One of my favorite mobile apps is ShoZu. So when Julie asked me to do a piece on a *really* useful mobile app, I didn’t have to look too far.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Palm OS related, Symbian OS Related, Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Pocket PC, Software, Symbian, Utility

ShoZu Mobile Photo and Video Sharing Application Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2008 at 6:00 pm.

One of the perpetually unresolved debates among web users and observers alike is, “Who among the big three – Yahoo Mail, Windows Live Hotmail and Gmail – has the best email service?”

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Palm OS related, Symbian OS Related, Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Pocket PC, Software, Symbian, Utility

GMail Mobile originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 6, 2008 at 4:20 pm.

Released in November of last year, the latest offering of Opera Mini, version 4, hasn’t really sent shockwaves through the World of cell phones. Whilst the iPhone browser (which I think is very annoying!) has been hailed as a revolutionary success, Mini has taken the sidelines slightly, but as I have learned, this isn’t really a position it deserves.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Palm OS related, Symbian OS Related, Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Palm, Pocket PC, Software, Symbian, Utility

Opera Mini v4 Mobile Web Browser originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 19, 2008 at 9:18 pm.

The HTC TyTn II is the successor to the powerful and popular TyTn Windows Mobile PDA phone (which Julie and I reviewed here last year). While it retains the original’s features, including 3G mobile broadband, WiFi, and a sliding keyboard, it adds new features such as a tiltable display and internal GPS. A customized version of it, called the “Tilt”, has recently been released in the USA by AT&T. Is the TyTn II a worthy successor to the original TyTn? Read on to find out.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Cellular, Phone, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, Wireless

HTC TyTn II Windows Mobile 6 Professional Smartphone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 15, 2007 at 6:56 am.

Since the advent of the handheld device, the quest for easy input of data while on-the-go was always the Holy Grail of mobile computing.  In my earlier Gadgeteer review, I went down that path, looking at the excellent handwriting recognition software, PhatWare’s Calligrapher.  Calligrapher did a great job of taking my scrawl and translating it into digital form, performing just as advertised.  However, just as there are all kinds of PDAs and handheld platforms today, so too are the means by which developers have devised ways to input your data. 

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Software, Utility

DinarSoft TapText – Windows Mobile Utility originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 23, 2007 at 5:28 pm.

Julie asked me a couple weeks ago if I would be interested in reviewing Easy PocketNAV’s OnCourse Navigator GPS software and I didn’t have to be asked twice!  Understand that I am a novice when it comes to GPS and GPS software but the technology behind it just fascinates me.  My previous experiences with GPS were with HP’s Navigation System (the GPS Bluetooth unit and software bundle) that I used with my HP hx4705 IPAQ and after I upgraded to Windows Mobile 5 on that unit, I bought OnCourse Navigator 5 (OCN5).  I have since sold my IPAQ and GPS unit over a year ago and I let the OCN software sit to the side…that is until now.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: GPS, Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Software, Utility

Easy PocketNAV’s OnCourse Navigator 6 GPS Software – Windows Mobile Utility originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 1, 2007 at 5:03 pm.

This month, my review focuses on another program that has a
large following in the PDA community…PhatWare’s
PhatNotes.  In earlier reviews on note-taking programs, I
mentioned that the PocketPC was made for note-taking.  Most
note applications are singular in their focus of taking
notes.  PhatWare took that one concept step further,
really giant steps forward, in how notes are taken and
organized.  The folks at PhatWare utilize the database
approach to organizing data, syncing it to outside platforms and
adding functionality within the “note” like voice or images. 
All in all, PhatNotes sets the standard for note-taking and
others to emulate.  Let me try to explain how I’ve come to
this conclusion…

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Software, Utility

PhatWare’s PhatNotes Standard – Windows Mobile Utility originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2007 at 2:45 pm.

This software review is on PhatWare’s CalliGrapher which has to be on the “must-have” list of utilities for any serious PDA junkie’s collection. Setting aside the Casio B.O.S.S. I used only briefly, I consider my first handheld to be the Apple Newton MessagePad. What was the big attraction of the MessagePad device? It was its handwriting-to-text translation, the earliest ancestor of today’s CalliGrapher. The inventors of that software was not Apple but actually some creative Russian programmers and the company they eventually formed called Paragraph International.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Software, Utility

PhatWare’s Calligrapher v8.5 – Windows Mobile Utility originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 9, 2007 at 6:06 pm.

