Pocket PC gets iPhone makeover

While skins to make your Pocket PC look like a little more like the iPhone are nothing new, they've got nothing on this full-on interface change an enterprising programmer created for his E-TEN M600 smartphone. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much to pretty up the exterior of the device, but it does manage to successfully emulate some of the iPhone's more notable bells 'n whistles, including its trademark finger-touch scrolling, its slide-to-lock feature, and its now-familiar menu system, all of which was apparently written in PPL (Pocket Programming Language). It also appears to have had the not unexpected side effect of bringing down its creator's site (linked below). Possibly as a result of past brouhahas, it seems that the software won't be going very far beyond that one lucky E-TEN anytime soon, although you can check it out in action in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Joel]

[Susek @ Mar 1st 2007 1:57PM]

Wow! Where can I download it?

[Standingfast @ Mar 1st 2007 2:00PM]

That is amazing... The interface seems flawless...

[YukonDawg @ Mar 1st 2007 2:02PM]

Me want!

[Olivier @ Mar 1st 2007 2:03PM]

All these years of research from Apple and then one guy replicates it all in a week on his PocketPC.
Wow Apple. You really nailed that one.

Some will say that the iPhone runs OSX underneath. As far as I am concerned it could be running a C64, Mainframe or a hamster for all I care. But as long as iPhone remains closed to third party apps, this will definitively have the upper hand.

Just wait for the PocketPC manufacturers to get multi-touch screens on their machines and Apple is SOL.

Microsoft really has the upper hand here.
Apple can go have another go at their shiny $600 gadget.
And btw I have two macs at home and love them. But there's no way I'm plunking $600 for a 2G cell phone with a nice skin on it.
I don't see any benefit over a PocketPc

[Craig @ Mar 1st 2007 2:45PM]

I don't think you understand teh effort/time involved. Someone may take years to write a book, and someone can photo copy that book in a day. So freaking what? The second guy hasn't achieved anything and couldn't have done it by himself. Apple did nail that one, they designed a beautiful system, and the fact that others are copying it shows they like it.

[Whiplash @ Mar 1st 2007 2:45PM]

"All these years of research from Apple and then one guy replicates it all in a week on his PocketPC.
Wow Apple. You really nailed that one."

Don't be a tool. Apple did nail it, this guy just copied thier work. There's a huge difference.

Kudos to this programmer though, it is a nice duplication of certain functionality.

[Ian Eisenberg @ Mar 1st 2007 9:51PM]

Yes it is obvious that putting a skin on a PocketPC and using it to access the WinCe based apps is the same as running OSX and related apps with multi-touch on an iPhone. Good one spotting that.

By the way I have a signed first edition of "War and Peace" to sell if you are interested. Sure it has all the pages from "Dick and Jane" inside but that shouldn't make a difference... right?

[Unis @ Mar 1st 2007 2:13PM]

Microsoft...

hire that man and get him on the Zune team!
who needs iPhone with this???

[Jason @ Mar 1st 2007 2:16PM]

Forget innovation, blindly copying things is totally impressive!

[Jcasebmw @ Mar 1st 2007 2:28PM]

Future fanboy comment: "Omg he copied the iPhone UI...the iPhone just got owned".

[ecs6600 @ Mar 1st 2007 2:26PM]

That's ridiculous, it just kinda sucks that the Windows interface is still present in certain areas like the menus and stuff but regardless a good makeover for the ever-so unstable Microsoft garbage.

[Jose @ Mar 1st 2007 3:21PM]

Well, part of the iPhone concept is the idea of a multitouch interface - which PocketPC can't do. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, though...

[Jason @ Mar 1st 2007 3:06PM]

I think this is a cool project to take on, kudos to the guy who did this, but saying he's smarter than Apple because he ripped off the interface they researched and designed is just asanine.

