Vindigo (above)
Pocket Hot Spots (www.pocketmap.com) provides more detailed coverage than Vindigo, but is currently only available for Las Vegas, NV. The developer promises more hot spots will be added.
KnowPlaces (www.brightangle.com/knowplaces/default.asp) is very similar to Pocket Hot Spots, but focuses on single venues and is more detailed because of that. If you're planning on going to the American Museum of Natural History in New York, or any venue on their list, KnowPlaces would be very useful. However, the venue list is limited.
Scott Hibbs
www.grindergear.com
PocketMap City Guide (www.pocketmap.com) is the best travel guide around. The program is reasonably priced and the well-written software covers 2000 cities and 130 metro areas.
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Information Managers
Matthew Miller
www.geek.com
TripTracker (formerly Traveller: www.twopeaks.com) lets you track flight and frequent flier information, hotel stays, car rentals, custom events, and expenses (meals, fees, mileage, etc.). The program also includes a handy currency converter and the ability to export the expense report as a CSV file for quick importing into Excel or other programs. You can sync TripTracker data between the Pocket PC and desktop PC versions of the program. You can also have the data synced to Calendar. Finally, I take many trips to the same places and the ability to create a duplicate of a previous trip, and then enter new data, is a great time saver.
TripTracker (above)
Personal Vehicle Manager (www.twopeaks.com) is great for keeping data about your own vehicle or a fleet of vehicles. The program offers a ton of options, but data entry is quick and easy. One great feature is the quick stats screen, which summarizes your fuel economy, cost of ownership, upcoming maintenance, and more. Personal Vehicle Manager lets you set reminders for oil changes, etc., which can even be synced with Calendar.
Robert Bogue
EZGo (www.isimus.com) is a "Swiss Army knife" of travel utilities that includes a time manager, itinerary manager, expense manager, tip calculator, unit converter, travel information database, and more.
Dan Hanttula
www.semperaptus.com
Pocket Travel (www.synctel.com) not only lets you book reservations for an entire trip, it automatically enters the travel information into Calendar. In addition, it has such a beautiful interface that you may never want to look at an ugly printed ticket again! As you enter flight, rental car, and hotel reservations, Pocket Travel collects all the information and displays the critical details on the trip screen. The information is also entered in Calendar using the correct arrival and departure times. (Time zone differences are automatically corrected.) Pocket Travel also includes a directory of airline, car rental, and hotel phone numbers, which are automatically associated with the reservations you make. So, for example, when you tap-and-hold on an airline reservation, you can go directly to the reservation details or open the directory listing to find their phone number, Web site, or even your frequent flyer mileage number. A special summary menu also shows the flight duration, time difference, and distance. Pocket Travel also includes an expense manager that automatically totals expenses and sorts them by date or category, and a built-in tool will convert between different currencies. When you return home, you can export your expenses to an Excel-compatible file.
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Language and Culture
Judie Hughes
www.the-gadgeteer.com
Outloud Phrasebooks (www.mobilearn.net) is available for a number of language pairs, with a variety of add-on modules. Price can vary, but it's worth every penny you spend on it! These phrasebooks speak out the foreign phrase for you, and you can use them to learn a language or to communicate with a person who speaks the language. Since Mexico is one of my favorite destinations, I never travel without the Spanish version of this program!
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Maps and Directions
Dale Coffing
www.pocketpcpassion.com
Mapopolis Platinum (www.mapopolis.com) provides street directions with excellent map graphics, GPS support, and point of interest data.
Scott Hibbs
www.grindergear.com
Pocket Navigator (www.maptech.com) is unrivaled! The program supports GPS, easy zooming, and great map resolution. The company offers a variety of optional maps and charts including USGS topo maps, marine and aviation charts, and more.
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Time
Dale Coffing
www.pocketpcpassion.com
CityTime (www.codecity.net) has an excellent graphic display that shows you day and night across the world. The "Location" feature automatically adjusts your Pocket PC's location and time zone when traveling. City Time syncs time via the Internet, insuring accuracy.
Dan Hanttula
www.semperaptus.com
WorldMate (www.mobimate.com) emphasizes the "utility" half of the phrase "time utility." When launched, the application starts on the 5-pane world clock. Each pane includes an analog clock, digital time, and date for each of the five cities, plus a drop-down menu to allow you to quickly select a new city for each pane without changing screens.
But WorldMate really shines as you tap on the other five icons at the bottom of the screen. A world map with current and 4-day weather forecasts for cities around the world plus a built-in currency converter make WorldMate an essential travel partner. Both weather and currency values can be updated while your Pocket PC is docked with your PC, or via wireless network or modem connection if you are on the road. The remaining screens in WorldMate include a unit converter (handy when converting English units to the metric system), a converter for clothing sizes, as well as a set of international dialing prefixes and US/Canadian area codes.
