About PDAs

New Review: V-MODA Vibe II with Microphone

2009-07-02T16:51:00Z

Since your PDA can play MP3s and other audio files, there�s really no need to carry a separate MP3 player in addition to your PDA. Simply load your favorite tracks onto your PDA or a memory card that�s compatible with your PDA, add a set of headphones, and you�re all set. For best audio quality, you�ll want a good set of headphones, so check out my latest review of V-MODA�s Vibe II with Microphone.

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visCrypt Encryption Software Updated

2009-06-30T11:50:34Z

If you�re looking for a way to encrypt single files on your mobile device, SFR Software might have the answer in the form of its newly updated visCrypt software. As the company describes it, �visCrypt is a program for your Pocket PC to encrypt and decrypt any files and documents. You can secure any documents in the internal memory and on memory cards comfortably with visCrypt.�

New features in the latest version include a Favorites view, automatic backup of the configuration file, filtering functions, and much more. SFR Software also revised some old features. The software offers three log-in methods as well as the ability to encrypt files and documents with 256 Bit Twofish algorithm. Check out the visCrypt product page for additional details about this program.

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New Review: OtterBox HP iPAQ 210 Extended Battery Defender Case

2009-06-29T20:04:03Z

If you�re looking for a new case for your PDA, OtterBox offers some very durable models that will protect your handheld from life�s accidents. In this review, I take a closer look at the OtterBox HP iPAQ 210 Extended Battery Defender Case. This case offers three layers of protection and also provides easy access to the ports on the PDA. Check out the full review for more information on this case.

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New Palm Freeware Helps You Manage Passwords

2009-06-25T15:53:12Z

HANDCASE recently launched a new application for Palm users called HandLogin. This program lets you store and organize logins and passwords for different websites, services, and software on your handheld. Although I would caution you about storing too much sensitive information on your PDA unless you�ve also implemented some means of security (like password protection), it is handy to have all of your passwords recorded and stored in a single location. Since HandLogin is free, you have nothing to lose by trying it. Palm users can check it out at http://www.handycase.com/eng/freeware.htm.

While you�re at the site, be sure to check out HANDCASE�s other freeware offerings for Palm. There are some cool apps on the page, including a puzzle game, calorie counter, reminder application, and much more. All of these apps are available from http://www.handycase.com/eng/freeware.htm.

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SPB Announces Geo Game

2009-06-24T23:28:27Z

SPB Software introduced a game called SPB Geo Game that is designed to help players check and improve their knowledge of the world�s capitals and national flags. SPB Geo Game includes world flags, world capitals, a 3D globe, and a finger friendly interface. The game makes for a fun and easy way to expand your horizons.

"Getting to know all the countries in the world with their capitals and flags is something a lot of us always wanted to do, but never had the time,� comments Vassili Philippov, SPB Software COO. "SPB Geo Game grants the opportunity to test ourselves and study the world's diversity in a fun and relaxing manner, within the few spare moments we have," Vassili concludes.

SPB Geo Game features two separate game modes: Capitals and Flags. In both modes, the correct answer and its location are shown on a 3D globe. SPB Geo Game is now available for touchscreen phones running Windows Mobile 5 and later. It�s also available for the Android platform. The game costs $4.95 and is available from http://www.spbsoftware.com/pocketpc-software/geogame.

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Adobe Flash Player Coming To Windows Mobile, WebOS

2009-06-23T22:57:31Z

Adobe has announced plans to launch Flash Player 10 for various mobile platforms later this year. Flash is widely used for multimedia content on the Web, but until now it was considered too resource intensive to be used on handheld devices such as PDAs or smartphones.

The latest mobile version of Flash Player 10 will support Windows Mobile, WebOS, Symbian, and Android devices. Many of Adobe�s partners have already received early copies of Flash Player 10. Developers should receive their copy later this year at Adobe's Max conference, which is in October.

Not only will Flash Player 10 enable a richer Internet browsing experience on mobile devices, but it also has the ability to enable the development of web-based applications. This, in turn, could free developers from individual application stores like we have today.

Although this is indeed an exciting announcement, it�s unlikely users will see applications built around the Flash 10 platform before early next year.