[Kelvin.Choy @ Mar 1st 2007 2:34PM]

although it was copied but it's still cool! and i want that installed in my PPC, just for showing off. LOL

[Steve_C @ Mar 1st 2007 2:37PM]

Of course that's what Pocket PC will do...

innovate in anyway? nah? just copy apple.

You guys clap when they put lipstick on ugly.

The iPhone won't be $500 forever... and there will be more models.

The Zune blows.

[Andrew Stone @ Mar 1st 2007 2:51PM]

+5 cool points for the PPC to iPhone transformation...

-10 cool points for allowing a youtube video showcasing the fact that the majority of your music is by JoJo to escape in to the wild...

Ouch.

[camboi25 @ Mar 1st 2007 2:53PM]

Just another case where copycat proves to B the way to go. Who cares if innovation is there.....Pocket PC doing 10 years of ~only~ 1980's stuff for big bucks, Apple lets all of us peek a moment in the kitchen, and then Pocket PC can do it too.....
Give credit, (yes that means real money 2) to those who wanna go ahead, instead of making sad shareholder decisions....

[Stefano @ Mar 1st 2007 2:55PM]

Exactly Craig. It's sad that people don't appreciate ideas as much as they do execution.

[Johnny @ Mar 1st 2007 2:57PM]

Actually, Olivier, it's been said that the iPhone will be open to third parties, but only apps that pass Apple's approval. I agree however, that it isn't as open as other platforms on which you can build your own apps.

I do give this guy props for what looks like a great job, but he wouldn't have (and maybe couldn't have) done it without Apple designing it first.

The only benefit per price I see with the iPhone is the larger capacity than PocketPCs and built in iPod.

[craig @ Mar 1st 2007 4:47PM]

It's been said by whom, I mean other than you? It's not "3rd party" when you have to seek Apple permission, approval, assistance, and distribution. Apple has made it very clear---no 3rd party apps. What they did say was that "no 3rd party apps" doesn't mean they won't work with others to deliver apps for the device. It's just that those apps will be Apple ones.

[Nick @ Mar 1st 2007 3:11PM]

One thing that I've been trying to get into people's heads is that the iPhone is not as innovative as they think. It does get a lot of cool points for their nice interface, but other than the interface, the iPhone does not offer anything really new.

The fact that a Pocket PC can easily be programmer to immitate what Apple calls innovation simply points out the fact that it's not the device that is innovative nor the software, simply the interface.

[gonzo @ Mar 1st 2007 3:11PM]

judging by the guy's accent i'd say hes from singapore or malaysia and quit impressive to get all that running on a pocketpc.

[Tupai @ Mar 1st 2007 3:17PM]

"Don't be a tool. Apple did nail it, this guy just copied thier work. There's a huge difference. "

Yup, like Apple 'steal' Palm's work on the Treo. Here're just some examples of stuff Apple "innovated" and proud of from the iPhone (these are examples Steve made a big deal of in his speech):
- Ringer switch -- hmm, I believe Palm has a patent on that
- Chat-like SMS -- Palm has that since treo 600 (probably also has a patent on that too)
- Tab view in the main phone app -- Palm also has that in 680

Apple just 'stole' the idea, make it prettier, slam the treo, claim innovation... doesn't it sound a bit like Microsoft?

[Ayle @ Mar 1st 2007 3:39PM]

Actually the first chat like sms was used on the Nokia 3310......

[Jeff @ Mar 1st 2007 6:39PM]

Two words: Apple Newton AKA MessagePad

[Vince D @ Mar 7th 2007 3:14PM]

If we all stopped buying this "Intellectual Property" nonsense, the best device would always win, hands down. IP is a way for losers to punish other losers for copying certain things, it does nothing to foster creativity, it only retards progress and engenders lawsuits.

[craig @ Mar 1st 2007 4:52PM]

"Well, part of the iPhone concept is the idea of a multitouch interface..."

