Once a big hit with teens back in year 2000, Java applications are now back with a vengeance. Fresh off their warm reception in Thailand, Software Mall has hit Singapore in a bid to recapture the market for Java-based mobile phone applications and games.

The UrbanWIre spoke to Mr Lee Kah Hoo, the CEO of Playwork Solutions and the brains behind the Software Mall, to discuss what separates Software Mall from other Java application providers. Mr Lee states, “What we bring to Singapore is more than the product we offer a unique buying experience that is lower-cost and no-risk compared to traditional sources.” On that note, Software Mall offers lifetime warranties and local customer support.

Currently the service is only available to Singtel and M1 mobile subscribers, but Mr Lee says that in December, Software Mall will set up shop in malls for walk-in customers who want to pay cash and download the application.

The UrbanWire checks out and this new old fad and tells you if it’s worth your buck.

Software Mall Applications

The name of this application speaks volumes about what a user can expect from this application.The application allows users to customise everything from the background image to font colour to the ring tones played when the theme is activated. Users can customize up to 6 different themes and for any additional subsequent themes, users will have to delete previous ones.

The application comes with a number of cute templates for to toy around with. On the other hand, users can also use their own pictures to customize their themes. Theme DIY is really easy to navigate with all the customizations being done on one page and with a thorough step-by-step guide by the software.

Most phones in the market today however already allow for users to customize most of what Theme DIY allows with exception of the icons in the menu. This might deter most as users can just download themes from the Internet for lower prices. Another weakness of the application is, the use of the themes cause a slight lag in the system for the first few hours or so and when running multiple applications at one go.

Weighing out what it can do and what one can do without it, Theme DIY makes life slightly easier saving the hassle of going into each setting to change it, however the UrbanWire concludes that it will settle for the hassle and save that $10.

Recommended if: You are not one for the regular default changes that most phones can make.
Rating: B, 7 out of 10
Cost: $ 10.70

Photo Rite is a neat little Java application that allows for fixing and manipulating of the pictures before they are even taken.

During testing, The UrbanWire was most impressed with its auto-fix capabilities, which allows for brighter lighting without compromising the snap speed of the camera – which means zero lag. This could prove helpful for those who either don’t have an in-built flash or whose in-built flash compromises the colour quality of the pictures.

Other functions are wackier in nature like the slim-up function, which helps shaves of a couple of pounds if framed correctly. It also includes an alien head effect, blow-up, and even frames to fit heads into. Photo Rite also includes more common functions like colour editing photos into black and white, and sepia. These functions however may prove to be of little use for those with more advanced mobile camera functions.

A point to note however is that the quality of the pictures are highly dependent on the quality of the camera. On the usability front Photo Rite is rather simple to navigate as the functions are shown on the main screen and simply require left and right navigations.

Recommended if: You want a fun and an easy-to-use photo editing application with frames and distorting effects.
Rating: C, 6.1 out of 10
Cost: $ 10

Ever told your parents that you were on the bus on the way home when you were really still at Starbucks chatting the night away? Ever got called on your bluff when they heard an order being called up instead of the beeping of the ez-link cards?

Well not a problem, Best Call Cheater is here to save the day!

With multiple presets that emulate the sounds of everything from busy streets to rainy days, all the cheater has to do is set the sound before calling the intended cheated.

Navigating the software is a tad tricky as one has to reset the combination every time the call is made, and the long list of sounds makes it a little tedious to navigate when scouring for the sound of choice.

However, after getting the hang of it, the effort is worth it as the aural effects are true-to-life and really mark the software as a true ally of cheaters.

Disclaimer: The UrbanWire does not advocate lying and cheating.

Recommended if: You’re a very bad liar and need help convincing others to get out of sticky situations.
Rating: B+ , 7.5 out of 10
Cost: $ 10

Got that one person who refuses to stop calling you every 10 minutes and the only way to stop the calls is too turn your phone off? Now you can just put that person on the black list and viola! You can receive calls from everyone other than that person.

Alternatively, if that list of stalkers is a long one, you can simply allow a certain few people to be put through. The user can also set certain group of people to be blacklisted at different times of the day, create multiple blacklists to be scheduled and on at the same time.

With single page setting and up and down scrolling, the software is simple and fool proof; if you can set a ring tone, this one will be a breeze.

Recommended if: You have a list of stalkers that you want to avoid speaking to; parents, ex-significant other/s, your boss and that annoying person who wants to be your new best friend.
Rating: A+, 9/10
Cost: $ 10

At first glance, the I-Player is no different from most music players. And taking a second look, The UrbanWire is proven right.

The I-player helps to organize songs by artiste, album and genre. Users can also go on to create custom play list to suit their moods. All components of a standard music player are included.

