Aside from functionality, the next best thing I love about my Windows Mobile phone is the ability to customize the way it looks through various programs and skins. The last software we looked at, PhoneAlarm, offered up a dozen or so different skins to use, but this weeks software is a skining beast. With countless Skins available, you're eyes will glaze over while you try to find that perfect skin. And skins aren't even the main feature, it's really the task management ability offered that makes this a great program.

So today we take a dive into the world known as Wisbar Advance 2 (WA2).

One of the more dissappointing features with Windows Mobile devices is the lack of task management - Mainly hitting the X button only minimizes applications instead of closing it, which in turn clogs up the RAM. With WA2 this is no longer a problem, as you can close or minimize applications, easily switch between applications, as well as assigning tap-and-hold actions. WA2 also allows users to customize the clock on the taskbar to display in different formats and also offers a cascading start menu instead of the Windows Mobile version of displaying programs.


Aside from a few other additions and customizations to task management, the feature that really steals the show is the skinning capability. From changing the look and feel of your top and bottom task bars, skins allow users to add and change icons as well as backgrounds and gives your device a more thematic presence. The best place to look is the Lakeridge Software forums. There you can browse the forums to your hearts delite till you find skin that suites your needs.

There are some very talented skinners out there that offer original as well as more trendy or streamlined themes. Wether you're looking for that matching Vista/Windows theme, or want to go to the Mac route, or yearn to have a dark emo theme, there's something out there for everyone.

I've been using this program for over a year and a half and I still have yet to explore all the features, options, and bells and whistles available. The advanced task management is a great feature, and I absolutely love all the customization that is made possible through the hundreds of skins available. Do yourself a favor and visit the Lakeridge site to give this a test run and see what this little bugger is all about. After poking and proding you'll soon realize that this will be one Windows Mobile program you won't want to go without.