December 31, 2007

Pointui Launches For Those With iPhone Envy

Michael Arrington

54 comments »

A new piece of software by Pointui launched this afternoon that makes Windows Mobile devices a little bit more iPhone-like.

The CrunchGear team isn’t answering emails or phone calls (It’s their job to test this stuff, but I imagine they are all drinking heavily somewhere celebrating the New Year), and I don’t have a Windows Mobile device in my house (they’ve been banned), so we haven’t tested it out yet. See the video below and screen shots, and if you are able to get it up and running, let us know what you think.

Why in the world all you people on Windows devices don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me. Yeah, Exchange Server and all that, I know. Anyway, perhaps now with Pointui you can be a little bit more like the cool kids and still sync with Outlook from the office.

Sphere It

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CrunchGear » Archive » iPhone-ize your WinMo phone: What all this about a sow’s ear?

December 31st, 2007 at 5:53 pm

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danny

December 31st, 2007 at 4:45 pm

What an asinine statement…could it be that w haven’t all been duped by Apple…and don’t spend our lives with a cell phone glued to our face?

“Why in the world all you people on Windows devices don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me’
Benoit

December 31st, 2007 at 4:47 pm

Damn, you think you’re so cool ’cause you own an iPhone!
I don’t own either WM or iPhone but I can tell you that categorizing people by their gadgets owned is more uncool than owning a WM phone
Ken

December 31st, 2007 at 4:50 pm

iPhone-like? Reminds me nothing of the iPhone. Now, if you’re talking about a Nokia I had before the iPhone…
Michael Arrington

December 31st, 2007 at 4:50 pm

sigh.
Elder

December 31st, 2007 at 4:54 pm

“Why in the world all you people on Windows devices don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me’

Not much of display of imagination or understanding of how people actually live their lives there, fella– for example, one reason not to run out and get an i-Phone could have something to do with the service plans someone is already committed to, or the fact that the service plans ATT offers are not exactly perfect for everyone, or every family. It ain’t just the device, stupid, might be a less polite way of phrasing it….
Michael Arrington

December 31st, 2007 at 5:05 pm

really? there are actual reasons why everyone doesn’t buy an iphone? I just assumed there weren’t. Get off my blog, you’re banned for life.
HT

December 31st, 2007 at 5:07 pm

Thanks for the heads up on this. Hopefully I can get this running before I head out tonight and my wm6 mogul UI will start to resemble something that had thought put into it.
HT

December 31st, 2007 at 5:22 pm

I just installed it and after playing with it for a few minutes it is here to stay. I am currently uninstalling all the spb software (pocket plus and clocks) that tries to pick up where windows fails.

I haven’t tried real world functioning yet but the UI is already better than anything else I have tried and that includes the iphone type interface that was released for the wm5/6 that was too buggy to use on a daily basis.

Its about time something like this came out.
Geezus

December 31st, 2007 at 5:23 pm

What an idiotic statement. The very fact people are able to install third party software (and plenty of them) on their Windows Mobile devices is precisely why they don’t go out and buy an iPhone. Get a freaking brain already!
dopenkly

December 31st, 2007 at 5:26 pm

I use a windows mobile device and it does everything that I want it to. Surely a Motorola Q isn’t half as sleek as an iphone and if I were in high school, I probably couldn’t sit at the “cool kids table”.

As for Pointui, I fail to see a real use.
Geoff

December 31st, 2007 at 5:32 pm

The reason I haven’t switched to an iPhone?
1) I use my phone for 4 things. An address book, email, a phone, and calendar. My phone does all these things.
2) I’m pretty happy with my plan and carrier. It’s a family plan, so switching is a pain.
3) The iPhone is kind of spendy, and doesn’t do anything my phone doesn’t. At least not anything I care about.
4) I like the keyboard on my phone. I can type an email pretty fast with my thumbs. this is probably the biggest reason.

To be truthful, I haven’t seen one feature on the iphone that will make me more productive or make my life easier. Those are the reasons I’d switch, not eye candy or an admit-ably slick interface.
Morgan Warstler

December 31st, 2007 at 5:37 pm

Hey! You! Get off of my blog,
Hey! You! Get off of my blog.
Don’t hang around cause two’s a crowd
On my blog.

Seriously, tho - I’m just glad you are sticking to cheerleading tech cos.

