Review - Ciel by Raypho - 10 copies to give away!
This week, I'll be reviewing Ciel by Raypho, and I'll also be introducing a new rating system!
Ciel is one of those themes which you would use for a while, change it, then come back to it. Despite some disadvantages, this theme is functional and useful, 2 good things every theme developer strives to achieve.With a weather slot and hideable dock, this is a theme you'll be sure to keep.
The homescreen is very organized, with a hidden dock to show off your wallpaper, a weather slot to get quick access to, well, the weather, and an extremely creative Sound Profile 'toolbar'. This theme doesn't leave you with a big smile on your face, as there are some annoying parts – admittedly not very big problems, just little annoying features.
On to the homescreen shortcuts! This theme has 4 shortcuts:
- alt+1 (W) shows the hidden Dock
- alt+2 (E) hides the hidden Dock
- z (7) shows the hidden Today
- Escape hides the hidden Today
Note that these shortcuts are for OS5, the OS6 shortcuts can be found on the theme's download page in the BlackBerryOS App Store.
The good things about this theme are the important ones, the main features that many people look for in themes. The Hidden Today allows BlackBerry users to quickly check a message or calendar item, without having to open the Messages or Calendar application. Also, the hidden dock gives quick access to any of their favorite apps, while giving the user an extremely wallpaper-friendly screen. Also, the custom-made icons give this theme a very nice feel, which is excellent.
Now, the bad things about this theme. They aren't really bad things, just little nuances. Firstly, I really would have liked an option to hide the weather slot, since I live in a place where the weather is always the same, or if that's not possible, at least change the slot number of the weather slot to be the 7th icon, not the first. That really bugs me. Lastly, the cursor in the menus do not blend in with the theme whatsoever. A lighter gradient would be nicer.
Also note that I am on OS5 (I have an 8520) so the OS6 version may be better. I have no way of knowing for sure, though.
Despite all the annoying little things about it, this theme is a great addition to any BlackBerry user's theme collection. With it's elegance, this theme is definitely a keeper.
Now, for the new reviewing system! This week, I am implementing a new feature of Theme Thursdays: Ratings! So, how this will work is that I will give the theme I am reviewing a certain score out of ten, along with a one-word summary of how advanced I think this theme is.
Ciel by Raypho's Theme Thursday rating: Good (6/10)
Contest: Raypho has kindly given us 10 copies to pass on to you. Simply leave a comment for your chance to win a free copy! Contest entry ends Midnight, May 12th. Winners will be announced shortly thereafter.