A few detected glitches in the I-player were that the list of songs do not automatically update upon the phone memory’s update but instead the entire system has to be turned off and turned back on before the songs are uploaded rendering the ‘refresh library’ function useless.
The player doesn’t do much for sound quality either as is still mainly lies with the quality of the in-built speakers and headset.

On the other hand, the software is simple to navigate and effectively separates the songs without a glitch.

Most mobile phones nowadays with music options do come with their own software for music organization and navigation, which are similar to the ones on the I-player. Nothing is wrong with the I-Player, it is easy to navigate and effectively organizes songs but it doesn’t set itself apart from any other music software that come with mobile phones nowadays.

The UrbanWire‘s verdict? you’re better off putting that $ 15 into a CD.

Recommended if: Your mobile’s in-built music player doesn’t already arrange your music files into the order of artiste, album and genre.
Rating: B, 7/10
Cost: $ 15

The name of the software should give you an indication of what is to come. With this application you’ll be transported back to secondary school eagerly calculating how likely you are to end up with Chris the Charming or Susan the Sweet.

The software basically requires you to key in the name of your intended love match followed by their date of births and then yours. It then calculates the percentage of how likely your relationship is to succeed, followed by a quirky, grammatically-flawed analysis of your results.
One such example would be “…Chances of being together are fat”

There is essentially no use for this application and would otherwise give none but the most love-struck, simpering individual a flickering glimmer of hope at winning that special one.

The UrbanWire says, get a life.

Recommended if: You read horoscopes everyday and actually believe that the name of the one you love will affect the viability of your relationship.
Rating: D, 2/10
Cost: $ 6

If you were or still are a fan of Tetris or combination games, you will love Super Drop Mania. The concept is practically the same – strategically arrange coloured tiles and then drop them. You will achieve combos by destroying more then one block of colours at the same time.

The game’s level of difficulty ranges from simple to cranium-wrecking difficult – which will be enough to satisfy even the most hardcore addicts. The game is simple enough to navigate with either your keypad or joystick, and has remarkably fluid graphics for a Java based game.

This game is more suited for mobile phones as compared to those trying to emulate a full service computer game, and will provide hours of endless fun.

A note of caution: it is highly addictive.

Recommended if: You liked Tetris, and have time to get addicted.
Rating: A+, 9/10
Costs: $ 5

Two questions. Ten seconds to answer both of them. And did we mention they involve simple arithmetic and colour combinations?

As the name suggests, the game is rather trying on the brain as the clock runs simultaneously for both questions; and though questions are rather simple, the clock adds that dash of urgency. Each player is allowed a maximum of three wrong answers on either side the game before it is game over. After which you get an estimation of your competency which come in the form of quirky quips like, “ Are you sure you know how to operate a mobile phone” to “Average. But no one’s ever happy with being average.”

Navigating the game simply requires for the player to key in the number of the answer on the keypad for arithmetic questions and hit the joystick or navigator in the correct direction for colour combination questions. The game runs smoothly and has practically no loading time, and as with many Java games, spectacular graphics are out of the question. The graphics however, are simple and clutter free which is soothing to the eye whilst the brain shuffles.

Ironically, though the game is “taxing” on brain speed, it is still rather brainless – affording only simplistic problems to tickle your grey matter, which as it turns out, is the main draw of the game.


Recommended if: You’re looking for a quick breather from brain block or from the smell of other passengers on the bus.
Rating: A, 8/10
Costs: $ 3

From the introduction of the game, it will send many girls squealing with hopes that it will be a mobile version of the popular Nintendo DS game “Cooking Mama”; so sorry girls, no such luck.

The game revolves around a single character that is out to learn baking but in translation to the game, it only involves clicking different buttons on your keypad to instruct the movement of your character. The character essentially performs just 4 tasks – hands out menus to customers, starts up ovens, pick up bills and clears plates.

There is a certain challenge to the game, as the player has to manage a never-ending flow of customers doing all 4 tasks alone. However, the game does get mundane and frustrating eventually; somewhere around level 3.

In terms of navigation, the game is quite clear-cut as each station is assigned a particular number on the phone keypad. The graphics are quite detailed for a Java game, which in some way compensates for the lack of challenge in the game.

Bottom-line, with lack of challenge in the game and variation in the storyline, the UrbanWire is sorely disappointed in this game.


Recommended if: You want something simple to idle your time away with and liked games like Diner Dash.
Rating: C, 6/10
Costs: $ 5

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the set of applications like Best Call Cheater and Best Blacklist prove more useful and impressive as compared to the games and fun side of Software Mall’s wares.

The UrbanWire likes in particular the fuss free 3-step downloading process, which begins by just selecting the application of choice, agreeing to the terms and price and hitting the install button upon prompting; the whole process takes approximately 5 minutes.

This is a great step up from previous Java software providers, which require registration, logging in and offer a number of packages before being able to even download the application. For more information and other applications, visit Software Mall via mobile WAP, or alternatively, you can go to the main Software Mall website.