Happy New Year!
solacetech

December 31st, 2007 at 6:33 pm

I see you’ve studied the antagonize technique…
Mike

December 31st, 2007 at 6:33 pm

In all honesty by just watching the intro video I don’t think I would be a fan of this application. Sure it kinda looks cool but it just seems awkward.
Eric

December 31st, 2007 at 6:34 pm

Why in the world all you people on Windows devices don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me.

You my friend need to get down from your high horse…you are a moron (and please ban me from your blog)
Eric Locken

December 31st, 2007 at 6:47 pm

Happy New Year all
IdeaTagger

December 31st, 2007 at 6:52 pm

Thanks for bringing this to the attention of us WM users.

BTW: “Why in the world all you people on Windows devices don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me”

…. because we don’t want to and should not have to switch our carriers just to get an iPhone - however cool it might be.
Paul

December 31st, 2007 at 7:44 pm

Definitely iPhone-like, undeniable.
Proud WM6owner

December 31st, 2007 at 7:51 pm

“Why in the world all you people on Windows devices don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me”

Man, I knew you’d get pelted for that line. The fact is, most of us Windows Mobile users are clever enough to realize the iPhone doesnt offer much more than what we have and that the “cool” factor is really just wannabee marketing for insecure people suffering from a serious cool deficit.

The fact that we can now make our WM phones look like an iPhone speaks volumes on how useful our devices are.
Proud WM6owner

December 31st, 2007 at 8:14 pm

UPDATE: I installed PointUI (they really need to put out a OS X version…fortunately FileJuicer will extract the .cab file). It looks and runs pretty well. Yet another reason why I don’t feel the need to go through the hassles of getting a iPhone.
Symbyo

December 31st, 2007 at 8:17 pm

Happy New Year !
bob

December 31st, 2007 at 9:14 pm

I use my WM PPC phone for a few main things:
1. Phone
2. Tethered to my laptop as a modem through sprints evdo
3. Email a little, but really not much
4. GPS navigation -tomtom(I could just splurge on a cheap GPS unit, but for now this does the job)
5. texting and other time consuming stuff that isnt that important to me
until the iPhone can do all of that for me, for the $30/month that I spend on a sprint SERO plan, I’m sticking with this.
Danny

December 31st, 2007 at 10:21 pm

>Why in the world all you people on Windows devices don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me. Yeah, Exchange Server and all that, I know.

Maybe because the of the main reason I regret buying an iPhone - association with dumbasses like yourself. You know the type, making (apparently) drunken, new year’s eve posts.

Oh, also, brutally shitty connection speeds and no cut and paste.
Eric

December 31st, 2007 at 10:28 pm

Why don’t I have an iPhone? Because I don’t feel like paying $70 when I get the same thing with unlimited data/texts AND 3G for $30 a month with Sprint SERO. I did the math, and compared to my WM phone, the iPhone would cost an extra $1500 or so over 2 years. I can afford that but why piss away money for an inferior service? Don’t get me wrong, I think the iPhone is sweet and would love it to death if given one. But would I buy one, with money? Forget it. Not until it has 3G and PUSH email.
rfre

December 31st, 2007 at 11:06 pm

That logo looks like my balls farted.
EH

December 31st, 2007 at 11:36 pm

Feel the love!
floAt

January 1st, 2008 at 1:24 am

“Why in the world all you people on Windows devices _WHO LOVE IPHONE_ don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me’

I would, if it’s available in my part of the world; been waiting patiently but patient is wearing off soon.
42mb.com

January 1st, 2008 at 1:39 am

I don’t think it is like iPhone.
fish

January 1st, 2008 at 1:54 am

“Why in the world all you people on Windows devices _WHO LOVE IPHONE_ don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me’

Don’t you guys realize that Mr Arrington has some sort of interest in pushing the iPhone? Maybe gets a nice amount of money from Apple?

If you like a product, use it, that’s fine. But why the hell try to evangelize everybody else like the katholic church does?

Scary…..
Sammy

January 1st, 2008 at 2:37 am

Michael, it is time to give up. Seems like most people have lost their ability to understand nuances of speech and tongue-in-cheek humor or just some old fashioned ribbing.

The rest of you: It was a bloody throw-away statement - more of a tease. Stop going through life so fricking seriously!
Sammy

January 1st, 2008 at 2:43 am

On the application itself: Nice job mimicking the iPhone UI, but it doesn’t manage to mask away the inherent complexity of a Windows based system. Too many layers and sub-menu options.

Put lipstick on a pig…still a pig.

