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From The Editor
by Rich Hall
Hot Fun in the Summertime
It’s summertime here in Fairfield, Iowa, home of Pocket PC magazine. Thunderstorms roll in every couple of days, keeping the air clean and cooling things off a bit. As I write this, we’re about a week away from the summer solstice; the days are long and there’s plenty of time after work to go out and have some fun!
As it turns out, I’m not the only one thinking about fun right now. Up in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft engineers are working furiously on the software that will power a hot new device dedicated to entertainment—the Portable Media Center! It’s a little bigger than a Pocket PC, powered by the Windows Mobile OS, and designed with music, video, and digital photos in mind. Microsoft sees it as a big part of the Windows Mobile future, and its success will lead to enhanced entertainment capabilities on the Pocket PC. Read more about it in this issue.
You can also read about the future of the Pocket PC, which includes enhanced display technology, faster processors, higher-capacity storage solutions, and intelligent wireless connectivity. And speaking of wireless, we also review the new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled Dell Axim X30 Pocket PC. It’s the first in a wave of new devices using the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software, which enables dynamic switching between portrait and landscape viewing modes and supports the development of devices with VGA-resolution displays.
While wireless connectivity is important to the future of all mobile devices, practical solutions are available right now. In this issue you can read about how to set up a Wi-Fi network in your home or office and use a Wi-Fi-equipped Pocket PC to check your e-mail, browse the Web, make free phone calls, stream music, control your home automation system, and more. If fact, you no longer need to be in a fixed location to benefit from a Wi-Fi-enabled Pocket PC. If you’re traveling between Boston and New York City, you can do so in comfort on the LimoLiner, a luxury bus with comfortable seats, cable TV, and a wireless broadband connection provided via a satellite dish.
There’s a lot more of interest in this issue, including a profile describing how a real estate agent uses his Pocket PC to be more productive, a review of a new eBook reader for the Smartphone (it handles MS Reader .lit files!), 2003 Best Software Awards judges' comments on Internet and multimedia applications, Games Roundup, Tips & Tricks, From the PocketPCmag.com Forums, seven Enterprise articles, and more.
That’s it for me! It’s the end of the work day and time to go out and have some fun. It may rain, but I’m not worried! Thanks to my Pocket PC I have games, music, movie trailers, eBooks, and more, with me wherever I go.
Inbox
We cannot respond to all letters or e-mail (but we read them all). Please send us questions, suggestions for improvements in the magazine, ideas for new software, or general comments. All responses, unless otherwise indicated, are from Rich Hall, Editor of Pocket PC magazine. You can reach Rich at [email protected].
Can I store and access info in a Pocket PC database?
I have a ViewSonic Pocket PC and want to be able to store a parts list on it, with the name of the part, the part number, etc. How can I do that? Is there a program like Access available for the Pocket PC?
Harry Matney
Harry, there are a number of excellent database programs available for the Pocket PC, including HanDBase (http://www.ddhsoftware.com), MobileDB (http://www.handmark.com), and Visual CE (http://www.syware.com). However, the product list you wish to create seems rather basic and the Pocket Excel program built into your Pocket PC is great for simple lists.
You could use Excel on your desktop PC to create a spreadsheet to store this information. The structure of the spreadsheet might be as follows: The first column would be for the part name, the second for the part number, the third for a brief product description, etc. When finished, copy the spreadsheet to your Pocket PC. From there you could use Pocket Excel to view it and make changes to it. You can do searches, sort on a particular column, and more.
I suggest creating the initial spreadsheet on your desktop PC because it’s easier to enter data that way. But you could skip the desktop PC entirely and create the spreadsheet using Pocket Excel.
Can I access the Internet from my Pocket PC?
I read your review of the HP iPAQ h4350 and am considering purchasing it, but I am still a bit confused about the technical aspects of wireless connections to browse the Internet.
I would like to use this device to access the Internet and retrieve e-mail such as Yahoo, Hotmail or from my ISP. Can I do this if all I have is the iPAQ with its browser software? Does the h4350 operate like a phone that has Internet capability? I find things like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi , and hotspots confusing. I would appreciate any clarification you could provide before I make a purchase.
Wanda E. Spinner
Wanda, the iPAQ h4350 does not have phone capabilities built into it. However, it is possible to connect it to many existing cell phones, and use the cell phone to dial into your Internet account. To do this, you would need an additional cable designed to mate the specific phone and the Pocket PC that you use. These are available from a number of third-party vendors. You might want to look at these sites to see if there is a cable available for the h4350 and your current cell phone:
MobilePlanet (http://www.mobileplanet.com)
Gomatic (http://www.gomadic.com/ip38tophonmo.html)
The h4350 also has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are short range, two-way radios that let the h4350 communicate with other devices equipped with the same capabilities. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are "high-bandwidth" solutions, which means you can transfer a lot of data quickly. Wi-Fi has a range of about 100 feet; Bluetooth about 30 feet. Wi-Fi is generally used to wirelessly connect your Pocket PC to a local computer network, like the one that connects all of the computers in your office.
