Pocket PC Magazine, November '03
Page 11
IA File Manager Pack
A suite of three Microsoft Smartphone 2002 applications, containing IA File Manager, IA Task Manager, and IA Space Maker.
$14.95
Use With: Smartphone 2002
IA Style, Inc.
www.iastyle.com
info@iastyle.com
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Security
Password Manager Suite
Helps you remember multiple IDs, passwords, access codes, and their associated notes. It's fully customizable and additional skins are available for download.
$Free
Use With: P/PC SH3, P/PC ARM, and P/PC 2002
PDACorps
www.pdacorps.com
ben@pdacorps.com
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Soft Keyboards
TopKey
A customizable soft keyboard alternative with 40 international language layouts. Based on the first few letters entered, the self-learning predictive input gives a choice of 3 word completions. Keyboard gestures for space, backspace, enter, and capitalization also help boost the speed of text input. Custom keyboard layouts can be created in the layout editor and the keyboards are skinnable.
$14.95
Use With: P/PC, and P/PC 2002
Peter Balogh
www.pdamill.com
pbalogh@pdamill.com
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Task Management
True Toolbar
An application manager that monitors running applications, closes them, and activates them using a one-click-interface icon. Running programs and the interface icon are displayed on the bottom menu bar of the Today screen. A Display Off feature cuts power from the entire display unit, not just the backlight.
$5.99
Use With: P/PC 2002
ValkSoft
www.valksoft.com
ValkSoft@shaw.ca
True Toolbar offers a unique way to use a task manager and program launcher!
* * *
Time Utilities
StopWatch
Turns your Pocket PC into a stopwatch. It stores up to ten previous lap times and calculates the average lap time and the best lap time so far. The lap history can be cleared. Timing accuracy is approx. 5/100ths of a second. Tap the screen or click one of the Pocket PC buttons, and the stopwatch starts timing. Tap or click again, it stops, and the lap time is displayed and stored.
$4.99
Use With: P/PC and P/PC 2002
Armchair Applications
www.equatesystems.com/pocketpc
julian@equatesystems.com
TimeCode Calculator
A calculator for audio and video editors that computes Time Code (SMPTE), frames, or Film Length values. Features memory functions; Simple, Dual and Editor modes; custom frame rate; real-time and stopwatch; a log; and skins.
$14.95
Use With: P/PC, and P/PC 2002
Pedro Ivo Faria
www.mypocketpcgames.com
pivo@netcabo.pt
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Today-screen Plug-in
PpcToday Tools
A collection of Today screen plug-ins that includes a task switcher, a memory/battery monitor, a clock, a notepad, a screensaver, and a joke of the day. The clock can display analog or digital versions. The screensaver looks like the matrix screen from the movie The Matrix.
$9.95
Use With: P/PC 2002
PpcSoft
www.ppcsoft.com
ppcsoft@ppcsoft.com
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TV & Stereo Remote
VITO Remote
Turns your PocketPC into an all-in-one infrared remote control to operate TV, VCR, cable, DVD, and other infrared devices. It uses the Pocket PC infrared COM port to beam signals.
$15.95
Use With: P/PC MIPS, P/PC ARM, and P/PC 2002,
Vito Technology Ltd.
www.vito-tech.com
kmv@vito-tech.com
Editor's Note
Doug Mackey
Editor, Pocket PC Enterprise Solutions
doug@PocketPCmag.com
Speaking Softly
We talk a lot in this issue about Windows Mobile, Microsoft's new OS. Windows Mobile refers to the 2003-updated software for mobile devices such as Pocket PCs, Pocket PC Phone Editions, and Smartphones. If Microsoft should decide to declare the automobile a mobile device, we may see it renamed the Windows mobile. (That's a joke. But if it turns out not to be, you heard it here first.)
Actually, whenever possible Microsoft is now going to be referring both mobile software and mobile hardware back to the Windows Mobile brand. This may well be part of the trend in our society that I call "softenization." Hardware is becoming software, and software is becoming softerware. By this I mean that we are going to be spending less and less time thinking of the computer as something we interact with and more as just an extension of our mind and body. Mobile computing is inherently non-device-centric—that is, the device centers on us, not we on the device—although we are still in the early stages of integrating this technology. We are being continually softened up—for what? A takeover by the machines, as in The Matrix?
Chris De Herrera's column describes the enterprise implications of Windows Mobile 2003 (read more). One of the main of these is in VPN setup, which Ron Henderson describes in his article. Ron also looks at the critical factors in hardware selection when mobilizing the IT function. Josh Daymont's overview of the security implications of incorporating Pocket PCs in the enterprise is up to date with the new OS (read full article).
