View Full Version : Pocket PC Best Software Awards - Finalists Announced
Jason Dunn
10-01-2003, 11:01 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpcmag.com/awards/main.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpcmag.com/awards/main.asp</a><br /><br /></div>"Each year Pocket PC magazine conducts its Best Software Awards. The awards help users select the software that best suits their Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone needs by honoring companies that produce outstanding software.<br /><br />...These productivity and entertainment software awards are given for products appropriate for individual end-users. They can also be applicable in Enterprise, but only if they also function well as stand-alone products. <br /><br />Pocket PC magazine's Nitin Gupta and Diane Dumas initially categorized and nominated this software from the PocketPCmag.com Encyclopedia of Software and Accessories database. The nominations were turned over to the 2003 Board of Experts, who modified and added to the list. The descriptions of all the nominated products are included in the 2004 Pocket PC magazine Buyers Guide. All those who subscribe through the end of 2003 will receive this issue."<br /><br />I helped judge some of the tie breakers this year, in addition to judging a few categories (nothing where Spb had products mind you!), and it was a tough go. There are some awesome programs out there, and the sheer number of tie-breakers was testament to the fact that every judge had his or her favourite.<br /><br />So what do you think of the finalists? Did they miss your favourite application? Remember the deadline was at the end of July (I think).
They can also be applicable in Enterprise, but only if they also function well as stand-alone products.
Erm ... except that there are a few listed that don't and expressly require a desktop version. Wierd.
Dom
Ekkie Tepsupornchai
10-01-2003, 11:50 PM
Seems like a really comprehensive list. Based on all the feedback I've read combined with my own experiences, it seems they nailed all the right programs, which is what I would expect from Pocket PC Mag.
In comparison, I'm always a little dumbfounded by the category finalists I see reported by Handango. :roll:
In comparison, I'm always a little dumbfounded by the category finalists I see reported by Handango
LOL. All awards are a mystery to me. I think sales are what count at the end of the day. If something is a best seller then it isn't because people don't like it or find it usefull. It's so much easier to give an opinion than to actually part with cash.
yawanag
10-02-2003, 02:53 AM
Quite an extensive list. So far, I've only had time to look at the Games category. I am surprised that "Diamonds" and "Done in 50 Seconds" didn't make the finalist. They were heavily pushed at the time of release.
The game I can't stop playing was probably released too late to make the list, but I L-O-V-E "Bookworm."
Ekkie Tepsupornchai
10-02-2003, 03:16 AM
LOL. All awards are a mystery to me. I think sales are what count at the end of the day. If something is a best seller then it isn't because people don't like it or find it usefull. It's so much easier to give an opinion than to actually part with cash.
Well, I agree to an extent. Overall sales are a pretty good indicator for what people like, but what people like is not always indicative of what I consider the best.
For example, if I'm not mistaken, Interstellar Flames is one of the highest selling games on Handango and indeed, I registered a copy myself. Would I consider this one of the best PPC games available? Probably not. IMO it is one of their best sellers b/c it provides a lot of bang for the buck at just $6.99... I could never compare it to say Argentum or Bust'Em though.
While I would never rush out and buy any PPC software that a reviewer says is good, I'll likely be swayed to demo highly reviewed products first if the reviews came from a respectable source.
...and while I'm a frequent Handango customer, I find myself giving close-to-no-weight to the awards I see Handango giving out.
Hmm. That's got me thinking. I don't know whether I would buy a cheaper product just because it was cheaper - given how cheap Pocket PC apps are anyway. But I might. I can see why there are different angles for awards though, and why we need awards from different entities. I bet there are some on here who think that Handango always get it right and can't figure the Pocket PC Magazine awards LOL. I guess the "best selling" apps awards would be a little predictable :)
Dom
All awards are a mystery to me. I think sales are what count at the end of the day. If something is a best seller then it isn't because people don't like it or find it usefull. It's so much easier to give an opinion than to actually part with cash.
As Ekkie pointed out, it's even hard to be objective about sales figures: Do you compare the number of copies sold? Or the number of copies X sales price, for a dollar volume? Do you factor in the amount of marketing for the product? (That is, we'd expect a commercial vendor to sell more - or at a higher price - than shareware with no budget for ads.)
Like Jason, I was also one of the judges. I can tell you I spent more time reviewing the products than I generally do for myself. When I buy software, I typically reject a number of products simply from their screen shots and feature lists. However, in judging, I ran each product. For any that had trial versions that limited functionality, I worked with the full commercial version and not the trial. In general, my votes were based only on the product. However, in some cases, I factored in the price. That is, all other things being equal, I looked at the value for your money. But just because something is free, doesn't mean it's the best value. Also, in at least one case, I gave my highest vote to the most expensive product simply because the features (and vendor support) clearly justified the price.
As for the difference between Handango's and the Magazine's awards - keep in mind that Handango is working with only the products downloaded through them. The Magazine attempts to start with a list of all products regardless of their source. This is not a slam on Handango, it simply pointing out that their perspective is different. In fact, it's important to note that Handango was a huge help to the Pocket PC Magazine judges this year in getting us access to many of the products that we evaluated. Compared to last year, things went much smoother thanks to all the effort that Handango put in to assure the judges had access to the products in the categories we were evaluating. :way to go:
Handango is working with only the products downloaded through them...The Magazine attempts to start with a list of all products regardless of their source
I think you will find you are mistaken there David. Handango's Pocket PC database is huge compared to the Pocket PC Magazine one and is more up to date in terms of version history.
So how come they listed apps that need a desktop pc when the rules state they should not ?