Bluetooth can be use for that also, but it was originally conceived as a "wireless cable replacement" to connect to and communicate with printers, headsets, and other peripherals. You can also use Bluetooth to connect your h4350 to a Bluetooth-equipped cell phone, and use the cell phone to connect to your Internet account.
Starbucks and other public establishments are introducing Wi-Fi "Hot Spots" available to the public, usually for some small fee. The idea is that you could go to Starbucks for a cup of coffee and a sandwich, and connect your Wi-Fi equipped laptop or Pocket PC to their in-store network. Once connected, you could browse the Web or check your e-mail. In summary,
You cannot make phone calls from the h4350. To do that, you need a Pocket PC with a built-in phone (called "Phone Edition" Pocket PCs). We list some in the At A Glance section of each issue.
You can browse the Web from the h4350, but to do so you have to connect it to another Internet-connected computer, like your home computer, office network, or public Wi-Fi hot spot. Wi-Fi is the best way to do this wirelessly, but Bluetooth can also be used in some situations. (You can also physically connect to a desktop PC using a "synchronization" cable that ships with the Pocket PC.)
You can also connect the h4350 to some cell phones via cables or Bluetooth, and use the phone to dial into your Internet service.
newsBYTES
Please e-mail any Windows Mobile related news to [email protected]
Audiovox unveils PPC4100 to be distributed by AT&T Wireless
Audiovox has officially introduced its new PPC4100 Pocket PC Phone Edition which is being marketed through AT&T Wire
less. The device incorporates the Windows Mobile 2003 OS and applications. (Note: this is not a Second Edition device.) The PPC4100 has a built-in tri-band (850/1800/1900 MHz) GSM/GPRS phone. It is powered by a 400 MHz Intel processor, and includes 64 MB of RAM, 64 MB of flash ROM, and an SD card expansion slot that accepts storage cards only. Enhancements to the Windows Mobile 2003 OS for Phone Edition devices include the following:
"Always-on" data connection. Dramatically improves application startup.
Windows Media Player 9. The device supports Windows Media Audio and Video 9 Series, with improved play list management and support for Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition.
Improved SMS Integration. Inbox will look for the phone number on an incoming short message service (SMS) message in the Contacts database and display the sender's name if there is a match. An option to call back the sender of an SMS message has been added to the SMS notification screen and to Inbox. The SMS account in Inbox is now available when the radio is offline.
Phone Mute and Volume Control. New dual volume control separates the phone's ringer volume and the Pocket PC’s system volume so users can choose their ideal sound level.
The PPC4100 is be priced at $349 (including rebate) through AT&T Wireless.
(above) The new Audiovox PPC4100.
http://www.audiovox.com/pressrelease/ACC/release_ACC_20040524.html
Microsoft previews next version of Windows CE
Microsoft unveiled a Technology Preview Kit for Windows CE 5.0, the next version of Microsoft’s mobile operating system. According to Microsoft, Windows CE 5.0 focuses on "increasing developer productivity through a variety of feature enhancements including increased out-of-the-box hardware support, security enhancements, advanced multimedia capabilities and automated testing tools." This version of Windows CE was developed to "deliver new componentized technology that will help customers save time in the development process and enable a wide range of innovative devices, from gateways and gaming devices to set-top-boxes. Microsoft also has increased support for widely available embedded hardware with more than 50 production-quality drivers optimized for leading chipsets, such as ARM, MIPS, SuperH and x86.
Windows CE 5.0 will also include support for Direct3D Mobile, allowing Windows CE devices to support even richer, higher-performance graphics and multimedia, similar to a desktop experience, on small-footprint devices. In addition, enhanced multimedia features, such as Fast Start, dramatically decrease playback start time for multimedia content such as movies on a range of devices including Internet Protocol (IP) set-top boxes. More information is available on Microsoft’s Web site.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/mar04/03-29MacallanPR.asp
HP releases three SoftPaqs for iPAQ Pocket PCs
Hewlett-Packard has posted three new software updates on its Web site:
The h5400/h5500 Series WLAN Driver Update improves wireless, fixes authentication and signal-strength indicator problems.
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/download/20966.html.
The h5500 Series Wireless LAN Driver Update adds WPA and CCX 1.1 support.
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/download/20969.html.
The h2200 series ROM Update fixes a number of bugs and adds a few minor features.
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/handhelds/us/download/20498.html.
