Two years, rom chef and creator of a myriad of programs for the windows mobile platform, Julian Schapman, launched an idea that would improve the experience of windows mobile as we know it. He created a video to showcase that work known as touchxperience. Touchxperience initially boasted a variety of things that many contended to be almost impossible for windows mobile at that time. Further, only the best windows mobile handsets (which were at the time, the touch diamond, touch pro and the touch hd) would be capable of running the touchxperience rom (I say rom because this was the initial plan because the program was so exhaustive on several windows mobile resources). The testing period, which was initially set for a winter 08-09 release began to be plagued with several problems that neither the developer or the beta testers could even begin to fathom. Seemingly, everytime that Schapman gave a deadline, something bizarre happened on his end. As a response, beta testers because frustrated and questioned the motives of Schapman. After the touchxperience site was completely ransacked by adware and bots that promoted porn and other illegal information, all involved with the beta testing team began to give up hope that touchxperience would be the next piece of vaporware never to see the light of day. Though, in this, the beta testers couldn't complain as we received 9 programs that were to be bundled with the initial rom for touchxperience. But still, none of the programs added up to touchxperience. And with the forum going down sometime in Fall 2009, that solidifed one thing for us - it was dead. The anticipation we had for touchxperience and the two years of hoping was all for naught. Many of us moved on to different handsets (most were of course windows mobile handsets). But each of us realized a project that would never see the light of day was the fate of touchxperience...OR WAS IT?
Out of the blue, Schapman emailed all members of the beta testing team to check out the new evolution of touchxperience. And many that received the information posted it to several sites including pocketnow.com. Throughout the comments of the new touchxperience, many were skeptical that this would be the same swan song. However, Schapman communicated largely to xda-developers as well as us being in the beta testing team. Personally, I was given a new zeal of hope that was solidified today. My email for the touchxperience beta was here and I was completely ecstatic.
There are a variety of changes that were made to the touchxperience initiative that was once thought of two years ago. I should clarify this point, the changes weren’t huge in that some ideas were scrapped, but the ideas were refined and intuitive. For example, the primary goal of the touchxperience was to permeate all that is windows mobile. From the menu system, to file explorer and even text messaging, this was the domain of touchxperience. Currently, this beta of touchxperience serves as an overlay activated from the start menu. But much of the touchxperience initiative of being a large overlay to windows mobile still exists. For example, many of the menus accessed from the start menu have a sub menu inside of touchxperience. The text messaging menu is also apart of this massive program. In many ways, the program blows me away like the initial sense ui blew me away. The touchxperience menus can be customizable and at start users are given a very nice “live” wallpaper from the notable htc sense 2.5 suite. But each menu can have its own background or solid color.
I am still thumbing through touchxperience as we speak and so far I am extremely impressed with the work. Later I will show images/video and instructions of how to get this software, but definitely this software impresses me currently.