Yes, a miniscule part that, according to demos, is limited to panning and scaling of photos before setting them to the background image. What a shame that Windows Mobile has to make do with a couple of controls to accomplish the same function. If I did that on my phone for 6 hours a day maybe I'd care.

[Avalontor @ Mar 2nd 2007 3:12AM]

"Well, part of the iPhone concept is the idea of a multitouch interface "

Which Apple bought from Fingerworks and multi-touch has been around since 1982 at a Canadian university of all things. So seriously where is the innovation?

[apeguero @ Mar 1st 2007 3:23PM]

I just have to bring up one small thing people. Have you been to an Apple store lately? Have you noticed what devices they use for handheld POS (Point-of-Sale)? It's a PocketPC with a retail program that looks like a Mac. Could it be that the iPhone actually runs over Windows CE? It's just a fancy, Apple branded version of it? Kind of like WM6 is a fancy UI of Windows CE? Makes me wonder because if iPhone is so unique then how could this kid have copied it in so little time? Anyway, as Olivier said before me, there's just no way I can justify spending $600+ Tax on a G2, closed architecture cell phone/iPod combo. I just can't see myself waiting until Apple or Cingular decides to create new programs/widgets for it and then charging me to add it somehow. No. As unreliable as my 8525 might be, at least it allows me to hack the hell out of it. Plus it only cost me $350.00, accepts additional memory, has a replaceable battery, built in WIFI, 3G, UMTS/HSDPA, PTT, built-in thumb board, etc.

Now, I would buy the new iPod if it turns out to be like the iPhone but it would have to be similarly priced to current 5.5 gen iPods sans cell phone capabilities.

I hope Apple is paying attention and will make some mandatory changes to that iPhone, like make it 3G, add WIFI, and open the architecture. I can live without being able to expand the memory via micro/mini/normal SD cards or a replaceable battery but no 3G, no WIFI, closed architecture? No Apple. Keep it up and "No Soup for you"!

[Guffy @ Mar 1st 2007 10:08PM]

apeguero:
The iPhone does come with WiFi...

[xman @ Mar 1st 2007 4:29PM]

I agree with a lot of what you wrote, but you are wrong about one thing "wifi". The iphone happens to have this feature already built in.
see tech specs: http://www.apple.com/iphone/technology/specs.html

[Leonard Nimrod @ Mar 1st 2007 7:05PM]

Yes, Apple Stores do you Palm with WinCE, though I'm certain that will change as soon as the iPhone is available. It's a safe bet that Apple is already testing a homegrown iPhone POS system for it's store.

The iPhone has wi-fi, and does not have HSDPA yet for the US market for two reasons; one minor, one major.:
1) HSDPA currently uses significantly more battery, adds more cost, and takes up more room than EDGE.
2) It's not widely deployed YET. The projective iPhone sales will do much in the way of getting Cingular to fervently upgrade their entire network to 3G.

[DM @ Mar 1st 2007 3:41PM]

LoL. I can sense a lot of apple fanboys a bit discouraged by the iPhone by now.

[ZSX @ Mar 1st 2007 4:16PM]

There is nothing like an open platform. Yes, certain things can only be done in hardware, but there is so much you can do in software. GUI designs come and go out of fashion, but with an open platform you can create the interface you want.

[Javaflash @ Mar 1st 2007 4:21PM]

Wow. I usually describe hardware manufactures who copycat iPhone are ones only cooking the meat, forgetting sauce is the secret. This programmer, on the other hand, got the sauce right. Bravo.

Memo to Steve Jobs, don't sue this guy, hire him.

[Piko @ Mar 1st 2007 5:02PM]

Monkey See,
Monkey Do...

Piko

[Philster @ Mar 1st 2007 5:43PM]

Amazing work.

(Questionable taste in music, though.)

