Pocket PC Magazine, November '03

by MS Reader version $4. 95

  Screen 1 (above): The "Select items to copy" screen on the desktop PC version of Windows Media Player 9.

  Use the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen, below "Items on device," to select where you want the music files to be copied (to your Pocket PC, a storage card, a CD, etc.). Once you've selected a location, the folders and files at that location are displayed. Click on the "+" next to a folder to display what's inside it. (When a folder is open the "+" turns to "­".) Click on and highlight the folder into which you want the music files copied. The amount of free space available for your music files is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

  In the upper-right corner of the screen there's an icon that looks like a sheet of paper with an "i" on it. Click on it to bring up the Portable Device panel (Screen 2). By default, the "Select quality level automatically" radio button is selected. Check the one below that, labeled "Select quality level," and move the slider to change the bit-rate to 32, 48, 64, or 128. Then click Apply and OK to save the changes and close the window. A lower bit-rate will make a smaller file but decrease the sound quality of the music—experiment to see which setting is best for you. This setting will be used every time you copy music to that device or card, unless you change it.

  Screen 2 (above): The Portable Device dialog box lets you set the bit rate of the music transferred from Windows Media Player 9 to your Pocket PC.

  After you've selected the music files you want copied, the device you want them copied to, and the music quality (bit rate), click on the Copy button in the upper right corner of Windows Media Player. WMP will encode a copy of the music file at the new bit rate and transfer the file automatically to your Pocket PC. The original music file is left unchanged!

  Finally, WMP9 adds Fast Music Transfer to your desktop PC. Use File Explorer to locate the desired music file and right click on the file. Select the "Copy to CD or device" option and WMP9 opens with the music file in the "Items to copy" list. Use the procedure described above to select the target directory and bit rate, and press the "Copy" button.

  Using Windows Media Encoder to Stream Music to Your Pocket PCC

  Copying music files to your Pocket PC requires time and storage space. If you have a wireless network set up in your home or office, it may be easier to stream your music to your Pocket PC from your desktop PC. That way, you get to hear the music without using precious file storage space on your Pocket PC or dealing with the hassle of copying and deleting files.

  Streaming music to your Pocket PC isn't as complicated as you might think. Any music that you can play on your desktop PC can be streamed to any Pocket PC, or other desktop PCs, using your home or office network and/or an Internet connection. You can use any desktop PC music player, such as Windows Media Player (see above), WinAmp (www.winamp.com), or MusicMatch (www.musicmatch.com) as a music source. The other necessary desktop PC program is Windows Media Encoder 9, a free download (www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/encoder/default.aspx).

  When the music is played on your desktop PC, Windows Media Encoder picks up the WAV output of your computer's mixer and encodes it. It is then streamed to a local network URL or Internet URL. Anyone with access to that URL can receive the music and play it using Windows Media Player. It's like having your own personal radio station!

  * * *

  A step-by-step guide to streaming music

  If you don't already have one of the above desktop PC music players and Windows Media Encoder 9 installed on your desktop PC, download and install them now. Then follow these steps carefully. Note: These instructions only work if your Pocket PC is connected to your desktop PC. This can be through a wireless or wired connection..

  Launch Windows Media Encoder 9 and your music player program

  Start your music playing (you can also use a playlist of your favorite songs.).

  If Windows Media Encoder 9 doesn't automatically open in the Wizards folder, you can select the "New Session" button from the tool bar menu to launch the wizard.

  Select "Broadcast a live event" from the Wizards folder and click the "OK" button. You are taken to the Device Options screen.

  On the Device Options screen, under "What devices do you want to use?: check the Audio box and click the Configure button

  In the Audio Input Mixer Properties dialog box (Screen 3), in the Pin Line INput Mix area, use the drop-down menu to select "Wave Out Mix," and check the Enable box. Click the "OK" button and you are taken back to the Device Options screen.

  Screen 3 (above): Select "Wave Out Mix" in the Audio Input Mixer Properties dialog box.

  Click the "Next" button on the Device Options menu to go to the Broadcast Method dialog box.

  Select "Pull from encoder" as your broadcast method (Screen 4) and click the Next button to go to the Broadcast Connection screen.

  Screen 4 (above): Check the "Pull from the encoder" button in the Broadcast Method screen.

  The Broadcast Connection menu displays the URLs for your Internet and LAN connections (Screen 5). Choose the one you'd like to use to stream your music, and copy it down somewhere. You'll use this URL later when you configure your Pocket PC. Click on the Next button to go to the Encoding Options screen. [Note" If you finish these instructions and cannot stream music to your Pocket PC, come back to this step and press the "Find Free Port" button. The Internet and LAN URLs will change to reflect the address of the new, free port. Write this one down and continue with the steps.]

  Screen 5 (above): The Broadcast Connection screen lets you select the URL you would like to use to stream the music.

  In the Encoding Options dialog box (Screen 6), use the drop down menu under Audio to select "FM quality audio (CBR)" and check the box in front of "37 Kbps." (You can select a higher or lower streaming speed depending on your connection speed and your Pocket PC's ability to receive the stream.) Click the Next button.

