Different Ways

Transcript

pocketanywhere experience today's digital lifestyle Dell's Executive Keyboard Bluetooth Powered! 28 5 pages How-to Productive with your Treo600/650 palm os smartphone be more 10 10 NEW and COOL features for Windows Mobile 2003 24 53 Different ways 31 Volume 3, Issue 3, $4 USD Volume 3. Issue 3 Treasure hunting in a hi-tech world using handhelds and Bluetooth GPS to GET MORE from your iPod P E R I O D I C A L S 1 GEOcaching 22 44 Documents To Go gets a new rival! MobiSystems® OfficeSuite 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS REGULARS 04 | NOT•SYNC'IN • Does PalmOne have a Wi-Fi strategy? 05 | FRONT•MATTER • The Forgotten Issue ... 07 | NEWS & CONTESTS! • Contest Winners & new contests • Letters to Pocket Anywhere Magazine 22 08 | JUST RELEASED • Software updates and hardware 49 | A DAY IN THE LIFE • Amy Zunk, Managing Editor 90 SECONDS WITH A CEO • Howard Tomilson, Astraware MobiSystems OfficeSuite 2004 62 | GLOSSARY OF TERMINOLOGY • Buzzwords and lingo found in this issue 4 FINDING A USER GROUP IN YOUR AREA • Where to look online for a user group Tungsten T5 63 | CROSSWORD, WORD SEARCH & HANDHELD HAIKU • Download this issues electronic crossword puzzle and play on your Palm OS or Windows Mobile Pocket PC with Stand Alone Software's Crosswords. 64 | CLASSIFIED ADS ARTICLES 21 JavoEdge Sync-N-Charge Cable pocketanywhere EDITORS' CHOICE 10 | PALMONE TREO MEETS THE ROAD WARRIOR • A look at software optimized for the Treo 44 | Geocaching: A Primer for geocacher's with PDAs • Travelbugs, geocaching.com, GPS Babel and what software and hardware work best for geocaching with a handheld device. 28 34 Dell Axim X50v 50 | Handheld Maintenance Do you know how to give your PDA some TLC? 51 | 24 Fun and Interesting ways to use your iPod! • From storage to playing music and more 52 | From out of nowhere emerged Dell • A look at the new X50 Pocket PC devices • 10 New Things in Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition 54 | XM RADIO's XMPCR • It was just a matter of time before it got hacked with Time-Shifting software, TimeTrax and yanked from retail shelves Portable Keyboards 42 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 04 pocketanywhere PREVIEW! 2 Volume 3. Issue 3 MORE TABLE OF CONTENTS REVIEWS 10 | HOW WE RATE 11 | PALM OS REVIEWS • Splash Id • Splash Money • Causerie Messenger • Splash Photo • Splash Shopper • JavoEdge Sync-n-Charge Cable • MobiSystems OfficeSuite 2004 24 | WINDOWS MOBILE • spb Software Imageer • Mark/Space The Missing Sync • Astraware's Tradewinds • Astraware's Bookworm 31 | SYMBIAN OS • CodeVault 32 | APPLE IPOD • iSpeak It, iPod It & iPod Launcher • Belkin Digital Camera Link • Contour Design Showcase 4g • Griffin's EarJams 35 | CASES & BAGS • Waterfield Design's Wallet • APC TravelPower Briefcase • JavoEdge Clear Case (iPAQ h4155) 39 | STYLUS & ACCESSORIES • RoadTools CoolPad • Contour Design's NoteRiser • DeLorme EarthMate GPS with Bluetooth PowerPak 41 | DESKTOPS: MAC OS X • Konfabulator Also online: GPS Everywhere Else, PalmOne Screen Protector multi-pack, iSkin EVO, MobileTrek 04: DragonCon and many new technology blogs! pocketanywhere 8 8 issues for one low price* *charter price $ expires 12/31/04 YES. magazine I’ll take 1 year (8 issues) of pocketanywhere for only $8.00 + I’ll get a 2 free issues with my paid subscription. NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE Member Email (valid e-mail address for new members) PHONE $8.00* USD PAYMENT ENCLOSED BILL ME Mail this card to: Pocket Anywhere Magazine, Subscriptions, P.O. Box 9986, Reno, NV 89507-9986. Your first issue will be e-mailed to you at the address that you provide above in Adobe PDF format. PDF Reader required and not included with subscription. Visit http://www.adobe.com to download free. * charter price; expires on 12/31/04. © 2004 Pocket Anywhere Magazine, www.pocketanywhere.com. ISSN 15330397 pocketanywhere magazine and .com 3 the original one-of-a-kind WATCH with black wrist band Experience Today's Digital Lifestyle 9 www.gadgetme.com 6 $54 includes a LIFE TIME subscription to POCKET ANYWHERE MAGAZINE NOT•SYNC'IN PalmOne Disappoints Wi-Fi Fans with T5 Do they have a wireless strategy? By James S. McCarthy, Executive Editor | In the past long before the PalmPilot's PalmOne device, the US Robitics/3COM spin-off was the leader of the pack, setting technological milestones in the handheld market. Then something happened and their innovative reputation faded into a fog almost as fast as the handheld company itself. the recent acquisition of HandSpring has most likely given them a few more good years, but unless they don't start chiseling a new and once again forward moving momentum in the wireless (or more broad, mobile) market who knows what PalmOne might be called next. There are two clear wireless handhelds that PalmOne is pushing to the market at snails speed. The first set of somewhat recent handhelds with wireless features included the Palm i705 which became the part of the more recent Tungsten family known as the Tungsten W and Tungsten C. However even more recent then these two devices which have sunk to the bottom of the market like lead balloons is the Treo 600 which PalmOne inherited through the HandSpring acquisition. Today, with rumors of the upcoming Tungsten T5 (or so it has been called) and the Treo 650 where is PalmOne heading with wireless devices? The pathetic life of Palm.Net and the "before-theirtime" Palm PQA applets have finally been eliminated thanks to evolving cellular based data networks like GSM and GPRS which are cheaper and deliver a real Internet experience, as well as Wi-Fi (802.11) and, yes, perhaps even Bluetooth as limited as it might be users can still share a network connection with it. So does PalmOne have a Wi-Fi strategy, and if so why did they arrive at the party so damn late? Is it because of the delayed Palm OS Cobalt (formerly known as OS 6), the San Disk and PalmSource brouhaha over the SDIO Wi-Fi card or they're still researching the perfect PDA. Rumors have spilled forth about various specifications for PalmOne's next high-end device. One of them is that the upcoming T5 will include 2 SD slots. One slot for an optional SDIO Wi-Fi card and other for storage, where as the more traditional integration is also believed to be true; both have merit with design. The plug-n-play concept of the SDIO Wi-Fi card with a dual SD slot is convenient and expandable, 9 Experience Today's Digital Lifestyle and perhaps more powerful in terms of range, but www.gadgetme.com it's also clumsy because of the extending antenna 6 available in four colors for a limited time only ORDER NOW pocketanywhere magazine and .com 4 Volume 3. Issue 3 and makes many existing accessories obsolete. On the plus side a dual SD slot design is ideal for power management and portability, but ultimately the consumer would have to accept such wild-hare idea. Integration of wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are becoming a fairly standard way of design thanks to the Windows Mobile device makers and so for Palm to implement an out-of-the-norm strategy for static handhelds would be a poor design choice. The customer has accepted integration yet thrives for modularity, speed, capacity and power efficiency which dual SD slots using I/O cards for cameras, Wi-Fi and other functions could be a unique way of operating a PDA as well as even increasing its lifespan. If you would like to comment on any of these ideas, please visit our Forums online at http://www.pocketanywhere.com and submit your point of view for others to read. FRONT•MATTER The forgotten issue Publisher apologizes to subscribers By James S. McCarthy, Publisher (and Executive Editor) | Before you tear into these 64 pages of rich and I hope interesting content, please accept my apology for taking so incredibly long to publish this issue. I started organizing this "never ending and continually changing" issue back in May 2004 and since approaching the first deadline way back when this issue has been marked for death. It started with a bunch of missed deadlines to meet the June/July publish date. So, then the June/July issue became the July/August which passed onto the September/October issue when reviews and articles simply never arrived from writers. This then created the Q4 issue and now ... well now we simply joke about it as the "forgotten issue". "Where has Pocket Anywhere Magazine gone?" I have heard from my peers as well as "How long until it will be posted online". My answer to each and everyone was the same, "soon". Worry not however, I have plenty of excuses from my kids deleted the file, my hard drive crashed to what e-mail? I can use them all but it does not change the fact that this 64 page issue (the biggest yet) should have been published on-time back in June but it wasn't. Now, as we approach the dawning of a new year the "forgotten issue" has been remembered, found, completed and finally published for your enjoyment. Many changes to Pocket Anywhere, dot com and magazine, are underway to improve the reliability of meeting deadlines for everyone involved with the publication and web site. Like many projects there are numerous tasks involved that will be accomplished one-by-one and over the course of this coming new year, 2005. One of the most important challenges will be how we manage Pocket Anywhere. the current structure failed every point possible with assignments falling through the cracks faster than they can be turned in for publication. Other goals for 2005 that will effect you, the reader, include: more regular columns both online and in the magazine, improving distribution of the magazine, search engine optimization by creating permanent static linked pages, link-backs from developers and vendors of reviewed product and BIGGER issues more frequently! If you're tired of looking for where we moved the "login" link worry no more because we do not plan on any "major" web site look and feel changes during 2005 other than adding new features for subscribers and members. So WYSIWYG — What You See Is What You get for the next year (I promise). As we embark on our 4th volume of Pocket Anywhere as a PDF magazine and our 7th year as a web site providing reviews, tutorials and other content for mobile gadget enthusiasts I extend a personal thank you for taking time out of your busy lives and reading what we have to say. How do you get freestuff for your mobile gadgets? hm ... review! write! and get paid with swag. e-mail [email protected] pocketanywhere masthead Executive Editor James McCarthy [email protected] Managing Editor Amy Zunk [email protected] Associate Editor Gary Garland, Esq. [email protected] Contributing Editor Tim Hillebrand Director of Business Relations John Ohnstad [email protected] Contributing Writers Adam Purcell, Brian Cook, Mark Curtis Raby, Ian McKenzie, Ricki L. Zunk and Robin Andrews. Submissions Article and review and submissions are welcome. E-mail to: [email protected]. Vendors We welcome all press releases of new product and services. Please use the e-mail, press@pocketan ywhere.com in your future press release mailings to us. Correspondence Letters to the editors are always welcome and may be published in an edited form. Name and State may also be printed unless otherwise requested in writing. Pocket Anywhere Magazine ISSN 15440397. Copyright © 2004, whatsnext media group LLC. All rights reserved. Published approximately bimonthly by whatsnext media group LLC, P.O. Box 9986, Reno, NV 89507. The publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or its affiliates. pocketanywhere magazine and .com 5 6 Volume 3. Issue 3 NEWS•HEADLINES LETTERS•TO•POCKET•ANYWHERE Kinoma 3EX for Palm OS Debuts Royal Carribean to offer cell/data service on cruise ships PalmSource Announces Linux Support (1650) LapWorks introduces UltraLite portable desk (1289) Skype Internet phone for Wi-Fi Pocket PC (1288) Mark/Space releases Missing Sync v4 (1259) HP Unveils New iPAQ Pocket PCs (1236) RealNetworks breaks Apple’s hold on iPod (1238) Senator wants to ban P2P networks (1232) Apple hatches color iPod E*TRADE to launch mobile trading service (1201) RedSky delivers GPS for the Nintendo® GBA (1206) Proof of Concept PocketPC Virus Created (1211) iPAQ Users Start Windows Mobile SE Petitions (1242) PDAs Used for Security at Democratic Convention (1249) iPod helps police nab alleged car thief (1257) palmOne releases “persona” accessories (1274) Webster’s adds term: MP3 to dictionary (1268) Microsoft starts into MSN blogging service (1273) Cell phones to become hybrid Wi-Fi phones (1278) iTunes For Linux, Thanks To CodeWeavers (1272) FCC seeks to wiretap Internet calls (1287) Dell Releases Bluetooth GPS & Keyboard (1223) Memory Stick pricing dropping (1217) Ilium Software Releases eWallet 4.0 (1221) PalmOne announces Treo 650 How do I use the (0000) numbers above? Log in to your pocketanywhere. com account, enter the number in the search box and click enter to find more information about the headline. CONTEST•INFORMATION StylusPLUS Giveaway Winners! Congratulations to those readers listed below Our StylusPLUS winners for March, April and May are: Joe Keller (IL), Eddie Reid (OK), Rebecca Quezada (CA), Chris Wisecup (TX) and Matt Sherman (FL). Innpocket TiPro case for HP iPAQ h2215 Karen Van Dyke of Colorado. 2 Free G-Mail Accounts! Alex Roughly and Amy Johnson New Contest! Contests are open to all subscribers and web site members. There is no purchase necessary to enter, however contest winner is responsible for any taxes, duties, additional service fee or other fees that may apply to the product won. Hi, How do I transfer data from palm desktop to pocket pc. Thanks Dear Courtney E. Transferring data from the Palm Desktop to a Windows Mobile Pocket PC device is actually pretty easy to do. The secret is using a middle-ware application like Dataviz' Beyond Contacts to act like data broker between the Palm OS device and Outlook. Before installing Beyond Contacts (trial version) HotSync your Palm OS device one more time to make sure all current data is on the Palm OS device. Now install Beyond Contacts and synchronize. This will duplicate all the PIM data on your Palm OS device into Outlook. Now simply connect your Windows Mobile for Pocket PC device to your desktop computer and when prompted select the "Overwrite Handheld" option. Whala! You're done. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am looking for an inexpensive PDA for paper less geocaching. I can not figure out if every PDA is the same for this option. Is every PDA able to download the info off the web site and able to hook up with any GPS? Do they all work pretty much the same? Any information would help. Dear pdacacher This is a huge topic of discussion over at geocaching.com and seems to really boil down to personal preference. Geocaching with a PDA which is called "paperless caching" is becoming more and more popular. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hello Pocket Anywhere, What, in your opinion, is a good Palm OS program to keep passwords and other information? Dear Jason P. There are tons of software apps like these available online. Many of them are shareware and run about $30. The price usually includes a desktop companion. My favorite app on the Palm OS side is Iliumsoft's eWallet (http://www.iliumsoft.com). It includes a desktop companion for Windows users only. Since i use a Mac I have had to recently switch to Splash Data's Splash ID because they have both Mac OS and Windows desktop support. My recommendation is to try both apps out and see which one you like better and register. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hi, Can I sync my entourage data to my ipod? Dear Rick T. The iPod is more than just a digital music player -- it's practically a PDA and so YES! you can do this. Check out http://www. pocketmac.net for some really great tools for your iPod and the Mac OS. How do I submit a question to the Pocket Anywhere Inbox? You can log in to your pocketanywhere.com account and submit a question through the online form, post a question in the forums, or send it to us via mail: PA Inbox, Po Box 9986, Reno, NV 89507. pocketanywhere magazine and .com 7 JUST•RELEASED•GADGETS•AND•SOFTWARE RoadTrip, http://www.griffintechnology.com. Imagine having a high powered FM Transmitter, an iPod auto charger AND a convenient iPod cradle. Meet RoadTrip, the only iPod and iPod mini car accessory you’ll ever need. Also works with new 4G Apple iPod. Splash Id, http://www. splashdata.com. Safely stores personal identification information. New features include field masking, password generator, custom icon support and more! EMTAC Trine Bluetooth GPS, http:// www.emtac.com. AgendusMail, http:// Longer operation time www.iambic.com. by using Replaceable Unlock the full power / Rechargeable Li-ion of your Palm device by battery, 24K records integrating your conData Log function tacts, calendar, and to provides flexible apdo list, but also e-mail plications, Muilti-Link and SMS functionality. supports four iPAQ Agendus Professional PPC2003 PDAs and Edition offers all the easy to use and hand flexibility, customfree carrying design. izing, and time-saving features of the Standard edition and more. Travel Deluxe, http:// www.deluxeware. com. Multifunctional travel software including lots of bells and whistles for travelers. 8 Volume 3. Issue 3 TradeWinds, http:// www.astraware.com. Build your empire through swashbuckling sea combat and trade! Achieve the ultimate rank of Tai Pan or become the renowned Pirate King, Gossamer. Use all of your skills to amass wealth through trading or piracy in the 19th century. iSkin eVo2 for 4G Apple iPod, http://www.iskin.com. Crafted from 100% durable high-grade silicone, the iSkin eVo2 has a stylish design with surface accents that’s stylish and elegant, as well as anit-slip proof. Documents To Go Version 7, http:// www.dataviz.com. Whether it’s viewing, editing and creating files and databases or accessing your business and personal contacts, calendar, tasks and notes; Documents To Go Total Office ensures you will never be without all your important files and information again. JavoEdge Retractable ear Buds, http://www. javoedge.com. Eliminates the need to travel with your tangled up headphones cords. Lightweight and comfortable. Easily portable - fits perfectly in your pocket or gear bag. Three O'clock Video Magazines, http:// www.threeoclock.com. The world’s first video magazine service for mobile phones. Subscribers can gain free access to 60 video magazines to watch and read on their java-enabled mobile phones. PhatNet, http://www.phatware. com. PhatNet is the ultimate LAN and WAN analyzing and monitoring tool for Windows Mobile Powered Pocket PCs. Ideal for network administrators and security auditors, as it gives a clear picture of all network data in real-time. Plant Tycoon, http:// www.ldw.com. Plant Tycoon is a true realtime gardening sim AgendaFusion 6.15, where you breed exotic http://www.develo- plants, within a budget, perone.com. All new and make them grow Wi n d ow s M o b i l e and increase in value. 2003 Second Edition support! Supports PalmOne, http://www.palmone. the new VGA and com. Connect your PalmOne Tunglandscape features of sten T3, T5 and Zire 71 to the Internet Pocket PCs like the wirelessly using PalmOne's slim, fast, Toshiba e800 series and power-effecient SDIO Wi-Fi® and many more new Card for Palm OS. Now shipping! features. MORE JUST•RELEASED•GADGETS•AND•SOFTWARE Laridian's MyBible 3, http://www.Laridian. com. Turn your Palm handheld into a Bible study tool! MyBible 3.0 gives you fast, easy access to the entire Bible in your favorite translations. Read, search, highlight, take notes, compare translations and much more! Griffin Technology, http://www. griffintechnology. com. EarJams easily snap onto your Apple earbuds. Each set of EarJams comes with three sizes of earpads to give you a snug and comfortable fit. Once you use EarJams, your earbuds will never be naked again. T-Mobile USA, http://www.tmobile. com. It’s everything you love about Sidekick, only better—with a slimmer design, a built-in camera with flash, a speakerphone, and a better phone experience, plus more options and more fun. Griffin Technology, http://www. griffintechnology.com. The iBeam flashlight is surprisingly functional when a quick beam of light is required in a dark car or doorstep. The iBeam laser pointer is an amazingly powerful red laser beam that is capable of being seen over a quarter of a mile away. Griffin Technology, http://www.griffintechnology.com. Your cup holder is a great place for your iPod on the road, but it can still slide around, fall out, and even be scratched. The PodPod also leaves room on the inside for a docking cable, and provides a place for the cable to run without disturbing your iPod’s new found peace. PalmOne's new TUNGSTEN T5 256MB memory, 416Mhz processor, with Palm OS 5.4 PalmOne, http://www.palmone.com. The wait is over, PalmOne recently announced the newest member of their Tungsten family, the T5 which will be released for sale starting November 3, 2004. This new Palm OS handheld includes everything the Palm OS platform is famous for from the simplified user interface to clutter-free PIM applications (Calendar, Address Book, Tasks and Notepad). But what makes the T5 different from its previous models is that under the hood is 256 MBs of memory which 160MB can be mounted on any USB compatible computer (including Mac OS X computers). PalmOne added a few multimedia-minded programs to complete the package that make it a step easier to listen to music, share pictures or watch movies on the handheld. Additionally, Bluetooth is natively supported. Unfortunately Wi-Fi is not integrated in the T5 as previsouly rumored (as well as hoped). The new JumpDrive TouchGuard remembers your Web addresses, user names and passwords to simplify your life without the need to remember login information. lexor.com The Solar SCOTTeVEST (SeV) System, http:// www.scottevest.com, combines the benefits of our signature jacket Version Three.0 Finetex with Fleece liner and removable solar panels. The solar panels enable you to recharge your Are you a developer, or just know about a program, handheld USB compatible accessory or mobile gadget that has hit the market? Simply devices on the go. send an e-mail to: [email protected] submit to just released pocketanywhere magazine and .com 9 10 Volume 3. Issue 3 resenter iP ents To G m u s Profess u d al h Wirele c e eadset H ss to Vie er Pho w resc o Looking at this phone one has to be impressed with the layout of the device. A QWERTY keyboard, PIM buttons, and a five way navigational pad along with a touch screen to navigate the device. While there is a touch screen, the navigation pad is designed to reduce the need for a stylus. The navigation pad in combination with the built-in keyboard facilitates a convenient one-handed operation of the device. Brilliance in design is an understatement for this phone. After using the Treo for a couple of weeks, I went to my Pocket PC and was “Thumbing” for the navpad and realized that a stylus was needed. The Treo design has changed the way I use a device and my expectations of a handheld computer. The built-in keyboard illuminates when any button on the device is pressed. This is especially helpful when in dark surroundings. The four PIM buttons also light up a dark blue as well to navigate the device. The keyboard is a bit small but is necessary to be integrated into this phone. Otherwise, the result would be a borderline brick of a phone that would parallel that of the previous Treo phones. So those with large hands (like myself) may have a little bit of a learning curve in getting used to the buttons. In time, the keys on the keyboard become much easier to use. An options button is used to enable the use of numbers and punctuation as well as a shift button is to provide the ability to capitalize letters. The home button brings the user to the main applications launcher and the menu button gives access to menu drop-downs within an application. These are the two buttons on the keyboard that I use quite often to bounce between applications. In contrast to the T9 text input method, the built-in keyboard is much more intuitive and an integrated way to input data into and navigate around a phone. On the top of the Treo is the phone antenna, on/off button, infrared port, SD expansion slot, and mode switch. To have the antenna more flush mounted into the phone would be desirable, but it has not interfered nor has it hampered productivity. The on/off button when pressed turns the device on or off. ion L og it The Treo 600 o6 Age n By John Ohnstad | The convergence of Handheld Computers and Mobile Phones has created an extraordinary opportunity for hardware and software developers to make users more productive. The question I asked once smart phones were beginning to be released was “How productive will I be using this all in one?” The presupposition of this reviewer was that if you combine functions into an “All-In-One” device you lose something. The question is how much more could one get done versus the perceived loss of other features. While the Treo 600 might be missing some of the bells and whistles of the Windows Mobile Operating System, the design and integration of this phone make an extremely productive combination. I found myself being considerably more productive immediately with the Treo 600. The irony of using the Treo for me was that the Handheld/PDA market built itself on the efficiencies of tapping a touch screen with a stylus, the Treo 600 on the other hand, makes you more productive without the need of a stylus. The touch screen and stylus are available, but I found myself using the stylus for the occasional reset than to navigating the device. The phone used for this article is a Treo 600 GSM Model with AT & T Wireless as the service provider. This article is focusing on the Treo as a productive business tool using the device on its own. There will not be an evaluation of the wireless service provider or the wireless web services provided by AT & T. Doc How productive will you be with your Treo? Mar g Meets the Road Warrior IO SD PalmOne Treo 600/650 Go with o T Ag endus P As long as there have been Palm devices, there have been replacement Personal Information Managers (PIM) to bring added functionality to the built in PIMs. Agendus, formerly known as Action Names, then Action Names Datebook has established itself as one of the top Palm OS developers on the market. Agendus comes in standard and professional editions. Some of the key differentiator between the two is the messaging capabilities and advanced task sorting capabilities of the professional version. Agendus Professional is a full-featured contact manager, scheduling tool, task tracker, and messaging application all rolled up into one program. With this functionality comes size. The combined Agendus Professional and Iambic Mail footprint totals nearly 1.5 megabytes of space. For my uses and for this review, the focus will be on Agendus as a PIM replacement a, scheduling tool, and how it works with the Treo 600. After installing Agendus, the user has many options and settings com- fessional o r Calendar, Contacts, Tasks Agendus Pro v.8 binations. Mapping views to particular buttons, filtering tasks, views, and categories are just the beginning. One indispensable feature of Agendus that won me over was the ability to set the contact storage format to popular third party synchronization products. What I mean by this, is that Agendus allows the user to format the scheduling information to link with a particular contact in a manner that would link with a desktop contact manager. For example, I have the contact storage format set for Companionlink. For those not familiar with