Spb Software House has just announced the release of its new Clone software, and I’m really excited about it. Let me tell you why. What is does is store an image of your programs, settings, and data on an expansion card that can be plugged into other PPCs to set them all up in identical fashion.
This is a hugely important consideration if you want to have employees all packing the same setup. I find it useful in two ways. One is that in reviewing software on various applications I like to have the various PPCs I use all setup similarly, and it’s a pain to configure each one individually.
The second solution this program offers is that I run an eBook program for our local library, and it will make loading all the PPCs a breeze instead of it taking me a half hour or so to restore one when I patron lets the battery die, which is inevitably the case.
Look for a full review in PocketAnywhere.com soon.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Bluetooth Freedom Keyboard
Bluetooth Freedom Keyboard
From Proporta
Cost $99.95
Four stars
Here comes the second and most welcome entry into the Bluetooth keyboard market. The Freedom keyboard is a handsome, compact unit weighing only 7.25 ounces and folds into a protective zipper pouch for protection. The five-row keyboard offers a number and symbol row without using a function key. There are 10 programmable keys and many handy symbol keys for Eurodollars, Yen, British Pound, Copy Right and more.
My wishes for this device are that the stand be adjustable and the keys a bit bigger. Otherwise, it should be a welcome addition to any PDA packer’s arsenal. You cannot help but attract attention when you pull it out at a meeting while everyone else is lugging a laptop. With the Freedom Keyboard, you can leave your lunky laptop at home. Maybe that’s why they call it the Freedom Keyboard.
At $99, it’s a bargain, and works with Pocket PCs, Palms, and Smartphones. To order, visit www.proporta.com and check out the myriad other PDA accessories while you’re there.
A full review has been submitted to PocketAnywhere and should be published within 24 hours. (www.pocketanywhere.com)
From Proporta
Cost $99.95
Four stars
Here comes the second and most welcome entry into the Bluetooth keyboard market. The Freedom keyboard is a handsome, compact unit weighing only 7.25 ounces and folds into a protective zipper pouch for protection. The five-row keyboard offers a number and symbol row without using a function key. There are 10 programmable keys and many handy symbol keys for Eurodollars, Yen, British Pound, Copy Right and more.
My wishes for this device are that the stand be adjustable and the keys a bit bigger. Otherwise, it should be a welcome addition to any PDA packer’s arsenal. You cannot help but attract attention when you pull it out at a meeting while everyone else is lugging a laptop. With the Freedom Keyboard, you can leave your lunky laptop at home. Maybe that’s why they call it the Freedom Keyboard.
At $99, it’s a bargain, and works with Pocket PCs, Palms, and Smartphones. To order, visit www.proporta.com and check out the myriad other PDA accessories while you’re there.
A full review has been submitted to PocketAnywhere and should be published within 24 hours. (www.pocketanywhere.com)
Monday, January 24, 2005
WordPop
I just don’t have the time to get involved in time-consuming, long, drawn out games anymore. A round of WordPop can be played in a minute or two, but if you are successful in clearing the board and go on to the next level, it could get time-intensive. The truth is that this game, if you are not mindful, can suck you in like a vicious vortex or a serenading siren and should have a warning to that effect on the box. It should definitely come with a boss button.
WordPop is a good candidate to replace the ubiquitous solitaire game that comes with Windows. I can just imagine walking through offices and seeing WordPop up on screen after screen. But, before that can happen, there needs to be a desktop version, which would be another recommendation for future development. At the present time, WordPop is available for both Palm and PocketPC platforms in English.
To try a free trial version or to buy WordPop, go to www.smartboxdesign.com. Check out some of the other interesting games by Smart Box Design while you are there.
A full review of WordPop has been submitted to PocketAnywhere and should be available within 24 hours. Go to www.pocketanywhere.com to check it out.
