I really think that SPB Software House is one of the best developers out there for Windows Mobile and that their Mobile Shell is one of the best things to happen to WinMo since… well, forever. Right from the get-go Mobile Shell has focused on tying the different parts of the WinMo interfaces together and making the WM experience a much broader appeal without shelling out cash for an entirely new device. I thought that Mobile Shell 2 did a great job of evolving the original concept, but Mobile Shell 3 really takes the cake.

You’ll find a lot more than just fancy animations and big buttons here. The software is lightning fast and each aspect of the interface has been dug into deeper this time around. I’ll save the rest for the JAMM review that’s coming out soon, but I have to at least profess my love for the coolness of the agenda integration. Seeing all upcoming appointments and being able to create new ones right from the today screen (which Mobile Shell now replaces) is fantastic!

You can pick up a copy of MS3 for $30 or upgrade your MS2 license for $15. However, if you bought your copy of MS2 in the last 3 months then you’re entitled to a free upgrade. Sah-weet!

Hit the jump for the full press release!   We’ll be reviewing this very soon (in conjunction with Gear Diary and clinton Fitch(dot)com, so keep watching.  In the meantime, take a look at this first impression post from MobilityMinded.

Work-Life Balance with Spb Mobile Shell 3.0: New Version of World’s Bestselling Mobile Application

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St. Petersburg, April 21^st, 2009 – Spb Software, a leading maker of mobile software, releases Spb Mobile Shell 3.0, the next-generation user interface for Windows phones. According to Handango Yardstick, Spb Mobile Shell was the world’s number one bestselling application of 2008 among all mobile platforms.

Spb Mobile Shell 3.0 accounts for two different smartphone use scenarios: at work and at play. The application offers distinctive ‘professional’ and ‘lifestyle’ desktops, integration of picture contacts with Facebook, account-sensitive email indicators, handsome time and weather screens, widgets, responsive kinetic scrolling, signature 3D animation engine, and other appealing assets that change the way a Windows phone is used altogether.

Previous versions of Spb Mobile Shell were shipped by a number of innovative phone makers, such as Acer, O2, Pharos, Sony Ericsson, and Toshiba, have won numerous awards, and have been the choice of millions of customers. “It was challenging to design 3.0, as customer expectations are quite high,” – comments Yaroslav Goncharov the Spb Mobile Shell Product Manager and CTO at Spb Software – “On the other hand, this level of success gave us confidence in our basic ideas and design philosophy, and we certainly feel that Spb Mobile Shell 3.0 has all it takes to be the strong foundation for a host of new and immensely popular Windows phones.”

Spb Mobile Shell 3.0 Main Features

• Professional and Lifestyle home screens (for work and for play)
• Widget-based photo contacts with Facebook integration
• Widgets
• 3D carousel and hardware accelerator support
• Ringtones, Contacts, Profiles, and Wireless management
• Many integrated tools such as Weather, World Time, etc.
• Highly customizable for the needs of phone makers and mobile operators

Pricing and Availability

Spb Mobile Shell 3.0 is available in 24 languages, is compatible with Windows phones running Windows Mobile 5 and later Professional platforms, qVGA, VGA, Square QVGA, and WVGA screen resolutions are supported. A free, 15-day trial can be downloaded, or Spb Mobile Shell can be purchased for 29.95 USD from www.SpbSoftwareHouse.com. Users of any 2.x versions of Spb Mobile Shell are welcome to upgrade to Spb Mobile Shell 3.0 for just 14.95 USD. According to Spb Software’s upgrades policy, all Spb Mobile Shell users who have purchased the product within the last 90 days, are invited to exchange the previous version of software for the newly released one, for free.

Further Information and Downloads

Spb Mobile Shell product page
Spb Mobile Shell video tour
Spb Mobile Shell screenshots page
Spb Mobile Shell evaluation copy downloading page

About Spb Software (www.spbsoftwarehouse.com)

Spb is a leading brand in mobile software, standing for a unique line of popular consumer products and partnerships with the world’s most innovative handset makers and wireless carriers. The popularity of Spb’s solutions rests on profound usability research, relevance to valid subscriber needs and smartphone use cases, as well as superior technical implementation, stability, and quality graphic design.

Spb Software invites members of the media to get familiar with the application by claiming their complimentary copy of Spb Mobile Shell through contacting Victoria Krasilshikova at pr@softspb.com.

Media Contact:
Victoria Krasilshikova
pr@softspb.com