greatbal.blog

My applications, games, tips and tricks for Windows Mobile Devices

Sunday, April 23, 2006

BaseHue Express for WM5 Devices


Description: Change the BaseHue of your WM5 device the easy way!
Requirements: SP WM5 (176x220 and QVGA) and PPC WM5 (QVGA/VGA)
Last updated:
April 23, 2006

The interface colors of the WM5 device is mainly based on a single hue. Most UI elements, such as the Taskbar, the softkeys, buttons, etc., are thus "painted" using this hue, with varying degrees of Saturation and Luminosity or Lightness.

In order to change the UI colors, one can use a registry editor and change the DWORD value BaseHue in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Color.

The accepted value of this DWORD value ranges from 0 to 4294967295. If you choose a value between 0 - 255, you'll get greyscale UI colors. Any other value from 256 above gives you "colored" UI elements.

I read in a forum (http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=38186) that whereas the accepted value of BaseHue is up to 4294967295, the colors actually just repeat. The main hue value are from 256 to 510. Anything higher will give you the same colors as represented by those numbers.

I wrote this application that simplifies changing the BaseHue value without the need for manually tweaking the registry - the BaseHue Express. Just run the application on your WM5 device, choose a color from the color wheel, press the left softkey "Apply", and your UI Colors affected by BaseHue is automatically changed.

NOTE:

  • Left = move countercloskwise (more precise)
  • Down = move counterclockwise (faster)
  • Right = move clockwise (more precise)
  • Up = move clockwise (faster)

PPC WM5 screenshots:


Just download the zip file below, extract on your PC, transfer BaseHueExpress.exe to your device (Smartphone or PPC), and run BaseHueExpress.exe (NOTE: you have to manually create a shortcut on your Start/Programs Menu.)


  • Download BaseHueExpress.zip (22 kb)
  • Monday, April 10, 2006

    BT Chess (beta 1.0)


    Description: Play Chess over Bluetooth with other Windows Mobile Devices!
    Requirements: SP 2003/2003SE/WM5 (176x220 and QVGA) and PPC2003/2003SE/WM5 (QVGA/VGA)with MS BT Stack
    Last updated:
    April 9, 2006


    Now you can play Chess with your fellow Smartphone and PPC users over Bluetooth!

    This program should work (theoretically) on any WM devices, Smartphone or PPC, with OS 2003/2003SE/WM5, as long as the device has MS Bluetooth Stack. Tested on Voyager, XPhone2, C500, C550, Tornado, SP5, XDAIIs (thanks to those who have spent time in testing this one.) It also works in landscape mode on PPCs.

    PPC WM5 screenshots:


    The program automatically determines if your device is using MS BT Stack. If it doesn't, it will prompt you at start-up.

    This doesn't have an AI. The main purpose anyways is for you to play with another WM device user.

    By the way, for those who want to try this and doesn't have anyone (WM device user) to play with, you could try playing between your WM device and your desktop/laptop. Your BT device on your desktop/laptop should have MS BT Stack. If it doesn't, just follow the procedure below:

    1. Disconnect your Bluetooth device from your desktop/laptop.
    2. Uninstall the software that came with your BT device. How? Go to Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs>And choose your Installed BT Software. Or alternatively, Go to Control Panel>Bluetooth Devices>Click Hardware Tab>Click Properties>Click Driver>Click Uninstall button.
    3. Re-connect your BT device on your desktop/laptop. WindowsXP should recognice the device and you should let Windows install the Bluetooth stack by itself (don't install the software that came with your BT device.)
    4. Download the zip file below.
    5. Unzip on your desktop/laptop.
    6. Run BTChess.exe and see if the program recognizes your BT Device. Your desktop/laptop should have the .Net Framework installed. You can download the latest version of .NET Framework 2.0 Redistributable in case you need it.
    7. If it does, then your BT device has MS BT stack installed.
    8. Try playing. :-)

    How to use BT Chess?

    1. Make sure that both devices are running BT Chess.
    2. Upon start-up of the program, you may opt to Turn on your BT (and optionally set it to "discoverable" mode so you could be invited by others running the same program.) Unless you turned-on your BT device, your Menu Option to Start a New BT Game will be disabled.
    3. If you don't turn-on your BT device, you may be able to play a Solo Game. Since there's no AI, however, you play with yourself in this mode. :-)
    4. If you have your BT device turned-on, you can invite other BT-enabled device running BT Chess by choosing Menu>New Game>BT Game> and choose to either Play as White or Play as Black. Alternatively, if your device is set to "discoverable," you may be invited by other users.
    5. Once you have chosen to play white or black, the program will search for other BT devices within range. Just choose from the list with whom you want to play with.
    6. The other device running BT Chess would prompt the user that you have invited him/her to play chess. You will then be prompted if he/she accepted the invitation. If he/she does, the game starts.
    7. NOTE: if you didn't get a response, the other BT device probably is not running BT Chess on his/her device.
    8. NOTE: if the other device is currently engaged in a BT Chess with someone else, you will get a prompt saying that he/she is playing with another player.
    9. For PPC users, you may use the stylus or the navigational pad in playing the game.
    10. For Smartphone users, you may use the navigational stick or your keypad to navigate. Your keypad is used as an 8-way navigational pad with 5 as the action key.
    11. Once engaged in a game with another player, the menu option Accept BT Invitation is automatically "unchecked." In this case, you will not receive any invitation from other BT Chess users within range. However, you still have the option to "check" this one and be able to receive other invitations while engaged in a game.


    NOTE: If you want to receive invitation to play only from those BT devices you have already "bonded/paired" with, don't set your BT to "discoverable".

    Sorry, but I don't have cab files yet for this Beta version. Just download the zip file below, unzip on your PC, transfer to your device (Smartphone or PPC), and run BTChess.exe (you have to manually create a shortcut on your Start/Programs Menu.)


  • Download BT_Chess_Beta1_build04092006.zip (98 kb)
  • or, alternatively, if you're having problem downloading from the above link, you can download from here: www.airfagev.com - BT Chess Beta