WPH Folders for homebrew users gets bumped for 7.8 Tile support

By Daniel Rubino
published

It’s been awhile since we’ve talked about WPH Folders, the homebrew app from Windows Phone Hacker that allows you organize apps into Tile-folders on your phone. Of course homebrew here means only those with developer unlocked phones who can sideload XAP files need apply, meaning for many of you, this is out.

It’s hard to believe that Folders has been out for nearly 10 months already so it makes sense that it’s up to version 5, which is now available.

The update brings with it a lot of changes, fixes and new features making it the best solution until (and if) Microsoft gets around to doing something similar for the OS.

Version 5

  • Added SkyDrive backup and restore options
  • Fixed everything with Microsoft's new Marketplace server setup
  • UI improvements (incl. enter to search, auto region detect, folder display tweaks, etc)
  • Removed titles from the tiles, giving them a much cleaner look
  • Working 100% on WP7.8, see above screenie!
  • Bug fixes, etc

We know the community is divided on Microsoft offering something analogous to Folders in the OS: personally, we’re sold on the Folders concept although we’re totally open to alternative approaches to app organization if Microsoft has some better idea. We think with the average smartphone user having 30-40 apps installed, coming up with a way to group them by category e.g. photo editing apps, favorite games, social apps, etc. is a logical direction.

For now though, we’ll rely on WPH’s Folders app to fill that need.

Source: Windows Phone Hacker

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

12 Comments
  • Jealous...i have way more than 30, would love a way to group related apps
  • While some may think this is unnecessary, personally I think it's a good idea. And if you don't like it or need it, well, don't install it. To me "Windows" has always been about choice and I think there's maybe a little too little in WP.
    Sad to see this is only available for homebrew and 7.8, is it not possible to write an app that'd do this for WP8? I'd even be tempted to try to write it myself if it was possible and nobody else was working on something like this.
  • I think this approach is half there. The first tile is fine but then to an app list, not for me. It needs to be another start screen with live tiles flipping, info being displayed, and all three sizes. That way if my folder of games has a "1", I can open the folder and see which game is saying what. Better example a family folder, tiles with the latest texts, calls or fb info. Like Groups now, that's what want in my folders.
  • I think this comment is half there. The ideas you have are awesome but to start off with that first statement, no. It needs to be less ideas and more substance. That way people will have more options and information. Better example, an app of your own.
  • I really hope Microsoft bring this in for non developer user like me. I miss this feature so much since windows mobile...
  • I think folders is ok, but it makes the start screen more of an app launcher, if I want to launch apps I go to the list of apps. Now what id think is more of a Microsoft approach is if they would just allow filtering of apps at the very minimum in the app list categorized by what it is in the store. Could always add folders there too but I think Microsoft is trying to get away from that and go more with general tags.
  • I've got a folder idea, if MS is reading this: Just add "groups" to the top of the app list, like you have it already in the contact hub (like "family"), this is no big change to the UI but offers a lot of new possibilities when using apps.
  • Yes!! +1!
  • Nice idea. Simple, UI-consistent, and clean. +1. Also, why isn't "+1" an option on this site... haha... still.
  • Folders with dead tiles in my Start Screen? Nope. Maybe in the app list as a launcher for a secondary app list of sorts.
  • I think folders are a must on Windows phone. If not on the start screen, MS could have given us the option to create folders in the applist. I love how friends of mine have folders with categorized apps like "Internet" "Media" and such on their android phones. This XAP gives me another motive to unlock my phone!
  • Not really a "must" if you're coping fine without. I did used to like Folders but I don't use it anymore and haven't since 7.8.
    You can still have categories by using one of the apps that create category header tiles. Can't think of any names off hand. Pretty neat though.