WordPop is a good candidate to replace the ubiquitous solitaire game that comes with Windows. I can just imagine walking through offices and seeing WordPop up on screen after screen. But, before that can happen, there needs to be a desktop version, which would be another recommendation for future development. At the present time, WordPop is available for both Palm and PocketPC platforms in English.
To try a free trial version or to buy WordPop, go to www.smartboxdesign.com. Check out some of the other interesting games by Smart Box Design while you are there.
A full review of WordPop has been submitted to PocketAnywhere and should be available within 24 hours. Go to www.pocketanywhere.com to check it out.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
The Re-emergence of Cyber Bike
My son informed me that the weather was not wonderful in Chicago today. The roads were a mess and the airports all but inoperative. But it was a beautiful, sunshiny day where I live in Idaho, which is quite unusual for this time of year when we usually have snow on the ground. To celebrate, I brought out my bike and took it for a spin, something I hadn’t done since the beginning of fall.
Last summer I acquired a really nifty recumbent bike. It came with a speedometer/odometer on the handlebar, but that was pretty low tech after tooling around the country in my car guided by GPS on my Pocket PC. I spend some time and effort thinking about coming up with a suitable mount for a PDA on the handlebars, but decided it was too cumbersome and kind of an expensive solution if something should happen to my PPC.
Just when I was about to give up in favor of low tech, a Suunto X9 wristop computer came into my life. What an incredible instrument. As far as I know it is the only wristop GPS in the world. Of course it does mundane things like tell time in various zones, and act as a count down and lap timer stop watch. It gives readouts on speed, altitude, latitude, longitude, and even barometer readings. Did I mention that it also functions as a compass? It will keep track of how far you’ve traveled in miles or kilometers and the elapsed time. It comes with a rechargeable battery with AC or DC adapters, and a USB computer interface cable.
Yeah, but it won’t tell you how to get there. Yes it will. You can plot a course with it, which is great for hiking, camping, biking, exploring. I happen to be an archaeologist, and what a fantastic tool for recording the location of sites and features.
My main excitement, however, is that it saved me from having to rig some mickey mouse attachment for a Pocket PC on my bike which could have easily been wounded or stolen. This is a biker’s dream. It’s even resistant up to 300 feet, so maybe it’s a skin diver’s dream too.
The only problem is that it is a bit pricey and cost almost as much as my bike. At $799 a pop, it had better be pretty darn special, and that’s exactly what it is. I figure it is probably cheaper than using a good PPC equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a Bluetooth GPS system. Check them out at www.suunto.com along with an array of other amazing wristop devices for the sportsman from golfing to just goofing around.
With the help of an X9 wristop computer, I have converted my recumbent bike into a cyberbike without sacrificing a PPC to do it. Long live Suunto!
Last summer I acquired a really nifty recumbent bike. It came with a speedometer/odometer on the handlebar, but that was pretty low tech after tooling around the country in my car guided by GPS on my Pocket PC. I spend some time and effort thinking about coming up with a suitable mount for a PDA on the handlebars, but decided it was too cumbersome and kind of an expensive solution if something should happen to my PPC.
Just when I was about to give up in favor of low tech, a Suunto X9 wristop computer came into my life. What an incredible instrument. As far as I know it is the only wristop GPS in the world. Of course it does mundane things like tell time in various zones, and act as a count down and lap timer stop watch. It gives readouts on speed, altitude, latitude, longitude, and even barometer readings. Did I mention that it also functions as a compass? It will keep track of how far you’ve traveled in miles or kilometers and the elapsed time. It comes with a rechargeable battery with AC or DC adapters, and a USB computer interface cable.
Yeah, but it won’t tell you how to get there. Yes it will. You can plot a course with it, which is great for hiking, camping, biking, exploring. I happen to be an archaeologist, and what a fantastic tool for recording the location of sites and features.
My main excitement, however, is that it saved me from having to rig some mickey mouse attachment for a Pocket PC on my bike which could have easily been wounded or stolen. This is a biker’s dream. It’s even resistant up to 300 feet, so maybe it’s a skin diver’s dream too.