Somehow most companies just don’t get what Apple naturally does - simple is beautiful. Worked there a while ago, and it is in their DNA - simplify as much as possible, and then simplify some more.
Ariz Jacinto

January 1st, 2008 at 3:22 am

i agree with @ #31.

i’m kinda glad that i can now slide my thumb to navigate the WM6 using the pointui’s .Home shell. the shell is responsive and the transition animation looks cool. but once you got past the shell towards the application, you’re back on struggling with the same old UI.

and i’ll keep the pointui shell installed nonetheless
▓▓▓ MP3Nation ▓▓▓

January 1st, 2008 at 5:11 am

I just think that iPhone is a over hyped garbage!!!!

htpp://mp3nation.blogspot.com
▓▓▓ MP3Nation ▓▓▓

January 1st, 2008 at 5:12 am

I just think thatthe iPhone is an over hyped garbage!!!!

htpp://mp3nation.blogspot.com
ITrush

January 1st, 2008 at 7:11 am

For G.. Sake! It’s just a Phone!

Nhick
http://www.itrush.com
Why Apple Sucks

January 1st, 2008 at 7:16 am

The comment was obviously sarcastic, but I think the response is proof that Apple has only a limited amount of growth left with first adopters before they need to start liberalizing their business model.
Michaela Conley

January 1st, 2008 at 8:07 am

Come on… It’s a good/great app. Sure, it has room for improvements but.. geez.. it’s sooooo much better than stupid Windows Mobile. I’m looking forward to seeing upcoming releases & enhancements. btw, Happy New Year… it’s gonna be a great one. Cheers!
dave

January 1st, 2008 at 8:14 am

i ♥ mactards
xxdesmus

January 1st, 2008 at 8:23 am

This app is pretty cool. I’ll give it a try for a few days (to get past the learning curve).

Dear Michael,

“Why in the world all you people on Windows devices don’t just go out and buy an iPhone is a mystery to me.”

That comment, while being an obvious attempt at (failed) humor, makes you look like a moron.
Erik

January 1st, 2008 at 8:38 am

I have not switched to the iPhone because it’s too big. I like small phones.

(also because ATT’s coverage sucks eggs near my house)
Eric

January 1st, 2008 at 10:09 am

Seems like he’s trolling his own blog. Not very smart if you ask me. Perhaps he’s just trying to get more comments, but oh well.
CJ

January 1st, 2008 at 1:01 pm

thanks for the heads up, this thing is awesome!
CJ

January 1st, 2008 at 1:04 pm

crap, it just crashed, but it’s still awesome!
Enigma

January 1st, 2008 at 4:30 pm

We should all use the GPhone by the end of 2008
bmassup

January 1st, 2008 at 5:15 pm

The app isn’t quite ready for non-touch-screen phones. It sure looks pretty, though.
Your Daddy

January 1st, 2008 at 6:26 pm

Why no iPhone?

1) Lack of Active Synch
2) Lack of Goodlink
3) No Slingbox App
4) WM does everythign the iphone does… + the above and it doesn’t
Greensboro Wedding Photographers

January 1st, 2008 at 6:31 pm

It might be iphone “like” however that home screen is dreadful. In fact, it’s really not that much like my iphone.
Proud WM6owner

January 1st, 2008 at 9:17 pm

Just a heads up. After testing Pointui for the last 24 hours i can confirm it’s buggy but sweet. Navigating thru the Calendar seems to be especially problematic but overall it’s a very slick interface that has the potential to be awesome. A flag to techheads: it will eat at least 20 MB of Program Memory if not more.
Your Daddy

January 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 am

yeah, its cool but weak. wm6 users dont need this much hand holding but thx.
NoTreo

January 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm

They made me move from my Treo to a Samsung Blackjack; I’m in shock. I’m hoping this will help.

It’s pretty strange that you can’t download it directly to the phone. You have to download a .exe (always good to keep the anxiety level up) and it unzips the phone application, which is then installed via sync.

It’s software for the *phone,* right???

Hints of cluelessness…
Eric

January 3rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm

Installed on Sprint Touch by HTC and works great. Not a full replacement for the HTC Home screen just yet, but after a few more releases it will be a major candidate for replacement. Looks soo nice, works soo well. Very fluid. No more “chunky” WM6…..

.eric
BigBry

January 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm

Cool looking and fun to play with. This really makes the old boring WM format a little more tolerable. I hope to see more, in the form of updates to this, so when calls come in or you make calls the phone doesn’t revert to the old WM format.
nms kj

January 28th, 2008 at 11:11 am

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