3D.
Pros.
Overall look and feel, more simple… less windows mobile.
(this could be a con for some)*
The new Qwerty keyboard is soooo sweet.
The new calculator rocks and now with added features in landscape-mode.
New alarm clock is a good improvement (over a totally useless one in old TF3D)*
New Contacts slab with all info on communication with said contact.
Push pages for the browser… very nice that your favorite sites load almost instantly. Huge step forward.
Cons.
Less windows mobile ie. less customizations…
Calendar sucks big time… week starts on Sunday… I mean c’mon in the middle of the weekEND!!? thats just silly.
and no option to change it like old calendar had.
New “start menu” is just old programs slab so a step back since you have less ways to customize. ohh and why have some of the icons locked!? (and why the ones you have on your “hard-soft bar” and why the ones just out on your manilla slab!!!!? stupid to want to press to go to f.ex calendar that sits just down there where you could easily press it with your thumb.
* “Entering the alarm” starts in world-clock and not alarm.
Less customization under contacts (no way to set the “listed as” f.ex. Xavier Adamson or Adamson, Xavier huge setback since I call very few of my friends by their last name (don’t think I even know alls)
No nordic keyboards as of right now… there are workarounds (reg edit) but still…
left Soft key being set to phone… sitting just above a “button” that does exactly that. (I know work around with tweak HD) but why should I have to!? thats just “all work and no play…” and we all know what that made Jack!
drjim Nice review.
One comment. I was able to disable and remove those 5 pesky icons in the Programs slab (go to the Registry Changer app and it will show the proper changes).
Robat hi..
the new touch flo is for some reason not working on my DIAM 100…does anybody know how to solve this..?
Ryan Is it by design where the TF3D2 will only go into landscape when I slide the keyboard out? If I slide the board back in it switches back to portrait mode
[...] A spectacular 5 row QWERTY Keyboard, 3.2 Megapixel Camera with auto focus, and a new version of Touch Flo 3D that we have all been talking about! One thing to keep in mind, is that this is the European [...]
[...] This is the newer version of TF3D that has more tabs (including calendar and stock) and is fully functional in landscape mode. We [...]
Max I’m pretty confused. I’m using an Alltel branded HTC Touch Pro, stock Alltel ROM, stock radio, not much tweaking like that. I want to be able to use this, but as mine is a CDMA phone, I’m worried about it, for lack of a better word, bricking my phone, and making it so I can’t use it on Alltel. Has anyone with the Alltel phone done this update, and if so, how did it go? I’m sorry if this is the wrong place to ask.
David K Max – this won’t do anything that would brick a phone. There are CDMA tweaks and in the XDA post they are found in the second post. Regardless, if it doesn’t work you can just uninstall it.
ryusen Is it just me or is the new SMS screen really annoying? the box to type messages sits on TOP of the message window, so i can see the latest message. It also seems to cut the messages short.
[...] already gone through TF3D in detail which we updated when TF3D 2 was ported and now that TF3D 2.5 (a/k/a Sense) is out, it’s time to provide a little more info. I want to [...]
[...] We’ve already gone through TF3D in detail which we updated when TF3D 2 was ported and now that TF3D 2.5 (a/k/a Sense) is out, it’s time to provide a little more info. I want to [...]
Holy Crap awesome post! Doug is hot!! and I like all those emails in your outlook.