We first mentioned GoodWin here about a month ago when we did our last prize giveaway for 2007. All one had to do was to provide feedback about the software in our forum and we would draw a winner randomly over the course of the month. We had some really great entries (and some satisfied winners I hope) and this time around, we’re going to take a look at it and see how performs.

First Glance

GoodWin is VITO’s newest software as part of their iwindowsmobile.com site which serves to bring you the next generation of applications. And I must say that they are doing a great job with it. Like most of the other software in this category, GoodWin has its own look (you don’t even know that you are using a Windows Mobile device) which is a good thing and set’s itself apart. It’s been at v1.0 since launch but I think with the amount of feedback it’s been getting, there should be some upgrade sometime soon.

Those interested in giving it a go can download a 14 day trial where there is no limitation. Test it all you want and see if it’s the application you’ve been waiting for. And for those who are sold, you can buy a license for $19.95.

A Whole New Look

What I like about GoodWin, which I had mentioned earlier, is that it has it’s own interface, much like WisBar. However, unlike the former, this one is really easy to set up and use. After installation, you’re all set to go. There are no complicated settings to play around with (and this can be a letdown as will be discussed later) and no manuals needed. It’s clean interface is also just as easy to use.

Need A Lock?

Lock screen	Slide across to unlock

There are many device locking applications out there that mimics the one found in the iPhone. If you have yet to get yourself one but have always wanted one, then GoodWin is the solution for you.

It has its own locking application which is very similar to the iPhone’s. But it’s not just a simple application because it also shows you any unread messages, missed calls and even the date and time. Really useful for those quick glances when you are on the move.

Tap & Hold

See the red bar above Wireless Manager	It brings this menu up

Unlike the launchers that I have experienced, GoodWin has a unique feature when you tap and hold an icon. All icons will give you the option to either run the program or add it to favorites. Certain icons will have an additional option that allows you to uninstall the application and this can be really useful when you are doing spring cleaning on your device.

Finger-Friendly

Throw away the stylus because you will not be needing it for GoodWin. All the icons are large enough for you to use your finger to tap and tap comfortably. Gone are the fingernail days.

And you might notice that there are no scroll bars but that’s because it uses kinetic scrolling, just like the iPhone. Slide your finger across the screen to scroll up or down. Those who prefer the DPAD can also use these hardware keys to navigate.

Scroll & Scroll (And Scroll Some More)

You’ll notice quickly that due to a lack of groups, you might be scrolling endlessly, especially if an application that you are using starts with the letter Z. You could counter this by adding the application to your favorites but I think a better option would be to have some shortcuts at the top. There already are some icons for these shortcuts such as SMS, Clock & Alarm, Email and Phone so I think adding a few more icons that allows you to quickly move to Programs or Favorites or Currently Running or even Settings would be great and much appreciated.

Limited Customization

I think the skin that GoodWin comes with will look great on any device but if you like to stand out, then you’re out of luck. There is not much customization you can do with this program. In fact, the only customizations possible are the language and adding applications to your favorite.

It would be great if you could customize skins but don’t just stop there. Allow users to customize which application to open for SMS and Emails (instead of just using the default ones) and a shortcut to Wireless Manager so we could turn other radios like Bluetooth and WiFi on and off easliy would definitely add to the user experience.

It Doesn’t Startup?

That was the most shocking thing to me. I thought a software like this would automatically start up after every soft-reset but I guess for some reason, the feature was disabled. I am not sure if VITO will offer the option in the next upgrade but for a launcher program with a locking application, it would make sense to have it launch after every soft-reset right?

Summary

Pros

• Clean and beautiful interface
• Very finger-friendly
• Easy to setup and use
• Shortcut for un-installation of applications
• Has it’s own lock program

Cons

• Does not startup after a soft-reset (needs manual activation)
• Limited customization options
• Limited grouping of icons

Conclusion

I really like how VITO has taken the idea behind a launcher and done something totally new with it. However, it seems that this application is really basic and not really meant for users who want more. Don’t get me wrong. Those who want something fuss-free would do well with it but for users like me who prefer something more customizable and robust, we’ll have to look elsewhere.

VITO does have something great here and it all depends on how they want to develop it. Some will argue that the application is not complete due to lacking features while others will say otherwise. It all depends on which side of the camp you are on.

I hope the next version of GoodWin addresses some of these issues. I really can’t wait to see what VITO will do next with this gem. For those who want to give this software a test-run, you have 14 days of trial that can be downloaded here. And for those who want to run it longer than the 14 days, you’ll need to buy a license here.

What are your experiences with VITO’s GoodWin?

Tags: commercial software