SPB Software just released the latest version 3.5 of its famous today screen replacement SPB Mobile Shell. It introduces the next generation user interface while keeping all advantages of a Windows Mobile device.

Here is video that shows functionality of SPB Mobile Shell 3.5:



List of new features:

* Improved SPB Carousel design (e. g. added reflections and some additional interaction gestures)
* Gravity sensor support in the SPB Carousel
* 3D email viewer
* 3D SMS viewer (with contact pictures)
* Access to online catalog in "Change Background" dialog
* New "Add Widget" dialog
* Widget skin selection with preview
* New widget: Tasks (customizable task list on your home screen)
* New widget: Picture Frame (widget and full-screen slideshow)
* New widget: Facebook Status
* New widget: Twitter Status
* New widget: Four instant wireless switches (WiFi, Bluetooth, Flight Mode, Phone Switch)
* New widget: Internet Search (with instant suggestions)
* New widget: Birthdays reminders (never forget about your friend's birthday again)
* Contact widget: ability to choose default action
* Wireless manager widget: icon shows current states, popup shows current states
* Weather widget: support for more advanced skins with detailed forecast and current conditions
* Streamlined background change (with cropping and easy to view local gallery)
* Current weather conditions (in addition to forecast)
* New skins for most widgets
* Professional home customization using widgets
* Option to have only one home screen (lifestyle or professional)
* Option to change number of screens in lifestyle or professional layouts
* Weather in Agenda
* Force feedback on tap and hold
* Option to choose the default tab for Contacts and Launcher
* Improved design of most dialogs (popup menus, settings etc.)
* Category filter in the contact list
* Improved widget edit mode (widget can be dragged to other pages, recycle bin for easy delete etc.)
* Color themes support on Windows Mobile 6.5
* Integration with SPB Weather and SPB Traveler via widgets
* Improved "Choose Shortcut" dialog with similar look to SPB Menu
* New widget: Operator Name
* New widget: Date
* New widget: Alarm
* Option to disable tap and hold
* Redesigned settings dialogs

And almost instantly after the release comes a review made by Gareth from mobiletechaddicts, which you can read here.

Below if the official press release from SPB Software:

SPB Mobile Shell 3.5: the World's Best-Selling Mobile Application Perfected

SPB Software, mobile software developer and a holder of numerous globally recognized mobile application awards, officially announced the release of SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 for Windows Mobile today at a press event in Taipei, Taiwan.

SPB Mobile Shell has been publicly recognized as the best-selling mobile application across all smartphone platforms for three consecutive years: 2007, 2008 and 2009. By encapsulating support for gravity sensors and 3D hardware accelerators, the new version offers a thrilling, easy and fun to use interaction model with eye-catching 3D visual effects. For example, browsing email and text messages unfolds an intuitive animation offering both natural and engaging user experience.

SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 is all about customization and personalization. By incorporating great feedback from partners and customers, SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 increases flexibility in personalization and customization, enabling partners to build their own preferred styles with reduced time-to-market and low commercial risks. SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 works well with Microsoft's most recent Windows Mobile 6.5 release.

The new release presents several additional widgets supporting social networks like Facebook and Twitter, enhanced Internet searching with instant suggestions and many others.

"This version clearly shows where SPB Software is going," - says Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, CEO of SPB Software. "We are on the way to make it even more flexible for user personalization, as well as being a great partner for phone manufacturers and mobile operators. The fast changing market needs the right user interface with great flexibility in customization. And we are well prepared for the demand."

In addition to numerous OEMs that already license SPB Mobile Shell, SPB Software has announced several new partnerships, involving China's ZTE, Huawei and the biggest China-based OEM K-Touch. At the event SPB Software has also announced signing of a significant agreement with MediaTek, a leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions.

SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 is available for Windows Mobile touchscreen devices (works on WM 5 or higher) from September 30th and on. A free trial version working for 15 days with some restrictions can be downloaded, or the full version can be purchased for $29.95 from www.spbsoftware.com. All registered user of SPB Mobile Shell 3.x can upgrade it to the version 3.5 for free.