If you are dealing with a large image and only want to display a portion of the image on the Today screen, you will need to crop it first. For example, I wanted to use Blake’s "Ancient of Days" as a backdrop to my Today screen, but only had a poorly cropped horizontal section of the painting.
With Pictures open and the desired image displayed in thumbnail view, tap and hold on the image and then select Create Copy.
Tap on the copy of the image to open it in full view.
Tap on the crop tool to select it. It’s located on the bottom of the screen to the left of the magnifying glass icon.
Place your stylus on the upper left corner of the image and drag it down to the right until you have the desired portion of the image inside the crop box. The image should be roughly the size of the Pocket PC screen, with a vertical, not horizontal, orientation.
When you are satisfied, tap on the inside of the box to crop the image.
Tap on OK and you will be asked if you want to save the changes. Tap on the Yes button.
With the desired image open in full view mode, tap on Tools (bottom left) and select the "Set as Today Wallpaper…" option from the pop-up menu. The following screen will appear (Fig. 10), allowing you adjust the fit and transparency of the image when it is displayed as the Today screen backdrop (Figs. 11 and 12).
(above) Fig. 10: Pictures "Set as Today Wallpaper" screen lets you fine tune the fit and transparency of the image you will be using as backdrop to your Today screen.
(above) Fig. 11: The final Today screen with the image set to 0% transparency.
(above) Fig. 12: The image set to 50% transparency.
TIP 2—Use a dedicated theme creator.
A Today screen theme is an integrated package that includes the background image, menu colors, navigation bars and more. Microsoft offers Theme Generator, a free desktop PC program that lets you create Pocket PC themes (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/pocketpc/themegenerator.mspx). Note: This program was designed to automatically load the newly-created themes to a Pocket PC 2002 device. The auto-load feature does not work with the newer Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PCs. After creating the theme, you have to manually copy it to your Pocket PC.
In addition to Microsoft’s free offering, KAMware offers ThemeMaker (http://www.thememaker.biz), another desktop PC program that makes it easy to create your own Pocket PC Today screen themes. Finally, FunnySnake software offers a freeware program called TKCreater (http://www.funnysnake.com). Unlike the other programs, TKCreater lets you create and modify themes from your Pocket PC.
(Inspired by tips from Pocket PC magazine forum members)
Make Pocket PC hardware buttons do double duty
I reviewed the ASUS A716 in the June/July 04 issue but failed to mention a very useful feature of the device. All Pocket PCs let you change the hardware button defaults so that you can launch any installed program from any button. This is accomplished from the Start>Settings>Buttons dialog box. ASUS A716 owners can assign two applications to each button. One is activated by pressing the button once and the other by pressing and holding the button down.
Most of the current Pocket PC models do not have this feature, but it can be added using ButtonMapper (http://vitotechnology.com/products/buttonmapper.html), an inexpensive utility from VITO Technology (Fig. 13). ButtonMapper not only doubles the function of each hardware button, it lets you create context-sensitive button assignments. For example, you could set things up so the Voice Record button advanced pages when pressed from within MS Reader, but records voice memos in all other circumstances. In addition, ButtonMapper lets you assign configuration utilities to buttons (backlight, memory, power settings, etc.). Finally, you can assign single stylus taps or a recorded sequence of taps to a single button.
(above) Fig. 13: After it is activated, ButtonMapper's features are accessed from the Start>Settings>Buttons configuration utility.
From the PocketPCmag.com Forums
The quality and success of Pocket PC magazine flows from the practical wisdom of its readers and their contributions to the publication. This philosophy is reflected in the Pocket PC magazine online forums (http://www.PocketPCmag.com/forum), a place where users of Windows Mobile devices can post comments, questions, discoveries, news, tips, rumors, and more. "From the PocketPCmag.com Forums" represents a small sample of the Pocket PC wisdom posted on the forums. We have edited this material for clarity and to avoid repetition. A very big "Thanks!" goes to all the forum members and moderators for sharing their insights with other users.
Rich Hall
Synchronizing over a Bluetooth connection
Like many others, I have had problems synchronizing my Bluetooth-equipped iPAQ Pocket PC with my desktop PC using a Bluetooth wireless connection. I have a laptop PC running Windows 98 equipped with a Belkin Bluetooth PC Card (http://www.belkin.com) and running ActiveSync 3.7. ActiveSync works fine via a USB connection. In addition, I have no problem creating a "paired" relationship from the PC. I believe I have everything else set up right.
(above) Belkin’s Bluetooth PC Card adds Bluetooth capability to laptop PCs.
When launching ActiveSync from the Pocket PC, I get an error message. If I try the "Get connected" comment from ActiveSync on the PC, Windows crashes. A number of sites give good advice on this subject, including PocketBlast (http://www.pocketpcblast.com) and GeekZone (http://www.geekzone.co.nz). My configuration seems to be right, but I am stuck.
