Archive for: skins
With the release of BlackBerries packing faster processors means faster navigation, better performance in applications, and for those with an eye towards design — cleaner, more premium themes. In the case of HedoneDesign’s new SnowTime BlackBerry theme, those who are absolutely infatuated with winter, snow, and everything that Christmas memories bring will find this new theme quite a treat. The main idea here is simple and elegant. You’ll notice the homescreen only features a couple of user customizable icons and the standard signal and battery meter. Other than that, a scenic winter wonderland background aims to make the most out of all those tiny pixels inhabiting your screen.
Even more stylish than the simple layout however is the animated falling snow in the background. Older models such as the 83xx series may notice a slight sluggishness from time to time (at least I always did with animated themes), but if that isn’t your concern or you have a newer BlackBerry with the faster muscle under the hood, then by all means give SnowTime a try. It really is something to see.
SnowTime is available for all BlackBerry devices 83xx and up (excluding 81xx and 88xx devices) for $6.99. If you purchase SnowTime before December 10th, you can walk away with a discount — sale price of $3.99. Remember, it’s only $3.99 until December 10th. Better get a move on it…
- November 30, 2009 8:54 pm
It used to be that BlackBerry themes of years and devices past were best in their static form. A few clever and crafty theme developers deviated from the standard BlackBerry theme and added bits of animation here and there. The only problem is that older BlackBerry devices were grossly underpowered with a meager 312MHz processor meaning any animation found in themes resulted in slow, stuttery navigation and an overall sub-par user experience. That was then, this is now: 600+ MHz BlackBerries with much more capable hardware. WIth that said, themes such as the Snowman Theme (designed by “TemasBlackBerry”) can now be used and enjoyed with smooth and stutter-free usage.
The Snowman Theme isn’t the most “far out” there BlackBerry theme. Though, as mentioned, the snow falling animation is a nice touch that makes it unique. Six user-customizable icons don the home screen and quick access to connection manager and profiles via the relocated and truncated banner located bottom right. Overall, the mix of holiday cheer, clean and simple layout, and smooth animation make for a well spent $5.00. Anyone else feeling like grabbing a piece of holiday cheer?
Berry Review
- November 13, 2009 10:43 am
Themes, themes, and more themes are the answer to one of life’s biggest problems — bland UI styling. Themes give you a small part in customizing your computing experiences so that it’s a more personal digital space. Happy joy, happy joy.
Windows 7 comes with some pretty basic themeing options. They’re not anything mind blowing, but better than nothing. Simple color changes of the windows borders, custom wallpapers, and custom transparency pretty much explain everything there is to be said. A novel attempt at the creative few. Still, it’s hardly a pittance in the pail.
Microsoft has announced that soon we all will be able to download Windows 7 themes branded with…brands. Our favorite bands to be exact. They are currently conducting a trial with said themes as to stamp out any bugs and other software glitches. Themes from companies such as Coca-Cola and Ferrari to more personal based themes such as Gears of War 2 and Avatar highlight just a few of the growing number of advertisers and participants looking to get their small slice of the theme pie.
Those worried about garish branding all over their OS environment have little to worry about because all of these themes are customer opt-in only. Whew! Stupid brandings aside (and I’m sure they’ll be some), themes such as the Gears of War 2 (shown above) are pretty sweet.
Is this something new and exciting? New? No. Exciting? Yes. Windows of generations past of had various 3rd party options to visually trick out their system. This new found support from home base however will mean *hopefully* more quality and less buggy themes. Plus, the graphics capabilities of modern machines — at least those running Win7 — means some truly stunning themes are to be had.
So it’s in testing phase….how soon until I can get into this?
Pocket-Lint > Zdnet
The BlackBerry Developer Conference kicked off today and RIM personnel didn’t waste any time getting to the goods. For starters, OpenGL ES support is finally coming to the BlackBerry platform (OS 5.0+). If you didn’t know, OpenGL is what gives modern smartphones such as the iPhone it’s amazing graphics in such small packages. But what good is powerful hardware without software? Again RIM answers, though this answer is somewhat a surprise.
Since the beginning of BlackBerry theme development started a few short years ago, the Plazmic Developers Kit was the one and only way to skin and theme your Berry. A couple months back RIM bought Plazmic which led many to believe that a more tightly integrated Theme Developer Kit was coming. I as well as many others I’m sure assumed that RIM would through in some a few more goodies and maybe a new name and call it a day. That isn’t the case however as RIM also announced today the BlackBerry Theme Studios 5.0. As you can see, RIM is really pushing customization and the whole consumer thing really hard. One interesting part about the new Theme Studio is the ability to add .PSD (Photoshop) directly cutting down on needlessly having to save those .PSD files as some other format such as .png before being used. Also, screen transitions such as zooming, sliding, wiping and fading can now be added much more easier than before. What this simply means is that instead of a few high-end theme makers having the power and know-how on how to make truly impressive themes, more hobby based and beginner theme builders will also be able to compete with the big boys. Nice job RIM!