The only problem is that it is a bit pricey and cost almost as much as my bike. At $799 a pop, it had better be pretty darn special, and that’s exactly what it is. I figure it is probably cheaper than using a good PPC equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a Bluetooth GPS system. Check them out at www.suunto.com along with an array of other amazing wristop devices for the sportsman from golfing to just goofing around.
With the help of an X9 wristop computer, I have converted my recumbent bike into a cyberbike without sacrificing a PPC to do it. Long live Suunto!
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Two New Cases for the Judge
Waiting for me in my mail box when I returned home at the end of the week were two new cases for my Dell Axim X50v’s. One was a black leather, aluminum reinforced notebook case with a magnetic clasp and an optional belt clip from Proporta at www.proporta.com that costs $34.95. They also offer a flip top version for the same price, which I frankly prefer.
The other case from was Sena at www.senacases.com; this one was a flip top, which I applaud because I find them less cumbersome to use. Also, folding the lid back and sticking it in the visor of my car makes a handy GPS holder for my PDA. Besides the sleek design in soft, brown leather, the Pocket PC still fully robed may be placed directly into the cradle, which is very slick. It cost $43.99.
Reviews of both cases will be forthcoming as soon as I’ve had a chance to unpack and catch up on my mail.
The other case from was Sena at www.senacases.com; this one was a flip top, which I applaud because I find them less cumbersome to use. Also, folding the lid back and sticking it in the visor of my car makes a handy GPS holder for my PDA. Besides the sleek design in soft, brown leather, the Pocket PC still fully robed may be placed directly into the cradle, which is very slick. It cost $43.99.
Reviews of both cases will be forthcoming as soon as I’ve had a chance to unpack and catch up on my mail.
Friday, January 21, 2005
Plastic Perturbations
All in one day I managed to be deprived of the functionality of two of my favorite toys, all because they are plastic.
It is difficult to describe the affection I feel for the Crystal Case from Proporta that I have dedicated for use in my car to house my GPS PPC because it is a see-through case, and I don't have to worry about flipping a pesky case cover out of the way. Driving along, the lid just fell in my lap for no reason at all. One of the plastic hinges broke off and now it's ruined.
The second tragedy occurred in the middle of a meeting using my ThinkOutside Bluetooth keyboard. I decided to remove the PDA stand from the keyboard. In the process of detaching it, I succeeded in breaking off one of the plastic attachment mounts. Suffice it to say that it is difficult to remove the stand and it should be done with extreme caution, for it is easy to break the connectors.
Now I sit here broken-hearted caseless and standless.
TIP
When you travel, take a tube of SuperGlue. I glued the broken piece back on the stand and it works again, which is good because it was awkward using the keyboard without it.
SKYPEING: Thanks to Logitech's BT Headset
I'm still on the road enjoying a highspeed wireless connection in my hotel room and throughout the building where my meetings have taken place. I also took advantage of the Wi-Fi hookups to make some phone calls using Skype software and a Logitech Bluetooth headphone. It all worked wonderfully well once I remembered to turn up the volume. People on the other end complained that I sounded a bit scratchy, but that's a vast improvement over the horrible echoes that occurred before I got the headphone.
It is difficult to describe the affection I feel for the Crystal Case from Proporta that I have dedicated for use in my car to house my GPS PPC because it is a see-through case, and I don't have to worry about flipping a pesky case cover out of the way. Driving along, the lid just fell in my lap for no reason at all. One of the plastic hinges broke off and now it's ruined.
The second tragedy occurred in the middle of a meeting using my ThinkOutside Bluetooth keyboard. I decided to remove the PDA stand from the keyboard. In the process of detaching it, I succeeded in breaking off one of the plastic attachment mounts. Suffice it to say that it is difficult to remove the stand and it should be done with extreme caution, for it is easy to break the connectors.
