Screen 1 (above): RepliGo installs tightly integrated conversion utilities on your desktop PC. To convert and send a desktop PC document to your Pocket PC, open the document you want on the desktop PC, click on the RepliGo menu at the top of the screen, and select "Send to Handheld" (shown here). In some cases, RepliGo adds a toolbar button to the application.
RepliGo also installs a printer driver on your desktop PC. To convert a document from an application other than Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or IE, you open the desired document in its application, select the Print option, and choose the RepliGo printer driver from the list of available printers (Screen2). The document gets converted and sent to the Pocket PC.
Screen 2 (above): RepliGo also installs a printer driver on your desktop PC to let you transfer and view "the printout" of non-office applications on your Pocket PC.
With these two options, virtually any document you have on your desktop PC can be transferred to and viewed on your Pocket PC, including Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDF files, Web pages, and files in hundreds of other formats.
The installation process also installs the RepliGo Desktop, which is really more of a tutorial/demo than an application. The desktop has some links to the Cerience Corporation, developer of RepliGo. The RepliGo Desktop isn't needed to convert documents—that function is integrated into the desktop PC applications, as already described.
The only problem I had with the installation process is that the RepliGo menu did not appear in Word XP until I closed and then restarted Outlook and Word on my desktop PC. I did not have to close and restart Excel or PowerPoint.
Using RepliGo on your Pocket PC
Launch the RepliGo Viewer on your Pocket PC and a list is presented of RepliGo-formatted documents that have been transferred to your device. Simply select the desired file, and RepliGo will show the entire page—useful for seeing a format, but nearly illegible (Screen 3).
Screen 3 (above): Even my favorite Website is hard to read on full-page mode. The flow-view function makes it readable.
Go with the flow!
RepliGo's few but well considered options let you easily magnify and scroll, but the most useful way to view your document is using the flowed view function. Tap on the flowed view icon and the entire document's text is reflowed to the width of the screen and automatically sized to a comfortable reading level. The font size can be changed in a reflowed document, but graphics are not shown. The company is considering adding a small graphics place-holder. I found reading with the flow function to be simple and intuitive.
Screens 4 & 5 (above): RepliGo's flowed view function displays a document in a more viewable format. Graphics are not displayed and the text is automatically sized to a comfortable reading level and reflowed to the width of the screen. These screens show a Web page before and after reflowing.
Finally, you can print RepliGo documents directly to an infrared or Bluetooth-enabled printer. All Pocket PCs have infrared capability, but only a few have built-in Bluetooth. Fortunately, you can add it to most others using a Bluetooth adapter card. Only HP printers are supported at this time. Your documents are printed full-size and at a high resolution.
Simple, but can use more features
RepliGo is a model of simplicity and efficiency—all features are obvious and well executed. Future versions are slated to include landscape mode for PowerPoint slides and wide Excel spreadsheets. We can also expect to see some form of document editing based upon document type, but details about that were a bit sketchy. Future versions will also handle Web pages better—presently, the document conversion process sometimes deletes the edges from Web pages.
The major drawback with RepliGo is that you have to convert documents before you view them on the Pocket PC. But you can convert and view virtually any document, and that makes RepliGo the best Pocket PC document viewing solution I have seen. And the fact that the program is available for Palm OS as well as Pocket PC devices means that you can convert documents to share with the vast majority of handheld users.
RepliGo is priced at $39.95 and is available for devices. The commercial version and a free demo can be downloaded from the Cerience Corporation Web site (www.cerience.com).
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Gary B. Garland, Esq. is a litigation attorney practicing in New York and New Jersey. An avid Pocket PC user, he looks for ways to optimize his law practice while waiting in court or while commuting. He writes for several Web sites, and is the administrator of www.gadgetaddict.com. Contact Gary at [email protected].
Griffin Mobile's Total Remote v1.01
by Andy Whiteford
Pocket PCs are versatile little devices with many possible uses. One that has been explored by a few software developers is as a universal remote control for TVs, VCRs, and other appliances. Unfortunately, with the exception of a few of the newer iPAQs, the infrared ports found on Pocket PCs are different from the "consumer grade" ports found on dedicated remote controls. They don't use the same data rate, wavelength of light, or communications protocol. You can create software that will overcome these differences and let the Pocket PC transmit remote control data through its IrDA port, but the Pocket PC's IrDA still doesn't have the range of the dedicated remote controls. And what good is a remote control if you have to get up and move closer to the TV to use it? As far as remote control is concerned, most Pocket PC users are up the creek without the proverbial paddle—or they were until Griffin Mobile introduced Total Remote.
Total Remote is a software/hardware solution that turns your Pocket PC into consumer-grade remote control for over 300 different TVs, VCRs, and DVD players, and more. Total Remote includes a powerful infrared "Transmitter Module" that plugs into your device's headphone jack and generates an infrared signal with greater range than most dedicated remote controls.