Companionlink, it is a third party synchronization product that sync between a desktop product such as Act! or Goldmine and a handheld computer. Companionlink allows the user to format the custom fields between the desktop and the Treo in a manner they see fit. Microsoft Office rsion 6 Ve Doc tad | Documents to Go by DataViz has been a staple application for nearly as long as the original Palm Pilots were released. For those not familiar with Documents to Go, it is a suite of office applications that allows the user to create, edit, synchronize and review word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, view photos, and pull e-mail wirelessly all from a Palm OS-Powered handheld computer. A special viewer comes bundled with every Treo 600 that allows users to view word processing and spreadsheet attachments. To get the added functionality of creating and editing these files, the user must purchase a full license of the product. So how does this work on the Treo? Navigating Documents to Go is quite simple. After installing the desktop and remium Treo Integration In the preferences section of Agendus, the user is able to set the 5-Way Navigation Pad to be enabled. Once this is happens, Agendus becomes a Treo’s best friend. To navigate around the Treo, the navigation pad makes it quite simple. With the Agenda view open, the Agenda Box (labeled as a 1) is highlighted. From here, the user can move between views by sliding the hi-lighter to the appropriate view. To navigate the screen view, the user needs to press up and down on the navigation pad. For example, in the Agenda view, the user would press the upper button of the navigation pad to access the appointment screen. From here, items can be opened and edited by highlighting the appointment and press the center navigation button to access the appointment editing screen. From the appointment screen, the user can press the lower navigation pad button to access the task list. To edit/complete a particular task, just highlight the item, press the center button, and edit. Pretty simple to use and quite intuitive. Scheduling is also a simple process. Using the menu button on the Treo’s keyboard, the user can use the drop-down menus or the shortcuts associated with each menu item. For example, to schedule an appointment, I would press the menu button followed by the letter “M” to schedule a meeting. From here, the edit meeting window appears. The user can select categories, time, duration, and the contacts to link the meeting. In version 8.0, Agendus allows for additional attendees to be linked in each appointment. From within the appointment, the user can dial a contact’s phone number by pressing the phone icon. A fun feature Agendus brings is that if the user dials from within the application, Agendus tracks the duration of the phone call. These features listed for meeting items also apply to To-Dos and Calls. In the spirit of productivity, Agendus is a must for those looking to get the most out of their Treo. oP on your PalmOne Treo with Documents s t n To G To Go e um By John Ohns- pocketanywhere magazine and .com 11 handheld applications of Docs to Go, select Documents from the Treo’s application launcher, also known as the “Home” screen. After opening up the main Documents application, it searches for supported files (Word to Go, Sheet to Go, Pics to Go, and Native Word and Excel files). The first document/item is highlighted, From here, the user can scroll through the rest of the files by moving up or down with the navigation pad. If there is a file the user wishes to open, simply select it and then press the center button in the middle of the navigation pad. Let’s say the user wishes to create a new file. From this menu, the user would then press the left side of the navigation pad to highlight the edges of the Documents to Go files. This allows the user to press the navigation pad around to highlight different elements of the Documents to Go application. Options from here would be to create new ments to Go file, the user can use the Treo’s keyboard along with the menu button to take advantage of the drop down menus for formatting and editing. To finish work on a file, the user would then press the center navigation button to escape out of the input area, then navigate the highlighted area to the done button. With Docs to Go, it defaults to the Done button when this button is pressed. The added Treo 600 functionality not only tightly integrates this program, it actually makes Docs to Go more responsive and “Snappier” to use. An added utility that helps when using Documents to Go is a small application entitled KeyCap600. This utility helps the user to capitalize and access the characters usually used by the options button by holding the respective key on the keyboard a little longer or by double pressing a particular key. Another great utility is the Palm Wireless Keyboard. For those who do not like using the small keys on the device, the Palm Wireless Keyboard works nicely and allows the user to navigate the Treo in a similar manner as the navigation pad. PalmOne has updated the keyboard’s drivers to be Treo compatible so all of the Treo navigation features are accessible through different combinations of keys on the keyboard. Overall, Dataviz did an outstanding job in making their Office Suite work with the Treo. This product is a must have if you use any type of a Palm OS device and work with Microsoft Office. As one who also uses a Pocket PC, its nice be- ing able to get formatting back into Office Files and not having to worry about it being stripped when synchronizing with the desktop. All of my client’s rate pages, proposals, documentation, correspondence templates, and rate request templates are handled through Documentsto-Go and are synchronized without a single problem. Documents to Go scores by being TreoOptimized. The user can access all features of the program using the navigation pad and keyboard only. Keep the stylus in the silo, your docs and spreadsheets are only a couple of buttons away. New Version 7 Documents To Go documents/spreadsheets, to change categories, or to narrow the files being displayed ((i.e. Spreadsheets) only, or Word files only.). Once inside a Docu12 Volume 3. Issue 3 A new version of Documents To Go, version 7, with support for native PowerPoint files and a complete UI redesign has recently been released by DataViz. More Page 46 pocketanywhere magazine and .com 13 Review Rating Guide for Pocket Anywhere Labs Software, hardware and accessories quality Title Will Be Here, Plus any additional title information Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $14.95 (USD) www.urltowebsite.com pocketanywhere EDITORS' CHOICE Pros 1. 2. 3. 4. Cons 1. 2. 3. 4. Quick Specs When evaluating a product's quality our reviewers ask themselves the questions: How intuitive is the product in design? Is the product built to last or be disposable? Does the product fulfill its promises? The more red dots the better. value to price When evaluating a product's value to price our reviewers ask one question: Does the price of this product (or service) live up to its retail price? If not, why not? The more red dots the better value to your dollar. learning curve When evaluating a product's learning curve our reviewers ask themselves the questions: Did I have to refer to any help while using this product? How intuitive is it to simply pick up and start using? The more red dots the tougher it is to use. overall rating ●●●●● The overall average rating is determined by adding the total number of red dots and dividing them by 3 (the number of criteria). *Ratings are subjective and ranked by the reviewer, not the Editorial Board. 14 Volume 3. Issue 3 PALM OS Keep your passwords, accounts and other personal data safe using SplashId for Palm OS review section By James S. McCarthy | SplashData's Splash Wallet 5 is a bundle of programs that good, useful and include desktop companion programs for both Windows and Mac OS users. The bundle includes Splash ID, a program for storing sonal information that is hard to remember on the fly when you need it, yet is sensitive enough that it needs to be protected so that you are the only one whom can access the data. Records in SplashId are encrypted with the standard Blowfish algorithm and can be safely shared with friends, family and co-workers through the SplashId Virtual Id (vID) format. This format encrypts a record selection from SplashId desktop with a password that can only be Above: Support template category types. unlocked and viewed with the corresponding password and SplashId desktop remained safe and sound. for the computing platform. SplashId is a perfect companion for SplashId stands above its competition be- people who need an easy-to-use and simple cause of the wide range of device compatibility, way to store web site login and password including the Palm OS, Windows Mobile for information, bank account numbers, social Pocket PC and Smartphone, Mac OS, Windows security numbers of other family members 11 desktop and various Symbian ports. This makes (for children) and just about any other type of SplashId flexible and useful to anyone with a information that you don't want other people mobile device or just desktop that has a need to to know, yet have it handy when you need it. store various types of sensitive information. SplashId is $14.99 individually and part of the Complete with over 15 predefined card types there it's a sure thing that SplashId Splash ID, Part of will have the record type that you need with SplashWallet 5 bundle $49.95 the correct field information for your data. But, in the event it doesn't have the card type Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● or it does but the fields are not quite perfect, Price: $19.95 (by itself) SplashId includes the option of customizing www.splashdata.com fields by type or individual record. This adds a powerful layer of sophistication for every user so that each entry includes the correct EDITORS' CHOICE information whether public or private. Private information can be masked Pros when previewing the card and displayed 1. Password generator included with a tap and password. Additional security 2. Password Time-out and entry to app. also includes the option to lock the appli3. Good set of predefined templates cation after a specified time period such 4. Easy to search/lookup records as being idle for a minute or two; both the mobile and desktop versions of SplashId Cons support this time-out feature. During testing, 1. Icons could be higher-resolution the value of this feature proved important 2. No adequate export options on PDA because the Palm OS device used for testing 3. No auto-copy of masked field data like was frequently left on with the last applicaon the desktop companion (Win/Mac) tion used being SplashId. Our information pocketanywhere login, passwords and other personal information; SplashMoney, a simple personal finance program that synchronizes with Microsoft Money and Quicken; SplashPhoto, an easy way to organize photos on both your Palm OS and desktop computer; and, SplashShopper, a powerful list maker program for food and other types of shopping. By far the most valuable program in the SplashWallet 5 bundle is SplashId. This program securely manages login, bank account, credit card and other per- Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 15 SplashMoney: An easy way to keep your money in-balance and in-sync PALM OS By James S. McCarthy | Keeping track of bank account balances, stocks, savings, loans and credit cards is simple and convenient using a handheld device, and SplashMoney is one of the many simple ways to keep your finances synchronized between a mobile device and desktop com- review section puter using Quicken, Microsoft Money and Excel (or other CSV compatible program). SplashMoney works as advertised and provides a single-level of security for protecting your data. The database files are also encrypted to prevent savvy users from accessing them and snooping for sensitive account information; however, the files that are created through the synchronization process and saved on the desktop computer are not protected and easily compromised if the snooper knows where to look or the owner forgets to permanently delete them. Both the Windows and Mac OS users have the same feature set which include the ability to export SplashMoney's account data through a synchronization conduit (Information Type for ActiveSync). This includes the option to export in a QIF format (Quicken file, also importable by Microsoft Money) or as a CSV ASCII Text file. In either format all the transactions or just new transactions can be exported. A limitation to this otherwise useful sync-utility is the lack of importing from the desktop computer to the handheld. Currently, only QIF files can be imported to the Palm OS or any other handheld version. The Palm OS version of SplashMoney is plain and simple to use and like many Palm OS programs still hasn't caught up to the 16-bit graphic age. The icons are clean and cute, but could be slick and crisp with a little updating. However, this doesn't effect the functionality of the program for either the Palm OS or the Pocket PC. Some of the most useful features in SplashMoney include the ability to create a budget, transfer money between accounts, run reports on the device itself and schedule transactions. Other common options found in desktop financial programs such as maintaining custom lists for payees, categories, classes, currencies and transaction types are also available. What makes this program a smart choice is that the user interface is not packed full of buttons or icons. The menu choices are simple: Accounts, Lists and Options. The selections found inside these main titles are easy to interpret and optimized for the current view. SplashMoney has two views: Accounts and transactions. Depending on which view is being displayed with changed the options available. Some of the more popular options include reconciliation, creating a new transaction, setting the font and preferences to choosing your own row and header colors. SplashMoney is $19.99 individually and part of the SplashWallet 5 bundle. Splash Money, Part of SplashWallet 5 bundle $49.95 Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $19.95 (by itself) Compatibility: Palm OS, Windows and Mac OS X pocketanywhere EDITORS' CHOICE Pros 1. Desktop synchronization of accounts 2. Auto-lockout 3. Category and multiple account support 4. Includes support for budgets Cons 1. Synchronization is not direct with Quicken or Microsoft Money Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 16 Volume 3. Issue 3 PALM OS Search Google, get your G-mail and chat? Causerie Messenger client does it all review section By Adam Purcell | When I first read about the Causerie Messenger program on pocketanywhere.com's news headlines (RSS feed available at http://www.pocketanywhere.com/rss. xml) it sounded like just the program for my PalmOne T3 that I needed after purchasing PalmOne's SDIO Wi-Fi card. Now that my T3 is wireless more or less, I can easily chat with my online buddies cludes the same functionality but lets the user login under different handles for the same displays the contact list for all registered IM services in multiple views: all (online contacts are displayed in bold), just contact online and just the services where current buddies are online. Toggling these views involves a simple tap and to begin a conversation is just as easy. By tapping on a bold buddy name, Causerie displays a contextual menu with the option to chat, delete the buddy, add to favorites list, alert when online, call and other options that make it easy to chat with and manage a buddy. You can also continued on page 54 Causerie Messenger from where ever I roam in the house or office. Additionally, Causerie Messenger provides access to multiple chat networks like AIM, MSN, ICQ and Jabber, as well as allows multiple accounts in the premiere version which other multi-client messaging programs for the Palm OS, such as VeriChat (version 1.9), currently do not support. Causerie Messenger is available in two editions: standard and premiere. The standard edition supports all major instant messenging networks including MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Causerie-Server and Jabber where as the premiere edition in- message service. The MantraGroup also distributes an enterprise version with IBM's SameTime (3.0+) technology. A review of SameTime can be found online at NetworkWorld Fusion (http://www. nwfusion.com/reviews/ 2003/0331rev.html). The program installs easily through the Palm Desktop install tool on a Windows desktop computer or Mac OS X desktop. It can also be installed through an SD card. Once installed, the setup of IM accounts is a quick and simple process involving a popup selector and two text fields for the services username and password. After your account information has been setup logging into the services can be a manual or automatic process. After connecting to the IM services you have chosen navigating and chatting is key-click or Graffiti2 stroke away. Causerie Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● Price: $34.95 Annual Subscription www.mantragroup.com Compatibility: Palm OS, AIM, MSN, ICQ, Jabber pocketanywhere EDITORS' CHOICE Pros 1. Supports multiple accounts 2. Easy interface for multiple chat session 3. Works in the background 4. Quick text entries for fast responses 5. Three different ways to view contacts 6. "IM BOTS" supporting useful functions Cons 1. Annual Subscription 2. Low-resolution graphics for icons Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 17 18 Volume 3. Issue 3 PALM OS SplashPhoto for Palm OS A no-frills point and tap photo album review section By James S. McCarthy | Say Cheese to SplashData's SplashPhoto - a no frills photo viewer and manager made to work as simple as a point and click. From the install, SplashPhoto makes taking digital photo albums a simple task. There are no fancy editing features to accidently stumble into while tapping icons on the screen and displaying an image requires a common skill that any PDA user is accustom to: tapping. Just tap on the photo and watch it be displayed full screen without menu or title bars. Using the up/down arrow buttons, or jog dial on Clies, the photos will advance in order , or tapping the screen shows the index. The index screen can viewed in four different ways: detailed list, detailed list with thumbnails, thumb- nails with filename and just thumbnails. Photos may also be categorized and flagged as private and displayed by category and the standard Palm OS privacy policy. This policy will only display private records (or photos) if the user has properly configured the Palm OS Security preferences and entered the correct password after tapping the first photo. All private photos will then be disabled until the security preference is changed through SplashPhoto's menu options. While viewing the photos as index there are four preference settings. These include the font used to display photo information, caption preferences that are used when viewing the photo, slide show preferences and general program settings. On top of this ultra-easy interface for browsing photos, SplashPhoto may also be used as a screensaver by checking a box in the Slide Show preferences screen. Additionally, music can be played while the slideshow/screensaver is running. This only works with the most recent versions of Pocket Tunes or AreoPlayer and is a nice feature of SplashPhoto. Unfortunately neither the Slide Show or ScreenSaver options are available on the desktop companion. Also included with SplashPhoto is a desktop companion for Mac OS and Windows desktop computers. Both platforms offer the basic ability to synchronize photos between the handheld device and desktop computer. Photos may be sent to the device in full size or optimized for a 320x480 (Tungsten T3) display. This optimization will save memory by reducing the file size as well as be easier to view on the device. SplashPhoto is a great program for showing off the kids, however it lacks a few easy shortcuts to some frequently used functions like zoom, delete and close. An individual photo can not be deleted from the index. It may only be deleted while being viewed, and since photos open full screen the menu options are not intuitive. A small toolbar using the built-in Palm OS shortcut bar to zoom, delete and close would improve the overall use of SplashPhoto. SplashPhoto is $14.99 individually and part of the SplashWallet 5 bundle. Splash Photo, Part of SplashWallet 5 bundle $49.95 Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $19.95 (by itself) www.splashdata.com Compatibility: Palm OS, Windows and Mac OS X Pros 1. Desktop companion for Win & Mac 2. Multiple ways to view photo index 3. Play MP3 while viewing slideshow 4. Supports private images Cons 1. Deleting images is not intuitive 2. Needs toolbar when viewing photos for "zoom", "info" and other basic options. 4. Images are not standard JPGs Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 19 SplashShopper for Palm OS is for you using a Palm OS handheld than you're probably one of the many ultra-organized people who have a list for everything - a list for a list even - and you probably know that there is no such thing as a simple list. This is because lists tend to spawn relating lists and so forth. Before you know it a simple grocery list had grown to include items from Target and Walmart, the sporting good store and next weekend's camping trip. Well help is here with SplashData's SplashShopper for handhelds, an extremely organized list making program where shopping comes before any other list yet anything list-wise is possible if for those who just like to list things for the sake of lists. One of the most useful SplashShopper features is the ability to create "QuickLists". This saves many minutes of "checking" needed items before heading out to the grocery store because a "QuickList" is similar to a template because it remembers what items were originally checked and then when the specified "QuickList" is selected those items, regardless of their current state are moved into the Need tab. SplashShopper is designed with the simplest interface possible for list making. There are basically three areas that make this program work. The first is the main screen, or the screen that displays all the available lists. The second area is list itself, think of this as the cart. The third screen is for item detail. Items details provide a wide array of information for product. This includes its name, category and store, price, quantity and isle number. Other attributes may also include whether a coupon is being used, if it's taxable or auto-delete it once it's checked. Information can also be quick-filled with custom items by tapping a black down-arrow and selecting and item from the pop-up list. Depending on the list type (e.g.., shopping, travel, books, clothes, etc) will depend on what default fields will be review section By James S. McCarthy | Who doesn't like to shop, or at least make lists? If you're labeled as. These labels may also be changed to custom names by editing the "List Info". The only fields that can't changed include coupon, auto-delete and tax. The ability to edit at the list info level makes SplashShopper a flexible and easy to use program for more than the weekly milk and eggs. The desktop companion of SplashShopper works the same way as the handheld version and includes a few extra features: importing lists from HandyShopper and PDA Cook Book as well CSV. Splash Shopper, Part of SplashWallet 5 bundle Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $19.95 (by itself) www.splashdata.com Pros 1. Desktop companion export options 2. Easy to setup repeating items or just one time items 3. Simple work-flow user interface 4. QuickList templates for simple lists Cons 1. Does not support 5-way navigation pad like HandyShopper v2 2. Icons should be hi-resolution Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 20 Volume 3. Issue 3 PALM OS Are you a shopaholic or list maker? PALM OS JavoEdge Sync-n-Charge Retractable Cable for Palm or Pocket PC review section By James S. McCarthy | Everyone needs to sync their PDA as well as charge it, which is why dual Sync-n-Charge cables have become the must-have accessory for PDA owners who travel across the country to across town. JavoEdge Sync-n-Charge cables extend this concept a step further by making them more compact and with a retractable cable and stylish look that compliments today's modern black and brushed silver handhelds. The compact design makes the JavoEdge Sync-n-Charge cable easy to toss into a small carry-on, purse, backpack or gadget bag for use while traveling or at a computer where there is not a cradle available for your device. The cable extends to 35"; almost 3 feet making reachable to USB ports located on the back of desktop or laptop computers, and alternatively only be extended an inch or two for those USB ports found on the front or sides. Made from a durable plastic the JavoEdge Sync-n-Charge cable is molded to fit with many different handhelds. Some of these include: 5 Practical Uses 1. Travel 2. Quick Charging 3. Small space synching 4. Work to Home commute 5. Auto Charging* *with optional 12-V USB adapter • PalmOne Tungsten T, Zire and m500 series • Treo (formerly Handspring, now PalmOne) • Sony Clie's (most series like the T, TJ, UX, etc) • Pocket PC's (iPAQ, Dell, Asus, T-Mobile, O2, etc.) • RIM - Blackberry • Various mobile phones (AT&T, iMate, Orange SPV A complete list of supported devices is available online at http://www.javoedge. com, and there is no other web site where Pocket Anywhere labs has found more syncn-charge cables available for more mobile devices than JavoEdge. Over several months of use the JavoEdge Sync-n-Charge Retractable Cable lived up to its expectations for its price. Eventually, the retracting mechanism became less reliable requiring a slower pulling action when stretching to length and the center coil slightly moved. However, the center coil could easily be readjusted to center by extending the cable to full length, holding both ends and repositioning it. No part of the cable or retracting mechanism ever broke or completely failed. It is consistently one of the most-have accessories when travelling anywhere; home to office, or city to city, the JavoEdge Sync-nCharge Retractable Cable is an accessory every handheld or mobile device user has to own. And, for the price of $14.99 it's worth every penny. JavoEdge Sync-n-Charge Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $19.95 www.javoedge.com Compatibility: With various Palm OS devices and Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices pocketanywhere EDITORS' CHOICE Pros 1. Small and compact design 2. USB and Cradle ends are durable 3. Length is adequate 4. Recharges with same cable Cons 1. Cable retraction weakens over time 2. Sometimes the retracting core moves off center. This can be manually fixed. Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 21 Volume 3. Issue 3 Classic or Professional keeps you in business Docs 2004 Rating: ● ● ● The word processing solution in MobiSystem's OfficeSuite Classic and Professional is called Docs 2004. It provides an easy-to-use and extremely professional looking user interface; however like SpreadSheet 2004, Docs has a little development ahead of itself before it can make a serious impact on the current market leader. The most recent version of Docs includes the most frequently used features from paragraph and character styling to more advanced TrueType font support and embedding image options. Spell checking is also supported and ups the ante for Dataviz by incorporating a Microsoft Word like interactive spell checker and word complete helper after just writing the first few characters of a word. While writing if a word is misspelled it is underlined in red to indicate it is a suspect word. It can be corrected manually or by a spelling suggestion through the spell check feature. In addition if you highlight a word and tap-hold it for a brief second a contextual menu of popular shortcuts for common features like cut, paste and bookmark are displayed. However, the first and foremost important feature Docs needs to include is the ability to read/write and send (as in e-mail) native Microsoft Word files. Docs currently supports reading native Text and XML documents, as well as saving RTF files to a storage card, but to compete with the two other leading application suites, Docs must be able to read and create native MS Word files and offer desktop synchronization for Mac OS X desktop users. Outside of these must-have features, Docs is an amazing program with the best user interface for a word processing program that I have yet review. The font display is smooth, resizable on hi-res devices by changing the zoom level that is supported by TrueType fonts and FontBucket (HandsHigh Software). This is a visual pleasure that Windows Mobile for Pocket PC users have enjoyed for years and Mobisystems brings it to the Palm OS handheld in the most appropriate category of applications: word processing. SpreadSheet 2004 Rating: ● ● ● ● The MobiSystems solution to spreadsheets is creatively named, SpreadSheet 2004, and like Docs 2004 it is as close to perfection as an Excel compatible Palm OS program can be without the native file support in terms of direct synchronization. SpreadSheet 2004 current supports a "Save As" option in either XML (Excel XP compatibility) and CSV (Excel 2000 or lower compatibility). Although this method is natively supported on both the Palm OS and desktop it is not as simple a direct synchronization process like Docs To Go. Spreadsheet will easily pole-vault over the competition once users have the option of direct synchronization for Windows and Mac OS users. The program also brings to the handheld screen a design incomparable to Sheet To Go Talk about this review with other mobile technology people Paint 2004, Rating: ● ● ● ● ● As an additional piece of the MobiSystem's OfficeSuite 2004 Standard edition, Paint 2004 has been updated significantly since its introduction to the palm OS community and seems to have found an additional purpose in MobiSystems product line as a powerful, independent paint program or as an easy-to-use image viewer and finally as the core method to editing images embedded inside word processing files for Docs 2004. 15 Supporting many of the popular features in a paint program, Paint 2004 goes beyond the basic primary colors and paint bucket. You can quickly view native continued on page 27 MobiSystems OfficeSuite Overall Rating: ● ● ● Price: $49.95 (Standard Edition) $69.95 (Professional Edition) www.mobi-systems.com pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 22 Volume 3. Issue 3 review section By James S. McCarthy | Expectations for today's PDAs include some kind of desktop software compatibility with Microsoft Office programs like Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Most popular is Dataviz' Documents To Go bundle which with both Windows and Mac OS X desktops, as well as the majority of Palm OS handhelds. Dataviz may have the most market share, but that doesn't always make it the best program. MobiSystems Office 2004 Professional is also a suite of programs for the Palm OS that are Microsoft Office compatible. The MobiSystems package also allows the user to synchronize Word, Excel and Access files to a Palm OS device. The files can be viewed, edited and created new on the handheld and then synchronized back to the desktop computer. Unfortunately unlike Dataviz' package the MobiSystem's Office suite is only compatible with Windows desktop computers. Additionally, MobiSystems Office 2004 is available in two editions: Classic and Professional. PALM OS MobiSystems OfficeSuite 2004 and other competing applications as well as an easy to use interface that brings common formulas and styling tools for quick one-tap access. And, similar to Sheet To Go, SpreadSheet 2004 also does not include support for creating or editing Excel comments, but does let the you read the comments. With the support of TrueType fonts, SpreadSheet 2004 can dynamically scale the screen as well as you spreadsheet to an incredible small size or large depending on your needs. This feature by itself is the reason I choose to use MobiSystems SpreadSheet 2004 over Dataviz' Sheet To Go; even though the latter supports direct synchronization on both Windows and Mac OS X desktops. Other minor features of improvement include multi-platform sync support, comments, and sending files to an e-mail program. Otherwise, SpreadSheet 2004 is a complete spreadsheet program for the Palm OS that also supports exporting to XML and CSV files directly from the handheld to a storage card, as well as Windows desktop synchronization to a MobiSystems proprietary file type on the Palm OS (not native Excel at this time). Agenda Rating: ● ● ● ● MobiSystems Agenda is a surprisingly simple and well-designed alternative PIM replacement application. It not only brings together PIM data and displays appointments, tasks, memos and e-mail, it also has built-in functionality that enhances the typical creation of new appointments, tasks and e-mail (through Microsoft Outlook). In addition to the typical fields for an event or appointment, Agenda also adds the option to include a picture via Paint 2004, icon and attach a contact. When including contact information with an appointment there didn't appear to be any way to quickly access the contact's information. Instead Agenda simply added the contact's name to the description line of the appointment. It would be more valuable if this information could be used to dial the contact's phone number or at least open the contact's card within Agenda's Contact List. The Contact List isn't fancy, rather it's quite generic and basic. Contacts are either listed alphabetically by last name or grouped by various criteria including company name, address, city, zip code or country. The opposite column displays information from one of the built-in Calendar fields like Number or Custom 1. The built-in Address Book on the PalmOne Tungsten T3 actually offers more features. Similar to the Agenda datebook component, the Agenda Tasks also keeps things simple and basically the same with the added options to include a picture via Pain 2004, icon and change the text color. However, an improvement over the built-in Tasks application is the ability to set a repeat pattern and alarm. Both features are handy options for those people that easily forget about those small "check boxes" in an application they only run when it's time to add another task. Tasks are also included in Agenda's Calendar view. Agenda is a clean and simple to use program like MobiSystem's other applications with professional designed interface; however, the mail component is not useful for people who are suing SnapperMail, AgendusMail or an alternative e-mail client. It is also disappointing to not see integration with the OfficeSuite 2004 Standard Do I have to use Graffiti 2 or is there a way to or Professional editions. reinstall Graffiti 1 on Palm OS 5? MobiSystems OfficeSuite 2004 Standard and What is the question? I just upgraded from a Professional editions are a PalmOne Tungsten T to a Tungsten T3 and it has Graffiti diamond in the ruff providing 2 installed. Is there a way to install Graffiti 1 on my T3? a refreshing clean, polished Answer: The short answer to this question and professional user interface is yes. Simply locate a device, such as your origiwrapped around a foundanal Tungsten T and then "beam" the following two files to your T3 using a program like FileZ. tion that has the speed and flexibility of becoming the Graffiti Library_enUS.prc, Graffiti Library.prc premiere "office" package for http://www.zansstuff.com/programs/graffiti1.zip the Palm OS. This is a program, I don't have a device with Graffiti 1? The as well as suite of applications easiest way is to install them onto a storage card that serious Documents To Go and then move them using a program like zBoxz. users need to download, try Next, Soft-Reset and keep and eye on, because with a few more updates Warning! Do not install the above files directly through HotSync. This will cause a hard-reset MobiSystem's OfficeSuite and all data on your Palm OS device will be lost. 2004 will knock the socks of its competition leaving them A note on the legal edge? Use this information at your own risk. We assume no liability and you agree to indemnify us for any reason. asking "where did this package come from?" continued on page 27 Question for Palm OS Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 23 spb Software House's Imageer brought into the file list, and presented with thumbnails of the images that Imageer finds in the location specified in the Show menu at top-left. The View menu has just two options Slideshow and Properties. Slideshow will start cycling through the images in the current folder. Properties is a very information-rich panel, showing both the file properties - size, location, and so forth - and the EXIF properties extracted from the currently-selected image as well. The file list’s Tools menu has a bit more meat to it. Aside from the usual chestnuts like Paste, New Folder and such, there’s a couple of unique items that give Spb Imageer its muscle. Create an Album starts the album creation wizard, and it’s a cunningly-executed idea. Albums are basically a ZIP file with a different extension (so your other ZIP files aren’t automatically associated with Imageer) to hold images, annotations and such in a convenient package. Send the file to someone, and all they have to do is change the extension to .zip to see everything inside it like any other ZIP file on the Net. Organizing pictures into albums makes it easy for proud parents to show off their children, or world travelers to show pictures of their latest excursion. Drop a shortcut to the album file on your Today screen and you’ve got onetap access! Publish to Web starts the wizard that lets you pick, manipulate and publish pictures to www.fotki.com - an online photo service offering free or paid service to users wanting to show their pictures, or even sell them. The publish function also works for those lacking wireless functionality through ActiveSync and your host computer’s Internet connection, as well as over the modem via normal dialup. While I’d have liked a little more flexibility in this feature - being able to configure a different service or use my own server - the fact that it’s there at all is a wonderful thing. In both the album and publish wizards, there are a number of options related to optimizing the images, prefixing the filenames with dates or custom information and numbering, or adjusting image size and quality. Very handy given the simplistic and non-intuitive way cameras tend to name their images. Next to the Tools button (or the Album button if you happen to be browsing inside an album) is a button that ought to be called View instead of the one on the far left, since it presents the user with a wide variety of options for changing the view of the file list. 2, 3 or 4 in Row relates to the number of thumbnails shown in the display pane. Choosing Detailed Thumbnails will reduce that to Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 24 Volume 3. Issue 3 review section By Brian M. Cook | Once, many years ago, my grandfather counseled me as to the secret to success. “Do one thing you love,” he urged, “and do it well.” Based on that simple credential, Spb Imageer is a success. Spb Imageer is a photo-viewing and -editing application for the PocketPC platform that packs a considerable punch in its relatively svelte 1.6MB installation footprint. For that investment of application space, you get a feature-rich graphics viewer that handles the JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF and PNG file formats, along with basic and essential tools to manipulate those images all within the confines of the PocketPC itself. While it isn’t Photoshop - and doesn’t try to be - it does surprisingly more than simply display images. Installation is a snap, using the familiar executable-to-ActiveSync path to get the applications files to the handheld. During installation, it also installs a filter on the desktop that watches for its graphic file formats in the sync stream. When it detects a new image being loaded to the handheld, a dialog is displayed asking the user if they wish to send the image over unmodified, or modified in a number of ways to optimize it for use on the handheld system. The granularity here is superb, allowing the changes to be applied to just a single file, to all in just that session, or to all files for all time to come. But that’s not all. Imageer installs a second filter, this one on the handheld, which watches for memory card insertions. On sensing a card with images, the user is presented with a menu showing some of common actions Imageer can do - slideshow, browsing, making an Imageer album and so forth. Very handy for folks who want to do some quick field adjustments to digital photos they’ve just taken with their camera (provided, of course, that their handheld accepts the same memory card format as the camera). Starting the application, the user is WINDOWS MOBILE POCKET PC The secret to organizing photos with a Windows Mobile Pocket PC WINDOWS MOBILE POCKET PC review section one per line, but a host of useful information about each image is presented - the file’s date and time, image resolution, exposure time and other photo-specific data. List is just that - a list of the file names encountered. And lastly, if there are subfolders - and there usually are in camera-generated file systems - selecting Include Subfolders will populate the file list with every image file the application can find. So now that you can find the picture you want to work with... what can you do with it? Quite a bit, actually. Imageer is, at its heart, a very fast and efficient image viewer. It’s powerful and sturdy, too, handling some 10+ megabyte TIFF files downloaded from NASA with nary a hiccup. Open an image, and you can use either the on-screen arrows or the hardware D-pad to move through the other images in memory. When Imageer hits a larger image that it needs to think about, a progress bar displays below the previous image to let you know to be patient. In testing, though, it didn’t appear reliably in some cases, though that could have been a result of some deliberately-broken image files used for testing error handling. When you get to an image needing some customization, Imageer provides a streamlined, but effective, tool set to work with. Tapping the pencil will bring up the Notes toolbar, where you can add notes to an image. Text notes are displayed in a shadowed font when viewing the image, which can wash out against busier backgrounds using the default font settings, but Imageer also provides a custom font setting dialog which not only allows selection of font, size and color, but also controls the size, color and direction of the font shadowing. The pencil on the Notes toolbar gives you the ability to draw on the image with the stylus, with customization controls for line thickness and color. If you make a mistake, the undo button is the next best thing to an eraser, and gives a fair number of undo levels so you can go back only as far as you need to correct the slip of the tip in question. Lastly, the Speaker icon will allow you to attach a recorded note to an image. Powerful as these are, they really come into their own when working with the slideshow function. While it’ll never replace PowerPoint for presentations, there is something compellingly cool about being able to add captions, bright red mustaches and verbal commentary to the pictures in the slideshow. Sometimes, though, you need to change something instead of adding it. The paint palette button brings up the Editing tooldbar, where some real magic lives. The Edit menu gives you basic, but useful commands. Resize lets you grow or shrink an image, and the ability to unlock the aspect ratio gives some stretch and skew ability to the user as well. Rotate left or right will turn the image - not just the display of it. Filter gives you sharpening and blurring tools to work with to fuzz or de-fuzz an image as you see fit. Adjustments gives you access to the tools for color saturation, hue and lightness, as well as direct control over the individual color channels. Next to the Edit menu button are a series of icons: Crop, Red-Eye, Brightness, Contrast and Auto-Level. Crop lets you use the stylus to draw a box around the section of the image you wish to keep, and a simple tap inside that box discards the excess. Brightness and Contrast present you with a slider to adjust those properties, or you can simply use Auto-Level which usually does a fair job of normalizing pictures taken in less-than-ideal circumstances. The Red-Eye filter, though, is a photographer’s dream. When someone’s looking directly at the camera that’s taking a picture of them in, the flash can sometimes illuminate the inside of the eye brightly enough that the retina is shown through the eye’s pupil. While newer digital cameras use pre-shutter strobes of the flash to try and eliminate red-eye, it’s still a common enough problem that most everyone knows what it is. Tapping the RedEye icon enables the selector - use the stylus to box the eyes you wish to de-red, then tap inside the box. The test image, shown here, shows one eye exhibiting the red-eye effect, and the other with the results of Imageer’s red-eye filter. I was especially pleased by the way the eye color was preserved - most red-eye adjustments I’ve seen before tend to wash out the color of the iris in the process. The Options panes are a tweaker’s dream, giving an amazing amount of control over how Imageer handles. It even has a setting for 12-bit color devices, so older Jornada users can benefit from Imageer as well as newer, true-color devices. Overall, Spb Imageer is one of the most powerful and intuitive software packages I’ve encountered in either the PocketPC or regular Windows world. It’s feature-rich without being overwhelming, and in almost every case, controls and menu choices were where I’d expect them to be in an application of this sort. The only real problem I encountered was in manipulating one of those giant image files from NASA; Imageer crashed and, after restarting, couldn’t display even the simplest image due to “insufficient memory”. spb Imageer Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $14.95 (single-license) www.spbsoftwarehouse.com Compatibility: Windows Mobile for Pocket PC Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 25 and use a Mac OS X desktop How do I synchronize with iCal and Address Book? By James S McCarthy | The words Mac OS and Pocket PC often go together as well as Apple and Oranges, leaving many Pocket PC and Mac OS users up a tree with no ladder so to speak, or is it up a river without a paddle? Regardless of the expression, a Pocket PC and Mac OS user experience is like biting into a rotten apple until primarily Palm OS development company, Mark/Space, launched The Missing Sync for Pocket PC, which in many ways is better than Microsoft's own ActiveSync! (We think that's just because it's on a Mac though to begin with). After a quick install and required restart you're ready to perform the first sync, and similar to ActiveSync on a Wintel box, no button press is required; just cradle the device and watch the sync wheel turn. The Missing Sync for Pocket PC supports similar, if not more features than ActiveSync. Many of these features are listed on the right, but what makes The Missing Sync for Pocket PC so good is the experience. Installing files could be a much easier process if the developers of Pocket PC software distributed their programs in CAB formats in addition to Windows Install apps (*.exe files). The Missing Sync for Pocket PC supports installation of native CAB files; however, the larger problem is understanding that many Pocket PC setup programs are built using the default Windows Install program which is practically impossible to run on the Mac OS unless you are using Microsoft's Virtual PC. Virtual PC will allow you to extract the CAB files most of the time and then copy to your Mac OS desktop for a standard install via The Missing Sync for Pocket PC. The argument however is if you're already running Virtual PC, why not just use ActiveSync? The easiest solution to this dilemma is to contact the developer for a STRONG ARM (PPC_2577) version of the file. This .CAB file can then be Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 26 Volume 3. Issue 3 review section On Connecting, like on many Windows desktop PCs, synchronizing a Pocket PC device is as simple as placing the PDA into the cradle or attaching a sync-n-charge cable. The same is true on a Mac OS X computer that is running The Missing Sync for Pocket PC. It takes anywhere from 2-5 seconds for the machine to recognize the device, but once it establishes a connection, the iSync window pops up and the process begins. Additionally, a icon appears on the desktop that allows you to browse the Pocket PC device like a hard drive, including any attached storage card as part of the root folder view versus being displayed as another hard drive icon. Also, another unique feature of how The Missing Sync for Pocket PC mounts the handheld is that it can be "hot" removed, or simply taken the cradle without having to remember to properly "eject" the mounted disk first. WINDOWS MOBILE POCKET PC Help! I own a Pocket PC WINDOWS MOBILE POCKET PC continued from page 23 review section installed with The Missing Sync for Pocket PC's install tool. It would be really slick if Mark/Space could develop a Mac OS X program that had the magic to decode .EXE files, extract the .CAB files and place them in a folder on the Mac OS X desktop. A well known and popular desktop feature that Windows Mobile Pocket PC users have been taking advantage of on Windows desktops has been the option to mount their Pocket PC as a hard drive. The Missing Sync for Pocket PC doesn't miss this feature either. Once your Pocket PC connects to the Mac OS X device it is almost instantly mounted as usable volume. The volume can opened, read and saved to. The Mac OS X desktop treats the volume like any normally mounted external device, which like mounting your iPod as disk also needs to be "ejected" through the proper procedure to ensure that there is not any data loss. Mark/Space didn't leave a feature missing in the latest version of the Missing Sync for Pocket PC. It also includes integration with iTunes. What this means is that once your Pocket PC is mounted as an external device, it will also appear in iTunes a device which currently has music or can be used as a music source. This is easily my most favorite feature of The Missing Sync for Pocket PC in addition to simply synchronizing with iCal and Address Book. The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile Pocket PC offers more features and stability than Microsoft's own ActiveSync for Microsoft's own Windows operating system. The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile Pocket PC pocketanywhere EDITORS' CHOICE Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $49.95 (includes 4 apps) www.markspace.com Compatibility: Palm OS, Windows and Mac OS X Question for Windows Mobile Do you have a question about your mobile device? Ask our tech-knowit-all for an answer by e-mailing [email protected]. What is the question? Sometimes an invisible file labeled "ignore_my_ docs" seems to mysteriously "show up" on a storage card. This ignore_my_docs file is zero-size and invisible (cannot be seen from a Pocket PC with File Explorer), but you can see it if you read the CF card from a desktop PC. Why does this happen? The ignore_my_docs file is created by Pocket PC2002 on a Storage Card that does NOT have a folder labeled ‘\My Documents’. This is because the ignore_my_docs file is used by all the MS applications (e.g. Word) to determine where to look for files and where to create files on Storage Cards. This will only occur in the following cases: 1) Using a Microsoft application (e.g. Word) and you save a file on the storage card and 2) You open Today Screen settings to change a theme selection and then tap ‘ok’. Even if you haven't selected a different Today theme the ignore_my_docs file will be created. How to prevent this? Most likely this file will probably never be created if the storage card already has a ‘\My Documents\’ folder. However, even though this file is invisible, it has a major influence on what Pocket PC2002 does with regard to accessing files on Storage Cards. Do Not Delete This File. By deleting Microsoft applications may not be able to find the files on the Storage Card. MobiSystem's Paint 2004 continued from page 23 JPG files and use Paint 2004 as a fairly fullfeatured image viewer for digital photos similar to Splash Photo and Resco Viewer. This, for the most part, is how you will be using it even though it is far more powerful. While viewing a document in Docs 2004 with an image, the picture is reduced in size until you double-tap on it. This action will launch Paint 2004 and auto-open the image to the original size allowing you to fully edit it with Paint's powerful painting features or just view at a larger scale. When using Paint 2004 as an image or photo viewer the index of files can be arranged in four views: 1) small thumbnail, 2) large thumbnail, 3) Detailed and 4) "explorer" like text listing. You can also tap-hold on a thumbnail preview or filename to display a set of contextual options that allow the deletion to conversion (or export) of image files to other file formats like BMP, JPG and GIF. Another amazing feature of the Paint 2004 that other photo-viewing programs like Resco Viewer can't do is view large resolution photos, such as 640x480 at 100% with scaling or dithering the photos quality. The only disappointment using Paint 2004 as an image/photo viewer is that you can not "send" the photo via e-mail or IM to other people like you can with SplashPhoto or Resco Viewer; however, your editing options are far more superior. the "Exit" option while viewing an image is also confusing because instead of returning to the image index it actually exits the program. Changing this to "close" while viewing an image would be more logical. Paint 2004 can also be purchased outside of MobiSystem's OfficeSuite 2004 for $14.95, http://www.mobi-systems.com. Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 27 WINDOWS MOBILE POCKET PC Aye, ye pirates ... TradeWinds Astraware delivers another addictive game of swashbuckling sea combat and trade! review section By James S. McCarthy | Astraware games always guarantee three things: 1) out of this world graphics and sound, 2) easy to play and/or mind-teasing fun and 3) addictive play; you won't be able to put the game down for hours. TradeWinds lives beyond each of those expectations with swashbuckling sea combat and greedy trade! It doesn't take long to get involved in the 19th century far east adventure, TradeWinds. The idea of the game is easy to amass wealth through trading or piracy. If you choose the trader insider you it will involve a bit of strategy and touch of action when it comes time to fight the pirates, and if you choose the swashbuckler then get ready to fire some cannons from behind that black eye-patch. What I love about Astraware games is that the graphics always knock me off my chair, pushing the Palm OS and Windows Mobile for Pocket PC to absolute highest degree of quality. Most recently, Astraware has also include supporting sound files that enhance play and the overall experience to something like playing a mini X-Box in the palm of your hand. Each port in Tradewinds detailed and colorful. By tapping on a building or stack of boxes will show more about the object in addition to highlighting it yellow and displaying a short title, such "empty warehouse" or "port authority". A summary of the character information is also displayed just above the window to the TradeWinds world. The character panel shows a small picture of what you (your character) look like along with how much money you have in your pocket, in the bank and out on credit with the moneylender (who is not a very friendly person). Also shown is the city you are exploring, the date of the adventure and an image that when clicked sets you sail in the open waters which can surprise at any time! The first time I tried this game I have to admit that I played it for only about 10 minutes and skipped through all the narrative screens. That was a BIG mistake — take the few minutes to read the beginning screens and then start playing. The overall experience will be much more satisfying because you will better understand the characters and story line. But if you're like me and don't have the patience the premise of the game is to attain as much wealth as possible in the shortest amount of time. The main characters include: Douglas McGowan, a successful trader who recently fell on hard times, Petra Gale who is a only child of notorious South Sea pirates, Madame Tso who is the boss of a prosperous merchant fleet and notorious Goassamer who is the brigans for the Far East. Tradewinds features (as posted at astraware.com): • Four distinctly different trading cities plus a secret location to discover • Interact with Inn Keepers, Port Officials and Ship Builders • Fight pirates on the open seas and collect bounties for sending them to Davy Jones’ Locker • Purchase, repair and upgrade your fleet • Save game and auto save features so you never need to lose your game position • Play the game at your own pace! It’s your adventure, you choose how to play it and how quickly or long you want the adventure to last. Like most astraware games, TradeWinds is well worth the money spent for quality handheld entertainment. What I love about Astraware games is that the graphics always knock me off my chair ... [and are of the] absolute highest degree of quality. TradeWinds Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● Price: $14.95 www.astraware.com Compatibility: Palm OS, Windows Mobile for Pocket PC Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 28 Volume 3. Issue 3 pocketanywhere magazine and .com 29 but unlike Solitaire it makes you think Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 30 Volume 3. Issue 3 review section By Ricki L. Zunk | What do you get when you cross the word games Scrabble and Boggle, and then computerize the result? You get Bookworm! It’s simple to download; easy to learn; and fun to play. Mental agility, NOT manual dexterity is required to play. For those of us who want games that don’t require great hand-eye coordination, spectacular graphics or sound, Bookworm provides a challenge. Available at PopCap.com, Bookworm would most certainly appeal to folks who like to play games such as Alchemy and Bejeweled! Bookworm can be played in two modes – “classic” (played at your own pace) and “action” (played against an unseen clock). If my experience with Bejeweled is any indication, the more I play the “action” version of Bookworm, the better I’ll get at it, and eventually the action version will become my first choice to play. Then again, the classic game presents the greater challenge to construct longer words with higher point values. While Bookworm games are so simple that the player can figure them out without help, there are some rules. Unfortunately, they’re not easily found. I would much prefer (with any game), and option called “Rules” or “How to Play” where I could click and find a 1, 2, 3… list of rules and/or explanations. For now, “hints” appear as pop-up boxes during the game (an option that can be turned on or off). Sometimes during a game, one or more tiles will “glow” green or yellow. This is a good thing. Use those tiles in a work, and the value of the word increased more (think colored squares on a Scrabble board). But sometimes a tile will start to “flame.” Use the flaming tiles quickly to keep the flames from spreading. Unused flaming tiles will shorten your game play time. Imagine the added urgency this causes in the “action” version of the game! When I play computer games, I play against myself (trying to better my own highest score) and/or against the clock. To do this, all I need is a running score total, and possibly and indication of time remaining when applicable). During a game of Bookworm, when one reaches predetermined point levels, a large box drops into the screen to tell you: the number of the level you’ve completed; the rank you’ve achieved at that level; your highest scoring word; your longest word; and next rank attained at ____ point. And, finally it asks you if you wish to continue playing the came in progress. Personally, I don’t want or need all this detail or interruption during the game. This is an option the player cannot control (as one can do with other options in the game). One feature I really do like in Bookworm is that the player can stop the game in progress, leave the program completely, and then reopen the application later on to find the game saved from the point it was interrupted. At that point you may chose to resume that game, or you may opt to discard the “old” game and start anew. Bookworm As with Bejeweled and Alchemy, high scores are recorded (as are “longest word” and “highest scoring word”). The “Hall of Fame” records highest scoring games as they Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● end. If desired, the player may go online to post their scores along with others who have Price: Online versions free; Palm OS chosen to do so. It’s not my thing, but some people will want to do that. and Pocket PC ($14.95), Windows Countless PC users spend untold hours playing Solitaire on their computers. It’s desktop Deluxe ($19.95) a “no brainer” kind of challenge. Bookworm is as simple as Solitaire to play, but unlike Solitaire, it makes one think. How good are you at word games? Give Bookworm one www.popcap.com/www.astraware.com a shot. Try it. I think you’ll like it! WINDOWS MOBILE POCKET PC As simple as Solitaire to play SYMBIAN OS CodeVault, working to protect your personal and corporate data review section By Robin Andrews | In this day and age, security has taken center stage in the IT arena. With all of the Melissa viruses and hacks into major companies such as Microsoft, everyone is becoming more and more paranoid about personal and corporate data. When it comes to PDAs specifically, security is usually the last thing that users think about, even though PDAs are becoming more and more commonplace. End users wind up using PDAs as an auxiliary brain, keeping all of their important and confidential data stored on it. Well, what happens if someone walks off with it? Users will lose all of that information and wind up on the phone for hours canceling credit cards, changing bank accounts, and anything else they may need to worry about. Why not stop this? And what about smartphones and cellular phones? How are users supposed to secure their personal information on them? For the Symbian OS, the answer is Code Vault by Epocware. Code Vault acts as a database for all types of personal information. With Code Vault users can store passwords, charge card information, travel info, insurance policies, online shopping accounts, software keys, and anything else that is needed. It has several built in categories to help new users enter in their infor- 19 mation. These categories and associated icons are: bank accounts, calling cards, credit cards, internet service providers, online shopping accounts, passwords and software keys. If a user doesn’t find a category that matches what they need, Code Vault allows users to create their own category as well as an associated icon. Users can also export Code Vault databases to the file (CSV, TXT and HTML types are supported). This file can be copied to any PC with the help of PC suite. Code Vault uses the built-in database encryption algorithms by built into the Symbian operating system and is locked by a personalized username and password. Installation of Code Vault follows the standard install procedures for most Symbian applications. From the PC, connect the Symbian device, in this case the Nokia 9290, to the PC. Launch Nokia’s PC Suite. Start the PC software Install software and select the application (.sis file) to install. Confirm to install the application in the phone. Select target drive (phone memory or Memory Stick Duo). Download to the phone begins. Using Code Vault is fairly intuitive. The initial setup is time consuming to due the amount of data that will need to be inputted into the database. If a user was to ever have CodeVault any problems using Code Vault, there is an online Knowledge Base to use, an FAQ and a support e-mail address to contact. Overall Rating: ● ● ● Code Vault is a good way to store personal information on a Symbian based device. Price: $19.95 It is easy to use and secure enough for most users to breathe a sigh of relief. url, nokia-9210-software.epocware. Code Vault is available from Handango or Epocware’s own web site, http://nokiacom/Code_Vault.html 9210-software.epocware.com/Code_Vault.html for $19.95. Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 31 handy software for the iPod and Mac OS X iPod It! Rating: ● ● ● ● iPod It! is an application for the Mac OS X platform that can do a lot for your iPod. With iPod It! Mac OS users can transfer events, contacts, mail, notes and tasks from Microsoft’s Entourage directory to an iPod. I’m not an Entourage user, but I am sure this will excite many others. But for those iPodders who aren't riding the Microsoft train you can also perform the same operations using Apple’s collection of information management programs: iCal, Address Book, Mail and Stickies (yes, I said stickies). However, the fun really starts with iPod It’s "web services" features. I hope to see some of these features expand from the current News and Weather to include such web items like RSS feeds, movie listings, TV guide and . Also included are three other utilities: sync, clean and eject which for the most part are self-explanatory. The "clean" option will remove any of the iPod It! data previously copied to the device - very handy for recovering disk space if necessary - and the sync exchanges data and eject makes it safe to remove the iPod from the attached computer. As soon as the iPod is connected to the Mac OS X desktop it starts up and sync's the information. In addition, the application, such as Mail, that iPod It! is syncing also automatically start. This includes iCal. The only downside to this automation is that those programs launched to fetch the most recently data, don’t auto-quit themselves once the synchronization is complete. All in all iPod It! rocks! and if you’re an iPod fanatic with the inkling to get a little more out of this amazing device and are also a Mac OS X user, then download iPod It! - it’s worth the $14.95 shareware fee. iSpeak It Rating: ● ● ● ● Stop for a second and think about this: You're packing for a business trip, or maybe vacation, and remember that you didn't get a chance to read this mornings news headlines or your favorite RSS feed and you even forgot to check the weather of where you're traveling. So right before the final zipper of your suit case is pulled closed you fire-up iSpeak It and connect your iPod; everything is neatly converted into an AIFF file and synched to your iPod for “listening to” later. You can convert various document types including Word, PDF, text, RTF, HTML, and AppleWorks (required to have AppleWorks program installed) files. For other files it will default to text processing in an attempt to provide the document in a format ready for conversion. HTML tables tend to not work very well so if there is a cleaner text-only/mobile version available use that instead. Another thing to check into before converting and running is the "voice" that will "speak" the text. After 10 years Apple is still using some of the original MacSpeak voices including Zapptek iPod Tools Fred and Victoria. I would recommend using the voice that you can understand best. I love using iSpeak It every now and then because it is a unique and very iPod Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● way to deliver daily news events, weather, and even listen to monthly work reports (if Price: Varies per program you really have to). Since it supports the majority of file types that you might think to www.zapptek.com convert to audio, including RSS feeds like pocket Anywhere's own feed at http://www. pocketanywhere.com./rss.xml, then iSpeak It will turn out to be your best friend. Compatibility: The interface is bare-bones-simple to use. It has two basic sections: 1) a set of Mac OS X and iPod icons that let specify more detailed information for each of iSpeak It's services or to Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 32 Volume 3. Issue 3 review section By Adam Purcell | Lately, my iPod is as valuable to my music as my PalmOne Tungsten T3 is to my calendar, however with all the cool software programs for my iPod I’m not sure which I more frequently back-pocket these days, the iPod or my T3. iPod It!, iSpeak and iPod Launcher, by the Zapptek developers (http://www.zapptek.com) and help make a more compelling argument that the iPod isn’t just for music anymore. Of course you can also see this with the recent release of the iPod Photo device. Realistically though, the iPod doesn’t have any method of text-input so it’s best for read-only notes, events and music, but it's breaking new ground with each new generation. Apple iPod iSpeak It, iPod It, iPod Launcher Apple iPod review section select a file for audio conversation and 2) a preview window that displays the text. The text displayed could be news headlines, weather information or Microsoft Word file. At a first glance and quick run-through iSpeak It is easy to use, fun and I hate to admit it a world of unproductive gizmos, it’s actually very useful for people with busy schedules whom don’t get a moment to rest their feet until it’s time to shutdown for the day. Check it out if you haven’t already: http:/www.zapptech.com. Registration is only $12.95 through Kagi. Take unlimited photos with only 1 memory card The Belkin Digital Camera Link Move photos off your digital camera and onto your iPod By James S. McCarthy | When I travel I like to travel light and with the number of gadgets I tote around it is easy to loose small memory cards. When I bought an iPod to consolidate music into a single device I knew it was capable of storing more than music and as that thought swiftly blew over head Belkin had already tapped into the iPod's popularity and power by introducing The Belkin Digital Camera Link (DCL). Similar in design to iPod itself, the DCL transfers photos from a digital camera to an iPod (not mini) with the push of a button. Setup is simple. There is no software that needs to installed. Just plug in the digital camera's USB (1.1) connector into the DCL and snap the dock connector from the DCL into the iPod and you're ready to go. EDITORS' CHOICE Tracking the progress of the transfer is also extremely easy and if you're the type that doesn't remember what all the blinkies mean, then Belkin conveniently imprinted a LED/color legend on the back of the DCL. For the most part all you need to remember is green is good and red is not. Blinking is transferring and solid is not. Once the transfer is complete the iPod can be disconnected and used as originally designed by Apple — to listen to music with those trendy white earbuds with Griffin Technologies EarJams (review on page 34) snapped on. Your digital camera's memory card is now ready to be erased and filled back up with more photos. This why the DCL is the most valuable accessory I take with me while traveling next to my toothbrush. I don't have to worry about carrying (or misplacing) small postage-size memory cards in addition to only needing to travel with one large capacity card, around 128MB for today's standards. The card stays in the camera so it is always safe and ready to go. Belkin Digital Camera Link The photos can be retrieved from the iPod by connecting it to Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● any PC or Mac computer via the Price: $79.95 at belkin.com iPod USB or Firewire cable, as well www.belkin.com as the "use as a drive" option has been previously enabled on the Compatibility: iPod w/dock connector iPod; this is done through iTunes. Does not work with iPod-Mini. Owners The DCL is so simple and straightof newer iPods should contact Belkin forward to use that I could instruct my support for information on how to 6-year old to transfer photos. The only upgrade a previously purchased DCL. obvious gotcha's are 1) there is no way Pros to automatically erase the photos on 1. Compact design, dock connector tucks the camera after being transferred by into casing for streamline look and feel the DCL and if you own a 4th genera2. Instructions imprinted on case back tion iPod order through Belkin direct 3. Works with mass-storage cameras because there is firmware update needed to work with the 4g click-wheel Cons iPod's. Generation 3 iPod's should work 1. Does not also charge iPod or camera with current retail chain inventory. pocketanywhere iPod Launcher Rating: ● ● ● ● Just connect your iPod and watch the iPod Launcher magic begin. iPod Launcher is super-cheap system preference panel for Mac OS X that automatically launches applications and Apple scripts whenever you connect an iPod to your Mac; it does not matter if "Disk mode" is enabled or not. Why is this cool? Imagine the possibilities! Backup a specific file or folder, keep a folder synched between your Mac and iPod or archive files and folders to your ipod using TAR compression (sample AppleScripts provided). It is a easy and cheap way to backup files while extending the usefulness of your little music player. Of course those with smaller iPod's say the 15/20GB or Mini's won't be able to store as much data as the current 40GB and recently announced 60GB iPod! The interface is a no-brainer. View the System Preferences and click on the iPod Launcher icon. A familiar looking screen will show up. Clicking the "+" (plus) symbol will add a new application or script to launch, clicking the "-" (minus) symbol will delete it. Really, it's that easy. iPod Launcher is $4.95 through Kagi. 2. LED lights are difficult to see in daylight Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 33 Apple iPod Contour Design's Showcase 4G Protection for your click-wheel iPod re- By James S. McCarthy | Apple's iPod has everything: brains, looks and a great figure. The only flaw it possibly has is an extremely scratch prone acrylic finish. Don't be surprised if within hours your brand-new $500 iPod has scratches up and down its backside and a few looming over the LCD display. So save yourself a couple of tears and order Contour Design's Showcase 4G (also available for other iPod models). The Showcase 4G protects your iPod from those unnecessary scratches and accidental drops that no delicate piece of gadgetry like Apple's iPod are meant to experience on their own. Picture left (top): The Showcase 4G opens like a book. It is fairly easy to figure out how to place the iPod into By James S. McCarthy | The minute the case; there is an obvious front and back as well as top after I snapped Griffin Technology's EarJam's and bottom. The Showcase completely covers the iPod on all onto my revolution starting white Apple earsides except for the click-wheel and port access. Port access buds my iPod experience changed forever; includes the headphone jack and hold button as well as the it now rocks louder and clear than ever! dock connector. You can easily connect a cable through the The EarJams acoustical improvement Showcase, however, the iPod will not sit the cradle while in is unbelievable. The bass is also boosted and the Showcase. This really never caused an inconvenience for the overall sound of the music is amazing. me since I dedicate cradle use to at home through my stereo This is because the EarJams fit directly into system where danger is not a foreseen issue. your ear focusing the music to the location it's Picture left (middle): Outside of a fabulous design that needed and not trying to entertain the people makes the case and iPod one with each other, the Showcase around you like Apple's standard white earalso includes a reversible and removable belt-clip. It is nice buds do. In addition, they also cancel a lot of to have the option to remove the belt-clip and place the surrounding noise; you can actually sit in a iPod/Showcase on a desk and not have it wobble. It is also room of screaming kids and hear the smooth convenient to be able to flip the orientation of the belt-clip music of that "Sounds to Relax You" CD. attachment so the hold button and headphone chord is facing This is because the EarJams not only front, yet sometimes facing to my back is nice when I have boost the bass, sound and output they also the headphone threaded under a sweatshirt or jacket. make the earbuds more comfortable to wear. Picture left (bottom): As you can see from the illustra- Shipped with two sizes of ear plugs, small tion found at Contour Design's web site (http://www.Con- and large, most likely one or the other will fit tour Design.com). The Showcase is made with two layers great for you. In fact, many people who have of protection. The outside layer is a hard impact-resistant purchased Apple's In-Ear Headphone have plastic and the inside is constructed from soft, non-slip and reported that the Griffin EarJams fit better as shock absorbing rubber. This will protect your iPod from well as sound better for more than half price. mild bumps and soft crashes, but there is not It's amazing that an iPod accessory actual data available measuring the force of so simple in design, small in price and stylimpact an iPod can withstand while inside ishly designed can change the way your the Showcase. I adore my iPod too much to iPod sounds; you'll hear you iPod with put my own through stress test and basically an entire new dimension of sound. use the Showcase 4G whenever I travel (by air, The EarJams can be purchased oncar, bike, scooter, etc), whenever the kids are line at Griffin's web site for $14.99. nearby (for liquid and sticky-finger protection) and if I need to pack the iPod in a suitcase and EarJams stow-away for travel. The most frequent place I use my iPod Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● and the Showcase is while walking or running. Price: $14.99 This is because of the simple and very stronger www.griffintechnology.com belt-clip. It is easy to put on, but is a tad difficult to remove sometimes. For this reason I Showcase 4g Compatibility: Apple White Ear Buds use the Showcase religiously when walking, riding, skiing, etc. with my iPod and highly Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● recommend this case. Price: $32.95 EDITORS' CHOICE You can buy it online at http://www. www.contourdesign.com contourdesign.com for $32.95. Griffin Technology's Ear Jams rock-n-roll pocketanywhere 34 Volume 3. Issue 3 CASES & BAGS What's in your pocket? Waterfield's one size fits all wallet review section By James S. McCarthy | It's made to carry cash and credit cards, but when I first saw Waterfield's modern wallet on their web site (http://sfbags.com) I knew right then it would make a good PDA case for my iPAQ h4155; I was right. Not only is the Waterfield Wallet compact it also spacious on the inside providing plenty of room for 5/6 credit cards, cash and a PDA. It also worked well with PalmOne's Tungsten T3 too. Lets start with design. Waterfield has built its reputation around a retro feel with a modern twist. They primarily design and manufacturer bags for laptops, the Apple Powerbook/iBook line in particular and so the design's tend to reflect the Apple crowd which I personally find appealing. Of course I use a PowerBook G4 and iPod too. Speaking of which the iPod also squeezes tightly into this wallet but you can not fit more than a couple of dollars and maybe one credit card (note: Waterfield also has a case for the iPod). Perfect in size, 4.25 inches by 3.5 inches, the Waterfield Wallet is made out of either Indium or leather. In case you're confused, Indium is actually known as a metallic element with the symbol “In” and atomic number of 49. It is used in the manufacture of transistors and as a bonding material for acoustic transducers. In this case the term "Indium" is being used to describe a pattern. The wallet has a metallic look however the fabric used is a ballistic nylon. Leather is also available with an accent of Indium along the bottom. A locking zipper wraps around half of the wallet to ensure nothing falls out, unless of course you leave it unzipped. Inside the wallet are two pockets. These pockets store items like credit or business cards, cash and receipts. The center of the Waterfield Wallet is slightly oversized, leaving room for more, perhaps a PDA or small cell phone. This was not Waterfield's original design for the space in the middle, but from a handheld user's perspective it works great for the gadgets. At times I have used this space to carry a sync-n-charge cable, my iPod headphones (with Griffin Technology's EarJams, review page 34) and of course a PDA. The hp IPAQ h4155 worked the best because of its slim size whereas the PalmOne Tungsten T3 fit but zipping the wallet closed took a little work and unfortunately you could not keep it your back pocket. In light of this new use for the Waterfield Wallet it would be creative if a new edition included small pockets for Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash or other memory cards. An upgrade like this would still keep the product focused on its original design use, but Waterfield Wallet Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $15 (Indium) $19 (Leather) www.sfbags.com Compatibility: hp iPAQ 4155, PalmOne Tungsten T3 Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 35 By Gary B. Garland, Esq. | APC is known for their power supplies. So how does their TravelPower briefcase help you get more from your Pocket PC? Well, you’ll just have to read on, now won’t you? I had a chance to try out the APC briefcase. It has a couple of James Bond features to help tame your power hungry devices while on the road. And that’s okay - no need to be a target with a huge “Targus” sign, that translates to “computer inside, steal me.” With the APC case, your mobile equipment is traveling undercover. The heart of the “system” is the APC power adapter, which tucks nicely into it’s own pocket. This clever device takes plugs for wall, car, and plane use. There is a small output dial on the top where you “dial in” your notebook computer’s appetite, from 15 to 20 volts. Just read the included chart or your notebook’s adapter for the right setting. Then you use the correct plug (again, read the chart) and you’re done with the thinking part of the setup. The adapter also includes USB power output. You can plug your USB charging cable directly into it, or use the included splitter to simultaneously charge two devices - say your Pocket PC, and your cell phone. (I had to spring $1.99 for a retractable USB charge cord on e-bay, and already had a sync/charge cable for my lil’ buddy). Your notebook sits comfortably in it’s padded compartment. Snake the charging cable from the adapter’s compartment through a special opening and large grommet, and your notebook is powered/charged within the case, or usable while the adapter is still in the case. While writing this article in my wife’s van, I opted to take my notebook 20 out and type with it on my lap (driver’s seat) while the case and adapter are on the passenger’s seat - nice and comfy! (This reminds me of my Juice review, where I was also in a car. The APC differs from the Juice in that you use standard USB chargers. The Juice was auto-configure, and per iGO, their peripheral charging is faster than USB). If while on, your notebook pulls more power than the rated 75 watts, it will supply what it can, in attempt to extend your battery time, and built in protection will temporarily shut the charger should it overheat. The case also has a clever semi-pocket for the power cord - just unzip a couple of inches, and the 2 sided mini-pouch allows the power cord to leave the case without opening the rest. The many pockets within help you feel like inspector gadget. There are separate pouches for the adapter, and two more devices, such as a Pocket PC and a cell phone. There is a small mesh compartment at the bottom, snugged with velcro, to tame your wires, and channels with elastic loops to keep wires where they belong. Personally, I think the elastic should be a bit bigger or more adjustable, as it was a bit of a struggle to put the wire connectors through. Likewise, the puny Pocket PC compartment didn’t hold my iPAQ 3975 with case - I had to remove the case to allow the 3975 and CF sleeve to fit. The cell phone pocket has an opened bottom secured by a Velcro strap, and I would have liked something similar for the Pocket PC compartment - it would have facilitated charging. There was plenty of room for every Pocket PC accessory I own, and then some! As an aside, APS now has a portable wifi router that fits within the Pocket PC pocket, allowing you to have portable Wi-Fi access powered by the case. Cost is roughly $60 for the unit. The rest of the case is first rate - solid ballistic nylon, and nice zipper pulls, help complete the package. The APC case with triple charger sells for $129 - compared to the price of the Targus Charger alone, or the iGo Juice, this is a steal, and a combination I recommend for any road APC warrior. The nylon case holds 1300 cubic inches. There is a plethora version available, 1000 cubic inch capacity for $99, and a new backpack version with a 1900 cubic inch capacity TravelPower Briefcase for $119. The empty bags weigh a hefty 5 to 6.5 pounds, depending upon version. It is my understanding new rolling versions will be available shortly. Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● The only downside is the increased weight from the charger, (2.2 pounds!) However, Price: $49.95 (includes 4 apps) if you took along chargers for your notebook, phone, and Pocket PC, and car and plane www.splashdata.com adapters as well, you’d probably tip the weight and financial scales. This case has just replaced my Targus leather for my notebook and portable needs. Compatibility: Even if you’re only a moderate road warrior, if you are looking for a case for your notebook Palm OS, Windows and Mac OS X and Pocket PC and peripherals, you should check this one out. 36 Volume 3. Issue 3 review section The case is a typical looking black ballistic nylon case that won’t get a second glance. CASES & BAGS Need more juice? Carry the APC TravelPower briefcase read it again. pocketanywhere ALL NEW eFORUMs ONLINE! Subscribe Today! for anhttp://www.pocketanywhere.com even smaller and lower price 8 issues of gadget love for just $8 SUBSCRIPTION CARD ON BACK COVER (PAGE 64) pocketanywhere magazine and .com 37 for iPAQ h4155 grips enhance comfort. There are very few cases for h4155 that do not add more bulk to the device and for me this is an important feature because my appeal for the h4155 is the slimness and the Clear Case provides a level of protection while not sacrificing the reason I bought the h4155 in the first place. The JavoEdge ClearCase is $23.95 and can be purchased online the JavoEdge web site (http://www.javoedge.com). JavoEdge ClearCase for hp iPAQ h4155 Overall Rating: ● ● ● Price: $29.95 www.javoedge.com Pros 1. Clear; easy to read screen 2. Wraps around entire PDA 3. Molded around buttons 4. Firm closure all around PDA Cons 1. No easy way to dismiss alarms 2. Does not fit with a cradle (iPAQ h4155 cradle is optional accessory) Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums 38 Volume 3. Issue 3 review section By Adam Purcell | Cases and screen protectors are today's must have accessories for any handheld or mobile device owner. JavoEdge, a web retailer of PDA related accessories, has a great selection for numerous PDAs, including a clear case for iPAQs h4155 Windows Mobile Pocket PC. The case completely encloses the handheld protecting it from numerous elements including small spills, dust and rain and flips 180 degrees so it is flat against the back of the handheld for easy holding. It's also a clear-case mold that makes it easy to grab a quick look at an alarm's notice and enhances the manufacturer's polished silver design. Because the JavoEdge Clear Case is molded just like the handheld itself, similar to Vaja Cases I-Volution products, it fits the PDA like a glove and doesn't add much to the overall feel when holding which makes it less bulky than other case solutions. This makes it feel as if you are carry the PDA itself in a pocket without the added padding of a case. The plastic shell is durable enough to withstand short drops and bumps, but is not shock-resistant and the hinge area could use a little more reinforcement. Currently, the case can actually be separated into two pieces by squeezing the hinges into each other. In my opinion this joint needs to stronger to prevent accidental "pop-offs" which would overall create a stronger product for the price. So of the challenges around the hinge area however include providing areas for access to the stylus, headphone input and Secure Digital (SD) slot. All of which are important to the user and are an acceptable trade-off for a little durability surrounding the hinge area. The design of the JavoEdge Clear Case product is obviously for functionality and appeal. The clear case enhances the product's overall look, the 180 degree flip cover makes it easier to hold and use while in the case, the cut-outs provide necessary access and the textural side CASES & BAGS JavoEdge ClearCase STYLUS & ACCESSORIES The Best Laptop Stands BarNone! RoadTools CoolPad and Contour Design's NoteRiser By James S. McCarthy | There comes a point at which a handheld device just can not deliver the same power or visual experience as a laptop. And within the world of laptops is a whole new universe of accessories, including RoadTools CoolPad. The CoolPad is a unique laptop stand that offers multiple angles through "risers" similar to Legos® and the best feature I have yet to see in a laptop stand - a swivel base. The risers are similar to Legos® in that they snap into each other. The more risers stacked, the steeper the angle the laptop rests at. Each CoolPad ships with 8 risers and 4 top caps. The top caps are similar to a riser except include a rubber-pad on the top for the laptop to rest on. This is a great idea and interesting alternative from the typical "kick-stand" method. The only problem is that these "risers" get lost easily — just like Legos®. During the first month of evaluating this product I lost 50% of the risers. They either fell out my Crumpler (http://www. crumpler.com) messenger bag or in my case a small child in the house thought they actually were Legos®. I probably would have lost less of them if they were taller. Of course this limits the flexibility in angle, but for the review section By James S. McCarthy | Is it for look or function? Either way at $99 the Contour Design NoteRiser better be a work of art that can do more than sit and look pretty; and, it does. The NoteRiser is very unique in how it transforms the simplest laptop stand into a fashionable and ergonomically solution for mobile travelers. By approaching the laptop stand from a different perspective of use, the NoteRiser raises the screen to a more comfortable viewing position while keeping itself sturdy and sexy as well as slim. Looking at the photos below you 22 might most part the CoolPad's unique and buying-worthy be wondering how in the world this product feature is not the clever Lego®-like risers, but the keeps the laptop stable in such a radiability to swivel the cal upright position? The answer to that is laptop 360 degrees. in the compact and In addition to the swivel, amazing design. the stand is also small and thin When turned making it easy to slide into a upside down, the NoteRiser (figure 1) unfolds from laptop bag, including those an ultra thin storage position. Pulling it towards you ultra-thin laptop cases, right releases the notched adjuster. This rectangular piece next to the laptop itself. sets how steep The risers can be stored you in hopefully an acwish EDITORS' CHOICE companying gadget too bag like Waterfield angle Which one do I buy? Whichever fits your needs best. The CoolPad works well in meetings Design's iSight or iPod the that you find yourself turning your laptop frequently to show other people the screen. The pouch (http://www. lapNoteRiser works best if your sitting in a stationary position for a prolong period of time. sfbags.com). If not, top. the top, rubber-padThe Contour Design NoteRiser RoadTools CoolPad ded risers can still be steepattached to the CoolPad er Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● during transit and do you Price: $99.95 Price: $29.95 not add much bulk. angle www.contourdesign.com www.roadtools.com For more , the information on the more RoadTools CoolPad, visit the web site at http://www.roadtools.com. the notched adjuster will be brought forward. If there is one design flaw in this product it would be that there is no place to hide the excess adjuster or a way Talk about this review with other mobile technology people to collapse it and make it smaller. Instead the adjuster sits on the table in front you and if the laptop is scooted too close. The only time this becomes a real 1 2 3 pocketanywhere pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 39 laptop stand we have come across to review here at Pocket Anywhere Magazine. From the photo above you see how thin it really is, folding up to roughly the size of Sports Illustrated but thinner and lighter; not too mention better looking. If you think $99 is a lot of money for a laptop stand then you are right. However, there is no other laptop stand that compares in design, durability and ergonomic functionality. In this case the higher price tag is affording Contour Design the research for such as unique and quality products. It comes with a 1 year warranty from original date of purchase and a 30-day money back guarantee. For more information about the NoteRiser visit the web site at http://www.contourdesign.com. 40 Volume 3. Issue 3 DeLorme GPS Earthmate with Bluetooth Kit By James S. McCarthy | In today's fast-paced high-tech world, GPS devices have advanced just as quickly as the handheld/mobile industry in terms of versatility so it is no surprise that GPS devices like DeLorme's Earthmate GPS is smaller, faster, more accurate and can be interfaced with desktops, laptops and PDAs using old-standby cable or for those more on the bleeding-edge of technology, DeLorme also offers an inviting and powerful Bluetooth PowerPak. The DeLorme Earthmate GPS isn't just a GPS device, it is a system. There are so many ways to connect this GPS to mobile device that before diving into its world a brief overview of how it works and with what is almost needed. Before you slap down the credit card and buy one of these killer toys here are a few basic things you should about the Earthmate. First the Earthmate GPS system can be used stand-alone with a USB cable for connection to laptops or with an optional Bluetooth PowerPak (shown below). For handheld users, the Bluetooth PowerPak is the best solution. It lets the GPS communicate with other Bluetooth devices like handhelds and also power the GPS module with a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery or with 4 AA batteries. Both pieces are sold separately or in a bundle. The other handheld option to use a serial cable that connects the device. However, the standard PowerPak (does not include Bluetooth) will need to be used as a power source because the handheld does not provide power to the GPS module, not even through a cable. This is good and bad. It is good since power on the handheld will only be used for the handheld, but is bad because the PowerPack adds more bulk to the overall "GPS package" where as other competing Bluetooth GPS device like the EMTAC Crux II are much smaller and also work with handhelds and laptops that support Bluetooth (internal or through USB). DeLorme has responded to this by recently introducing a new sibling to the GPS family, the Earthmate Blue Logger GPS. The Blue Logger is smaller, self-powered and more portable for handheld users (see page 45). The Blue Logger ships with the same software, DeLorme Street Atlas for Handhelds 2005 and also works with DeLorme's TopoMaps DeLorme Earthmate GPS making it a pretty versatile choice if you're looking for small, light and with Bluetooth Power Kit portable where as the Earthmate GPS with Bluetooth PowerPak is a Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● better choice for the road warrior. Price: $239 (includes DeLorme The software shipped with Street Atlas for Handhelds 2005) the Eartmate GPS works with Winwww.delorme.com dows desktops only, as well as Windows Mobile for Pocket PC devices. Compatibility: See page 61 for more ... review section issue is while traveling and using the NoteRiser in an airplane or other tight quarters. It works great with a seat tray because unlike traditional laptop stands that require the same depth of the laptop, the NoteRiser actually uses less depth and instead takes advantage of height. For safety of the laptop, Contour Design includes small Velcro® squares to attach to the NoteRiser and bottom of the laptop. However, during testing these were not used and even in the highest position the laptop only moved when bumped. It rested on the collapsible feet tabs like there was no weight on them at all. Besides using the NoteRiser as a portable laptop stand, another common use is setup the laptop in a "desktop" orientation. This means to raise the screen to a more comfortable viewing position and using the laptop with an external mouse and keyboard (see image above). This creates a very easy-to-use and ergonomic solution when using a laptop, which is 12 designed for the "lap" in a position that is designed for a "desk" and one of the top reasons it worth the $99. No other laptop stand brings the screen to your eyes to help prevent a sore neck from the slight bend that your neck requires to usually view a laptop's screen on any other laptop stand, including RoadTool's CoolPad (review on page 39). Another feature of the NoteRiser that makes it well worth the $99 price tag is its size. It is amazingly thin and compact, not to mention the lightest OTHER GADGETS continued from page 39 Palm OS, Windows Mobile and XP Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums DESKTOPS_* Konfabulator ... Your Mac OS X (& Windows) desktop exactly the way you have always dreamed review section By James S. McCarthy | If you have never heard of Konfabulator for Mac OS X (and now Windows) then this is the one article in this entire issue that you need to read. Konfabulator is hands-down one of the most useful and creative programs I have found for Mac OS X which is also now available for Windows PC users too! What is Konfabulator? Konfabulator is a JavaScript runtime engine for Windows and Mac OS X that lets you run little files called Widgets that can do pretty much whatever you want them to. Widgets can be alarm clocks, calculators, can tell you your Wi-Fi signal strength, will fetch the latest stock quotes for your preferred symbols, and even give your current local weather. -Konfabulator.com It is a knock-out application that after using once you will want to use it every time your computer reboots. This is because not only are the widgets simple, small and can be customized; so they are useful. The widgets do more than pretty up your screen, they liven up your work environment. Getting started is simple; download the program for either Mac OS X or Windows XP, install it and visit the Konfabultor Widget Factory. Konfabultor itself is the framework. There are few preferences for the program itself that revolve around the Konspose. The Konspose wipes your desktop clean and displays all of the current widgets running. It is helpful for showing specific widgets only when Konsponse is activated, but necessary to view or use widgets. After installing the Konfabultor engine and double-clicking the program icon to launch. The widgets last opened will start loading on the desktop with exception to those selected to only display in Konsponse and a Konfabulator control icon will appear. On Mac's it will appear in the menu-bar and on Windows it will appear in the system-tray. The Widget Factory What really makes Konfabulator absolutely fabulous are the hundreds of widgets created by other Konfabultor users that are free to use making the only real cost to using Konfabulator is registering the Konfabultor engine itself. Widgets can be anything from a simple Bubblet game or Biorhythm to more advanced functions like controlling iTunes, searching the web from your desktop, displaying battery use to weather radar maps and 5-day forecasts. If you think of it, you can do it with Konfabulator. In the above screenshot there are a dozen widgets running. Most of which are running in a normal mode which means they stay put when clicked on unless a Now Available for Windows modifier key is also used. However some widgets are actually part of the desktop, such as the large photo of the Boston Red Sox player. The only way to move this widget (which is simply a photo) is to first enable the Konsponse. And yet other widgets such as the time and battery meter actually float above windows and current applications and can freely move around the screen without having to use a modifier key. Konfabulator can be anything to anyone and is easily customized by downloading any of the widgets. Try it out — you'll register it in a heartbeat. Konfabulator Overall Rating: ● ● ● ● ● Price: $25 www.konfabulator.com Compatibility: Mac OS X and Windows XP pocketanywhere EDITORS' CHOICE Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 41 W IE EV PR Gadget Gift Guide 2004 Christmas is coming. Share this list with your friends and family. more GADG ET GIFT IDEAS comin g soon! *prices rounded to nearest whole dollar GRIFFIN EARJAMS http://www.griffintechnology.com $15 GRIFFIN iTRIP http://www.griffintechnology.com $35 $129 APPLE AIRPORT EXPRESS with AIRTUNES http://www.apple.com XM RADIO XM2GO http://www.xmradio.com $349 $399 APPLE IPOD 4G http://www.apple.com PALMONE TUNGSTEN T5 http://www.palmone.com $399 VIRGIN MOBILE SLIDER http://www.virgin.com $99 $10 SWISS MULTI-TOOL KEY http://www.multi-tools.com $15 JAVOEDGE SYNC-N-CHARGE http://www.javoedge.com (review on page 21) speci al issue will be availa ble online Decem ber 2004 42 Volume 3. Issue 3 PR EV Software Gift Guide 2004 IE W Christmas is coming. Share this list with your friends and family. more SOFTW ARE gift IDEAS comin g soon! *prices rounded to nearest whole dollar TRADEWINDS http://www.astraware.com (review on page 28) $20 GTS RACING http://www.astraware.com $20 $20 BOOKWORM http://www.astraware.com (review on page 30) SPB IMAGEER http://www.spbsoftware.com $30 HANDMARK WARFARE, INC. http://www.handmark.com $15 BUSKER http://www.electricpocket.com $20 $45 CAUSERIE http://www.causerie.com (review on page 23) $10 EREADER PRO http://www.ereader.com lin e De ce mb er 20 04 spe cia l iss ue wil l be av ail ab le on pocketanywhere magazine and .com 43 Geocaching - a primer for outdoorsmen with PDAs A brief history on Geocaching When, geocaching was prompted by an official act by President Clinton on May 1st, 2000 when the United States stopped the intentional degradation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) signals available to the public. Who, A GPS enthusiast named David Ulmer hid a small container near Portland Oregon a couple days later. By the end of the week it had been visited a few times; most notably by Mike Teague, who began documenting his finds on a GPS newsgroup. The phenomenon was called “GPS Stash Hunting.” By July 2000, the newsgroup postings had evolved into a web site run by Teague and Jeremy Irish, who coined the term “geocaching.” Today that site (now run by Irish) has become geocaching.com, and is regarded as the “go-to” site for the hobby. What, Geocaching is the “sport” of hiding and/or locating small treasures or “caches” with a few written clues and, most importantly, GPS coordinates. How, The cache is often a few trinkets relating to the individual who places it, a memo pad and pencil, and possibly a few small pieces of candy, coins, or some other “treasure.” These are usually placed in an air-tight container -- most often Tupperware -- and hidden in some out-of-theway place. The ultimate hiding spot is well-concealed; a hollow log, a space under a large stone, a crevice in a rock, etc., and is a challenge to discover. The Basics, Like a novice hiker would start with the ubiquitous “nature loops,” the novice geocacher should aim for the easiest caches for the first few go-a rounds. And just as hiking is (usually) more fun with a friend, so is geocaching...in fact, you’ll probably need a “helper” for your first searches anyway. The first timer should avail himself or herself of every clue -- called “stash notes” -- and look at any “cheats” offered by the cacher: Photos of the site, description of the container, etc. 44 Volume 3. Issue 3 Where to find geocaches in your neck of the woods By James S. McCarthy | You have the GPS, the PDA and pumped up to find yourself some treasure, but don't know where to look? There's a whole of tree's, rocks and dirt in your neck of the woods so how do you narrow to a few feet? Browse on over to Geocaching.Com, enter your zip code and click on a cache. Yes, it is that easy. What you do with the information depends on how complicated you decide to make it. Geocaching.Com offers is free to browse and download basic LOC files which are basically nothing more than small files containing longitude and latitude coordinates. If you subscribe as a Premiere Member for $3/month you can schedule Pocket Queries as well as download GPX files. Pocket Queries automatically search for new caches in your area on a daily basis and can installed to your Palm OS or Pocket PC handheld and then viewed using MobiPocket's Reader. GPX (GPS eXchange Format) files include more data then the original geocaching.com LOC file. The additional data includes information about the cache such as hints, clues and descriptions. Desktop Tools Online resources for geocaching and taking maps and cache with you on your handheld. MacGPSBabel GPSBabel converts way points, tracks, and routes from one format to another, whether that format is a common mapping format like DeLorme, Streets and Trips or download to a Garmin or Magellan GPS. MobiPocket Reader (for reading Pocket Queries) As a Premium Member of geocaching.com you can download custom queries of geocaches and synchronize them in eBook format. GPX Spinner A Windows OS shareware application that can convert GPX files to iSolo and Plucker format. GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) All in one application that allows you to manage GPX/LOC files, upload to your GPS, and convert to various other formats. Uses GPSBabel as the back end. Other Online "Getting Started" Resources Using a Pocket PC for geocaching http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_archives/nov03/geocaching.asp Using a Palm OS for geocaching http://www.palmsource.com/interests/geocaching/ Where to find cache's in your area (by zip code) http://www.groundspeak.com What the hec is geocaching? A Beginner's Guide http://www.factsfacts.com/geocacher.htm And, what are Travel Bugs? By James S. McCarthy | A Groundspeak Travel Bug is a trackable tag, typically metal with a unique number engraved on it that you attach to an item you leave in a cache. The Travel Bug becomes a hitchhiker that is carried from cache to cache by other geocachers and its journey can be tracked online at geocaching.com. The fun of the Travel Bug is coming up with new goals for it. Whether the goals are simply to travel a certain or the world they are yours to create and geocacher's to fulfill. Travel Bugs aren't free and can be purchased online through geocaching.com for sport or just collectible. Handheld Tools Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Palm OS software programs for geocaching Geocaching with EMTAC's Geocaching on Palm OS Bluetooth CRUX II/BTGPS with RayDarr's GeoNiche By Adam Purcell | EMTAC’s CRUX II/BTGPS is the world’s first Bluetooth GPS (Global Positioning System) that exchanges GPS data with a Palm OS v3.5 through 5.0 device, Pocket PC 2000/2002, Bluetooth enabled mobile phone or laptop computer (98/ME/2000/XP) without wires and within a 30-foot range. The design and construction of the CRUX II/BTGPS is outstanding; innovative and cutting-edge. It’s cased in a light-weight solid black plastic measuring 50(W) x 90(L) x 17(H) mm and weighs only 60 grams. Inside is a built-in high sensitivity GPS active antenna, and built-in rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery with 5V DC input charging circuit (650 mA)that runs about 6 hours in continuous mode. There are three LED status light indicators: Bluetooth status, GPS connection and power-level. There is also a small on/off slide-switch, an input for external antenna and A/C or D/C power adapter. Two oblong rubber feet keep the device secure on a vehicle dashboard or other smooth, slippery surface. The device serial number is also located on the reverse side of the CRUX II/BTGPS. In addition, there is a small loop on the top of the device where a lanyard or wrist strap might be attached that would make the device easy to carry while hiking, but is not included in the box nor available as an accessory through EMTAC. According to the EMTAC web site, the accuracy of the CRUX II/BTGPS is 10m, RMS, 25m CEP without SA including 12 Channels all-in-view satellite tracking. Additionally, the average time to establish a minimum satellite fix for different GPS conditions should be around these: Connection time between the Tungsten T Palm OS device and the CRUX II/BTGPS was about 20 seconds in a cold state (power-on continued on page 57 By James S. McCarthy | The main difference of geocaching with a Palm OS device over a Pocket Pc or a Garmin handheld is the software. GeoNiche, by RayDarr LLC, can be used as nothing greater than a compass or as a full-featured geocaching toolbox complete with tracking, logging and GPS functionality for the casual or outgoing geocacher; which ever might fit your hiking shoes. Pocket Anywhere Labs tested GeoNiche with multiple GPS devices including DeLorme's Earthmate GPS with Bluetooth PowerMate, EMTAC's CRUX II/BTGPS and NAVMAN's Tripmate. In most cases GeoNiche connected quickly and without