Here’s a review that I have been looking forward to doing…an application with some real life uses for my PocketPC! Being a “gadget junkie”, I am always looking for smart ways to use my device, something that is actually needed, not made up. That is the case with my review of Resco’s Audio Recorder.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Software, Utility

Resco Audio Recorder – Windows Mobile Utility originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 25, 2007 at 2:11 pm.

In my opinion, this is one of those applications for which all PocketPC and Windows Mobile OS devices are specifically made for…taking notes on the spot! There is nothing more natural to me than to use these devices for such purposes and yet the basic Microsoft notepad is still lacking. I think the proof is in the dozens of notepad replacement products on the market today with each one having their own unique spin on how one takes notes. Vsnotepad from Virtual Spaghetti has its own simple philosophy on note-taking and may just be a worthy contender in this software category.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Software, Utility

Vsnotepad – Windows Mobile Utility originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 26, 2006 at 10:50 am.

Are you the type of person that wants a great PDA that happens to also have a good phone built into it? Or would you rather have a great phone that just happens to also function as a good PDA? That’s almost always the question you have to ask yourself when you’re in the market for a smartphone. It seems that no matter which brand of phone/PDA that you look at, you can’t find a device that is both an excellent PDA and an excellent phone. Trade offs, gotta luv em…

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related, Wireless

Tagged: Cellular, Phone, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, Wireless

HTC TyTN Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 4, 2006 at 8:00 am.

Although I have had a Microsoft PocketPC since my Phillips Nino
days in 1998, I am new to the PocketPC Phone Edition – Windows
Mobile 5 world. I purchased an imate JasJar (aka the HTC
Universal) this past summer on eBay. I got it mostly for the
PocketPC side of things and thought I’d toy with the Phone side
when I had the time but that didn’t last long…say two days!

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Software, Utility

phoneAlarm – Windows Mobile Utility originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 20, 2006 at 4:08 pm.

Trying to find my perfect smartphone has been causing me the same frustration as trying to find my perfect gear bag. The quest just never ends because I’ve come to realize that there isn’t any one perfect phone (or gear bag) out there for me. The whole trick is to find one that comes as close as possible. This review is for the Hewlett Packard iPAQ hw6945 Mobile Messenger; a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC phone. The question is, will it become my new “perfect” smartphone?

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related, Wireless

Tagged: Cellular, Phone, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, Wireless

HP iPAQ hw6945 Mobile Messenger originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 13, 2006 at 6:41 pm.

Updated with software info…

I’ve been a Palm Treo junkie since March of 2005 when I began my odyssey into the world of smartphones. It was a strange journey that began with a Sprint Treo 650 that had been hacked to work on the Verizon network. Then I switched carriers from Verizon to Cingular and purchased an unlocked 650, which I’ve been using as my main device ever since. In the past year, I have seen Palm release the 700p and 700w for non-GSM carriers. No joy for me! But, finally Palm has released a new GSM phone. The 750v is a quad band (850, 900, 1800, 1900) phone for the Vodafone network. Right now it is only available outside the US, but will eventually be available here. Of course you didn’t think that I would be patient enough to wait around for that day did you? Ummmm…. NO! A little googling turned me on to PhoneSource-USA.com and one day later I had an unlocked 750v in my hands.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Cellular, Mobile Phone, Phone, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, Wireless

Palm Treo 750v Windows Mobile Smartphone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2006 at 12:00 pm.

Today’s review is on a category of software that isn’t very exciting or sexy but something that everyone who really uses their PocketPC device needs each and every day…it’s the File Explorer utility. If you are like me, you are constantly working on the internals of your PDA, moving files between cards and internal memory, accessing hidden registry files or just doing some old fashion housekeeping. I believe a truly great File Explorer can be worth every cent if it makes these functions easier for me!

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC, Software, Utility

Voyager – Pocket PC File Explorer originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 16, 2006 at 5:05 pm.

Every decade or so, there comes certain fashions, foods, oreven
dances (remember the Macarena!) that transcend international
boundaries and becomes popular just about everywhere on the planet.
I would put sudoku in that category. Just in case you’ve been
living under a rock, sudoku has done just that by becoming popular
with the crossword puzzle crowd to dominate every bookstore shelf,
grace the pages of many newspapers and periodicals and of course,
the thousands of fan web sites around the world devoted to the
game.

… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Entertainment, Pocket PC, Software

SuperDoku for Pocket PC originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 21, 2006 at 6:32 pm.