  Screen 6 (above): The Encoding Options screen lets you select the quality of the audio you will stream

  Press "Next" to move through the Archive and Display screens. These are optional information screens. If you'd like, you can enter information that will be included with the broadcast and displayed on the player's screen.

  On the Settings Review screen, check the "Begin Broadcasting when I click Finish" box. Click the Finish button to return to the main Windows Media Encoder screen (Screen 7). Check the level indicators on the left side. They should stay in the Green area and should only occasionally move into the Yellow area. If they are too high the sound will be distorted. Click the Mixer button and use the sliding levers in the "Playback Mixer" to adjust the Wav and Master Volume levels.

  Screen 7 (above): The main Windows Media Encoder screen displays the progress of your stream and lets you adjust volume levels.

  Launch Windows Media player on your Pocket PC and Tap the Tools button. Select "Open URL". Enter the URL you obtained from step #6.

  Now you're ready to enjoy streaming music on your Pocket PC! You can test this method out with a wired connection (i.e., via your sync cradle), but it doesn't make much sense to stream music to a Pocket PC sitting on your desk when you can play it from your desktop PC. However, if you have a wireless connection to your home and office desktop PC, you can listen to streamed music anywhere in your home, outside in the yard, or at your office. It makes a great way to stream custom music for your party, or local information for an event! When you're done streaming music, simply click the red "Stop" button on the Encoder panel and close your Pocket PC's Windows Media Player.

  What's Online

  Facing the Challenge of Keeping Your Pocket PC Current

  by Jim Karpen

  The furious pace of Pocket PC development can leave you in a quandary: After one to two years, your Windows Powered handheld is no longer the state-of-the-art gizmo it once was. You start lusting after the capabilities of newer models and eventually you decide to upgrade. But that leaves you with two challenges: find a good price on a more up-to-date model and see if you can ge
t some cash back for your old device. Let's take a look at some Web sites that can assist you.

  Buying and selling used devices on UsedHandhelds.com

  Check out UsedHandhelds.com (www.usedhandhelds.com), where you can get good deals on used Pocket and Handheld PCs or sell your old device. Let's say you have an Casio EM500, powered by an older MIPS processor and running the now-ancient Pocket PC 2000 software. Thaddeus Computing will buy it or take it in trade on a newer device with a more current processor and later version of the Pocket PC software. Buying a used handheld here is like buying a slightly used car—you avoid the premium price of a new model.

  Go to Used Handhelds.com to buy and sell used Pocket PCs and Handheld PCs.

  UsedHandhelds.com is a division of Thaddeus Computing, the same company that publishes Pocket PC magazine. Thaddeus has been in the business of writing about as well as buying and selling mobile computers for 18 years.

  There's always a risk buying a used device, especially from a service such as eBay. You may get stuck with something you're not satisfied with, or have to fight to get your money back. UsedHandhelds.com eliminates this concern by offering a no-questions-asked, 30-day, money-back guarantee.

  Usedhandhelds.com offers a number of advantages for people wanting to get rid of their old Pocket PCs, Handheld PCs, or HP Palmtop PCs. First, dealing with an established and reputable company reduces the risk. Second, the process of selling your device is very straightforward: You call or e-mail them with info about your device, they reply with the price they'll pay, and you send in your device; once they receive it, they cut your check the following Wednesday. The third and most important advantage is convenience. You may be able to buy a used handheld for less or sell one for more on eBay or an online bulletin board. But many users don't like the hassle of selling via auction or classifieds. They just want to get rid of their old device quickly and move on.

  Getting more for your Handheld

  UsedHandhelds.com is useful even if you're not a buyer or seller: It offers an at-a-glance listing of the specifications for Handheld and Pocket PCs, as well as links to Pocket PC magazine reviews of them. [Note that UsedHandhelds.com is interested in purchasing certain units in quantity, particularly the HP Jornada 720 and 728 Handheld PCs.]

  If you're willing to spend more time and effort, you'll probably get more for your used Handheld or Pocket PC on eBay than you can elsewhere, including UsedHandhelds.com. Other good online venues for buying and selling used devices include Half.com and Amazon.com. One nice feature of Half.com is its ability to determine the current average selling price is for any item you list.

  Finding good deals on brand new Pocket PCs—price-comparison sites

  If it's a brand new device you want, the Internet can be a great place to find hot deals. You can check the price-comparison search engines to scope out the price, look for coupons and rebates, and visit sites that try to find combinations of deals. It just takes minutes to check out these options that can save you money.

  I list a number of price comparison sites on our Best Sites Web page (www.PocketPCmag.com/bestsites.asp), including CNet's Shopper (http://shopper.cnet.com) and PriceGrabber (www.pricegrabber.com). These let you quickly find the lowest price offered by dozens of vendors. For example, do a search in CNet Shopper for a particular device, and it returns a page of items related to that device. Click on "Check Latest Prices," and you get a table showing price, shipping costs, and other info. Click on "Price" to re-sort the table starting with the lowest price.