In short, WorldMate is the Swiss Army knife of time utilities. It provides everything a seasoned traveler needs, in a smart, small, and inexpensive ($19.95) package.
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Pocket PC magazine's Board of Experts
Pocket PC users owe a huge debt of gratitude to the following Pocket PC experts, many of whom are Webmasters of prominent Pocket PC sites. Each expert volunteered to judge one or more of the 57 software categories. Collectively, our experts invested over 1,000 hours putting each piece of the following software through its paces.
Tari Akpodiete
www.PocketRocketFX.com
Mack Baggette
www.pocketpctechs.com
Robert Bogue
Rob Borek
Marlof Bregonje
www.pocketpcthoughts.com
Nathan Clevenger
www.clevrware.com
Dale Coffing
www.pocketpcpassion.com
Chris De Herrera
www.cewindows.net
Jason Dunn
www.pocketpcthoughts.com
Jen Edwards
www.pocketgoddess.com
Andrew Farkas
Allen Gall
Ed Hansberry
www.pocketpcthoughts.com
Dan Hanttula
www.semperaptus.com
Arne Hess
www.ppcw.net
Scott Hibbs
www.grindergear.com
David Horn
www.PocketGamer.org
Judie Hughes
www.the-gadgeteer.com
John Hung
Richard Kettner
www.mobilecritics.com
Matt Keys
www.pocketmatrix.com
Elisabeth Liddell
www.foxpop.co.uk
Jim McCarthy
www.pocketanywhere.com
Debbie McCormick
www.mcdeb.com
www.tesseractseattle.com
Pierre-Thierry Merriaux
www.mobigeeks.com/e
Matthew Miller
www.
geek.comJared Miniman
www.pocketnow.com
Geoffrey Moehl
www.pocketpclife.co.uk
Ryan Mock
www.pdablast.com
Henry Nutter
www.PocketThemes.com
Pat Polise
www.all-locations.com
Markus Schweiger
www.pocket-expert.de
Nilay Shah
www.MedicalPocketPC.com
David Shier
www.shier.com
Barry Shilmover
www.pocketpctools.com
Julie Strietelmeier
www.the-gadgeteer.com
Mike Wagstaff
www.pocketgamer.org
Diane's Discoveries
On-the-Go Software and Accessories
Reviews from New Products Editor Diane Dumas
This issue's discoveries give you more functionality, power, and style when you're on the go! One program, Reply Radio, is designed to run on your desktop PC. But since it saves streaming Internet broadcasts for later listening while you're away from your desktop PC, it too enhances your on-the-go experience. Of course, that's what the Pocket PC is all about. But it's nice to discover software and applications that make it more so!
GSM / GPRS CompactFlash card
This Type I CompactFlash wireless adapter card from Convergent Technology turns your Pocket PC or notebook computer into a tri-band GSM/GPRS voice/data communications device. The card includes a slot that accepts your current SIM card. It works with T-Mobile, ATT, Cingular, and other GSM wireless services. GSM/GPRS is used widely in Europe, Asia, and South America. You can purchase pre-paid SIM cards while overseas and stay connected to the Internet to receive important e-mail or just chat with friends. This card doesn't require an external battery to operate; it uses power from the Pocket PC's internal battery. GSM/GPRS is slower than CDMA. However, GSM/GPRS service is more widespread, especially outside the U.S. Included with the CF card are an earphone/microphone/ remote combo cable, a CF-to-PC-Card adapter, and a CD with user-installable dialer software for your Pocket PC.
Use the CF slot on your Pocket PC to connect to the Internet wirelessly or make voice calls (above).
Price: $236.99
Use With: P/PC, P/PC 2002, Laptop PC
Convergent Technology; www.convergentech.com
E-mail: sales@convergentech.com
Replay Radio
Replay Radio 3.0 from Applian Technologies installs on your desktop PC and lets you record Internet radio broadcasts for later playback. Select a show or station from the program's database of current shows and it will be recorded. The database is updated frequently and contains listing for many of the syndicated talk shows. So, if you prefer not to stay up late at night to listen to Kim Komando or Online tonight with David Lawrence, you can schedule them to be recorded automatically while you're fast asleep!
The shows are recorded in MP3 format, which you can play back at your convenience on your desktop PC, or transfer manually to your Pocket PC for mobile listening, or burn onto a CD. You can add the Web address of new or unlisted stations to Reply Radio's database. If the station uses a pop-up, the program will assist you in finding that address. Finally, you can enhance Reply Radio with the optional vTuner (www.replay-radio.com/gadgets.php), which adds a more comprehensive guide to the program.