Powerful plug-in Transmitter Module
The plug-in Transmitter Module is a small grey device with two infrared transmitter "bulbs" on the top end, safely recessed out of harm's way. It connects to the Pocket PC's headphone jack via a standard 3.5mm audio plug. The Total Remote software installed on your Pocket PC controls the Transmitter Module by sending signals to it through the headphone jack. The Transmitter Module doubles the signal frequency and boosts the power, to transmit the signal up to 100 feet (30 meters)—over twice the distance of most commercial remote controls. Unfortunately, not all Pocket PCs supply the audio signal required by Total Remote to successfully generate the infrared signals. For example, Dell Axim X5 and Casio E-200 owners will not be able to use the Total Remote hardware.
Simple-to-use software
The Total Remote software is well thought out and simple to use. A different "skin" is displayed for each appliance you are controlling (Screen 1). Tapping on the relevant button activates that command. To avoid crowding, the controls for a remote appliance are spread out over a number of command screens. You switch among them using the small green shift button found in the lower right of each screen. The main controls are on the first screen and the less frequently used commands on later screens. This minimizes the use of the shift function. The name of the appliance you are currently controlling is displayed at the top of the screen. The two green arrows on either side let you select a different appliance to control.
Screen 1 (above): The first control screen for a Kenwood DVD player. Buttons control the various functions of the appliance; the Shift button (lower right) switches to additional command screens for the Kenwood. Along the bottom are the Total Remote menus.
Straightforward set up
Setting up Total Remote is a straightforward process. The program comes with the setup profiles of over 300 remote-controlled appliances preloaded. You just install and open Total Remote on your Pocket PC, tap on the Devices menu, and select the Active Devices option. Then check the box next to the appliances you want to control. If you can't find the exact model in the list, select a similar one by the same manufacturer. Usually, it will work. However, if some functions are missing, you can ed
it the profile to add the missing functions.
Create new device profiles using the "sampling" function
Total Remote also lets you create a new device profile from scratch for any device not on the list. This involves giving the new device a name and selecting the device type (TV, VCR, CD player, etc.) and skin. Then you "teach" Total Remote to send the correct infrared signals by using the "sampling" options accessed from the Edit menu (Screen 2).
Screen 2 (above): The various sampling options let you "teach" Total Remote how to communicate with a specific appliance.
The sampling process intercepts the IR signals from an appliance's original remote control. You align the IR ports on the Pocket PC and the remote control, and select one of the sampling modes. Then you press a Total Remote button and the corresponding button on the remote control. Total Remote "memorizes" the signal it receives and sends it out again whenever you press that button. This procedure is simple and only a couple of taps are required to teach each action. Once you've done this for all the buttons on the remote, your Pocket PC is ready to control the appliance. Any new device profile you've created is stored in the Device Files folder on your Pocket PC, along with the preloaded profiles. You can back these up to your desktop PC using ActiveSync.
Total Remote has an option that rotates the screen 180 degrees during sampling, making the whole process easier. It supports macros, allowing you to assign a string of remote commands to a single button and then activate them with a single tap. You can also assign commands to hardware buttons and remotely control the basics of an appliance without lifting the stylus. This is especially handy if you use the Turn Display Off option in the Tools menu to conserve battery life.
Sensibly, Griffin Technology also including an option to use Total Remote with the Pocket PC's built-in IrDA port. This might seem to defeat the purpose of this product. But it gives you the option of using Total Remote when you don't have the Transmitter Module handy or, heaven forbid, you lose it. IR range is reduced, but still may be adequate for a small room.
Create your own Total Remote skins
Total Remote includes a selection of six skins, which include the basic controls for most appliances. However, there may be times when you'll need an extra button or two for a specific remote control. Griffin says that skins are easy to create, however the document describing the process, found in the Skin Developer Kit (www.griffintechnology.com/software/software_other.html) does not help very much.
Some of the setup profiles load with a blank skin. For example, when you select the profile for the Toshiba 210 DVD player, a blank skin without any control buttons is displayed. In cases like this, you have to select the profile, edit it, and select the default skin for that appliance. In the case of the Toshiba 210, you would select the DVD skin. Then you can control the appliance without going through the sampling process.
Powerful, easy to configure and use!
I was not in a position to confirm Griffin's claim of a 100-foot range, but Total Remote worked flawlessly for me across the 20-foot width of my living room. I take this as a good sign, since some of the remote controls that came with my appliances had intermittent success from this range. I did find that I had to make sure I pointed the Total Remote Transmitter Module directly at the appliance.
If you want to replace all of your remote controls with your Pocket PC, Total Remote is the best solution available. The Transmitter Module has twice the range of commercial remote controls and the Total Remote software is easy to configure and use. The potential for custom skins is a plus, but I still haven't figured out how to create them.