much configuration. DeLorme's earthmate was most difficult to establish a connection and the EMTiny Stock's NAVIO for TAC's CRUX II/BTGPS Windows Mobile Pocket PC was lightening fast. Once conFor Windows Mobile Pocket nected the average PC geocacher's Tiny Stock's Navio geocacher can simply provides an easy to use and full-featured experience while geocaching. use the default navigaIt doesn't do anything fancy with geocaching.com's LOC or GPX files tion setup to locate (version 2.2.1), but has one of the most graphically sophisticated user caches or customize interface's for GPS navigation that GeoNiche including Pocket Anywhere Labs has tested. In addition to the standard screen color to buttons compass and map views, Navio also includes a 3-D satellite assignment. Howsignal strength status (shown at right) that can be displayed using ever for the serious columns for signal strength and geocacher GeoNiche circles for satellite representation. While viewing the "map" a set has all of the necesof tools appear in the lower-right corner of the screen allowing the sary tools with lots of options to: expand to full screen, free pan with stylus, zoom in and out customizing features. as well as add way points or load a map. Maps are BMP, GIF or JPG The navigation images stored on the Pocket PC. view will require much Read pocketanywhere. of your attention while com for a full review in the coming months. For more informageocaching. It provides tion go to http://www.tinystocks. com. Navio is $24.95 a real-time compass and overlayed pointer indicating which direccontinued on page 48 More Software Programs VITO Navigator II (SHAREWARE) http://www.vitotechnology.com CacheMate (SHAREWARE) http://www.smittyware.com/palm/cachemate/ Geocaching Hint Decoder 1.0 (SHAREWARE) http://myweb.cableone.net/jcparry/setup.zip GPSBabel converts way points, tracks, and routes from one format to another, whether that format is a common mapping format like DeLorme, Streets and Trips or download to a Garmin or Magellan GPS. As a Premium Member of geocaching.com you can download custom queries of geocaches and synchronize them in eBook format. All in one application that allows you to manage GPX/LOC files, upload to your GPS, and convert to various other formats. Uses GPSBabel as the back end. pocketanywhere magazine and .com 45 GI For those not familiar with MARGI Systems, they are best known for their presentation products using wired, wireless, through various media formats. MARGI hit a home run in the handheld market with the release of Presenter-to-Go for the Handspring Visor. This product allowed users to make presentations from their Visor handhelds using the Springboard slot on the device. This peripheral transformed PDAs from Geeky Gadgets into business presentation tools. From the Springboard, MARGI expanded the Presenter-to-Go line to support Palm OS Devices with Secure Digital expansion, Sony Clie (Also Palm OS) Devices with Memory Stick expansion, and Pocket PC Devices with Compact Flash and Secure Digital expansion capabilities. No Bluetooth? MA R So what is Presenter-to-Go? Presenter-to-Go is a presentation system that allows the user to project and make presentations from the Treo 600 through the Secure Digital expansion slot. From this slot, an adapter is inserted to hook up the phone to a compatible projector. Presenta- Present with PowerPoint DataViz SlideShow To Go tions are then navigated from the Treo through the Navigation Pad, the stylus and touch screen, or through an infra-red remote control that comes bundled with the system. Presenter-to-Go lightens the load considerably since the user only needs to bring their Treo phone, this kit, and the projector to be used for the presentation. No more logging around a laptop and the limitations of being next to the laptop when making presentations. Presenter-to-Go frees up the presenter considerably. After installing the bundled software, Presenter-to-Go installs a set of handheld applications and a desktop component that allows users to send Power Point Presentations from the desktop and converted them into a format to be used on the Treo. In addition to Power Point, users can print any item and have it sent over to the Treo. So if one would like to add a web page, an excel spreadsheet, and a page from a pdf file to a presentation, they can. This gives considerable flexibility to the presenter in terms of the material they can use. To send a non-Power Point file, the user just needs to select Print As from the drop down menu in their respective windows application, and then select Presenter-to-Go as the printer. From here, the page/document is sent over to the Presenter-to-Go desktop and cued for transfer. Quite simple to use and quick to get up and running. While making the presentation, the user can view their notes or the slides that are being projected. A great feature for the current version of Presenter-toGo is the ability to use a pen on the Treo’s screen to making emphasis on certain points, or to illustrate points on the slides during the presentation. Besides the Presenter Application, MARGI Mirror is an additional application a presenter has at their disposal for presentations. What MARGI Mirror does is project the contents of the Treo’s screen through the projector. If the user has the Mirror application activated, they can display a Documents-to-Go File, their schedule, or even a memo from the memo pad. I personally like to use a doo46 Volume 3. Issue 3 No Problem. Logitech's Wireless Headset for Treo 600 One of the very few design challenges of the Treo 600 is that it makes for a large phone to be placed by the ear when using it. A possible solution for the size would be a Bluetooth wireless headset. Because the Treo 600 does not come equipped with Bluetooth, that option is not available. Enter in the wireless headset by Logitech. Logitech created the wireless headset for phones that do not support Bluetooth communication capabilities. This headset plugs into the 2.5mm headset jack on the bottom left hand side of the Treo. Attached to this cord is a transmitter that extends about 2 inches. This dongle is probably the only drawback of the headset design. But considering that the signal needs to be transmitted, the belt clip that accompanies this transmitter helps tremendously. If you have the PalmOne Treo Case with the belt clip, the belt clip for the transmitter dongle can be placed right alongside the Treo’s belt clip without it getting in the way. The headset clips on behind the ear rather than on the ear. From the earpiece, a microphone boom extends and pivots to a comfortable position for the user. A small button on the boom is used to turn the headset on/off and to answer and hang up phone calls. Another great feature of this headset is the ability to control the earpiece volume during a conversation. It is a soft rocker button with a plus and minus symbols to increase and decrease volume respectively. In addition to changing the volume, the user can mute the microphone be pressing both buttons at the same time. Both the headset and transmitter are powered by lithium-ion batter- continued on next page eadset H ss h Wirele c e SDIO th Presen t Continued from pg 9 L og it To Go wi r e MARGI PresenterToGo continued ... LogiTech continued ... dle application and project it to make illustrations during a presentation. Some improvements to this presentation suite would be the following: The ability to have presentations re-sized when converted. Currently, the user has to reformat Power Point Slides to a landscape format to fill the screen. Screen transitions. As it stands, only static presentations are transferred over regardless of the transitions made on the desktop. While the presenter is not best served with the endless transition possibilities available, some minor transitions would be nice to have. In all fairness to MARGI, this is more of a limitation of the OS and screen resolution they are using then on their technology. They have been able to make this work on the Pocket PC side. Other than what I suggested for improvement, this presentation suite is the best on the market. I have had the opportunity to observe MARGI as a company and how they have responded to the needs of presenters and they have not disappointed. Extra Treo Points go to MARGI Systems for lightening the load even more by making Presenter-to-Go Treo compatible. If you make presentations and have a Treo 600 phone, this is a must have. One suggestions to future presenters using this product, turn off your phone before making your presentation! ies. They come packed in a cleanly designed case that doubles as a charger. iewer V o Resco Viewer resc Resco has become one of the few developers to turn out applications for both the Pocket PC and Palm OS at a world class level. Their picture viewer is at this level and works nicely with the Treo 600. The Resco Picture application has two components, a desktop and handheld applications. On the desktop, users can create photo albums from their photo collection to be transferred as whole album or as individual pictures. For this review, I didn’t need to consult the manual to put an album together because the desktop application was so intuitive and easy to use. After creating an album, the user can then que it up to be transferred to the Treo. It is suggested that a Secure Digital card be used due to the potential size of the albums created. After the user chooses the appropriate location, the album is transferred over in the next Hotsync session. Once the album is transferred over, the user can find it and view it using the intuitive, “Explorer-Like” interface. And with Resco being responsive to their customer’s requests, Picture Viewer is Treo 600 compatible. This means that the user can navigate the folders using the navigation pad. From the navigation pad, the user can view pictures/albums transferred to the device/card, pictures taken with the Treo’s built-in camera. My personal usage of this program allows me to run slide shows all from the navigation pad, using the menu pull-downs, all without the need of a stylus. If you want an easy to use album creator and picture viewing suite for your Treo, look no further than the Resco Picture Viewer. I have no suggestions for improvement because it works so well on the Treo and is one of the easiest programs to use for the Treo. It takes about 2-3 hours on the initial charge and it lasts on average of 6-7 hours talk time and 10 hours standby. The obvious question at this point is how good is the reception? From my usage (4-5 hours per day) the signal was clear and audible with occasional issues when the battery was going low. The transmitting distance was up to 10 feet with a noticeable change in reception. The only improvements I would like to see made in this product would be to have a smaller transmitter that would be able to clip onto the treo a little better. By eliminating the dongle cord and the additional belt clip, the usage of this product would make for a better experience for the user. While this headset was not designed specifically for the Treo, it still scores on productivity by getting rid of the wired earpiece and allowing the user some freedom of movement. For my usage, I access applications such as Agendus and Documents-to-Go while on a phone call with a client to look up specific data they might need. Who says you can’t multitask on the Palm OS? Even with the workaround for the transmitter, this is an outstanding product for those looking for a wireless alternative in using their Treo 600. In addition to this wireless headset, Logitech has a superbly designed Bluetooth headset that has received accolades throughout the world for design, reliability, and reception quality. I like many Treo users are anxiously awaiting a Bluetooth enabled Treo to take advantage of this technology. Talk about this review with other mobile technology people pocketanywhere.com discussion forums pocketanywhere magazine and .com 47 continued from page 45 tion to travel to the currently active target (or cache). The information bars on the top and bottom, along with the four soft-buttons can be customized to show various tracking and/or GPS information as well as programmed for specific functions such current satellites tracking and their ID. Many other GPS oriented programs like CacheMate and SolusPro include this view which is no more useful than the view GeoNiche provides under the "GPS" menu titled "Initialization"; pictures of little satellites are just prettier. simply back to camp. Targets do not have to be connected to a route and can be quickly filtered through the "Target" view to include non-route caches (or targets). GeoNiche offers more than what I have scratched in features, function and reliability. In addition to the Palm OS program, a separate cross-platform Java program, EasyNiche is also included and runs on both Windows XP and Mac OS. EasyNiche 1.13 Converts geocaching.com GPX, LOC and CSV files into a Palm OS database file. It works with a single file or more than one file at a time. For the advanced user, EasyNiche conversion infor- as turning the GPS connection on or off or switching through the various views. The number of features and functions available to try out is numerous and well thought-out for geocaching or just using GeoNiche as a GPS monitor. The only view missing would be a "Sky" or "Satellite" view showing the 48 Volume 3. Issue 3 The process to customize these areas require no more knowledge then highlighting text and tapping on the screen. Another useful function of GeoNiche is creating routes. A route tracks the direction and GPS coordinates while you are in progress to a cache, multiple caches or the original one-of-a-kind WATCH with black wrist band Experience Today's Digital Lifestyle 9 www.gadgetme.com 6 $54 includes a LIFE TIME subscription to POCKET ANYWHERE MAGAZINE 9 Experience Today's Digital Lifestyle www.gadgetme.com 6 available in four colors for a limited time only ORDER NOW pocketanywhere magazine and .com A Day of in the Life Amy Zunk seconds 90 with CEO Managing Editor Pocket Anywhere Magazine Howard Tomlinson 7:00am Wake up, logon to home network, check e-mail, sync latest information to Palm Tungsten C, sync information to Nokia 6610 using PC Suite from Nokia, load up new tunes on iPod via Anapod Explorer, read web site stuff. 8:00am Use GPS to map fastest route to step-son's elementary school and then drive 47.8 miles to work. (Try not to speed) PA: What is your company's product line? HT: Astraware creates entertainment - simple as that! We focus on what we enjoy most, which just happens to be games. We now have over 50 titles, covering different game genres. I’m pretty sure that for anyone with a Palm who would consider playing a game, we’ve got a game they’d enjoy. Drivetime- Use cell phone to make business calls. Plug iPod into Belkin FM Transmitter and play through car radio. PA: What is your company's main demographic? HT: Our demographic is very broad and the common perception is that game players would be young (18-30) males, and while this is true for some of our games, the majority of our games appeal to a wider audience. Our word games for instance are very popular with people who like a bit of a mental challenge, but not as much as doing a crossword. 9:00am Get to work. Check ShadowPlan on Palm OS for major projects that need to be done for work. Check To-Do List for the day. Upload new news to Pocket Anywhere web site. Place iPod headphones on and turn on music of the day. 5:00pm Time to go home. I might have run errands on my lunch break, depends on what the agenda and To-Do list have to say as well as if my husband called my on my cell with any last minute errands. Drivetime- Use cell phone to make business calls. Plug iPod into Belkin FM Transmitter and play through car radio. 6:00pm Get home, check e-mail, sync latest information to Palm Tungsten C, sync information to Nokia 6610 using PC Suite from Nokia. Work on PA stuff. Work on METROCON projects (check Tungsten for any new information). Work either on laptop on porch or in my home office with either laptop or Tungsten, all via wireless. If I am testing any new products, play with them on my Tungsten C, Nokia 9200 or iPAQ 3765. 1:00am After working half the night and having to take care of household stuff (dinner, stepson’s homework, etc), it's time relax and play some Bejeweled while listening to RUSH on my iPod. of Astraware PA: New products on the horizon? HT: Dozens! On the immediate horizon are Tradewinds - a sailing and trading game set in the far east, and Zuma, the hit action puzzler from PopCap. We’ve also got people literally frothing at the mouth waiting for Zap! Evolution, a whole generation forward from Zap!2000. PA: Where do you see your company in the future? HT: In the future, we’re expecting to carry PDA, Smartphone, and even some PC products. In five years its hard to know exactly what the industry will be like, but you can be fairly sure that converged devices will be more common than they are now. We see a number of technology moves in that direction that open up some very interesting new possibilities for mobile gaming, and we have research going on in that direction already! The entire interview with Howard Tomlinson of Astraware can read online at pocketanywhere.com. Enter Reader Code: 1567 in the search box. pocketanywhere magazine and .com 49 Handheld maintenance — do you know how to give your PDA TLC By Jen Edwards | PDA maintenance is an important task to which most people don’t pay enough attention, and that can cause real problems. The device itself may cost anywhere from $99 to $599, which is a sizeable financial investment, but the data is also very important. Having the right strategies in place can ensure that you get the most out of your handheld, no matter if you have a Zire 21 or a high-end Sony Clie. First, make sure that your device is physically protected. Most likely means, keeping it in a case of some kind. There are varieties to choose from made of neoprene, leather, aluminum, and other materials. A good case should offer protection against drops and hold the handheld securely. An expensive case won’t help too much if it springs open too easily. Other physical protection options include screen protectors, screen cleaning kits, and making sure that your stylus is completely free of foreign debris that could potentially scratch the screen. Screen protectors are made of a thin plastic and are designed to adhere to the screen and provide a barrier between the delicate screen and the stylus. They are available from a variety of vendors, including Brando Workshop, NuShield, ARM Station, and JavoEdge. Screen cleaning kits or cloths are a good idea as well, since keeping the screen of your handheld device clean prevents the stylus from picking up any grit as you write on the screen. Pre-moistened screen cleaning wipes are also sold for this purpose, or a commercial glass cleaner can be used if it is sprayed onto a paper towel, not directly onto the handheld screen. Unless the screen is very dirty or smeared, a microfiber cleaning cloth is likely the best solution. Second, make sure that the data on your device is protected. That means that a solid backup strategy is in place, that important personal information is hidden from prying eyes, and that your software is completely up to date. Backing up is one of the most crucial components of PDA maintenance, and the first step it to sync your handheld device often. The syn50 Volume 3. Issue 3 chronization process ensures that all of your information is current and includes both a information is on your desktop computer as phone number and an e-mail address. If your well, which will be critical if your handheld is handheld is found, it is more likely a good ever lost or stolen. Samaritan will return it if they know how to It is also a good idea to backup the con- get in contact with you. tents of the handheld to a memory expansion Finally, check to make sure that your card, if your device is equipped with an SD or critical handheld applications are completely Memory Stick slot. Right Back Up from Stand up to date on at least a quarterly basis. Not Alone Software, BackupMan from Bits n’ Bolts, every developer or company regularly notiand BackupBuddy VFS from Blue Nomad are all fies registered users of software updates, quality products that can make it much simpler and you could potentially be missing out on to recover from a hard reset without even having important bug fixes and/or new functionality to sync your device to a desktop computer. It is that may not cost you a cent. also important to note that the computer itself Handheld maintenance doesn’t require should also be backed up on a regular basis, too much effort, but it does require just a little at least weekly. planning. Protect your handheld physically Information security means that the sen- by storing it in a case when not in use, and sitive personal data on your device should be consider using a screen protector and screen protected from unauthorized viewing. Since cleaning cloth. Protect your data by backing handheld devices are by their very nature ex- it up regularly and keep it private through the tremely portable tools, they can easily be lost use of a security application to ensure that of stolen. Instead of keeping credit card and your handheld investment pays off regularly bank account numbers, e-mail passwords, and for a long time to come. server log on information in the Memo Pad, Jen Edwards, A.K.A PocketGoddess, invest in a password application that offers strong encryption. Good choices include Passwords Plus from Dataviz, PDA SafeID By James S. McCarthy | Amazed by the clarity of this product from Handmark, that is unparalleled to any other similar product, I thought “This is a and SplashID from product that needs to be reviewed”. However, PalmOne (and their SplashData. Each of Public Relations people, A&R) are not responsive to our evaluation these applications requests so I must thank my friend for his eval donation. includes both a The Screen Protector Multipack is good. It’s sold at a reasonPDA and a desktop able price and also packaged with two “credit card” style applicators computer interface, that don’t leave streak marks that some real credit cards produce allowing for quick and also includes a small shammy for cleaning the screen before data entry and reapplying the protector. I was also impressed with how PalmOne trieval. A simple created a product that can be used by many of its popular handheld and free safeguard devices. They did this by printing a template on the back of each that every handscreen protector that represented the screen size for various devices. held user should Supported devices include: Tungsten T3, T, T2, E, Zire 71, 72, 21, take advantage of 31 and original Zire, the m100 / m500 Series, Tungsten W/C and is the security apthe Treo 600. plication built in The only part of cutting down the protector for your specific to their handheld device that isn’t emphasized enough is that all devices with excepdevice. Setting a The rest of this review is online! Reader Code : 1524 password or PIN is an easy way to frustrate all but the most determined thieves. has over 8 years of handheld experience. She And you should also make sure that the owner is online at http://www.pocketgoddess.com. PalmOne Screen Protector MultiPack stops scratching the original one-of-a-kind WATCH with black wrist band Experience Today's Digital Lifestyle 9 www.gadgetme.com 6 $54 includes a LIFE TIME subscription to POCKET ANYWHERE MAGAZINE 9 Experience Today's Digital Lifestyle www.gadgetme.com 6 available in four colors for a limited time only ORDER NOW 24 Fun and interesting things to do with your Apple iPod! By Adam Purcell | Apple's iPod is more than a digital juke-box. What makes the iPod the best isn't the Apple brand, or the trendsetting white earbuds — it is what it can do beyond music, beyond contacts and beyond being simply cool. Here are a few examples. 1. Import photos from your digital camera directly into your iPod using Belkin's Digital Camera Link (review page 36) 2. Play music through your car stereo using Griffin's iTrip (review online, Reader Code: 1234) 3. Plug your iPod into a set of computer desktop speakers and use it as an alarm clock next to your bed 4. Using iPod It! (Mac OS X) backup folders from your Mac to your iPod every time you connect 5. Synchronize your iCal, Address Book and Stickies to your iPod (Microsoft Outlook for PC users) with software tools (search ipodlounge.com) 6. Use as a voice recorder with Griffin's iTalk 7. Play "Name that Tune" using the music on your iPod (see your iPod's game menu) 8. Listen to a book in bed 9. Use your iPod as a flash light with the backlight screen or the Griffin IBeam (also works as a laser pointer) 10. Put your iPod in "Disk Mode" and use as an additional hard drive 11. Download and "read" a hyperlinked version of the United States Constitution 12. Access your iPod from where using the Internet and Red Chair Software's Anapod eXtreamer (http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/) 13. Present your next PowerPoint presentation with your iPod Photo using iPresentIt! (http://www.apple. com/downloads/macosx/ipod_itunes/ipresentit.html) 14. How about synchronizing your RSS news feeds directly to your iPod with Pod2Go (Mac OS X) 15. Copy MP3/AAC files from your iPod to your Mac with iPod Rip (http://www.littleappfactory.com) 16. Why "read" news, weather or other documents on your iPod when you can "listen" to them? Convert news, weather and other documents into MP3 files and send to your iPod with iSpeak It! 17. Play your music on any Windows PC with PodPlayer (iTunes not required) 18. Change songs using Keyspan's Express Remote 19. Listen to your iPod while camping with Altec Lansing's inMotion iM3 Portable Audio System 20. Place in the dock on a bookcase and display it as a piece of art 21. Save your On The Go playlists (system software 3.0x required) 22. Create a "Flip Book" movie with your iPod Photo by importing single-frame sequential photos 23. Take a photo of you and your iPod around the world and email it to ipodlounge. com 24. Share it with friends. pocketanywhere magazine and .com pocketanywhere anywhere magazine and .com 51 From out of nowhere emerged Dell with three marvelous Axim X50 handhelds with more speed, memory and Windows Mobile 2003 SE not to forget one hec of a great price to boot By John Ohnstad | From out of nowhere Dell has emerged as a major player in the Handheld Computing world. The Axim X5 brought dual-slot expansion capabilities into a sharp looking package and created a following among first time and long time Pocket PC users. The X3 line brought integrated Wi-Fi into a slimmed down handheld for those seeking a lighter means of handheld computing without sacrificing power or expansion. The X30 series improved on the X3 form factor with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, increased processor speed (624 MHz) and the latest operating system, Windows Mobile 2003 SE. So, this brings us to the latest release from Dell, the X50 series. The X50 is a completely new form factor, bringing back dual-slot expansion (SD and Type II CF), dual wireless connectivity in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, VGA resolution (X50v only) and a graphics accelerator (X50v only) all packed into a small but very stylish casing that would blend in nicely with a Bang & Olufsen media center. Initial Impressions... The X50 series comes in three flavors, the standard X50, the X50 mid, and the X50v. The casing of these devices definitely put them in a class by themselves. Specifications always improve but rarely do you 52 Volume 3. Issue 3 see a little bit of style added as well. The look of this device has a black gloss casing on the front of the device accented by silver buttons and silver casing around the edges. The back side of this device is black plastic that is easy to grip and hold. All Axims in the X50 family come equipped with the latest version of Windows Mobile (2003 SE), Pocket Outlook, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player 10, and Dual Expansion (SDIO & CF Type II). From these initial specifications, the devices break away from each other in meeting needs of specific users. Hardware differences between the devices are the following: Different Devices, Who Will Use Them? resolution is that through the device’s connector users can make presentations directly from the device. An application that comes with the X50v is a simple application called Mirror. Mirror allows the user to project the contents of the device’s screen through a VGA cable. Dell has this available as an add-on for the X50v when placing an order through their web site. Be looking for a review of this in the not so distant future. Axim X50 Specs at a glance X50v If you are considering a purchase of a Portable Media Center, I would highly recomm e n d g iv i n g this device a look. The resolution of this device gives tremendous clarity to pictures and video files. And through the use of Windows Media Player 10 (Desktop and Handheld), users are able synchronize their content from the PC to the device (in memory, built-in storage, or on expansion cards). The line between handheld productivity and entertainment has been severely blurred with the release of the X50v. Windows Media Player 10 for Pocket PC has brought an array of features in library management, playlist management, and being able to view album cover art! For users who like to use Microsoft Photo Story, those files are also compatible with Windows Media Player for Pocket PC. Another great benefit of having VGA Axim X50 416 MHz 416 MHz processor. 