Every once in a while a new application comes along that forces you to rethink how you actually use your mobile OS.  For Windows Mobile, there are a couple that I can name off the top of my head, and I’d like to share the news about a new one… Hi-Launcher for Windows Mobile.  Yes, any of you current or previous Palm OS users out there, you read that correctly.  If you have ever been a Palm OS user, chances are that you were familiar with this customizable start menu type application that provided users with as close to multi-tasking as they could get.  Very recently, RNS Software has gotten into the Windows Mobile development game, porting Hi-Launcher 3.5 for Palm OS to the Windows Mobile operating system.

The result, you ask?  A fully customizable start menu replacement that builds on the principles the default Windows Mobile Start Menu introduces, but takes them to a complete level of user specification.  Users can define cascading menus full of shortcuts to program, files and system settings.  Menus can be filled with phone numbers, with bookmarks, with information about system settings, and so on.  Users can build custom Communications Managers, custom Task Managers and call logs.

Please grab yourself a glass of iced tea and join me below as we start a visual (read: lots of pictures) introduction of how Hi-Launcher can become your ultimate Start Menu replacement.

Upon installing the trial of Hi-Launcher, you will be prompted with the option of using a custom Start Menu that shows off some of the programs functionality or have one that mimics the default Windows Mobile offering.  Here you see the custom menu showing off some of the functions found in Hi-Launcher.

After taking some time to browse the functionality provided over and above what the build in Start Menu provides, you will likely want to start work on designing your own custom menu.  This can be done easily via the Hi-Launcher Preferences option.  Once in the configuration program, you will want to select the Design menu option.  From there, I honestly recommend exploring the different options available to you.  Press the + button and start loading up your different cascading menus.  You can always delete any entries or menus you don’t want, and can even save your current menus for later reloading.

After spending a bit of time tweaking my menu, I’ve managed to add several different cascading menus that allow for a finer grain of multi-tasking.  A simple Communications manager has been added, so that tapping on the Phone, Network or Bluetooth entries toggles that communications method.  System information (battery and memory) can also be viewed, as illustrated below.

The screenshots below illustrates recently used programs and a fully functional task manager.  With the task manager you can see open programs, close all with a simple menu selection, close individual items or switch to already running programs.

Call logs and contacts can also be easily worked with, as shown in the screens below.  You will see that lists can be added that display your most recent calls.  Selecting a menu entry redials the number with the phone program.  The contacts option allow you to expand on a selection from your Address Book, either calling, sending a SMS or an email to the recipient.

In conclusion, Hi-Launcher provides a very suitable replacement for the built in Start Menu.  The cascading menus and choices available allow the user to create a customized tool that allows for a much finer level of multi-tasking that is present in the stock Windows Mobile.  Users can now do a myriad of different actions without having to actually leave the program they are currently using, allowing for a much more pleasant and productive Windows Mobile multi-tasking experience.

In reviewing the program, I did have several questions about features, both current and that I would like to see in future versions.  The developer has been very receptive, answering emails quickly and with great detail.  He has even went so far as to indicate that the two shortcomings I did find with the current version, the ability to use custom graphics in the background, and the ability to add full folders of menu shortcuts from the Windows/Start Menu/ directory.  Once these two features are added, I’m going to be in Windows Mobile heaven!

You can download a fully functional trial of Hi-Launcher for Windows Mobile at the product’s website:

http://www.hilauncher.com

You can also register the full version of the program for $14.95.

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