Total Remote works with handhelds that use the Pocket PC 2000 or 2002 operating system and a StrongARM or the newer Intel PXA 250 series processor. Total Remote has not been tested with the new Pocket PC 2003 OS. Further, the Pocket PC must come with a standard 3.5mm audio jack and have 1.05 MB of storage space available. As mentioned, the Transmitter Module is not compatible with the Dell Axim X5 or Casio E-200 Pocket PCs.
Total Remote is priced at $29.99 and can be purchased from Griffin Mobile's Web site (www.griffintechnology.com/griffinmobile/). A free evaluation copy of the software component is also available on the site.
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Andy Whiteford is an internal IT consultant for a large multinational corporation in Scotland, UK. He has written for a number of Pocket PC Web sites in Europe and the U.S., including Pocket PC Thoughts (www.pocketpcthoughts.com). You can reach him at [email protected].
Pocket Backup Plus 2.0: The Best Backup Program Available
by Edward M. Zabrek, M.D.
The importance of backing up your data cannot be overstated, nor can the importance of a good storage card backup utility. The best I've found is Pocket Backup Plus 2.0 fromSprite Software (www.spritesoftware.com). This software suite includes Pocket Backup 2.0 and a number of features that make it my number-one backup program:
Self-extracting restore files. This feature lets you create stand-alone backup files you can use to restore your system without having to reinstall Pocket Backup. For example, if your batteries have died or if you've had to do a hard reset, insert the CF or SD card with the self-extracting backup file into your Pocket PC, use File Explorer to find it, tap on it, and it will completely restore your Pocket PC's system.
Automatic backup with a low battery. When enabled, this feature automatically backs up your data when your battery level falls below a user-defined threshold. The program continues to monitor your battery even when the Pocket PC is switched off. This means that you can leave your Pocket PC behind in your drawer when you go away for a long weekend, and as long as you've got a storage card in the slot, you don't have to worry about losing important data.
The Battery Monitoring feature automatically backs up your data when your battery level falls below a user-defined threshold.
Scheduled backups. You can schedule an automatic backup on a once-only, daily, or weekly basis.
Selective file and folder backup and restore. Pocket Backup gives you complete control over what is included in a backup. For example, you can choose to back up only your My Documents folder, or any other set of files or folders. You can also create a list of files and folders to exclude from your backup. At restore time you can choose to restore just a single file, or an entire folder, or multiple files or folders.
Selective database backup and restore. The Pocket Outlook databases can be selectively included in any backup or restore. So, for example, if you haven't backed up for a while, you may want to restore just the Contacts, rather than the entire system. Or you may want to restore the entire system but not the appointments database, which would probably be out of date.
Pocket Backup 2.0 lets you selectively back up and restore Pocket Outlook and other database files. (Note: You can also back up directly to a PC, without using a storage card, and restore without using ActiveSync by using PC Agent, which comes with Pocket Backup Plus 2.0.)
PocketMon and Space Detective
Pocket Backup Plus includes two additional utilities and a special feature:
PocketMon is a handy Today screen plug-in that displays your battery level, available program and storage memory, and a CPU usage monitor. It tells you when the last backup was performed and when the next backup is scheduled, and indicates the status of the backup.
Space Detective is a storage analyzer utility that provides an instant summary of how the storage space on your Pocket PC is being used. It's simple to use, provides information on the database files, and helps you keep your Pocket PC free of clutter and running at peak performance. /font>
The latest version of Pocket Backup also comes with a PC component that lets you backup to and restore from a PC or network—up to 20 times faster than Active Sync. This PC component supports backup via cradle or wirelessly, to PC or network shared folder. You can initiate the backup from either the Pocket PC or the PC. If your batteries ever die, or if you have to do a hard reset, a restore initiated from the P
C is the fastest way to get up and running.
Not much left to improve upon
The features described above make Pocket Backup Plus 2.0 the best, most complete backup utility you can buy. lolol
Version 1.0 of Pocket Backup ships with the Samsung i700 and with HP's iPAQ 3900 and 5400 series Pocket PCs. Users of those devices, or anyone with Pocket Backup 1.0, can upgrade to version 2.0 for free. Version 2.0 comes with the new iPAQ h2200, h5500, h5100, and h1940 Pocket PCs . Pocket Backup Plus (including the Backup utility, PC backup component, PocketMon and Space Dectective) is priced at $29.95. Pocket Backup 2.0 alone is priced at $19.95. For more information, visit the Sprite Software Web site (www.spritesoftware.com).
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Edward M. Zabrek, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. is our staff medical writer, and a full time, practicing Ob-Gyn at Memorial City-Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, USA. He has an ambitious dream to "evolutionize" the practice of patient care with a Pocket PC. Ed may be reached at [email protected].
Pocket PC Magazine, November '03 Page 8