Flash Lite Themes on the Sony Ericsson s500i
November 11th, 2007 by Scott JanousekBill Perry (Adobe, M&D) put together a a post and video covering the Flash Lite features (preinstalled themes) on the Sony Ericsson s500i.
Here’s some of what Bill had to say.
…It shows how Sony Ericsson is using Flash Lite for creating Flash Lite themes and it’s one of the best examples I’ve seen of an OEM using Flash to creative innovative experiences for their handsets. The S500i comes with 3 Flash Lite themes pre-installed and they’re based on Flash Lite 1.1. Besides supporting Flash Lite themes you can also create your own Flash Lite wallpapers and screensavers. It’s a GSM based handset and is available world-wide and you can get more information here …
You should check out the video first and foremost over at Bill’s blog, but here are some select images taken from flashdevices.net:

Tweening leveraged for some UI.

Change the month and it changes the “environmental theme” background.

Change the TOD (time of day), and it changes the color scheme a bit.

A basic “wave” animation (using Math.sin() no doubt) …

Some UI done with Flash Lite. Nice, each item has a bit of animation attached to give it a bit of “pop”.

There are 3 different Flash Lite themes: “Clarity”, “Day and night”, and “Everchanging”.

Another top level menu in Flash Lite. Kind of cool.

One the the themes.

Lights on side of phone change according to the theme … I personally would probably tire of this. Also during the day, I suppose this feature is disabled … wonder if it’s based of internal time, or if the device has an internal sensor. Not sure.
My thoughts:
Impression: Lovely Flash Lite preinstalled themes on what appears to be a vibrant display …
Many of us in the community are familiar with “reactive themes” (not sure exactly who coined this term (Matt P?), but I like it best). For those not up to speed … it simply means the Flash Lite content changes based off some underlying results from API: such as battery, signal, etc … in the case here; it’s based off date and time.
From a previous post by Mark (Adobe M&D), I do believe he said these specific Flash Lite themes were Flash Lite 2.x based.
I do think the lights are a bit “over the top” on this device (wonder how much battery life is expended there, probably not all that much, but still could be annoying after a while … I expect the lights can be toggled on/off!) … interesting never-the-less. I really haven’t seen anyone else try this outside of the toy market. In that respect, it’s cool. I imagine it does help to sell the device in terms of “cool” factor … it reminds me of hardcore gamers who mod their PC’s with neon glow cables … I never personally got into it … I have enough lights and displays as it is!
Conclusion:
So, after watching the video, I really want to see this device experience in person. I think I saw AT&T plastered on Bill’s device. Perhaps I’ll get a chance to take a look in-store and see if it’s in-store on the East Coast here in the US.
Too many gadgets, and too little time.
-sj



(11 votes, average: 3.55 out of 5)

November 20th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
the psp menu used on the flash lite theme day and night of a s500i, is it standard or should you download it somewhere to get it??
kind regards
rob
December 15th, 2007 at 5:23 am
i have bought this phone 3 days ago and i was so disappointed because i couldn’t find this theme from the promo, now i understand
great phone btw
March 10th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I have this mobile and it’s brilliant. The ever changing theme is a marvel to watch and though I make themes for this phone myself (@ http://www.noeman.org/gsm) I cannot make the flash themes…. YET !! If you like cool gadgets with a difference, get this mobile.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I’ve had the S500i for a couple months now. I love it dearly but I wish there were more themes for the thing. The themes by default really only look their best at night.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I’ve had the s500i for just a couple of days and i don’t have the psp menu so my question is ..how can i get the psp menu should i download it somewhere?? and if i schould download it do you know which site??
kind regards
June 20th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Hi…my name is Eddie from Hong Kong…. love the flash themes for my SE S500i) but dont know how to upload to phone, hv seen some forum talking how to upload !but still can’t understand cause my poor computer knowledge, is there any “ready made” flash theme which can upload to phone directly ?
sorry for my poor english…and thanks in advance
Eddie (HK)
June 21st, 2008 at 7:25 am
hello, I have the menu from picture 5 but I want to have the menu from picture 1 or 7 does anyone know how to download it and where to download it?
thanks and bye
August 24th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
These themes are default with the firmware. If you dont have them try updating the firmware and you should be able to see them
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 am
i bought se500i …it have all the flash themes that show in above…..i just wanna ask is there more flash themes for my se500i…if yes i want to download it..sorry for my poor english
September 7th, 2008 at 10:32 am
yes, allan you can fill in by google, my s500, there are very many downloads, games, themes, backgrounds, games, screensavers.
wouter
September 15th, 2008 at 12:11 am
hi you mean by googlling can found flash themes[ icon that will change] for s500i
September 18th, 2008 at 2:43 am
no, when you go to google.nl you can fill in: Lasyk my s500, or k800 (it has the same screen) and than you can download themes, games, screensavers and backgrounds…..
http://www.mys500.lasyk.net/
http://www.myk800.lasyk.net/
and other sony ericssons with the same screenwide….
November 12th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Hello. I would like to ask a little help a couple of his drawn days I bought the telephone and I do not come how is needed for him how this the flash to use topics my menu does not change simply only the háttérkép though took rather many topics but I am not top notch with them what to start… fly heart let somebody help greet!
R3Dm4N
January 19th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Good day?
Flash and Flash Lite are becoming a big hit in Kenya (ahem .. Africa!) after the fiber FINALLY got installed country wide. I run a software company and almost 90% of our work is Flash based or at least flash inspired. I am developing flash themes and a flash lite infotainment application to help promote the W902i for a local mobile provider. I would appreciate feedback and advice from fellow developers.
Please give me a shout if you are interested and help me move a sleeping giant towards the wonderful world of flash and especially flash lite.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:09 am
less flash themes are available
there is no color changing option inside the phone
May 15th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I’ve had this mobile for a long time now and apart from the number 8 & 5 keys breaking every couple of months, it’s a great phone. If you want to see themes, wallpapers & screensavers for this mobile go here > http://www.mobilebase.tk. We’ll be pleased to help with any problems too.
May 19th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
now i know what it is.
new flash themes you can only use them by changing the software of your phone, but the standard flashthemes are only in use with the simlock free phones, if you have the software of a special provider i have HI that’s from KPN in holland… You have the themes but not with the special icons.
buttons which are breaking is only with production series 2, when you go to the shop and you ask to fix it, you’ll get a key-pad from series 3 or 1 and maby if it allready exists: number 4….
i allready had the breaking problems after 3 weeks, but since the repair, i haven’t had any problems in… 12 months….
December 13th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
nice theme