Replay Radio (above) lets you record Internet radio broadcasts for later playback (above).
Use With: Desktop PC
Applian Technologies
www.replay-radio.com
Replay Player
A companion to Replay Radio, Replay Player is a skinnable MP3 player for thePocket PC. You can use Windows Media Player to listen to Replay Radio Internet broadcast recordings on the Pocket PC, but Replay Player allows easier access to the recordings via a drop down menu. Additional skins can be downloaded from their Website.
Replay Player (above): Skip commercials easily with this skinnable MP3 player for the Pocket PC.
Price: $19.95
Use With: P/PC and P/PC 2002
Applian Technologies
www.applian.com/pocketpc/ReplayPlayer/index.php
re-Pak
Here's a wonderful solution for power-hungry Pocket PC users. This is a high-capacity (7,600 mAh) rechargeable Li-ion battery pack that can power your Pocket PC for up to 16 hours, while you're using wireless accessories and with the backlight up all the way! A leather carrying case with belt clip makes it a very portable solution. The battery pack itself has an on/off switch, a low-battery warning indicator, and a charging light. It comes with a 28" power cord and an AC power adapter to charge the re-Pak.
re-Pak (above): A portable 7,600 mAh rechargeable power source for your Pocket PC.
Price: $139.00
Use With: All iPAQ models (some require a power connector adapter) and other 5 VDC input Pocket PCs (Casio E-200, all Toshiba models).
Beacon 5 Products
www.beacon5.com
SCOTTeVEST Version THREE.O
The newest eVest from Scott Jordan is slightly heavier and warmer than the previous versions in the series. It has a combined total of 42 hidden pockets and compartments, including a horizontal upper-right breast pocket with an inner plastic-lined pocket, 2 mid-side vertical pockets, 2 lower horizontal pockets, and 2 large diagonal pockets, and that's just the outer-front. The ultimate in geekwear, the new Version THREE.O features the signature Personal Area Network (PAN)—cloth conduits run throughout this jacket, making connecting things together a snap! Epaulets were added, which makes it handy to attach small devices like a cell phone. If that isn't enough, it comes with a removable fleece liner with 12 additional pockets and removable sleeves!
SCOTTeVEST Version THREE.O (above): Stay warm and be cool—all at the same time!
Price:
$275.00 Jacket and Fleece liner
$179.99 Jacket only
$129.99 Fleece liner only
SCOTTeVEST L.L.C.
www.scottevest.com
Dell Holster — Axim 5
Here's a discovery I made while attending Planet PDA in May. The Dell Holster is a hard plastic cover that slides on to the Dell Axim X5 and snaps securely in place. A flip cover with sliding latch provides quick access to the screen, application launch buttons, and other external features. The case accommodates the Axim X5 with the slightly thicker high-capacity battery. A rotating swivel belt hook makes it easy to remove the case from your belt. The biggest advantage of this clever design is that it is open at the top, which lets you insert and remove CF cards with the case on. In addition, it lets you use CF cards that protrude from the top of the Pocket PC while you are wearing the holster! This means you can use a Wi-Fi, GPS receiver, or digital camera card without having to remove the Axim X5 from the case—a big time saver!
The Dell Holster protects your Dell Axim X5 while allowing you to access its features (above).
Price: $29.00
Use With: Dell Axim X5
DS International
www.dsi-store.com
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Diane Alicia Dumas is the New Products Editor for Pocket PC magazine. She enjoys maintaining her many Web sites, including a Pocket PC site (www.pocketpcpda.com). Interests include writing, digital music, and streaming video, and she is a rabid fan of all Pocket PCs! You can contact her at diane@PocketPCmag.com.
RepliGo — Viewing Desktop PC Documents on the Pocket PC
by Gary B. Garland
RepliGo is a portable document viewer that lets you view a variety of desktop PC documents on your Pocket PC, while maintaining the document's original look and feel. The program includes the RepliGo Viewer for your Pocket PC and file conversion utilities for your desktop PC. These utilities let you convert desktop PC documents into the proprietary RepliGo format and then transfer them to your Pocket PC. Once the document is on your Pocket PC, you use the RepliGo Viewer to display the document, zoom in and out, and move through it. The application installed on the Pocket PC is a viewer only—you cannot modify RepliGo documents on the Pocket PC.
Installing RepliGo
Installing RepliGo is simple and quick. Make sure your Pocket PC is connected to your desktop PC and run the installation program. It automatically installs both the Pocket PC viewer and the desktop PC conversion utilities.
The RepliGo conversion utilities integrate tightly with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher, adding a RepliGo menu option (Screen 1) or toolbar button to those applications. Once you have the desired document opened, tap on the toolbar button or select the menu option and RepliGo converts the document and sends it to a synchronized Pocket PC.