The Developer Conference has just started however and there is plenty more to find out. Stay tuned.
Press release inside…
App World may be higher priced and not have as many apps as other mobile app stores, but one key feature that can truly set them apart from other app stores currently open. Themes. That’s right. Many CrackBerry users find themes a great way to keep their device always feeling fresh and “like new”. Besides, who wants to stare at the same layout, wallpaper, and icons all the time? I surely don’t. While iPhone users have a snowball’s chance in hell from getting official Apple sponsored themes (Cydia we love thee), and Android Marketplace still ignoring the whole theming scene, RIM can actually be first with something pretty big in the mobile app market. I’m really excited to see how they execute this grand plan as BlakcBerry themes are quite a lucrative business. Since this is a rumor, that Novermber 9th date could very well slip. Though sources of BlackBerry Cool say it’s at the very least a firm target they’re gunning for. While themes should have been included in App World from the beginning, it’s comforting to see RIM really trying everything to grasp this whole consumer market thing.
BlackBerry Cool
If your artistic eye has been giving Google Chrome the looksie for some time now but are damned near the end of your rope, having to stare at that plain jane blue/greyish tint that current adorns the Google born browser? Google responded several months ago with a new themes section allowing users to skin their browser with several different colors and styles. Though, the initial themes that were released were “ok” at best as most of them suffered from god awful color combinations and layout. Not to be deterred however, Google is back at it with new “Artist Themes”. Per Google:
Today, we are introducing Artist Themes for Google Chrome. We invited leading artists, architects, musicians, illustrators, filmmakers and fashion and interior designers from across the globe to create artwork for an unusual canvas: the modern web browser. The result is a vibrant fusion of art and technology, with a hundred Artist Themes that we hope will add a touch of inspiration and delight to your web browsing experience with Google Chrome.
As you can clearly see from the images above (and below), Google has apparently been busy in the design department as Chrome users now have quite the selection when personalizing their browser is concerned. To put it in perspective of how many new themes there are, the image below is but a snippet of the total amount of new themes as there’s still plenty of room for me to scroll down.
So take a few minutes and stop on by the Google Chrome themes area and give a few themes a test drive. I for one find the Artist inspired themes many times better than the original themes, though it’s worth noting many aren’t the most “usable”. Usable of course in the sense that there’s so much going on it’s hard to see lines between tabs, text, etc. Still, it’s worth giving the themes section another looksie. Find any you like? Lets us in on your favorite!
Google Chrome Blog
- September 16, 2009 8:50 am
While I don’t yet have an Android device, the clock on my contract is ticking down to an eventual end. With that, the move to Android will be a welcome fresh start for me. Being the person that I am, that is, I love change, Android themes will certainly play an integral part in my new journey with Google’s mobile OS baby. If you’v spent hours on Google trying to find that theme, I can happily say your search is over. Android-Themes.net is a central hub chock full of themes for Android covering just about any style and genre you can imagine. I know where my first stop will be when I get to wrap my fingers around my first Android device.
Are you the type of BlackBerry user who enjoys custom themes? Custom themes that emphasize the wallpaper, taking a minimalistic approach? If so, a new theme from Elecite called “Focus is sure to catch your eye. Featuring a circular navigation menu, the center hub that houses 8 icons plus the time giving you quick access to a fairly large number of your favorite apps.
Since this theme highlights stunning wallpapers, it only seems fitting that Elecite includes a few — 10 to be exact. 10 gorgeous wallpapers rotate on your Berry’s homescreen at set intervals. While the backgrounds are fixed and not user customizable, there should be at least one background included for everyone.
In order to rock this theme, you’ll need a device with an OS of 4.5 or higher on the following devices:
- 8350i, 85xx, 8900, 9000, 95xx and 96xx
**No device with OS .151 will work with this theme.
Anyone looking to get in on this wonderfully crafted theme can head on over to Elecite and get ready to enjoy some of the finest BlackBerry themes available.
Click the thumbnails below for previews of the Focus theme in action as well as a snapshot of the 10 backgrounds included!
Skinning, theming, customization, call it whatever you want, techies love this sort of thing. Now not every techie gets tired of the same UI after 5 minutes, though I must admit I do. I love changing up the themes/skin on whatever gadget I am currently using as it brings a sense of newness to an otherwise old gadget. Sort of a second breath of fresh if you will. Android users can take note that a new theme, ROM + Theme is a great reincarnation of the Palm Pre interface created just for you Android users. Thank yous can be sent to l3wish from xda-developers for bringing this eye-gasmic theme to life. The theme does go pretty deep and gives most of Android a new face, however, most things aren’t exactly 100%. Still, it is a great looking Pre theme with the designers personal twist. Who can complain? If you would like to gaze at some more screenshots or even download it for yourself, stop on by the xda forums and get the creative juices in you flowing.\
Source: Into Mobile, PreThinking