GyD
I managed to get it working after 2 weeks! Read how I did it on the LogoDesign Works Web site (http://www.logodesignworks.com/iPAQ-activesync-bluetooth-synchronization.htm).
John
Another good reference on this topic is on the GeekZone Web site (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=2149).
salmond
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2229
Avoid dial-up access fees
If people are paying 50 cents per minute for dial up access on their Pocket PC, they are getting hosed! I have a T616 with T-Mobile and pay $19.99 a month for unlimited dial up access (it doesn’t use up any of my plan minutes, no charge per MB, etc). I also have a MSN dial up account I use on my laptop when traveling. When I bought my iPAQ h4355 a couple of months ago, I just set up the Bluetooth connection and entered my user ID and password for MSN. It works flawlessly. It’s not the fastest thing in the world, but I don’t surf Web pages all day long on my iPAQ. For downloading e-mail, it’s plenty fast. I have been doing this for the last two months now, using it to send and receive e-mail every day, and my bill is always the same.
sdeetz
I agree with sdeetz—I also use T-Mobile’s $20 unlimited GPRS and it’s a great deal. But if someone only needs limited access (such as to check e-mail when on the road) then a less expensive, more limited account might be more appropriate.
David Shier
Forum Moderator
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6482
Can’t pair headset with two devices
I have a Jabra BT200 headset (http://www.jabra.com), an HP iPAQ h5500 Pocket PC, and a mobile phone. All devices are equipped with Bluetooth capability. It seems that I am only able to pair the Jabra with one of the other devices. When I pair it to the other, the first seems to no longer work. What am I doing wrong?
Sfbob21
(above) The Jabra BT200 Bluetooth headset.
No Bluetooth headset will work with two hosts simultaneously. Many newer models do allow you to pair with more than one host, but you can only use them one at a time.
David Shier
Forum Moderator
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7574
Infrared printing from a Pocket PC
How can I print from my iPAQ Pocket PC to my infrared equipped printer? I would suspect that a software package is required
Randy Lucero
You can find PrintPocketCE and other great printing solutions on the
Field Software Web site (http://www.fieldsoftware.com). It supports not only infrared printing, but Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as well. They have programs that will let you print out Word documents, e-mail messages, and Web pages from PIE. They support a wide range of printers.
(above) PrintPocketCE adds printer support to the Pocket PC.
HP offers free printing software for the iPAQ, on their Web site. http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?pnameOID=235049&locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=242184&submit.y=3&submit.x=5&cc=us
It’s not as nice as the Field Software solutions, and it doesn’t work with as many printers, but it is free!
David Hettel
Forum Moderator
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=553
Pocket PC GPS Links worth checking out...
If you’re interested in GPS here are some sites that will help you get started:
GPS HARDWARE/SOFTWARE PACKAGES (wired, CF/SD card, Bluetooth)
ALK/TravRoute (http://www.alk.com)
Deluo (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/gps_for_pocketpc.php)
Destinator (http://www.destinator1.com)
HP Navigation system with Bluetooth GPS (http://www.shopping.hp.com)
Mapopolis (http://www.mapopolis.com)
PharosGPS (http://www.pharosgps.com)
Teletype GPS (http://www.teletype.com)
TomTom (http://www.tomtom.com)
UNUSUAL USES OF GPS TECHNOLOGY
Geocaching (high-tech treasure hunting): Geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com), Geocache information download and viewing software (http://strandberg.org/gpxview)
Golf: GolfPS (http://www.golfps.com), Starcaddy (http://www.starcaddy.com)
Tracking possessions: Wherify (http://www.wherifywireless.com), Findware (http://www.findware.co.uk/solutions/findmobile.htm)
ONLINE SOURCES FOR A VARIETY OF GPS SOLUTIONS
BuyGPSnow (http://www.buygpsnow.com)
Semsons (http://www.semsons.com)
Your Mobile Desk (http://www.yourmobiledesk.com)
ONLINE FORUMS WITH DEDICATED POCKET PC-ORIENTED GPS SECTIONS
Pocket PC magazine (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/)
Pocket GPS World (http://www.pocketgps.co.uk)
Shawna Kelly, Gary B. Garland
Forum Moderators
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=510
iPAQ 2003 OS Bluetooth fix for GPS!
Below are the links to HP iPAQ "Softpaqs" that updates the Bluetooth GPS drivers on a number of iPAQs, fixing a variety of problems associated with using HP’s Bluetooth GPS receiver with iPAQs using the first version of the Windows Mobile 2003 OS. Apparently this issue increasingly crops up when you turn off the Pocket PC while the Bluetooth receiver built into the Pocket PC is running. Eventually, the only way to turn on your iPAQ is by performing a soft reset.