Most of the time, I find that the i-mate JasJar’s 1620mAh factory
original battery is sufficient to make it through a typical day.
However when I am using the built-in wireless extensively, when I
am traveling, or when I am not able to recharge at some point
during the day, I have noticed a definite need for a backup power
solution. That’s why I was very interested to learn that Lion
Battery was carrying a 4800mAh Mugen Power Battery replacement for
the HTC Universal / i-mate JasJar.
… [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Pocket PC

4800mAh Mugen Battery Replacement for the HTC Universal / i-mate JasJar originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 5, 2006 at 8:54 am.

I am going to take a tiny bit of credit for the product that I’ll be
reviewing today, so if you like it, let me know. If you don’t like it…well,
what’s not to like?

Here’s the story: Soon after I purchased my

PPC-6700, also known as the HTC Apache, I contacted Vaja and asked when we
could expect a case from them this popular Windows Mobile 5 enabled Pocket PC
Phone Edition. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Leather, Pocket PC

Vaja HT41 Pouch for HTC Apache & Wizard originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 6, 2006 at 12:43 pm.

I think that many HTC Apache owners would agree that they use
their PDA Phone without a headset more often than not. Even though
the 6700 is a little brick, it can comfortably be held to the face
when talking without making its owner look like a complete tool.
For that reason alone, I think that many 6700 owners have held off
on buying a case because there are so few that allow easy access to
the device when making or receiving calls. Not everyone wants a
flip-lid that they will have … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Leather, Pocket PC

EB Cases eNOVO PPC6700 for the HTC Apache / PPC-6700 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 17, 2006 at 10:41 am.

Looking for the perfect HTC Apache case has turned into an
obsession for quite a few of the device’s owners. But what is
perfect for one person may be the ultimate deal-breaker for
another. Some people want a case that protects every corner and
surface, while others want the thinnest possible design – one that
adds very little additional bulk or weight. Others are more
concerned with getting the maximum screen protection without losing
the ability to use the Phone Edition’s keyboard … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Leather, Pocket PC

Fortte HTC Apache/PPC-6700 Book Model PDA Case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 9, 2006 at 9:00 am.

Many new cars come with GPS navigation
systems. But what if you don’t have one? Adding it might not be
practical-perhaps you drive more than one vehicle, travel and rent
often, or just don’t want an expensive piece of electronics
permanently and visibly stuck to your dash. Today’s smartphones and
PDAs are powerful enough to do the same job, with a little help
from software and a pocketable GPS
receiver. visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: GPS, Windows Mobile related, Wireless

Tagged: Bluetooth, GPS, Pocket PC, Software, Utility

CoPilot Live GPS Navigation System originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 12, 2006 at 6:00 am.

It totally figures that about the time I am ready to move on
from a device, its accessories will start becoming available. Ah
well, such is the life of an early adopter…

Case in point, I recently received the new "http://www.pdair.com/scripts/main/viewitem_v2.php?itemid=2555&pdaid=209">
PDair aluminum case for the "http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/htc_apache_ppc_6700_pocket_pc_phone_edition">
HTC Apache/PPC-6700. I have long been a fan of this … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Metal, Pocket PC

PDair Aluminium Case for HTC Apache / Sprint PPC-6700 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 29, 2006 at 6:53 am.

First I want to thank Judie for this opportunity. I love the
Gadgeteer site and this was a great chance to contribute.
(Shameless sucking up finished, now to the review);

I just got the Qtek 9100 Windows Mobile phone and was looking
for a case for it when I read the post asking for a reviewer from
someone. It was like fate. I was blessed. Judie sent me the case
and I opened it up and was immediately disappointed. I will explain
a bit more later.

First … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Leather, Pocket PC

Proporta Alu-Leather Flip-Type Case for the HTC Wizard originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 28, 2006 at 10:33 pm.

Early last year, when the first rumors began to swirl that
HTC would be introducing a
Pocket PC Phone Edition made with the mini-laptop form factor of
the "http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/sony_cli_peg_ux50_u_review">CLIÉ
UX50 and "http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/sharp_zaurus_sl_c3100">Zaurus
SL-C3100, my interest was immediately piqued. After all, I had
long been bemoaning the fact that as of yet there were … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Cellular, Phone, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, Wireless

HTC Universal Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Phone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 10, 2006 at 2:50 pm.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting the appearance of cases for the HTC Apache since I
bought mine, and I am happy to report that they are finally starting to appear.
That’s not to say that pouch-style versions haven’t been available for some
time, but what I really wanted was a case in which I could keep my 6700 while it
was in use. Today I am going to take a take a look at the Piel Frama
Smooth … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Leather, Pocket PC

Piel Frama Smooth Leather Case for the HTC Apache / Audiovox PPC-6700 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 7, 2006 at 9:01 am.