Handy Shell is a software for your Symbian S60 Device which provides you with 3 additional Standby screens (Today, Applications, Contacts) and advanced launcher which will completely change your smartphones look and increase its productivity. My friend Rav over at his Symbian-LifeBlog has come up with a very insightful post on what he feels should be included in the next version of the application. If you have used the application then you would definitely feel that although the application is very user friendly but still at some point it misses out on a few things which really need a tweak here and there. Rav has come up with a wishlist along with some amazing illustrations for just the update handy shell needs and i must say the list is highly commendable. So Epocware people if you are reading this then this just might me the next big thing for you. To Download a 14 day fully functional Trial Click Here>>

Following is as posted by Rav at his Symbian-LifeBlog:

1. Active Standby Screen

Options Softkey Function is replaced by a set of customizable applications(Lets Call it to be a Start Menu),preferably the ones you have as Active Stand By Apps.The functions offered in the Options menu is moved on to the topmost Fixed app slot in this Start Menu.Where a dual function is offered Lock Keypad and Option Menu Functions.See the Illustration below. (click pictures for larger view)

And the latter part of the Menu is adjustable with required applications and can be accessed with just pressing the relevant number key after launching the start Menu.

This Flash Slideshow illustrates the Startmenu functions.

Advantages,

1. The Left soft key is effectively used to yield more productive output.
2. Easy access to applications or Menus even Sub Menus and further more instantly from the Stand by Idle screen mode.
3. Lesser number of Keystrokes Required.
4. Keypad lock is made easy.
5. Can Stack more applications than the usual Active standby mode (Subject to change with the screen orientation used)

2. Standby Screen

Few Changes have been introduced to the Shell standby Screen with some additional features. The Main change is the Active Standby application pluggin location is replaced with a “Scrollable Taskmanager Pluggin”

Advantages,

1. You will not encounter memory overloads that arises due to the Shell screens Automatically appear feature,resulting high number of simultaneously running applications,And some times repetitive application launches,I’ve written about this here.
2. The user is always aware of whats running in the background and can access the recently used applications instantly.
3. The Scroll Function overtakes the list limitations,a feature present in S40 devices.

3. Tabbed Navigation

A new Tabbed Pluggin is introduced to bring the missing features of the Shell window like Share online,WLAN Scanning,Search online also a new one called Memory info and Calendar entries field is also embedded to it.And the priority field will be automatically popped into the front panel.

Advantages,

1. Effective Space Usage.
2. Gives the total control over the default Standby Screen,as there is nothing missing in this.
3. Share online lovers will see there comments and WLAN access is just a keystroke away.

OK, so this what my suggestios for the next Handy Shell Update,but I don’t have any contact with Epocware so don’t know will this make any difference.So if any one out there can help me to reach them I appreciate it greatly.Also please Let me know what you think about this by comments and participating in this Poll.Whatever it is all are warmly welcome.

With this detailed and illustrative post, I’m sure Epocware will consider updating the present version. Lets hope they give credits to Rav for his innovative thinking and I’m also pretty sure that there’s lots more that Rav is still keping from us. So keep a check on his blog for more insightful posts.