Driver for h2200 series iPAQs (http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/handheldiPAQ/us/download/19650.html)
Driver for h5400 series iPAQs (http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/download/19668.html)
Driver for h5500 series iPAQs (http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/download/19764.html)
David Hettel and I recommend a soft reset before and after installation. Also you should pull the battery after this update, and perform a soft reset, then replace the battery to be able to turn the WLAN back on.
Shawna Kelly
Forum Moderator
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3854
Installing programs on SD or CF card
You can conserve RAM by installing third-party applications on an SD or CF storage card. During the installation of a program, a screen will pop up asking you if you want to "Install program using default application install directory." Answer "no" and a pull-down menu will appear, giving you the opportunity to install it on a storage card or your flash ROM disk. These options will only appear if you have a storage card inserted or if your Pocket PC has extra flash ROM available.
You can also configure ActiveSync to skip the "Install program using default application…" prompt. Open ActiveSync, go to the Tools menu, and select the "Add/Remove Programs" option. When the dialog box appears, uncheck the box labeled "Install program into default installation folder." After this, every time you install a program, the pull-down menu will appear without the "install program…" prompt.
jalmeter
Some third-party programs will not let you install them on a storage card. They will usually pop up a screen telling you that, but you may miss it. If you have any other problem installing programs on an SD card, check these points:
Make sure you have enough space left on the card.
SD cards have a small lock switch on the edge to protect data. Make sure switch is in the "unlock" position.
Try cleaning the card slot on the PDA. Blow the dust out of the slot.
Try cleaning the connector on the card. This is especially important with CF cards, which have a recessed connector with a couple of dozen pin holes that can get plugged with dust.
Antony C. Kuo
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2691
Sources for Smartphone themes
As you can with Pocket PCs, you can customize the look of the Today screen on Windows Mobile Smartphones. Here are some sources for Smartphone themes.
If you have an Orange SPV Windows Mobile Smartphone and are looking for some cool themes, please pay us a visit (http://www.spvthemes.com)
agsolomon
You might also check out (http://www.smartphony.org/geeklog/html/filemgmt/viewcat.php?cid=2), a French language site with plenty of stunning home screen designs. Check also the customization forum on SmartphoneModaco (http://smartphone.modaco.com).
Chris B
You can find some very cool themes at (http://www.kleinweder.ch)
Stephen Schmidt
More Smartphone themes can be found here (http://www.msmobilenews.com/?view=homescreen.)
brody
Plenty of Smartphone themes at Smartphone Themes (http://www.smartphonethemes.com)
Rich
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1136
Pocket View
Use Survey Software to Tell Us How You Would Improve This Magazine
Hal Goldstein
Executive Editor and Publisher
Pocket PC magazine
[email protected]
As both the Executive Editor and Publisher, my job is to make this magazine better. Better means more useful for our readers and a larger targeted distribution for our advertisers. Like any business, if we are to improve we must get your direct feedback to understand what we are doing right and wrong. Fortunately, the Internet and specialized software makes the survey process easier than ever before.
Survey software that works on the Pocket PC
At a recent trade show I discovered Perseus SurveySolution (http://www.perseusdevelopment.com). SurveySolution Standard, Professional and Enterprise editions all include easy to use yet powerful tools to create, implement, organize, and report survey information. You can create surveys in an MS Office-type environment using templates and wizards. Those surveys can be filled out in an e-mail form or on the Web. Results are stored in a database that, when using the Enterprise version, can be easily integrated into a company database. Finally, tools are included to display results in different report formats using various statistical tools.
Perseus MobileSurvey, a Pocket PC version of the software, allows surveys to be filled out on the handheld device. MobileSurvey is designed to allow a marketing person to interview a respondent or to collect data using a custom form. The survey is loaded onto the Pocket PC and the results are sent back to the database via ActiveSync. The Enterprise version supports wireless submission of the survey. A $195 license is required for each Pocket PC that runs the software. I was disappointed about the terms of the li
cense. Since the Pocket PC version serves only as a tool to collect and submit survey information, I had hoped that the Pocket PC could be used like e-mail, the Web, or a piece of paper without an associated surcharge. That way, for example, we could make a survey available to you as a file that could be loaded into a Pocket PC and then the survey sent back via ActiveSync or wirelessly.
To see how the survey software works, and to help us improve our magazine, please go to http://www.PocketPCmag.com/survey. Alternatively, you can just answer the questions below on a separate piece of paper and mail them into Pocket PC Survey, 110 N. Court, Fairfield, IA 52556, or Fax anytime to 641-472-1879. As a small thank you for participating, your name will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates that can be used toward the purchase of devices or accessories at UsedHandhelds.com.
Pocket PC magazine, October/November 2004 Page 18