Onlydarksets » PocketPC

More task syncing with the iPhone (or WM)

onlydarksets — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:42:58 +0000

In addition to the many other options out there, I have been playing with a relatively new entry – Task2Gather. This, like Zenbe Lists, is a Web 2.0/iPhone tandem where both components were developed by the same outfit. For T2G, it’s Vito Technology, which is probably best known for developing several apps that make a Windows Mobile device behave more like the iPhone. Recently, though, they’ve gotten into the iPhone app development game.

Task2Gather (which also has a WM client) is different than almost every other task app out there, because it allows infinite nesting. I have been playing with this for a while, and it’s really helpful for the way I work. However, it also means that Outlook task synchronization is rather unlikely. As a workaround, though, you can publish your task list as an iCalendar, and subscribe to it in Outlook. It also supports multiple users, but that’s not something I have tested.

The app is very polished, and takes full advantage of the iPhone interface. The screen is well laid out, the icons are informative, and the navigation is intuitive. The “Logout” button is incoveniently placed, but it’s a minor inconvenience.

The only two “knocks” I have at this point are the lack of Outlook sync and the lack of off-line mode. However, lacking Outlook task sync is becoming a fact of life with the iPhone, not a shortcoming of any particular app, and the developers are working on an offline mode, so I’m pretty excited about the potential here. To further sweeten the pot, the iPhone client is only $0.99 until Vito completes and releases the off-line mode.

Download from the App Store (iTunes link).

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Finding the MAC on the i760 (redux)

onlydarksets — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:10:54 +0000

I had previously posted how to find the MAC address on the i760 running WM6. With the official release of WM 6.1, the code has changed. You now need to enter #43574357*.

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iPhone activation relies on Windows Mobile

onlydarksets — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:48:57 +0000

Imagine my surprise yesterday, when the Apple employee who was hooking up my iPhone pulled out a handheld device running Windows Mobile! There was a full-screen application (looked like something in Java), but I saw the distinctive WM keyboard select icon (in the system tray area) and the craptacular WM QWERTY keyboard (funny nonsequitor – I actually had to think for a second how to spell QWERTY):

I am pretty sure the device was the Symbol MC70 (or a predecessor to it):

~~I’m surprised I couldn’t find anything on this on the interwebs. I’d have guessed this would be a hot-topic.~~
Still not “hot”, but it’s out there. Thanks, Pony99CA.

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Windows Mobile 6.1 for Samsung i760

onlydarksets — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:11:37 +0000

Update: It’s now officially official.

It’s now (semi?) official – you can upgrade your i760 to WM 6.1. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ll give it a go tomorrow. You can find the directions on Samsung’s website. Here are direct links to the updater.

It sounds like you need to use the original cable (i.e., don’t use a sync/charge cable) and plug it DIRECTLY into the PC (i.e., not into a hub).

Also, there might be an issue with setting up Gmail, although there is a workaround:

Some of the benefits:

No SDHC hack necessary for >2GB microSD cards (apparently supports up to 8GB)
WM6.1 apps (e.g., threaded SMS, zooming PIE, Youtube support)
Battery life and speed optimizations

Source: PDA Phone Home i760 forum

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OperaMini 4

onlydarksets — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:01:50 +0000

One of the best WM browsers out there is also the cheapest – it’s free! Opera Mini runs in a JVM, so you will have to install one. I used Cloudyfa’s Esmertec Jbed.

Once you have Jbed installed, install the High Memory version of Opera Mini 4.

However, by default there is no one-click shortcut. Someone solved that here. (source: mwfielder)

Also, you have to click a couple of confirmations each time you load the browser, which is a bit of a pain. Again, though, there is a fix! (source: mwfielder)

Use File Explorer and navigate to \windows\appdb\selector.utf
Copy that file to a place you will remember
Download the attached file to somewhere on the i760 and unzip it
Copy the file (selector.utf) to \windows\appdb\
Explorer will ask if you want to overwrite the file and you should click yes.
Close everything and start up OperaMini. You should be able to navigate each time you open OperaMini up without seeing the 2 prompts.

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WM6 Professional Software List

onlydarksets — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:33:08 +0000

I did a hard reset, and figured I’d track the apps I install, along with the major configurations.

phoneAlarm

PhatPhinger skin

AgendaOne (v1.5)
LiveSearch
PDANet (v1.80)
TCPMP (v.72rc1)

TCPMP ffmpeg plugin

FlexWallet (v3)
TotalCommander
XnPocketView
Microsoft Office Mobile (v6.1)
Sprite Backup

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Task manager menu

onlydarksets — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:51:58 +0000

I’m looking for a task manager that can be launched via a hard button and will allow me to terminate any program from a drop-down menu, as well as do a soft-reset. I’ve found a bunch, but each has a drawback.

Has anyone found one that does everything?

Application	Cost	Drawbacks	Extras
DinarSoft HandySwitcher	$9.99	No soft-reset	Lightweight
DinarSoft HandyMenu	$5.99	No task manager
SBSH iLauncher	$14.99	Requires Today Plug-in	Launcher
Spb Pocket Plus	$29.99	Lacks focus as an application – too expensive for task manager	Bundles a bunch of unrelated programs together
tMan	Free	Latest version won’t map to button with AE Button Plus	Just plain works
pBar	Free	Functionally complete, but bug causes icons to disappear when message arrives.	BT/Wifi/Phone toggle Launcher
vBar	Free	Doesn’t integrate to WM6 skin; no soft-reset
SmallMenu	Free	No soft-reset; more of a Start menu replacement.
InClose	Free	Unidentified bug shut phone down automatically
Magic Button	Free	No one-handed operation.
WkTask	Free	Limited one-handed operation.

Sources: PDAPhoneHome; PocketPCFreeware; FreewarePPC.

Update 2008-02-28

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Screen protectors (personal experience)

onlydarksets — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:50:43 +0000

Following up on this post, I purchased the Pocket Solutions HD Screen Protectors. They are not the crystal clear kind, but, rather the anti-glare kind.

The first set I received was not cut properly. After my second support request (the first received no response), Pocket Solutions sent me a replacement set at no cost. These fit better, but there is about a 1/32″ gap on one side. I’m not sure anything can be done about that, though, since the screen on the i760 is recessed.

It has worked well so far – no smudges, fairly readable outdoors, and no scratches.

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PP/iLauncher/Freeware feature comparison

onlydarksets — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:26:33 +0000

	Spb Pocket Plus	SBSH iLauncher	Freeware Option
Top bar battery indicator	Y	Y	Batti
Task manager	Y	Y	i760 Task Manager InClose pBar vBar
Top bar clock	Y	Y	Registry Hack Advanced Configuration Tool (source:daverose808)
Finger scrolling	Y	N	FTouchFlo
Today plug-in	Y	Y	cLaunch
Button mapper	Y	N	AE Button Plus
ZIP handler	Y	N	pocketRAR Total Commander
PIE tabs	Y	N	Web Viewer
Safe mode	Y	Y	????

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Finger-scrolling contact applications

onlydarksets — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:08:48 +0000

There are a number of applications that allow finger-scrolling like the iPhone.

PocketCM – the most slick of the free options
FunContact – slick scrolling, but very difficult to actually select a contact

There are also a few that don’t appear to be developed any longer

iContact – the original
iMedia – haven’t tried it yet
ContactManager – no longer developed, replaced by PocketCM
SSContact – no longer developed, replaced by iMedia

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