64 MB SDRAM 64 MB StrataFlash ROM Integrated Bluetooth Axim X50 520 MHz Integrated Bluetooth Integrated Wi-Fi (80211.b) 64 MB SDRAM 128 MB StrataFlash ROM (92 is usable as built-in storage) Axim X50v VGA Resolution (640 x 480) 624 MHz processor Intel 2700G multimedia accelerator with 16 MB video memory. 64 MB RAM 128 MB ROM (92 is usable as built-in storage) Integrated Bluetooth Integrated Wi-Fi (80211.b) X50 520 MHz The X50 shares many of the bells and whistles that come with the X50v. While the device does not fall back on performance. The 520 MHz processor while not the highest performing on the market, it still performs admirably for this device. This device has a snappy responsiveness when moving between multiple applications. Windows Mobile 2003 The display is a QVGA screen that resembles that of the X30 series. The colors are bright and vivid. Overall, this device packs quite a bit features an options for the user who may want power but not so much in terms of entertainment. Productivity and power are what come to mind when using this device. For the sales professional who wishes to make presentations, an adapter from MARGI Systems that would plug into an expansion slot (either SD or CF) would lighten the load of a laptop when travelling. This device is also a great upgrade path for a user who has a device like the Axim X5. With integrated connectivity, the user is now freed up to take full advantage of dual expansion with larger sized Secure Digital Cards or even a high capacity Micro drive. X50 416 MHz The X50 416 rounds out the X50 line with a great value of features. It includes all of the features of the X50 minus a slightly slower processor, 64 MB of StrataFlash ROM, and Integrated Bluetooth (no Wi-Fi). For $299, a user would be hard pressed to find all of the features that come with this device. I see the type of user for this device as road warrior that is looking to be productive and uses their device as a laptop replacement. The wireless connection of this user would be driven by using bluetooth either through their computer at home/ office or through their mobile phone service through a data subscription plan. With the availability of hotspots, many users do not want their i n t e r ne t a c c e s s confined to these spots, this device would work nicely with a bluetooth enabled phone for web and e-mail access. Overall, Dell has raised the Which Dell Axim X50 is right for you? Dell Axim X50v: $499 Good At: Digital Music, Photography, and Video enthusiasts. Sales Professionals who are looking to make presentations from the device. For Who? Users who wish to balance entertainment with productivity. Dell Axim X50 520 Mhz: $399 Good At: Power, Performance at a competitive price. Sales Professionals who are looking to make presentations from the device. For Who? Users who are looking for dual expansion and dual connectivity. Dell Axim X50 416 Mhz: $299 Good At: A first time purchaser of a handheld computer. Sales Professionals who are looking to make presentations from the device. For Who? Mobile users who wish to stay connected through their phone and PC. 10 Second Edition New Things to Know 1. Windows Media Player Version 10. Improved responsiveness with external memory cards, ability to read media files from all folders, and the ability to display Microsoft Plus! Photo Story projects. 2. Improved Wireless Connectivity. Improved wireless connectivity to Wi-Fi Hotspots. 3. Improved Wireless Security. Through Windows Media Special Edition, increased WPA security is able to be achieved. 4. Improved Pocket Internet Explorer Performance. Automatic re-pagination within Pocket Internet Explorer. 5. External Keyboard Compatibility. Through using the “alt” key on an external keyboard, the user is able to access menus within Windows Mobile applications without the need of a stylus. 6. Pictures Application. Ability to edit, display, and slide show photos from internal memory, built-in storage and external memory cards. 7. Jawbreaker Game. A brand new game that gets you addicted quickly! 8. VGA Screen Support. At the time of this writing (September 2004), we are anxiously awaiting the handheld manufacturers to release VGA displays in their devices. 9. Screen Rotation Capabilities. Windows Mobile 2003, Second Edition brings the ability to rotate the devices screen in all directions. 10. System Font Settings. Another Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition feature is the ability to set the system fonts through the screen settings menu option. pocketanywhere magazine and .com 53 continued from page 17 easily map your buddy with an Address Book contact. Causerie will search for your buddy in the Address Book by IM handle, which unfortunately might work well with desktop Address Book programs that store IM information, but for the Palm OS which until recently did not even support the basic PIM fields, "birthday and location" it is highly unlikely to grab your contact's Address Book card on the first try. This is okay since the standard "Look up" function is supported in Causerie and most likely the method to finding your buddy's Address Book information on your Palm OS device. Once the contact information is linked it makes easy to place a call to that buddy or drop them an e-mail note right from Causerie Messenger's contact list. However one of the more cool things that you can do with the Premiere edition Causerie Messenger is check you G-mail, search Google, Amazon or lookup a word via dictionary.com and receive the results back just like any normal chat request. My personal favorite's are FedEx tracking and weather. It would be useful to also include tracking for UPS and USPS. As you can imagine, the possibilities for additional "IMBOTs" is up the group's own creativity and time. How does this work? The "IMBOTs" are fetched through the MantraGroup's proxy server and set of customized computer scripts. They query the server and return the results in a format that Causerie messenger can easily display which is just like any other chat screen. There are so many other features in Causerie Messenger that make this program worth its cost. These also include integration with the Palm OS notification service, always-on background monitoring, Quick Text messages, a basic set of smiley icons and multiple chat screens that you can easily flip through. The standard edition does not include the IMBOTs and because of this I think that the $35 price range is on-target for the Premiere edition and should be about $10 less for a less feature rich client. More information about Causerie Messenger can found online at http://www.mantragroup.com and also a subscription for $35/year (either edition) is available for purchase as well. 54 Volume 3. Issue 3 By Jim McCarthy | The XM PCR brings the power of satellite radio directly to your Windows PC using the same high-tech technology used by its other receivers like the Delphi SKYFi receiver. An antenna pointed at the sky, picks up the XM Radio satellite signal and plays the broadcast through the PCs audio system letting you, the XM Radio enthusiast e like everyone else on XM and listen to your favorite music while at the office or working at home in the study. Connected via a USB cable, the XM PCR receiver does not use the Internet to “stream” music. Instead, the computer is used as a tuner, hosting the software that lets you switch channels, save songs and check the signal strength of the current connection. All 100 plus channels, as well as premium, are available through the XM PCR. Simply plug, play and start listening. The XM PCR software is basic and provides all necessary features to provide a good listening experience, as well as matches and adds new features over the other receiver products. Similar in function, the XM PCR displays the artist and song information for a user specified number of days, and alerts you when the song is currently playing on any XM channel; a fantastic feature. XM PCR also organizes the 100 plus XM channels into three category tabs: music | news/talk |last 10, while also providing a tab that lists every XM channel and four custom tabs that you can rename and add channels of your own for quicker access. Like many popular media players available for the Windows platform, you can also minimize the XM PCR program to the program/task bar or display the “mini” version which can be configured to “stay on top” of other programs. This keeps the XM PCR at your finger tips for quick notice muting, channel changing or saving the info for a song playing. Configuration options also include the ability to export your saved song list to a file, as well as set a time interval for an XM Radio screen saver to appear. This screen saver stylishly displays the XM Radio logo along with a modern, rounded edge box showing the current XM channel and genre, as well the current artist and song playing; a nice touch for computer users who use a PC at home as an audio manager. The XM PRC recently has been slashed to a small $49, which includes everything you need to get started with XM Satellite radio: desktop pc software for Windows, the satellite receiver and antenna. The service fee is $9.99/month, or $6.99/month if you are making the XM PCR an additional receiver on your current XM plan. http:// www.xmradio.com Time-Shifting XM Radio Why can't we record a radio show like we do a TV show? By Adam Purcell | TimeTrax: a small Windows based program that when combined with XM Radio's XMPCR satellite receiver became an MP3 collector's dream and a gargantuan liability for XM Radio. This is because the XM-copying software which was originally designed for time-shifting radio broadcasts such as XM Radio's concert series that inconveniently played in the middle of the night could be recorded as MP3 files and listened to later, as well as passed onto other people because they didn't include any DRM (Digital Rights Management) made it's debut on the Internet as a shareware program for $34.99. Within hours TimeTrax caused a national brouhaha and XM Radio quietly discontinued the product and removed it from national retailers like Best Buy. The original XMPCR receivers are currently selling 3 times their original MSRP on eBay. More information on this story can be found online at http://www.pocketanywhere.com/?view=1&showMore=1367. Bluetooth Security is your mobile device safe from hackers? By Brian M. Cook | Increasingly, the advent of wireless networking is helping free computer users from the tyranny of cables. Moreover, handhelds are beginning to benefit from the ubiquity of wireless networking. Many handhelds come with, or can easily be adapted to use, both the 802.11b and Bluetooth protocols to communicate with each other and the rest of the world via the Internet. But with that flexibility comes a price tag - the need for security. There’s an industry maxim that the only secure computer is one that’s been disconnected from everything, encased in concrete and sunk to the bottom of the ocean... it isn’t useful for much, but boy, is it secure. Anything less than that level of security involves some sort of compromise. Where there are compromises in security - whether it be an unintended flaw that can be exploited or a deliberate effort to increase ease of use - there can and will be attempts made to exploit that compromise. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the Bluetooth personal area network protocol, the known ways it can be subverted, and why this matters to the handheld community. A quick Google on “Bluetooth security” returns over 10,000 hits, most of which talk about the wide proliferation of holes in Bluetooth’s natural security. But first, what exactly is Bluetooth? Put simply, it’s a very low-power wireless networking protocol used to create socalled “personal area networks”. With an active range of ten meters (around 33 feet), Bluetooth’s primary intent was to allow one’s own personal electronics - cell phone, PDA, pager, laptop and so forth - to interact without the need of connecting them all with a tangle of wiring. So, say, if one’s PDA needed to reach the Internet to check e-mail, it could talk to the cell phone in one’s pocket, dialing out on that to connect to the internet service provider and the e-mail server in question. Theoretically, this integration is seamless. In practice, there’s a little configuration work to be done, called “pairing”. In essence, it’s teaching the individual units in question that the others are to be trusted and are part of the team, so to speak. Coupled with that are announcements by the devices saying, in essence, “I’m a Bluetooth device. Talk to me.” It is the lat- ter feature which presents a security risk. Bluetooth-enabled phones and PDAs broadcast their presence to anyone who’s listening on a regular basis. This is what they’re supposed to do by default - offer their services up for use by equipment in range. However, a malicious personage (let’s call them Hacker X) can exploit them for their own purposes. Hacker X, with a Bluetooth-enabled laptop or phone, can sit in a convention center or airport terminal and listen for Bluetooth equipment to come into range. If he’s benign and just in the mood to play pranks, he can “bluejack” the devices. If he’s malign, though, handhelds & smartphones • Palm OS, Windows Mobile • Linux, Symbian mobile phones • Nokia, Motorola, Samsung • Kyocera, SonyEriccson laptops & desktops • Mac OS, Tablet PCs, • USB adapters and Windows Bluejacking the wireless practical joke Hacker X, if he’s bluejacking, simply sends a snippet of information - a bogus contact list entry, for example, or a customized device name - to a nearby device. What it is immaterial. The message is received by the device and acted on - usually to display the information for the user’s consideration. Bluejacking is the most benign of the techniques. The closest analogy to realworld activities would be a combination of prank calling and spam. Real-world messages of this range from the obvious (“You’ve been bluejacked!”) to the bizarre (“Can I have some of your drink?”) and the silly (“I like your pink stripe top.”). In Europe, this is becoming an increasingly popular way to send anonymous messages in public places. Technically, this is an abuse of the pairing protocol - the way in which Bluetooth devices introduce themselves to one another and let users see who’s trying to interact with them. It’s difficult to secure against this without turning off Bluetooth altogether - it’s a fundamental property of the communications protocol. While essentially harmless, there’s a real risk of this becoming yet another medium for the proliferation of spam - or, through a darker glass, harassment. It is conceivable that hackers may eventually find a way to exploit this further. It’s a short trip from displaying an innocuous message to executing arbitrary code on a vulnerable machine. Generally, Bluetooth devices are small environments, programmatically speaking, and often shortcuts in programming are used which may lend themselves to this unintended consequence. Even now, though, if a user gets a bluejack message and dismisses it improperly, it may create a pairing between the devices. In such a case, the hacker-controlled device will have full access to any data stored on the device - which, as convergence brings more and more of peoples’ personal data into their portables, In Europe, this is becoming an increasingly popular way to send anonymous messages in public places. pocketanywhere magazine and .com 55 Bluetooth vulnerabilities What can be done to protect yourself? he can try to exploit weaknesses via techniques called “snarfing” and “backdooring”. What Can Be Done? Given the closed nature of embedded systems such as PDAs and cellular phones, it is difficult to make everything 100% secure while retaining the usability end users expect from their equipment. Bluetooth, as with most communications protocols, is vulnerable to the potential of hackers accessing them illicitly and without the owner’s permission. Obviously, if one disables Bluetooth, it isn’t vulnerable to the methods described here. However, this severely limits the usefulness of the device insofar as the intended design of the personal area network goes. A slightly more reasonable thing would be to turn off Bluetooth when it’s not needed - turning it on to transfer data from PDA to laptop, or to make a data call from PDA via phone. Some devices can be configured to not broadcast their presence. This is useful, as hackers usually can’t touch what they don’t know is there, and all of the above attacks rely on the fact that, by default, Bluetooth devices are chatty about their presence. (Note, however, that Nokia recently issued a press release confirming that many of their phone models are vulnerable to the snarf attack even when running in “invisible mode”.) While disabling broadcast can undercut some aspects of the Bluetooth easeof-use design features, it can be reasonably stated that some inconvenience is necessary in the realm of information security. Data encryption may be an option for some. While few people would seriously devastated if their phone list got into unknown hands, it’s quite another story for financial or identification data such as credit card information, Social Security numbers or driver’s license data. A number of vendors offer applications for PDAs and smart phones which create an encrypted area of memory and keep the data placed within it relatively secure. The “secure file” might get read, but without the decryption key it will be just so much gibberish. (Decryption keys are like passwords, though. Don’t keep the key in the unsecured data area “for convenience’s sake” - this is the equivalent of the clas56 Volume 3. Issue 3 sic security compromise of putting the password on a sticky note under the keyboard.) Perhaps best of all would be to contact the device vendors of choice and inquire as to their stance on increasing Bluetooth security, and watching for developments which strengthen the protocol against the sort of abused detailed above. As with everything, being informed and involved is everyone’s best weapon against being exploited. While few people would be seriously devastated if their phone list got into unknown hands, it’s quite another story for financial or identification data such as credit card information, Social Security numbers or driver’s license data. Snarfing “Snarfing” is a technique where, in some cases, it is possible to connect to a Bluetooth device without alerting the owner to this connection. Once connected, even though not technically trusted by the device being accessed, some, if not all, of the memory areas in the device can be read by the connecting device. On Bluetooth phones, this can include contacts, schedule data, or the phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier) - the unique identity of the device. If the IMEI is discovered, illegal clones of that phone can be made - essentially stealing the phone without actually taking it from the owner. Limited data has been published regarding snarf attacks, mostly because the researchers in question realize these are real vulnerabilities in devices which are, generally, difficult to reprogram with patches. Were details or exact methods to become publicized, the resulting explosion in exploits of these vulnerabilities could be enormous. Backdooring “Backdooring” is similar to snarfing in that the connection is made without alerting the user, but differs in that it can be used to establish a full trust of the device in question. With a full trust of, say, an exploited Bluetooth phone, a hacker could use the phone to make voice or data calls, steal any data in the phone or, perhaps worst of all, use the backdoor hack as a springboard into the user’s other Bluetooth devices - such as a company laptop or the user’s PDA containing his personal information, financial data and so forth. continued from page 45 the mobile device or laptop and run the GPS and connect to device immediately), and less enabled software. Third, start the GPS connecthan 10 seconds in a warm to hot start, meantion according to the software’s directions. ing the GPS device had been on before enabling Using Mapopolis for Palm OS simply the software. On clear days and in an open sky, tap the silk screen “menu” button in the Grafsatellite fixes were frequently established in less fiti Writing Area. Next, tap the button labeled than 10 seconds, despite the warm-up time, “GPS”, and lastly tap the “Start GPS” button. making the CRUX II/BTGPS fast and reliable. Using a Pocket PC with Mapopolis takes even Out-of-the-box less taps to create a Bluetooth connection and The CRUX II/BTGPS includes the GPS fix with the CRUZ X II/BTGPS. On a laptop, receiver, A/C adapter/recharging cable, leather a COM port will need to be bound with the case and a set of 3 international power adapters. Bluetooth USB Adapter (if not internal hardware). Software for Palm OS and Pocket PC devices as The only plug-n-play challenge with the well as laptops are not included. However, most places reselling the CRUX II/BTGPS offer product bundles with popular mapI have owned my EMTAC CRUX II/BTGPS for ping software such almost a year now and just love using it. Not as Mapopolis. The only is the device light, small and has decent only requirement is battery life, it's one tough GPS. At one point it that the software be took ride in the washing machine AND DRYER NMEA-0183 (v2.20) yet still works like new. I wouldn't recommend compliant and Bluethe spin-cycle as a cleaning method, but because tooth compatible. of that experience I am a loyal EMTAC GPS cusFor tomer and wouldn't recommend anything else. instance, there are a number of software — Frank McCall, Las Vegas, NV programs for the Palm OS platform, including Mapopolis, DeLorme’s XMap Handheld Street Atlas USA Edition or the Rand McNally Road Atlas with 16MB MMC expansion card (available through StylusCentral), but verify that the mapping software supports appropriThe EMTAC GPSStatus software ate GPS and Bluetooth protocols. works with the current BTGPS II TRINE Additionally, each device, platform and CRUX II/BTGPS. The software is made and program will differ on how to create a to evaluate the GPS device and display Bluetooth connection statistical information between the CRUX II/BTabout the connection. GPS device and software. this includes channel The CRUX II/BTsignal strength, the GPS is an excellent choice for latitude and longitude hiking, boating, logistic trackas well other miscellaing for fleet management, neous tid-bits. aviation, or child security However, adbecause of its wireless nature. ditionally you This is because the GPS posiset the trickletion data displayed on the power option PDA or mobile device reflects available on the whereabouts of the CRUX the BTGPS II II/BTGPS, within a 30-foot TRINE. There range, and not the location of the Palm are not a lot OS device, Pocket PC, or mobile phone. of options for Using it takes less than 10 this software seconds and three steps. First, flip the since it is switch to the on position; lights flash, strictly a diand place the GPS on a vehicle’s dash or where agnostic tool. You can download the it will be exposed to the open sky. Second, start software from EMTAC's web site. A Customer's Testimony EMTAC GPSStatus software for Palm OS pocketanywhere magazine and .com 57 Typing with beams of light on your handheld device using portable keyboards — IR vs. wired and Bluetooth By Gary B. Garland, Esq. | By now, you’ve probably learned that although your Pocket PC does many tasks well, getting large quantities of text/numbers inside can be challenging and frustrating. Though there are numerous alternatives to the on-screen keyboard, none do it for me. Ready to kill your keyboard? Frustrated with Fitaly? Can’t use Character Recognizer or Calligrapher? Tried Transcriber, Tengo and Typango, and even thumboards? Garbled Graffiti? You get the idea. Efficient bulk data input has been a holy grail for PDAs, and built in solutions just don’t cut it (for me). As a result, I, and many others, have turned to external keyboards. There are numerous designs, my favorite falling into the units by Think Outside, creators of the class leading Stowaway. Using a keyboard of that sort, you slap your lil’ buddy into the connector, load up the driver, and type away as if you’re on a high quality notebook. Now infra-red keyboards have hit the market, and they offer some pros (and cons) to their cradled counterparts. Cradle and wireless difference The flippant answer is the cradled require your PDA to be cradled, while the wireless do not, but the differences can be a bit more subtle. Every Pocket PC has an infra-red port, as do many (if not all) Palm devices. Using an IR keyboard and the appropriate driver, you can keep the same keyboard through multiple generations of Pocket PCs, versus requiring a keyboard with a specific interface. (Infra-red is the same invisible light technology used in TV remotes for years, and is produced by Light Emitting Diodes). Some of the IR keyboards will allow your Pocket PC to be used in portrait or landscape mode, and some allow flexibility of placement of your Pocket PC - it can be on a table in front of you, versus being stuck on the cradle. The biggest cons are the size of the IR keyboards, which generally run larger and heavier than their non-IR counterparts. IR Keyboard differences Before we talk about the individual keyboards tested, let’s talk about the batteries. All the keyboards boast extraordinarily long battery life - on the order of thousands of keystrokes and hundreds of hours of use. Some use a AA or AAA battery, while others use tiny lithium ion button batteries. The standard batteries are easier to find in airports; the button batteries allow for a potentially slimmer design. All things being equal, my nod goes towards the more readily found standard batteries. Some of