Now I sit here broken-hearted caseless and standless.
TIP
When you travel, take a tube of SuperGlue. I glued the broken piece back on the stand and it works again, which is good because it was awkward using the keyboard without it.
SKYPEING: Thanks to Logitech's BT Headset
I'm still on the road enjoying a highspeed wireless connection in my hotel room and throughout the building where my meetings have taken place. I also took advantage of the Wi-Fi hookups to make some phone calls using Skype software and a Logitech Bluetooth headphone. It all worked wonderfully well once I remembered to turn up the volume. People on the other end complained that I sounded a bit scratchy, but that's a vast improvement over the horrible echoes that occurred before I got the headphone.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
How I Lost 24 Pounds in One Day
I'm packing to take off on a business trip and evaluating whether or not to take my lunky laptop and all its associated peripherals, cables, and software. Nah, there's nothing I will need a laptop for that my Dell Axim X30v can't handle on this trip. I'm even going to leave my cell phone behind and pick up a few more ounces, because there will be Wi-Fi available everywhere I'll be, and I can use my PPC and VoIP with my Logitech BT headset for a cell phone. I'm taking my Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse as well so that I can write a novel if I want to and certainly cruise the Web and handle my email with great efficiency--no tapping on this trip. Since I had already packed everything in my customary travel bag, I decided to weight it. Wow, almost 24 pounds. That's a lot of weight to eliminate this day and age when weight per bag is limited to just 50 pounds, and I often tuck my peripheral bag into my suitcase. Now I can take a smaller suitcase, even a carry-on and still conduct business as usual just using my PDA. I even plan to use it to give a PowerPoint presentation at a board meeting. That always amazes people when I pull out my little pocket warmer and plug it in.
Now, if I could just find a diet that would make people lose 24 pounds in one day. That would give Dr. Atkins a run for his posthumus proceeds.
Now, if I could just find a diet that would make people lose 24 pounds in one day. That would give Dr. Atkins a run for his posthumus proceeds.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Don't Drink and Drive a TabletPC
A friend of mine just told me this sad tale, and I thought I'd share it with you for it's instructional value. It seems he had just returned from a hectic day of meetings to his hotel room. He fired up his Tablet PC to check his email. While he was waiting for it to boot up, he poured himself a nice Screwdriver. Noticing that that orange juice needed to be stirred he inadvertently used the cyberink pen for his Tablet PC. When he realized what he had done he was horrified to realize that he had used a highly sophisticated piece of electronic equipment to stir his drink as if it were a common, plastic swizzle stick. Frantically he tried writing with it to no avail. In desperation, he starting shaking it and knocking it against his hand over the keyboard. Naturally all the liquid went down from the pen into the keyboard. Now the keyboard didn't work either. Well, maybe it would dry out and be fine. Meanwhile maybe he could get the pen to dry out faster if he balanced it on the frame of the lampshade over the light bulb. He finished his drink and went to dinner. When he got back he remembered the cyberpen balanced on the lampshade. When he retrieved it, it was misshapen, melted, and still non-functional. He was able to read his email that night, but he couldn't reply, for he had no means of inputting a message with the keyboard nor the cyberpen. Four days later, when he told me the story, the keyboard still didn't work, and he was waiting for a box to arrive to ship his brand new Tablet PC back to the manufacturer. Let that be a lesson to us all not to drink and drive a computer.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Newsbreak for SmartPhones
I have been using Newsbreak on my PocketPC for several months now and find it one of the easiest and fastest news aggregators in the business. Illium Software has just announced the release of this program for SmartPhones. You may download a trial copy at http://download.iliumsoft.com/download/phn/NewsBreak-Smartphone-Trial.exe.
LogMeIn
Preparing for a board meeting that will involve a flight and the possible need for remote access to my homebase computer, I decided to give LogMeIn, a remote access product a try. I'll let you know how it works when I return from my travails.
