SPB Diary is my new best friend and favorite application. I find myself using it more and more and liking it as much as any app I currently have on my 8125.  This really works as a *tool*, not a distraction, on the Today screen.

I had tried previous versions of SPB Diary before, and really never hit it off with the program, never found myself using it much and never kept it around long. That may well be more to do with me not giving it a good enough run, not getting to know it well enough, but anyway …

I am not usually a big fan of using too many Today screen add-ons, especially if they are resource hogs, or make the screen feel cluttered and ineffective to work with.  In fact, I’m not even a big believer in the ‘let’s do everything from the Today screen’ approach.

Having said all that, the new version 2.0 of SPB Diary has just been a joy to work with from Day One, and has definitely got a permanent place on my Today screen.

Read on for some further impressions and screenshots …

Lean & Clean:

SPB Diary sits relatively compact on the Today screen, and makes excellent use of the space it does take. On the 8125, where space is at a premium, this is a huge plus.

Built for One-Handed Use:

On a converged device in particular, anything that adds to your ability to work and navigate one-handed is a very good thing. SPB Diary is nothing short of superb in this area! I have almost never felt a need to get the stylus out when working with it. Whether it’s switching between sections (Calendar, Tasks, Contacts etc) or opening an item, or using press and hold on the D-pad to bring up context-relevant sub-menus (as in the screencaps above) you always feel able to accomplish everything with just one hand and without the stylus. I also love the ability to preview Notes and the integration with PhatNotes.

Staying on My Today Screen

I rarely add anything to the Today screen on the 8125 – occasionally dabbling but rarely keeping.

SPB Diary is now a permanent fixture for me. Really enjoy this app and find it a great tool.

If you want more a more thorough review of SPB Diary, or want to download a trial, check out the links below:

Clinton Fitch SPB Diary 2.0 Review

SPB Diary trial download / product page

[tags]SPB Diary[/tags]