  CNetShopper.com lets you quickly find the lowest price offered by dozens of vendors.

  Sites that track rebates and coupons

  But don'ts top with a low price. Many vendors offer rebates or coupons, so you may as well check one of them any sites that list currently available rebates and coupon codes.Dealcoupon (http://dealcoupon.com) is one of the more comprehensive of these sites, but BargainPDA.com (http://www.bargainpda.com/coupon) is more focused on specific PDAs, which is more convenient.

  Another site, xpBargains (www.xpbargains.com/best_deal.php/pda_deals.htm), finds combinations of coupons and rebates along with free or low-cost shipping that result in low prices for selected models. When I visited the site recently, they had assembled some great deals on Dell Axims that included special discounts plus coupons plus free shipping. This is the best site that I've seen so far for finding the lowest overall price.

  xpBargains finds combinations of coupons and rebates along with free or low-cost shipping that result in low prices for selected handhelds.

  GetMeADeal.com (www.getmeadeal.com/topten/pda.htm) gives you the top 10 PDA, Handheld, and Pocket PC deals. They post new deals and coupons daily, and they verify and test all coupon codes weekly. Finally, it's always worth your while to do a search on TechBargains.com (www.techbargains.com). Of course, getting the lowest price isn't always the major consideration. For example, MobilePlanet (www.mobileplanet.com) may not always have the lowest price, but they have the expertise to make sure you get the product that you need, and give you the security of working with a reputable, established company.

  If you know of other useful online resources or want to discuss the ones mentioned in this article, I invite you to post in our new "What's Happening on the Web" forum (http://www.PocketPCmag.com/forum/ forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2http://www.PocketPCmag.com/forum/ forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2).

  * * *

  Jim Karpen, Ph.D., is a college professor and Internet devotee. He has been interested in the revolutionary consequences of computer technology ever since writing his Ph.D. dissertation in 1984. It was a study of the "digitized word" and anticipated some of the changes that are taking place today. He has been writing regularly about the Internet since 1994. His Web site, www.jimkarpen.com, contains selected Internet columns written monthly for the Iowa Source magazine and weekly for ten newspapers in eastern Iowa. Contact Jim at Jim_Karpen@PocketPCmag.com.

  Quick Tips & Tricks

  Edited by Rich Hall

  Uninstall problems? Try this first

  First of all, you can only uninstall programs that you or someone else has installed—you cannot uninstall the operating system or any of the built-in Microsoft applications. That said, there are two approved methods for uninstalling Pocket PC software:

  From your Pocket PC:

  On your Pocket PC, go to Start > Settings > System > Remove Programs.

  Select the program(s) you want to uninstall and then tap Remove.

  Or, from your desktop PC::

  Connect your Pocket PC to your desktop PC via ActiveSync.

  Go to Tools > Add/Remove Programs in ActiveSync on the desktop.

  Uncheck the program(s) you want uninstalled, and then click OK. (To remove a program from both your Pocket PC and your desktop PC, highlight the program and click Remove.)

  If the uninstall process hangs up, with or without an accompanying error message, make sure the program you are trying to uninstall is completely closed on your Pocket PC. To do this, do a soft reset or follow these steps:

  Go to Start > Settings > System > Memory > Running Programs and check to see if the program is still running (if it is, it will be listed in the window).

  If the program is still listed, select it and tap Stop.

  Now try the uninstall process again. Usually this little trick will break the logjam and the process will finish smoothly.

  Take advantage of ROM upgrades

  This issue is devoted to the latest version of the Microsoft software built into the Pocket PC, now officially known as "Windows Mobile 2003." A number of Pocket PC manufacturers are offering software upgrades to their users. These are also known as "ROM upgrades" since the operating system and basic software are stored in flash ROM. Occasionally, through the manufacturers, Microsoft will release minor bug fixes and improvements in the OS or the built-in apps, and these releases are also in the form of ROM upgrades. The major ROM upgrades, such as the release of Windows Mobile 2003, usually cost the end user something. The
minor ROM upgrades are most often free, downloadable from the manufacturers' Web sites.

  These upgrades fix problems and enhance features. The tip is to take advantage of them, especially the major upgrades.

  FreeWallet, a mini-eWallet

  Ilium Software recently released eWallet 3.1, an upgrade to their very popular secure electronic wallet program that lets you store and protect your most sensitive information on your Pocket or Handheld PC. For Pocket PC users only, Ilium has also released a freeware version of eWallet, appropriately named FreeWallet.

  FreeWallet is identical to eWallet in every way except that it allows you a maximum of 5 data cards. If you can live with the limitation this is a great deal; if not, you can upgrade to the unrestricted version for $19.95. Download FreeWallet at Ilium Software's Web site (www.iliumsoft.com/site/ew/fw_downl.htmm).

  FreeWallet is a identical to eWallet, except that you can only store 5 cards of information.

  John D. Ottini

  Contributing writer,