EncloPDA.info
Work continues on the construction of my new Website that will deal with mobile productivity. I'll keep you posted. It should be up in a week or two at the most.
EncloPDA.info
Work continues on the construction of my new Website that will deal with mobile productivity. I'll keep you posted. It should be up in a week or two at the most.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Daily Fog
Voice Command 1.5
Voice Command by Microsoft has come out with a new version 1.5, which is apparently designed for WMSE. I installed it on my Dell Axim X50v into the main memory. I hate it when I am forced to put programs in the main memory. I think I'll experiment with how well it works in the internal memory and on a storage card. It seems to me that I have to have the microphone closer to my mouth in order for my commands to be understood. Nevertheless, it's pretty cool being able to boss my pocket servant around and have him faithfully do my bidding by telling me my contacts, bringing up a contact, dialing a phone number, or playing my music by name or genre. This is especially important for safety considerations while driving a car.
Toshiba Portege M205 Tablet PC
I finally acquired one of these models after getting broken into the Tablet world on a Portege 3500, which quickly became the mother ship for my Pocket PC when on the road. I'm looking forward to kicking the tires of the M205 and writing about my experiences.
It also came with a docking station that looked like a…well I don't know quite how to describe it, but I'm going to be putting it all together today and will try it out this weekend. I'm going to treat myself to a new external keyboard just for use with this docking station. Should it be Bluetooth or USB. Hmm…we'll see.
Micro Innovations Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse
Bluetooth, for me, has not always been the most reliable means of connection. Because I already have a wireless keyboard on my desktop, I decided to get one for the new Toshiba Portege Tablet PC M205 in its docking station. I ended up with a one from Micro Innovations that came with a wireless Optical Mouse as well for $29 at WalMart. The box had a crossed out price $118, which made me feel pretty good. While I was at Staples a few minutes later, I noticed the same keyboard for $49, which made me feel even better.
Setting it up consisted of installing drivers from a CD, plugging in the remote sensor to a USB or PS2 port, inserting batteries in the keyboard and mouse, and pressing the sync buttons. I was in business in just a few minutes. Both components functioned beautifully without a hitch.
Voice Command by Microsoft has come out with a new version 1.5, which is apparently designed for WMSE. I installed it on my Dell Axim X50v into the main memory. I hate it when I am forced to put programs in the main memory. I think I'll experiment with how well it works in the internal memory and on a storage card. It seems to me that I have to have the microphone closer to my mouth in order for my commands to be understood. Nevertheless, it's pretty cool being able to boss my pocket servant around and have him faithfully do my bidding by telling me my contacts, bringing up a contact, dialing a phone number, or playing my music by name or genre. This is especially important for safety considerations while driving a car.
Toshiba Portege M205 Tablet PC
I finally acquired one of these models after getting broken into the Tablet world on a Portege 3500, which quickly became the mother ship for my Pocket PC when on the road. I'm looking forward to kicking the tires of the M205 and writing about my experiences.
It also came with a docking station that looked like a…well I don't know quite how to describe it, but I'm going to be putting it all together today and will try it out this weekend. I'm going to treat myself to a new external keyboard just for use with this docking station. Should it be Bluetooth or USB. Hmm…we'll see.
Micro Innovations Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse
Bluetooth, for me, has not always been the most reliable means of connection. Because I already have a wireless keyboard on my desktop, I decided to get one for the new Toshiba Portege Tablet PC M205 in its docking station. I ended up with a one from Micro Innovations that came with a wireless Optical Mouse as well for $29 at WalMart. The box had a crossed out price $118, which made me feel pretty good. While I was at Staples a few minutes later, I noticed the same keyboard for $49, which made me feel even better.
Setting it up consisted of installing drivers from a CD, plugging in the remote sensor to a USB or PS2 port, inserting batteries in the keyboard and mouse, and pressing the sync buttons. I was in business in just a few minutes. Both components functioned beautifully without a hitch.
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