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How To Tweak Windows Mobile 6.5 Today Screen

March 16, 2010 10:00 am By 15 Comments

With the launch of Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft brought the XML based today screen that has been used on non-touch devices, to the touch world of Windows Mobile. While it’s not the exact same XML template, it still allows us to get our hands in there and do some cool customization. And customize we shall do!

The first thing you’ll need to do is find a tool that allow you to set the file permissions on the device. There are a number of tools out there, find one that allows you to toggle the read-only setting of files. If your Windows Mobile 6.5 device is from HTC and is sporting HTC Sense interface, you’ll need to turn that off. If you’re not sure how, check out my post from last week for details.

MobileJaw-HackTodayScreen

You need to browse to the Windows folder on your device and locate a file called Titanium_***x***.cpr, where ***x*** is the screen resolution of your device. In the case of the HD2, it’s Titanium_480x800.cpr. Once you’ve located the file, right click and select properties and then disable the read-only setting. Copy the file to your computer and make a backup. Open the file using any text editor you have available to you.

For every row on the Today screen there is an expanded and condensed section – ClockExpanded, ClockCondensed / CalendarExpanded, CalendarCondensed / etc…  The condensed settings are used when the item is not selected, and expanded is used for when you highlight the item.

To make the changes in the images above, I only changed a couple settings. I focused on the condensed sections for each item. Here are the changes I made to the PluginLabel element within the condensed section:

  • Added – HorizontalAlignment="Center"
  • Reduced font from 18 to 12

Once you’ve made your changes, save the file and copy it back to your device and then reload the template. To do this, I simply select another item as my today screen and OK my way back to the today screen and then browse back into settings / Today and select Windows Default to have it load your new settings. If it doesn’t work, copy your backup file onto the device.

With those 2 simple changes, I gave new life to the Today screen.  The best part, it doesn’t stop with just the today screen. XML powers the lock screen (LS_LockScene_***x***.cpr), the call answer screen (LS_PhoneCallScene_***x***.cpr), alerts (LS_PhoneAlertScene_***x***.cpr), and more. So get hacking! I’m looking forward to seeing what cool and amazing things the community can produce. :)

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About Mike Temporale

Mike Temporale has written 603 posts on Mobile Jaw..

Mike Temporale grew up fascinated by computers since an early age. His first hands on with a computer came when he was 7 years old and a travelling lab of Commodore PET computers made a stop at his school. Hooked on the new world these devices offered, he took any chance possible to get in front of a computer. When Compaq launched the iPaq 3600, he was hooked again. This time on a whole new world of mobile computing. Today, Mike spends his day helping clients deploy and manage their mobile device around the world. From installing custom software, to locking and securing data, and everything in between. He is also the Editor in Chief at Mobile Jaw - a site focused on today's mobile world.

  • http://twitter.com/mobilejaw/status/10573482189 MobileJaw

    How To Tweak Windows Mobile 6.5 Today Screen – http://tinyurl.com/ykrrmax

  • http://twitter.com/miketemporale/status/10580386221 MikeTemporale

    cool homesceen hack – RT @MobileJaw: How To Tweak Windows Mobile 6.5 Today Screen – http://tinyurl.com/ykrrmax

  • http://twitter.com/fyiguy/status/10580436905 Steven Hughes

    RT @MikeTemporale: cool homesceen hack – RT @MobileJaw: How To Tweak Windows Mobile 6.5 Today Screen – http://tinyurl.com/ykrrmax

  • http://twitter.com/cesarfong/status/10582465239 Cesar Fong

    RT @MikeTemporale: cool homesceen hack – RT @MobileJaw: How To Tweak Windows Mobile 6.5 Today Screen – http://tinyurl.com/ykrrmax

  • http://twitter.com/miketemporale/status/10653746788 MikeTemporale

    @ChrisSorensen here's why – RT: @MobileJaw: How To Tweak Windows Mobile 6.5 Today Screen – http://tinyurl.com/ykrrmax

  • http://twitter.com/miketemporale/status/16591944893 MikeTemporale

    @johnobeto and if you're going to turn off HTC Sense, check out this hack – http://ow.ly/20LMv

  • c

    “set the file permissions on the device. There are a number of tools out there”

    Can you give some?

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    @c – Resco has a nice tool that lets you change file permissions on the device.

  • c

    Tried total commander;
    it worked,

    can something be done about items which remain read-only after unmarking them?

    note
    there are 12 Titanium_.cpr (with different numbers)

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    @c -Total Commander is another tool that would do the job. Glad to hear you got it working.

    Unfortunately, there are some files that you just can’t change the file permissions on. :(

  • Leonardo

    You know how I change de City name in the clock plugin??? In my mobile show a wrong city or just remove the name just like your print-screen. Thanks!

  • Anwar

    i have screen lock my samsung i350 interpid , 4 days ago i enter the correct password and device says incorrect password. im keep entring correct password but device is not unlocking..plz cam some one tell me how to resolve this problem. plz help me

  • Anwar

    this is the locked screen im talking about… plz helppppppppppppppppp

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