Cheers,
Dom
I think you will find you are mistaken there David. Handango's Pocket PC database is huge compared to the Pocket PC Magazine one and is more up to date in terms of version history.
I could be wrong, but I assume that Handango does not include products that are not available through them. The Magazine's list might be shorter, but that is not because of any commerical considerations - it is simply the list of nominees - not a comprehensive catalog. In fact, I know of programs that have won in previous years that never advertize in the Magazine over other products that regularly run large (even full page) ads. Also the rules require that the version evaluated be released (no betas) on or before July 31. That elimiated some very good applications, but was determined to be fair to level the playing field.
So how come they listed apps that need a desktop pc when the rules state they should not ?
Actually the rules don't exclude programs that have desktop companions or even programs such as syncronization apps for desktop programs (providing the desktop program is commerically available to the public.) Instead, the limitation is on "middleware" that is not usable "as is" by end users. For example, Syware provides an excellent sync tool for database programmers called mEnable. I've used it and it would certainly be an award winner in my book. However, given the Magazine's end user focus, and the fact that mEnable is a toolkit that a programmer uses when writing an application, means that it doesn't qualify. Another example would be a program for a very specific enterprise target, such as a custom program that is not sold to the general public.
I agree that the rule about "stand alone" is not very clear. I will discuss this with Hal to see if it can be clarified for next time.
In general, I can tell you that a lot of people work very hard to provide the most balanced judging possible. However, it's not a perfect system, and I know that Hal and his staff are always looking for feedback on how to improve it. If you feel that errors are being made, I would suggest you write a note to Hal. I can assure you he takes all feedback seriously.
If you feel that errors are being made No way ! The Awards are cool and the program that inspires me wins every year but has never won on Handango. The more Awards the merrier. Just don't feel that they are superior or inferior to Handangos. They are both great.
Dom
The Awards are cool and the program that inspires me wins every year but has never won on Handango. The more Awards the merrier. Just don't feel that they are superior or inferior to Handangos. They are both great.
We agree on that point. I was only commenting on the differences between the two processes, not claiming that one is better than the other. Also, as I noted, Handango has been a great help with the Pocket PC Awards this year, although they came in rather late in the process. No doubt they will make things much easier for the judges next year.
Still, feedback :bad-words: is always welcome.
:mrgreen:
Just an idea but why not replace the Pocket PC encyclopedia with one that integrates with Handango ? Nitin and Diane would get a break and the database would always be up to date with a massive selection of products. Would also be a great revenue opportunity. I also think some products are superior but others are more suitable for the majority so ... more awards please :) In the UK we have The Times and The Sun by the same publisher (you would never believe it). The Sun sells 10 x more but .... consists of soap TV gossip and scantily clad ladies. The Times is a better newspaper LOL but The Sun has achieved something surely ? Achievements may = awards ?
As for desktop companions, I'm fine with those. But, I object to Pocket PC apps that will not work without a desktop PC. I feel they should be capable of working in a stand-alone capacity. Just my opinion as always and I'm usually wrong.
Dom
Just an idea but why not replace the Pocket PC encyclopedia with one that integrates with Handango ? Nitin and Diane would get a break and the database would always be up to date with a massive selection of products. Would also be a great revenue opportunity.
I can't speak for Hal on this one, but what the heck - I will anyway. :wink:
I think the issue is that there are products that are not sold via Handango that still should be listed. Perhaps, Handango would work with the Magazine to assure a more complete and up to date listing for the products that they do offer. Another issue is that, so far, Hal as stayed away from offering a single partner source linked from the magazine's web site. As a magazine, there is a fine line that has to be drawn between the editorial side and the ad side. I'm sure if Hal could figure out a way to make money at that without bringing up questions about the nutrality of the magazine, then we would see it. So far, the extra revenue isn't worth the potential perception of bias.
Again, these are only my views, and I don't speak for Hal or the Magazine.
without bringing up questions about the nutrality of the magazine
Good point. I guess it just isn't possible. If Handango were to list EVERY product then it might be a goer. Not sure why a vendor would not want to sell their product at Handango. They are awesome at shifting units.
Dom
quidproquo
10-02-2003, 09:45 PM
Very comprehensive list.....
It is obvious that the sales volume is driving the winners. Just go by the downloads on PocketPC Gear and Handango.
But these figures generally hold true to the value of the software as word of mouth helps drive these downloads.
I appreciate the work they are putting into creating the list.
obvious that the sales volume is driving the winners
Hmm ... is it ? Still agreed that volume does not necessarily= best product .... and also that best product does not necessarily= volume which is I guess a fact of life.
Dom
Hal Goldstein
10-06-2003, 10:59 PM
As David, said, I am always open to feedback.
Our goal is to make our Encylopledia of Software and Accessories as comprehensive as possible. http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_enc/encyclopedia.asp. But Handango has products we don't have listed and vice versa. It's a daunting task, and there is a limit on how many resources we can invest in maintaining it, since there is no direct renumaration. Note that the Encylopedia includes accessories as well as software.
We have worked hard as have our judges to be as comprehensive and objective as possible in judging so much great software.
As to "end-user", I am up for suggestions. The way I defined it at http://www.pocketpcmag.com/awards/ was:
"These productivity and entertainment software awards are given for products appropriate for individual end-users. They can also be applicable in Enterprise, but only if they also function well as stand-alone products."
Note that if you will be at the Summit, the awards celebration details can be found at:
http://www.pocketpcsummit.com/reception.php
Hal Goldstein
Exec Editor/Publisher
Pocket PC magazine
[email protected]
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