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Turn Your Palm Into a Portable Photo Viewer

2009-06-18T15:55:16Z

MetaViewSoft has released PhotoFrame v1.0. This handy little program converts your Palm OS PDA into an electronic photo frame. PhotoFrame can show JPG, JPEG, or PNG images directly from your camera�s memory card (assuming your PDA can read the type of cards used in your digital camera.)

PhotoFrame can cycle through pictures on its own, or you can tap the screen to manually move to the next / previous picture. PhotoFrame is compatible with Palm OS 5.0 devices and later.

PhotoFrame v1.0 costs $3.49. Until June 30th, it is on sale for $2.99. PhotoFrame is available from Palm Info Center.

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AvantGo Is Going Away

2009-06-17T11:35:04Z

AvantGo has been a popular service that many PDA users have enjoyed for years. Now, Sybase (AvantGo�s parent company) plans to close the doors on the service at the end of this month. This is very sad news for many of us who love to download content to our PDAs and view it later when we don�t have an available Internet connection.

According to AvantGo: �AvantGo is changing! From June 30, 2009, AvantGo will no longer be providing mobile Web content.� The website also suggests that users check out Snac, a downloadable application. However, Snac does not support Palm OS users.

At this point, you might be asking yourself, �What do I do now?� There are a few options. First, if you don�t need the offline capabilities that AvantGo once offered (yes, I know this was the killer feature to many users), then an RSS reader might be a good option. If you decide to go the RSS route, let me suggest a few RSS readers for Palm OS devices and for Windows Mobile and Pocket PC devices.

Secondly, I�ve heard of other options, such as Pocket Express, iSilo and iSiloX, Mobipocket Reader, and Plucker. Unfortunately, these offerings are not quite the same as AvantGo.

As a third option, you could also visit a handheld-friendly website and convert the content to your PDA manually, but this can be a very tedious and time-consuming option.

I�d love to hear from you: What do you plan to do once AvantGo disappears?

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Palm Pre Gets Sync via Third-Party Apps

2009-06-16T15:48:22Z

To date, the only Palm device that runs the new webOS is the Palm Pre smartphone. In my opinion, however, this phone and corresponding OS is missing an important feature that I use every day with my PDA: the ability to synchronize with my local computer. Before I give you the wrong impression, Palm does offer a variety of ways to synchronize the Pre with your computer, it just does so in a slightly round-about fashion using data that must reside �in the cloud� or on the Web.

Business users might not notice much of a difference in the way webOS synchronizes since they�re already accustomed to synchronizing data on their handheld device with a remote server. Home users who are accustomed to physically plugging their PDA into their computers each night to synchronize data are sure to notice, however. You see, webOS prefers to synchronize with data that resides in the cloud. While some users are sure to love this new feature, others will not be as thrilled. For webOS users who prefer to synchronize directly with a computer that resides in their home, it appears you�ll have to use one of the many third-party add-in programs now available. This shouldn�t be a big issue, but it is a slight annoyance.

PDA users: Be thankful your PDA has an easy, straightforward way to synchronize with your computer, no third-party applications or hassle needed.

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Spb Brain Evolution Adds Another Platform

2009-06-11T18:21:15Z

Spb Software recently announced that the world's number one bestselling Windows Mobile game of 2008 is now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. This announcement brings to light a good point that I think some PDA users overlook: Windows Mobile and Palm OS users are often able to purchase software for their devices before versions for other devices become available. Spb�s recent announcement is a perfect example of this. While Spb Brain Evolution has been available to Windows Mobile PDA users for some time now, it only recently became an option for iPhone and iPod Touch users.

Spb�s announcement is a good reminder to all of us that even though the iPhone and iPod Touch have been getting a lot of buzz lately, manufacturers still pay very close attention to the Windows Mobile and Palm OS platforms. After all, these two platforms still have a very broad user base.

Spb Brain Evolution is an intriguing suite of 10 addictive games which must be played in sequence. After achieving good results in one game, you�ll unlock the next one for playing. Spb Brain Evolution includes many games that people have come to love, including Minesweeper and Sudoku. For more information about the Windows Mobile version of Spb Brain Evolution, visit http://www.spbsoftware.com/pocketpc-software/brainevolution.

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