the keyboards come with plastic metallic-looking reflective “mirrors” that angle the beam towards your Pocket PC. Some don’t have (or need) the reflectors. And some of the reflectors are detachable, so you can bring it or leave it. Most of the units have extendible or rotating arms. Most units have 1 LED emitter. And most units have pleasing keyboards. Belkin F8U1500 - $59.95 Billed as a dual beam keyboard, the sturdy Belkin unit has 2 LEDs located in the same hump to the immediate right edge of the single AAA battery. The aluminum shelled unit comes with a matching slide-on reflector, or you can use your PDA flat on a table without the additional unit. The QWERTY keyboard has a center hinge, and like most of the other units, there is a small gap between the center keys - specifically, between the 6 and 7, T and Y, G and H, B and N, and the space bar. The F and J keys have a small protruding “underline” to help touch typists find their home position. The keys are gently sculpted, but do take some getting used to - the T, for instance, is roughly twice as wide as the Y key. The N key matches the T key’s size, while the adjacent B key is a single key size. The keyboard boasts 4 dedicated task keys, such as calendar, contacts, tasks and notes, and will do double duty by holding the function key. Likewise, the function key will add additional features to some keys. The keys in general felt a bit cramped, and didn’t have the quality feel of some other units. Selling for $59.95, the keyboard was ground breaking when it came out in the early summer with the incredibly low price for an IR keyboard. Now, with some of the other offerings, it’s a bit less of an incredible bargain - Belkin should either lower the price further, or refine the unit. It gives a decent overall experience. ENRTECH IR KB 5 - $54.99 The IR KB5 has a few interesting features for the James Bond crowd. It features an IR emitter to the left, above the “2” key, and also has a funky built in extendible stand with a second LED at the top. To pull out the stand (the keyboard’s coolest feature), you first pull the main part straight out about 3 inches, then flip up the embedded middle part, and finally rotate the LED. There is an integrated hinge/brace at the bottom to keep your PDA upright. Great thought went into the stand, however I felt the rest of the design needed work. The keys, though QWERTY, have a HUGE gap in the center. It’s almost like typing on 2 separate keyboards. Not to say that you can’t get used to it, however it does have a learning curve. If you use a right shift key 58 Volume 3. Issue 3 regularly, you’ll be disappointed by the sole left shift key (what were they thinking?) The F and K buttons have a tiny bump in the center for you touch typists. The keys had a nice feel/springiness, however they felt cramped together, and that impression was made more obvious by the inclusion of numerous colors and objects on each key, showing their multiple functions. The four quick launch keys on the left each had 4 tasks listed in different colors, enabling up to 16 tasks launched by pressing either that dedicated key, or that dedicated key plus it’s function toggle. The keyboard uses a button cell. The aluminum case opens by depressing two buttons and has a good overall feel. The bulky design is larger than many other units, however it does have the built in stand, so that it is slimmer than some of the ones requiring the external reflector. Although it is a decent external keyboard, and the cheapest, I feel there are better choices. Targus PA870 - $79.99 The Targus unit is the biggest and heaviest of the bunch. It too has some innovative James Bond features. The unit is first opened by lifting the front latch, rotating the top away from you towards your table. Then, a useful sticker and arrow points to a small latch to your left, which says, “open here.” So I did - sliding the latch releases the keyboard, and you then rotate the top to the right. You have sort of a letter “L,” with the top part of the case facing you above the keyboard and still connected. Lifting the interior of the top part, you soon realize it separates but is hinged, and a small easel in the back allows the interior to support your PDA with 5 angle choices. Within that interior part, there is the smoothly operating LED arm which clicks into positions nicely, and the LED portion can be angled down to a 90 degree bend. Also on that interior portion, there is the dual button cell battery compartment, some rubber pads to hold your PDA, and 3 interesting metal “tubes” – two are hinged and rotate to support your PDA, the third is an arm attached to a spring, to allow support of virtually any PDA. Like most of the cases, there is a gap between the center keys, though on the Targus it is a bit less pronounced. The bottom of the center hinge has intermeshing plastic that acts almost like a gear to help it smoothly open and close, and the top of the keyboard has a small plastic lever that extends across the hinge, allowing the keyboard to lock open on your lap. Interestingly, the keyboard is the only IR in the group, and only portable keyboard I am aware of, with a cursor pad! The oval feels like it is made of firm silicone, and does a nice job of maneuvering your cursor for those times you don’t want to touch the screen. Three is a small “confirm” button to its right, and the 4 dedicated function keys to the right are of the same comfortable material. The keyboard itself has better keys than many of its competition. Strangely, the J and B keys have a small step, to allow better folding with its neighbor, while the Y and U do not. Also, the space bar is split, and the left edge by the center hinge actually is a solid, immobile recessed bit of plastic, with the working part to the left of the solid plastic. Surprisingly, I did not have trouble typing with that arrangement. My thumb did, however, rub against the bottom of the case due to the narrowness of the space bar. Otherwise, this was one of the better typing arrangements. Think Outside - $69.95 Think Outside is the creator of my beloved Stowaway - THE portable full sized keyboard/typing experience for the Pocket PC. They did some things right with their IR keyboard, and some things I didn’t quite like. Initially, I noticed the case was not on the engineering level of their popular Stowaway XT (previously reviewed). Unlike the XT, this case was not engineered with a complex hinge design. Instead, the plastic (ugh) case opened in a manner reminiscent of the Targus’ layout. Initially, there is a hinged “clamp” that has to be wrestled open. I know of one acquaintance who actually filed down the locking portion inside the clamp to make it easier to open. Not a bad idea. Continuing to pull the clamp up and over, the top will lift, and the rubber edged clamp will now act as a support for the top to hold your PDA. There is an IR arm within, again akin to the Targus. The arm rotates between two rubber tipped ovals and sits recessed, allowing the ovals to support your PDA. The arm will sit in either of 2 notched positions between the ovals, or you can rotate it beyond the ovals if that is your preference. Below the arm is an integrated metal bar to help keep your PDA from sliding down. The keyboard is opened, much like the Targus, by rotating the now exposed top part to the right. The keyboard will gently lock open automatically by a molded tab, but will close when a bit too much pressure is applied. Opened, you are faced with the award winning Stowaway XT keyboard, which feels exactly like a high quality notebook keyboard, with one caveat - there is no usual top row - if you want numbers, you’ll have to press the blue function and the appropriate key, e.g. blue pocketanywhere magazine and .com 59 and Q acts as 1, W as 2, etc. If you want punctuation, you hold the green function button, and now Q acts as !, W acts as @, etc. Once you get used to it, it becomes second nature, but there is a bit of a learning curve. The F and J buttons have the protruding lines you’ve come to expect from your keyboard. The space bar is split, but it is barely noticeable. My biggest gripe (confirmed by a buddy) is that my (and his) right thumb rubbed against the lower hinge point below the space bar. He got a callus after 30 minutes of typing, and I’m fortunate to have escaped that, though I have jabbed my poor thumb more than once. It is more noticeable if you touch type the letter Y which pulls your hand over to the left a bit. If you’re not a touch typist, then you may not run into trouble. Although the keyboard is worthy of the name Think Outside, the case itself disappointed me - it was lacking the usual genius in the Stowaway designs. That hard to open clamp was required because the keys press upon each other when closed, so the clamp helps “sit” on the overstuffed “suitcase.” The case itself also felt a bit on the cheap side, and it only took one or two opening/closing cycles for the paint to scrape away from the upper hinge point. The unit is powered by 2 AAA batteries, although looking at it, you’d be sure they used the thinner button cells. The unit comes with a thoughtful lined plethora case. Per Think Outside, there have to be compromises with pricing and details, especially since Pocket PCs are dropping to such low prices and consumers are less willing to spend $100 on a peripheral. Point taken - for the price, or at any price, the Think Outside unit gives a lot of value, however that lower hinge point truly detracted from my experience. The driver is worthy of mention. It is a dual driver, in case you have a Stowaway wired unit in addition to the IR - it allows you to decide your weapon of choice during each use, and allows the IR driver to coexist with other IR applications - something I have not seen before. The driver also allows selection of hot keys, such as Alt-Fn-1 through 0 - very nice indeed! Pocketop - $79 As with most of these keyboards, I would have sworn I saw them for $20 or $30 more just a few months ago. Ah, it’s great to be a consumer. The Pocketop (and it’s twin, Micro Innovations) is arguably the most innovative portable keyboard, and also the one with the largest learning curve. It is also the smallest keyboard. It comes with a lightweight reflective stand, that doubles as the lock to keep the unit opened. It was clever how the stand was packaged - you install the appropriate hinge to the stand, and it will then either clip directly to your Palm device, or it will slide into a groove on the keyboard. Very clever! Powered by a single AAA battery, the top hinge on the unit is geared like the bottom of the Targus unit, but unlike any other unit, the split space bar is also geared, to decrease the pressure/contact points. That means you’re typing on a grooved spacebar - groovy! The F and J buttons have the requisite protruding line for touch typists. Like the Think Outside unit, the top QWERTY line does triple duty, for numbers and punctuation, however unlike the Stowaway, only the middle line has mostly full sized keys (with a stepped J key. The rest of the keys are custom and unlike any I’ve seen elsewhere - the top row begins flat and steeply curves up, likewise the bottom row, helping to keep your fingers stay “within” the keyboard. It looks a bit like a skateboard pipe. Once you get used to it you can type at a reasonable clip, though I felt that my fingers were a bit cramped. The unit has the 4 dedicated function buttons, which do double duty when you press the function button. The unit ships with screen rotation software, which did not work on my Pocket PC 2002 unit. The web site also warns that their included screen rotation software will not work with WM2003, so beware! It is unfortunate, but the company must be considered when it comes to this unit. Although the hardware is well thought out, the customer “support” was pretty bad – after weeks of requesting an updated driver per the web instructions, and after having none of my roughly 10 e-mails returned, the company posted a policy of CHARGING for driver upgrades – to the tune of $10 to $20 per driver. (The iPAQ driver is $10). I am unaware of ANY other company charging for driver upgrades, and this has sparked an outrage on the web. For this reason alone, I’d boycott the company, and I think they’re going to lose a lot of business (and loyalty) for this fiasco. So which one? Dell Executive Keyboard with Bluetooth Wireless Technology By John Ohnstad | In a relatively short period, Dell has positioned their Axim devices as major players in the Pocket PC world. Now moving into it’s fourth generation of handhelds, Dell is beginning to release accessories that compliment their devices and extend their functionality. For this review, we take a look at the Bluetooth Keyboard. Partnering with the Best Dell partnered with the innovators in handheld keyboards, Think Outside. Think Outside is best known for their Stowaway, and Stowaway XT keyboards for various devices on the market. This particular keyboard resembles closely of the Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard, except with the colors to match that of Dell’s Axim line. The keyboard comes in two pieces, As a consumer, you have to balance portability with functionality - unless it’s going to sit on a desk, if you won’t take it, you won’t use it. Price is less of a factor as they are all fairly close in price, ranging from $55 to $79. Although I don’t like the case, the best overall unit (for me) is the Think Outside. The Pocketop is more portable, the Targus is more featured (and heavier). However, if you can get any of these keyboards at discount, you should then consider pricing. Factor in upgrading into your purchase - if you get a Pocketop, you may not be done paying if you upgrade your hardware. 60 Volume 3. Issue 3 the keyboard itself, and a stand for the Axim driver, the user selects the Axim Wireless Key- DeLorme Earthmate GPS device. The stand is able to be attached to board software from the programs menu. After continued from page 40 ... the keyboard, and is able to be removed and opening up the software, the user presses the placed in a separate location (of course, with- “Enable” button, then Bluetooth as the connecDeLorme's Earthmate GPS devices ships in distance of the Bluetooth signal). The stand tion. The user is then presented with a screen with Street Atlas for Handheld's 2005. The is spring loaded and is able to be positioned that scans for the keyboard. To be found, the software runs under Windows desktops and is a to hold an Axim device in portrait and land- keyboard must be placed in discoverable mode, sophisticated program with numerous options scape positions. Having Windows Mobile this is done by pressing Ctrl-LFn-RFn keys at the for either using the GPS with a laptop or hand2003 SE (or held or just producing print maps and routes. a third party for Mac OS X users, Street Atlas for Handhelds application) Rubber Meets the Road 2005 also runs reasonably well with Microsoft's assists greatly Virtual PC in positioning They keyboard performs exactly as marketed. It responds (formerly the screen for Connecthese orienta- quickly and packs well in terms of weight and dimensions. tix). The tions. handheld The The only concern I would have is the keyboard stand being export keyboard itoption s e l f s c o r e s durable enough to withstand travel situations. The main highly on the cool factor. improvement needed for this keyboard would be a slipcase The keyboard ships in a ful- to protect it while traveling. Otherwise, I would highly ly collapsed position with recommend those who have bluetooth in their Pocket PC the Dell logo on top of the to give this keyboard a look. keyboard. To open, the user presses a button along the left same time. After the keys are pressed, a blinkhand side of the keyboard to release the lock- ing green light appears on the top left-center of ing mechanism. The keyboard then opens the keyboard. The user then presses the scan from left to right and locks in place along a button on the screen and the handheld places produces a map and or route file for either the single hinge. To close the keyboard, the user itself into Bluetooth and seeks out the keyboard. Palm OS or Windows Mobile Pocket PC. Mac slides a button on the top right-center to the Secure and Non-Secure connections are able to OS users will need to locate the map through right to release the locking mechanism. The be made between the keyboard and the Axim. Virtual PC and then copy to your Mac desktop. keyboard then collapses in half along a single After connecting the device, the keyboard is Additionally maps can be exported as routable hinge point along the base of the keyboard. able to navigate nicely within the built-in ap- and overview. Routable maps are larger in The keyboard then rests on a center plications as well as third party developers. size but allow real-time routing on the PDA. base the occupies about one half of the keyboard in the middle of the keyboard. This is a plus for those not wanting to seek a flat surface when typing. It also provides a limited base when typing, for those who type magazine heavily, one might feel the keyboard angle to the left or right sides. Once opens, the I’ll take 1 year (8 issues) of user is presented with a four row, full-sized pocketanywhere for only $8.00 *charter price keyboard. With it being four rows, the user expires 12/31/04 + I’ll get a 2 free issues with my paid subscription. presses a function key to type numbers and a second key to press symbols. The learning curve for using this keyboard is quite quick. NAME All of the keys are full-sized, labeled (letters ADDRESS CITY STATE and with shortcuts) and respond nicely. The Member E-mail (valid e-mail address for new members) function keys are also of comfortable size and well placed along side of the space bar PHONE for easy use. Quite frankly, I appreciate the $8.00* USD PAYMENT ENCLOSED BILL ME compactness of this keyboard, I would not Mail this card to: Pocket Anywhere Magazine, Subscriptions, P.O. Box 9986, Reno, NV 89507-9986. want an additional row to compromise the Your first issue will be e-mailed to you at the address that you provide above in Adobe PDF format. PDF Reader required and not included with subscription. Visit http://www.adobe.com to size and thinness of the this peripheral. download free. * charter price; expires on 12/31/04. The keyboard connects via bluetooth via the keyboard software. To enable the pocketanywhere 8 8 issues for one low price* YES. $ © 2004 Pocket Anywhere Magazine, www.pocketanywhere.com. ISSN 15330397 pocketanywhere magazine and .com 61 GLOSSARY•OF•TECH•TERMINOLOGY # 3G - 3rd Generation mobile network. 3G networks provide fast mobile access to Internet content. A Access Point - Also referred to "AP" or "base stations", Access Point's connect devices to the Internet. ity of a handheld device or add new features to the operating system. HotSync - The process of synchronizing data on a Palm OS handheld with a desktop computer. Also the program that performs this function. memory that can be accessed randomly. There are two types of RAM: DRAM and SRAM. Both lose their content when powered off. ROM - Read-Only Memory. Computer memory on which data has been prerecorded. The datacannot be removed and can only be read. S Secure Digital or SD - A postage size removable memory simliar in concept to CF and MMC. Currently has capacities up-to 1GB. I B Bluetooth - A short-range (30 feet) wireless communications standard intended to replace cables for products like printers. C CAB - A Microsoft Windows file extension commonly found in applications for the Pocket PC platform. CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access is a cellular technology widely used in North America. Also referred to as 2G. IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique number given to every mobile phone and typically found behind the battery. Smartphone - A category of mobile device that provides advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone. T Infrared or IR - A wavelength used to transmit data enabling the data to be shared between two devices without wires. TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access. A basic method of transmitting digital signals over radio waves. ISV - Independent Software Vendor. Web sites like Handango and PalmGear partner with ISVs to offer the most comprehensive catalog of mobile software available. Transflective - A type of LCD screen in which the pixels are illuminated from both the front of the monitor’s screen and from behind the screen. W M Compact Flash or CF - A type of removable memory used in digital cameras and PDAs with large capacities; up-to 4GB. Megapixel - One million pixels. The term is used in reference to the resolution of a graphics device, such as a scanner, digital camera or monitor. D Memory Stick or MS - A type of removable memory primarily used in Sony products. DRM - Digital Rights Management. A method for restricting the transfer of media such as music or movies ro protect intellectual property rights. E E-book - A book in electronic format that can be downloaded and read on a computer, PDA or phone. MultiMedia Card or MMC - A type of removable memory that is usually compatible with SD slots but available in lesser capacities. MPEG - Moving Picture Experts Group. Afamily of digital video compression standards and file formats developed by the ISO group. WAP - Wireless Application Protocol. A secure specification that allows users to access information instantly via handheld wireless devices such as mobile phones, pagers, two-way radios, smartphones and communicators. Wi-Fi A high-speed wireless communications standard. Also known as 802.11. X XScale - Intel branded processor found in higher end handheld devices. Other terms can be found online at Acronym Finder EPOC - The operating system of the Symbian platform for low-power, compact machines and long-running applications. G USER GROUP INFORMATION P Windows Mobile P2P - Peer-to-Peer. A type of network in which each workstation has equivalent capabilities. 1) http://pocketpc.meetup.com/groups/ 2) PocketPc.Com -> Local Clubs Section GPRS - General Packet Radio Service. An alwayson system that connects mobile phones to the Internet. Sometimes referred to as 2.5G. PIM - Peronal Information Manager. A type of software application designed to help users organize random bits of information. Palm OS GPS - Global Positioning System. A worldwide satellite navigational system formed by 24 satellites orbiting the earth and their corresponding receivers on the earth. H PDA - Personal Digital Assistant. A handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, Internet and networking features Handheld or PDA R 1) http://pda.meetup.com/ 2) http://www.pdacenter.net Hack - Software designed to enhance the usabil- RAM - Random Access Memory. A type of computer GSM - Global System for Mobile Communication. A wireless network system widely used in Europe, Asia and Australia and more widely in the United States. 62 MP3 - The name of the type of file for MPEG, audio layer 3. Layer 3 is one of three coding schemes (layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3) for the compression of audio signals. Volume 3. Issue 3 1) http://palm.meetup.com/ 2) http://www.interpug.org CROSSWORD•WORDPUZZLE AND•HANDHELD•HAIKU Handheld Haiku Just write a Haiku having to do with anything mobile-tech related and e-mail it to us at [email protected]. Ring, Ring, Buzz, Beep By Anonymous — Sacramento, CA Meeting chatter vibrates phone cradled on your hip shaking and singing hai·ku P Pronunciation Key (hk) n. pl. haiku, also hai·kus 1. A Japanese lyric verse form having three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. We'll choose a winner each issue and publish the Haiku as well as send a small prize to them! E-mail us your Haiku today! [email protected] Play on your PDA In partnership with Stand Alone Software, Pocket Anywhere Magazine provides a new crossword puzzle with each issue that you can download for free and play on your Palm OS or Pocket PC using Crosswords for Palm OS or Pocket PC by Stand Alone Software, http://www.standalone.com. DOWNLOAD: http://www.pocketanywhere.com/puzzles READER DISCOUNT* - Just $12.95! Crosswords for Palm OS or Pocket PC use PROMTIONAL CODE: PKTANY-PZLE *Offer may expire at any time without notice. Visit STAND ALONE SOFTWARE for more great programs for your Palm OS and pocketanywhere magazine and .com 63 CLASSIFIED ADS Sell your old mobile devices and accessories in Pocket Anywhere. For $10 per issue/per ad your 15 word ad will appear in the magazine and be listed in the forums. Palm OS Tungsten T3, used for 18 months, have original box, software, includes flip cover, $185. [email protected]. Universal PalmOne Keyboard, used, in excellent condition $40. [email protected]. UltraThin Universal PalmOne Keyboard, used, in excellent condition, $50. [email protected]. RhinoSkin Hard Case, used, in excellent condition, no scratches, $15. [email protected]. Windows Mobile YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE Reach thousands of potential buyers for your gear. [email protected]. Pharos CF/GPS, used, includes antenna extender and 12-Volt D/C cable and software, $125. [email protected]. iPod Contour Design Showcase for 3g, new still in packaging, $15. [email protected]. Belkin Digital Camera Link for 3g, new still in packaging, $25. [email protected]. pocketanywhere 8 8 issues for one low price* *charter price $ All sales conditions, including shipping and/or insurance rates, are between buyer and seller. If you're item does sell we'll list it free in the next issue (limit 1 reposting free). How Do I Get Started? To list your classified ad in Pocket Anywhere Magazine simply send us your ad along with payment to: Pocket Anywhere Magazine, Classifieds, Po Box 9986, Reno, NV 89507. What Do We Need? We just need your 15-word ad, an e-mail address to post in the ad and your payment. We accept cash, money-orders, and PayPal (credit cards can also be used through PayPal). What Are The Deadlines? 7 days prior to issue publication. YES. I’ll take 1 year (8 issues) of pocketanywhere for only $8.00 + I’ll get a 2 free issues with my paid subscription. NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE Member Email (valid e-mail address for new members) PHONE $8.00* USD PAYMENT ENCLOSED BILL ME Mail this card to: Pocket Anywhere Magazine, Subscriptions, P.O. Box 9986, Reno, NV 89507-9986. Your first issue will be e-mailed to you at the address that you provide above in Adobe PDF format. PDF Reader required and not included with subscription. Visit http://www.adobe.com to download free. * charter price; expires on 12/31/04. © 2004 Pocket Anywhere Magazine, www.pocketanywhere.com. ISSN 15330397 DON'T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE SUBSCRIBE pocket anywhere magazine makes a cheap gift Miscellaneous Gadgetry 4-way Stylus, brand-new, includes pen, pencil, stylus, hilighter. [email protected]. expires 12/31/04 magazine pocketanywhere 8 8 issues for one low price* *charter price $ expires 12/31/04 magazine YES. I’ll take 1 year (8 issues) of pocketanywhere for only $8.00 + I’ll get a 2 free issues with my paid subscription. NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE Member Email (valid e-mail address for new members) PHONE $8.00* USD PAYMENT ENCLOSED BILL ME Mail this card to: Pocket Anywhere Magazine, Subscriptions, P.O. Box 9986, Reno, NV 89507-9986. Your first issue will be e-mailed to you at the address that you provide above in Adobe PDF format. PDF Reader required and not included with subscription. Visit http://www.adobe.com to download free. * charter price; expires on 12/31/04. © 2004 Pocket Anywhere Magazine, www.pocketanywhere.com. ISSN 15330397 pocketanywhere magazine and .com 64