Custom style/GUI in WP8?

[BjornM]

I'm thinking of buying a Lumia 1520. I've never had a WP before, and unfortunately the interface of WP8 bugs me a lot. Especially the following three things are really eye sores to me. If WP8 had a similar kind of personalization as Windows 7 has on desktop, then I would buy this phone tomorrow. Is there some app I can use to achieve this?

1. Custom tiles. The idea behind live tiles is great, but why can't I decide tile color on an individual tile basis, and also change the icon to what ever I want it to look like? It certainly seems possible, because some apps come with a custom tile. So why can't I do it myself?

2. No animations. I want to get rid of all OS animations: the way the tiles slide to the side when I open an app, the way tiles contract when I reach the end of the list, etc, all of it. I just want apps to pop up immediately, and scrolling lists simply to stop scrolling, no eye candy. Why isn't there a setting for this?

3. Nicer looking forms. This is the worst eye sore of them all. Look at Settings/System applications. There are no guiding lines, colors, boxes, icons, or anything. Just texts in three different font sizes. Imagine if I could add a few design elements to this with a personalized setting.

 

[kishorekumar_a]

I'm thinking of buying a Lumia 1520. I've never had a WP before, and unfortunately the interface of WP8 bugs me a lot. Especially the following three things are really eye sores to me. If WP8 had a similar kind of personalization as Windows 7 has on desktop, then I would buy this phone tomorrow. Is there some app I can use to achieve this?

1. Custom tiles. The idea behind live tiles is great, but why can't I decide tile color on an individual tile basis, and also change the icon to what ever I want it to look like? It certainly seems possible, because some apps come with a custom tile. So why can't I do it myself?

2. No animations. I want to get rid of all OS animations: the way the tiles slide to the side when I open an app, the way tiles contract when I reach the end of the list, etc, all of it. I just want apps to pop up immediately, and scrolling lists simply to stop scrolling, no eye candy. Why isn't there a setting for this?

3. Nicer looking forms. This is the worst eye sore of them all. Look at Settings/System applications. There are no guiding lines, colors, boxes, icons, or anything. Just texts in three different font sizes. Imagine if I could add a few design elements to this with a personalized setting.

Abort Misson. I repeat, Abort misson. Do not proceed.

If you want all that features now, then WP is not the OS that will fulfill them. You cannot ever expect WP to have Android level customization in the UI. Even the stock Android does not allow these. The only reason you can do the changes you have mentioned in Android is because it allows a deeper level of manipulation of OS by the apps.

1. There are some apps that will allow shortcuts for other apps to be pinned to the start screen and also allows customization of the tile. You will, however, lose the live tile functionality. The transparent tile feature is the first step the type of customization that you want to achieve. In the further OS updates you may begin to see some of this features that you asked.

2. Unfortunately, you probably wont ever be able to customize or remove all the animations of the OS. The animations are an integral part for the overall User Experience of the OS. So Microsoft, might not allow you to do that even in the future.

3. Again you are expecting android in WP. The design language of the WP OS is to be minimalistic. That cannot be done by introducing icons and colors for the settings. Even if Microsoft ever tries to implement some thing like what you are asking, there will be a lot of backlash from the users of WP. Because it goes against the entire design language and will be a stark contrast to the rest of the OS. And I assure it will look ugly.
However there are some categorization and sorting options that are required for improving the accessibility, discoverability and User-friendliness of the Settings. I do think that it is difficult to implement because currently the settings can be expanded by manufacturers via apps. And that makes higher difficulty in categorization.

If you want WP, you can only get it as it is now. While there are many more customization options to be introduced & refined and the level of customization you expect will not ever come to WP. The WP is a middle ground between iOS and Android in many factors. And customization is one of them. WP allows for personalization of the mobile in the primary interface while at the same time restricting you from mangling the Design Language of the OS. And that's how it should be.

 

[BjornM]

Thanks a lot for the reply Kishore Kumar.

As long as I can remember phones have been about "having it your way, your style". It is one of the strongest selling points. Cases in different colors, background wallpapers, ring tones, etc. So why hasn't anyone (WP, Android and iOS included) made a truly configurable phone yet? I think it would be a HUGE advantage over the competition.