It is always interesting to see how Pocket PCs are continuing to make themselves useful in different industries. This month Ken Mattern looks at a better way to process barcodes in inventory management (see article). And Ramzi Labban describes how handhelds were used to streamline an inefficient entry/exit process at a huge construction site (read more).
A couple of timely developer articles are also featured. Mick Badran walks us through creating an application using .NET Compact Framework (read more). Jeff Adams discusses the implications for developers of the new release of Flash Player 6 for the Pocket PC (read more).
By the way, my brilliant theory about "softenization" does not apply to the new ruggedized industrial units that David Shier reviews (see article). Nothing soft about these babies. A little-known fact is that in the first scene of The Matrix Reloaded, when Agent Smith jumped out of that tall building and crashed into the car roof down below, he was carrying one of these ruggedized handhelds inside his black suit coat. And it was not damaged. No joke!
DIRECTIONS
by Chris De Herrera
Windows Mobile 2003 for the Pocket PC—Enterprise Features
Windows Mobile 2003 includes many new features specifically for the enterprise, such as new VPN (Virtual Private Networking) support, IPv6, enhanced synchronization, device management, and more. In case you missed it, Windows Mobile 2003 is reviewed in this issue (read more).
Virtual Private Networks
Microsoft continues to support PPTP (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol) in their VPN client for Windows Mobile. In addition, Microsoft has added IPSec/L2TP—IP Security, (www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2411.txt) and Layer2 Tunneling Protocol (www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2661.txt) —to its Windows Mobile VPN client. IPSec/L2TP is included in Windows Server 2003 and other VPNs from third-party vendors such as Cisco. At this writing, a list of supported VPNs is not available. Microsoft also allows a network administrator to configure multiple VPN connections and a user to select which VPN to connect to.
Connection Manager
With the new version of Connection Manager, Windows Mobile 2003 allows you to control where requests are sent based on the name of the host. If the host has a period in its name then the request is sent to the Internet. If the host does NOT have a period in its name then the request is sent to the work settings, including the VPN. With Windows Mobile 2003, network administrators can set up special mappings to tell Windows Mobile whether to use Work or Internet to fi
nd a specific host. This will resolve the problem that some corporations have when they use a DNS (domain name server) internally for hosts.
Real-Time Communications Server support
Microsoft has added support for using the MSN Messenger client with the Real-Time Communications Server (RTC Server). You can specify whether to connect to the RTC Server or to MSN Messenger first when you attempt to connect. Also, the Messenger client is supported with Exchange Server 2003 (code name Titanium).
Wi-Fi Enhancements
Along with the Wi-Fi Zero Configuration I discussed in the prior Windows Mobile 2003 article, Microsoft has added IEEE 802.1x support. 802.1x support uses a digital certificate stored on the Pocket PC to allow a network server using either Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 Server to confirm that an authorized device is connecting to it. In addition, Microsoft also supports PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol) and EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol Transport Layer Security) as part of the 802.1x support. These are major security enhancements to Wi-Fi to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your network.
Pocket Internet Explorer digital certificates
Microsoft has added many additional root digital certificates which will allow Windows Mobile to connect to more secure Web sites such as banks, brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts. Further, Microsoft has added support for the installation of local digital certificates. Local digital certificates can be used to allow a specific device such as a Pocket PC to access a Web site, while preventing other devices that do not have the certificate installed from doing the same. Network administrators can install their own root and local certificates as well as manage the certificates on Windows Mobile devices. Since the certificate manager user interface is available to users of Windows Mobile, network administrators should tell users NOT to delete certificates or they may not be able to access some SSL websites.
Configuration of connection settings
Microsoft also included a way for network administrators to configure Windows Mobile standard network connections, such as dialup or VPNs. This is done using a variety of tools ranging from XML to a CAB file. The settings can be delivered via GSM, GPRS, CDMA, Wi-Fi, or a Web site. Also, wireless vendors may use this over the air (OTA) to set up Pocket PCs to connect to their networks.
IPv6 — More host addresses
Microsoft's decision to upgrade the Pocket PC to use Windows CE 4.2 (Code Name McKendric) as the core of Windows Mobile 2003 allowed them to add support for IPv6 (www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2460.txt). IPv6 is beginning to replace IPv4, which the Internet uses to identify hosts. With IPv6 the Internet can support more computers being connected at the same time. IPv6 is presently being implemented in Asia. With the inclusion of IPv6 support the Pocket PC can connect to mixed IPv6 and IPv4 networks.
Scheduled synchronization for Mobile Information Server/Exchange 2003
As part of Windows Mobile 2003, users are able to setup scheduled synchronization for Peak, Off-peak, and Roaming modes with the Windows Mobile Phone Edition. The user can change the default hours for Peak and Off-peak. Additionally, ActiveSync can be configured on Windows Mobile so that synchronization is initiated when the user sends a message using Inbox or when a message is marked for download. This gives a user the ability to control synchronization based on the need to connect for e-mail. With ActiveSync 3.7, users can now setup the schedule, notifications and interval of synchronization on their desktop.