Windows Mobile market share neck and neck with Palm
According to Gartner Research, market leader PalmSource lost 20.7% market share in the first quarter of 2004. Its market share slipped to 40.7% while Windows Mobile’s increased to 40.2%. According to Gartner, the decline can be explained in part by Palm users delaying purchases until they can evaluate PalmSource’s upcoming "Colbalt" OS.
http://news.com.com/2100-1045-5203062.html?tag=cd.top
HP Leads PalmOne in mobile devices market in Europe, Middle East, and Africa
The mobile device market in EMEA continued to show good year-on-year growth of 62% in Q1 2004. Nokia remained the overall market leader, but its share fell slightly. HP occupied second place overall, with impressive year-on-year growth of 56%, making this the third consecutive quarter where it out-shipped PalmOne, which remained in third place.
http://www.canalys.com/pr/r2004041.htm
Sony to exit U.S. market
According to a story on BargainPDA.com, Sony will not release any new Clie handhelds in the U.S. market for the rest of the year, but will continue to do so in Japan. The announcement emphasized that the move was a "re-grouping, not a permanent withdrawal from the market," and that Sony would continue to sell its stock of current models and honor support agreements and warranties. In addition, Sony stated that the Clie line would continue to grow and evolve in Japan.
http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=2082
Teletype releases new version of World Navigator and begins marketing integrated PDA/GPS solution
Teletype GPS (http://www.teletype.com) has announced the release of the latest version of their award winning GPS navigation software, World Navigator. In addition, they are now offering the Mio 168 Pocket PC with World Navigator software.
(above) Teletype GPS is offering the Mio 168 Pocket PC with World Navigator software.
World Navigator offers coast-to-coast, turn-by-turn routing, voice commands, 2D or 3D display of maps, dynamic re-routing, and more. The latest version of the program includes a greatly enhanced points-of-interest database, automatic night vision based on system clock, improved search feature, updated street maps and information for the U.S., and much more.
Mio System with U.S. Maps and Program Software integrates the World Navigator software with the Mio 168, a Pocket PC with a built-in 12-channel GPS receiver. We reviewed the slim and lightweight Mio 168 in the Jun/Jul 2004 issue of Pocket PC magazine (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_archives/jul04/mio168.asp). That review was based on an Australian version of the device, which uses different GPS navigation software.
HHP introduces new ruggedized Pocket PC
The US-based company HHP has introduced two Windows Mobile 2003-based mobile data collection Pocket PCs, the Dolphin 9500 and 9550. These ruggedized devices are powered by a 400 MHz PXA 255 processor and include 64 MB RAM and 32 MB flash ROM. They have integrated bar code scanners and optional WAN, LAN, or PAN wireless capability. Three backlit keyboard options are available.
(above) HHP’s new ruggedized Dolphin 9500.
http://www.hhp.com/hhp/index.tpl
NEC to introduce bSquare Power Handheld in U.S.
NEC is planning to introduce its version of bSquare’s Power Handheld device in the U.S. in the next six months. The Power Handheld is a Windows CE.Net device with a 400 MHz Intel XScale processor, a 4" diagonal color touch screen, and an integrated QWERTY keyboard. It includes some, but not all of the applications found on the Pocket PC, along with a number of bSquare and third party applications.
(above) NEC will market bSquare’s Power Handheld in the U.S.
http://www.bsquare.com/about/press/story.asp?PressID=324
Data Evolution Corporation to introduce Windows CE notebook computer for education and government services markets
Data Evolution Corporation has announced that it will introduce a new mobile computer aimed at the education and government services marketplaces. The Cathena runs the latest Microsoft Windows CE.NET operating system and has the look and feel of a very small notebook computer. The device is powered by a 400 MHz Intel XScale processor and 128 MB of RAM. It sports a 12.1" diagonal , 800x600 pixel full-color TFT display and a nearly full-sized QWERTY keyboard. It has an integrated touchpad mouse, PC Card slot, CF card slot, VGA-out port, built-in 802.11b wireless, and a lithium ion rechargeable battery. The unit measures approximately 10.7"x 9.1"x 0.95" and weighs approximately three pounds. More information is available on the Data Evolution Web site.
http://www.dataevolution.com/pressRelease.php?in_press_release_id=4
Pretec announces 12 GB
CF card
Pretec Electronics Corp. recently announced that they will drop the price of their 6GB CF memory card from $7499 to $3499. In addition, they announced that they will introduce a 12 GB CF card sometime in the second half of 2004. The price of the 12 GB card is expected to be just under $10,000. Pretec has also previewed a 2 GB SD storage card. No word on when that will be available or what it will cost.
(above) Pretec will introduce a 12 GB CF card.
http://www.pretec.com/PR/PR_12GB%20CF_CeBIT2004.pdf
Zupera Technology launches Windows CE.Net-based mini PC in Asia
Zupera Technology of Hong Kong has introduced its new Smartpad wireless mini computer. The device uses the Windows CE .NET OS and a 400 MHz Intel PXA255 processor. The Smartpad comes with 128 MB of SDRAM and 64 MB of flash ROM. It has a color VGA display, a single SD card expansion slot, and is powered by a high-capacity (3600 mAH) lithium ion replaceable/rechargeable battery.
http://www.zupera.com/MOBILE.HTM
Smartphone version of Pocket Streets now available
Pocket PC magazine, October/November 2004 Page 1