[kurt711 @ Mar 1st 2007 6:18PM]

Excellent work. In the tech space everyone copies everyone. The one who can complete first and get patent/copyright wins. Looking at number of iphone like phones coming from other manufacturers suggests that others besides apple have been working on it for a while. iphone is still a concept and no one knows what the end result is going to be like. Apple is known for bait and switch, usually for better but appletv that was supposed to be out in February is still no show. Oh who did apple copy there? Every other media extender :) I have a macbook and love it but wish i could have it sitting on my lap for more than 15 minutes at the airport.

[Eldiablo @ Mar 1st 2007 6:20PM]

ETEN M600 Smartfone - $500
PPL Standard Programming Tool - $60
PIZZA Delivery whilst programming - $30
Showing the world that the only music you enjoy is Jo-Jo - PRICELESS!

[Ra' @ Mar 1st 2007 6:56PM]

Wow! your guys are crazy...the only thing that is custom about this is the Slide to Unlock button thingie...Everything else is Wisbar Advance and Wisbar Advance Desktop...Which can be found here...
BUMP!!!
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10036
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10435
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10362

[jeremy @ Mar 1st 2007 6:58PM]

Kudos to the developer, but you guys praising him to the sky are seriously deluded.

If you look closely and listen to what he says, its just a program launching application running full screen in front of the usual interface. Big Deal.

The only interesting part is the scrolling, but that part (again if you look closely and *listen* to the guy), is just a demo of rubber-banding on a jpeg image.

Almost any programming language on any platform can accomplish that. The scrolling is *not* a part of the interface at all and he mentions specifically that you can't play songs with it.

Maybe 6 months to a years worth of work *minimum* to actually work that stuff into the PPC operating system and he *might* have something. Unfortunately, he would also have a law suit and some jail time on his hands.

The guy is a good programmer but this changes absolutely nothing about the iPhone vs. PPC equation.

[E71 @ Mar 1st 2007 7:49PM]

Hmm... The site's been suspended, no doubt thanks to Apple, Inc.

[foxone @ Mar 1st 2007 8:09PM]

seriously, someone hire this kid...

did anyone think it was a little weird that all he has for music was Jo Jo..........

[kornalius @ Mar 1st 2007 10:34PM]

I am PPL's developer, the language in which this very nice interface was written with.

You can learn more about PPL at: http://www.arianesoft.ca/page.php?1

[My Next Auctions @ Mar 1st 2007 11:15PM]

Goes to prove how much of a hype I-Phone is, and to think that I was going to bid for one in my next eBay auctions which shows all I-Phone auctions.

http://www.myauctionfeedback.com/

[d70 @ Mar 2nd 2007 1:00AM]

gotta love his accent. singlish?

wicked work. let us know when it's available for download.

[Andy Crossett @ Mar 2nd 2007 1:06AM]

I've owned an ETEN M600.
It's probably one of the better Pocket PC phones out there and is all touch screen.

Its still got all the Pocket PC baggage.
They have a nice application launcher built in, but there is NO KEYBOARD and no soft keyboard included.

To enjoy this phone, you have to by MANY 3rd party apps to add soft keyboard (which does work good), application manager (to make sure programs close when they should) and lots of other apps to TWEEK this thing.

By the time you buy all the add-ons, the Iphone is a BARGAIN in comparison.

The ETEN is not cheap, $500 at least.
And it's bulky and heavy too.
And the batteries last long, but that's because they were realistic and put a large one in there.

[interestingtimes @ Mar 2nd 2007 4:48AM]

In the past 12 hours Apple have slapped a takedown on the Youtube video, and the Malaysian author's website tzywen.com has been suspended.

[Team Cellswapper @ Mar 2nd 2007 4:49AM]

iPhone is available with Cingular ONLY? And What if I am stuck under contract with a carrier OTHER than Cingular but still want a iPhone? Well, only solution I could fine was with http://www.Cellswapper.com - they get you out of any cell phone contract!

Perhaps Cellswapper is now the unofficial way of getting an iPhone...

[FA @ Nov 25th 2007 5:59PM]

Where can I download it?