Development enhancements
Microsoft included the .NET Compact Framework runtime in the Windows Mobile 2003's ROM. This will allow .NET applications to be installed more easily and run without using the internal RAM to store the .NET Compact Framework runtime. The actual executable programs created using .NET Compact Framework are usually smaller than those created using eMbedded Visual C++. Microsoft has released a new version of eMbedded Visual Tools version 4.0 with Service Pack 2.0 which supports the Windows Mobile 2003 SDK and offers the ability to develop C++ applications for Windows CE. The MFC (Microsoft Foundation Classes) are still supported in ROM in Windows Mobile 2003, so developers can still create programs using the MFC.
New APIs and enhanced emulator
Microsoft also added support for new SMS APIs to allow developers to intercept SMS messages as they are processed. Also, they added support to query the Bluetooth profiles and support for IPv6 in network connections. Microsoft has added the Game APIs to the Windows Mobile 2003 emulator so you can more easily develop applications that take advantage of high-speed graphics. Also, you can now set up a virtual drive map to a specific directory on your PC that shows up as a Storage Card in the emulator. That way you can more easily install applications and copy data to the Pocket PC emulator (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 (above): eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0 and the Pocket PC emulator
A few words About Zero Configuration
In order to take advantage of the Zero Configuration options for Wi-Fi or Ethernet, or for users to access the Bluetooth Wizard, the hardware must include a Windows Mobile 2003 driver. Existing Pocket PC 2002 drivers may allow connections; however, they will not support Zero Configuration or the Bluetooth Wizard. So I recommend that network administrators, as part of their Windows Mobile 2003 rollout, contact their hardware manufacturers and ask for driver updates to make the connectivity configuration easier.
Windows Mobile 2003 meets corporate needs
With all of these enhancements, Microsoft has really allowed Windows Mobile 2003 to be more secure while connecting to network resources. Also, the inclusion of streamlined network configuration and enhanced synchronization scheduling make Windows Mobile 2003 the best Pocket PC release for the enterprise.
* * *
Chris De Herrera is a special correspondent and contributing author for Pocket PC magazine. He maintains one of the best Windows CE sites (www.cewindows.net) and discussion boards (www.cecities.com). Chris is a Microsoft PocketPC.COM Contributor on Microsoft's Windows CE Web site. Chris is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for Windows CE and writes articles on Windows CE for his own Web site and for other mobile computing publications. Chris regularly participates in various newsgroups (including Microsoft.public.windowsce). You can reach Chris at TechEd@CEWindows.net.
Mobilize Your IT Department with VPN and Pocket PCs
by Ron Henderson
Pocket PCs have come a long way over the past few years. However, their functionality in the enterprise is still somewhat unclear. The industry has made a significant range of products to assist IT professionals in achieving their mission goals, and these products come at a most important time. Most IT departments are feeling the crunch of a depressed economy, and many find themselves shorthanded, even though the workload placed on them is at its all-time high.
Many organizations, in order to alleviate this load on the IT staff, have implemented Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions that allow overworked IT staff the opportunity to telecommute rather than return to the office after hours. This works well if you happen to be at home, but how many times have you been out of the house when your pager summoned you back to the office? Another common practice is to run a night shift, but in most cases this only compounds the budget shortage common throughout IT departments. Also, I have found that the only real "advantage" in having a night shift is that rather than having an automated page notify an administrator of problems, a member of the night shift calls the administrator instead. This is where the VPN-enabled Pocket PC devices can make a real difference in the way that your IT department conducts its business, and can help the IT professional enjoy some much-needed downtime.
Most administrators are fully aware that almost all administrative and maintenance tasks can be done remotely. A few weeks ago I received an urgent phone call from a user who could not print reports for an 8 a.m. meeting. However, I was at least half an hour away, stuck in traffic on a typical Dallas morning. I simply connected my Pocket PC to the Internet, established a VPN tunnel, remote-controll
ed the user's workstation, and restarted the spooler service. The user was able to print her reports, and I met support goals while stuck in gridlock.
A few days later I remotely ran MS Exchange Server repair utilities on a corrupted mailbox store. I was able to repair and restore e-mail services in the same amount of time it would have taken me just to drive to the server location. Best of all, I didn't have to sleep on the couch for ruining another date night! A Pocket PC can replace your cell phones and pagers while giving the IT professional full e-mail access and remote administration ability. Such a powerful support tool can even eliminate the need for a third shift. IT workers no longer have to rush back to the office or their homes to meet their department's support goals. Problems can be dealt with immediately, decreasing downtime, shortening response times, and increasing the overall level of support an IT department provides its organization.