Pocket Breeze 4.1 Released

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.handango.com/brainstore//PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&jid=3C711C7B7FF2X2D176477F956DX377E1&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=95186&sectionId=0&catalog=1' target='_blank'>http://www.handango.com/brainstore/...nId=0&catalog=1</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040819_pocketbreeze.jpg" /> <br /><br />• View up to 30 days of appointments and tasks on your Today screen<br /> • Choose your own layout, fonts &amp; colors - even your category and status icons<br /> • Integrates seamlessly with Agenda Fusion, Pocket Informant, and the default PIM<br /> • Manage your tasks with virtually unlimited grouping and sorting capabilities<br /> • Edit tasks and appointments with one tap<br /> • View your task and appointment notes with scrolling pop-up windows<br /> • Jump ahead to any day or week with the calendar pop-up window<br /> • A year's worth of your contacts, birthdays and anniversaries with flashing reminders...and more<br /><br />SBSH is doing their best to make your Today screen a more useful place, and Pocket Breeze 4.1 represents the latest succulent fruit of their labors. To sweeten the deal, they've made the wise decision to hire the always excellent Juni to spruce up the interface. I'm using Dashboard at the moment, and this is making me think rather seriously about switching. If I do, I'm comforted by the fact that it <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore//PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&amp;jid=3C711C7B7FF2X2D176477F956DX377E1&amp;platformId=2&amp;productType=2&amp;productId=95186&amp;sectionId=0&amp;catalog=1">can be purchased for just $12.95,</a> less an additional 15% if you're a <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/subscribe.php">subscriber.</a> [Affiliate] Has anyone else made the jump? Thoughts?

[Jorlin]

I have made the jump from PIToday to PocketBreeze...
Why?

Because PB simply offers more: TaskView, Important appointments view and now even a tab for contacts...

It is almost a PIM for your Today Screen. Currently there is no today screen plug-in that can compete with PB regarding the management of your personal data.

The latest version adds a great filtering feature to the long list of what PB can do... This is just what I was missing.

And I am very glad that Amit tries to add features that were requested and enhance the functionality of PB as fast as possible.

I think we can expect even more in the future... well, I am sure about that :D

[mrkablooey]

I have made the jump from PIToday to PocketBreeze...
Why?
&lt;...>
And I am very glad that Amit tries to add features that were requested and enhance the functionality of PB as fast as possible.

YES. www.sbsh.net/forums is where you go for that, the service is awesome, nothing but great things to say about Amit and the rest of the SBSH gang!

:rock on dude!: :rock on dude!: :rock on dude!: :rock on dude!:

[foebea]

I want to use it.. but where would I put my pocket plus? My current layout (which I love absolutly) takes up most of the screen.

:cry:

[dommasters]

Brilliant app. Enough said.
Dom

[maymaio]

PB really changed the way I use my Pocket PC! 8)

You might also want to mention their latest new addition to support additional tabs like ContactBreeze which gives great contact interface inside PB and also the new ability to enable/disable tabs.

Kudos to the SBSH team for a great piece of software!

The screenshot on the initial post is the old default design, here is a screenshot from their site with the new design :) you can also find many great skins on their site, most of them Juni's work.

http://www.sbsh.net/products/pocketbreeze/pictures/promo1.jpg

[Jorlin]

I want to use it.. but where would I put my pocket plus? My current layout (which I love absolutly) takes up most of the screen.

:cry:

Do not :cry:, please...

You can actually minimize/maximize PB instantly if you want/not want to use it / take to much space of the TS. :D ... 8)

[Sully]

PocketBreeze hight is fully adjustable to take up as little or as much space on your today screen as you would like. It also has built in scroll bars to allow viewing of all of your data. Be sure to check out ContactBreeze for PB also, you can view all of your contact on the today screen with in PB . :D

Special offer going on now. check this link:
http://www.sbsh.net/products/pocketbreeze/index.php?page=special_offers

[foebea]

I will check it out then, front page space is at a premium, and it gets tough to make it all play happy.

One thing I would like to see SBP do with PocketPlus, is a per page today item configuration, so I can have weather apps on one tab, and calander apps on another etc.

Thanks for the tip, This software looks very nice, and may complement what I use currently well.

[rob1303]

This is a great programme. My 2210 would only be about half as productive for me without it.

There are alot of options for you to customise - so you can get it looking just as you want it.

It is also very fast and intergrates with Pocket Informant brilliantly.

If you haven't tried 4.1 and smart filters - try it now!

Rob

[nickpope]

PocketBreeze changed the way I used my pda. I've been a long time user (and still am of PI) but having today screen access to my agenda and tasks really promted me to use the PIM more.

The icing on the cake is that Amit has to be the most responsive PPC developer out there!

If I could only buy one application for my pda it would have to be PocketBreeze.

[DaViD_BRaNDoN]

Whoa... So many good reviews on PocketBreeze!

Question, does PocketBreeze slows down today screen? Or maybe the refresh rate is laggy or un-responsive each time it refreshes/scans for new info? I think I tried Calendar Plus Pro (on h3950) last time and it made my today screen crawls. FYI, I'm using h4150 now :wink:

[maymaio]

Whoa... So many good reviews on PocketBreeze!

Question, does PocketBreeze slows down today screen? Or maybe the refresh rate is laggy or un-responsive each time it refreshes/scans for new info? I think I tried Calendar Plus Pro (on h3950) last time and it made my today screen crawls. FYI, I'm using h4150 now :wink:

I'm using PB for a long time and can't feel any slow down on my device.

They improved the speed a lot since the days of Calendar Plus Pro and with the latest version you can also disable/enable any tab you wish. If you'll disable tabs you don't use it will even work faster. :)

[MerlinAZ]

PocketBreeze doesn't slow down the Today screen at all. It's the only PIM front-end on the planet as far as I'm concerned.
Amit, is the most responsive programmer for any software ever written. If you post a question or problem on the web forum, you'll usually get a response within minutes.
Try this program--you wont delete it. Trust me.

Sam

[Sully]

PocketBreeze will run very fast on your 4150.

[SnoopSoft]

Actually, if you set a couple of the Options in Pocket Breeze it works great inside of SnoopSoft Dashboard. There's no reason you can't have both running on your device together.

[DaViD_BRaNDoN]

Thanks for the feedback on the PocketBreeze. Will try it out soon :) Anyway, the font looks small. I'm guessing it's configurable?

[ctmagnus]

Thanks for the feedback on the PocketBreeze. Will try it out soon :) Anyway, the font looks small. I'm guessing it's configurable?

Font face, size, colour and style are all configurable.

[Sven Johannsen]

Thanks for the feedback on the PocketBreeze. Will try it out soon :) Anyway, the font looks small. I'm guessing it's configurable?

Yes, and there is very little that is not configurable.

[Empyrean]

One thing I would like to see SBP do with PocketPlus, is a per page today item configuration, so I can have weather apps on one tab, and calander apps on another etc.


foebea,
There is a multi-Today screen app called TodayX (http://www.mtux.com/info_tdx.aspx) that will do what you want.

--AJ

[amitregev]

Thanks for the feedback on the PocketBreeze. Will try it out soon :) Anyway, the font looks small. I'm guessing it's configurable?

Text size on the Calendar tab can be configured under the Calendar tab forth settings page (move using the next button). You can change font size, bold, italic, under-line and color for each item state on the Calendar tab (for appointments: busy, free, out of office etc. and for tasks: overdue, future due etc.).

There are also some general settings for fonts on all tabs like font face and shadow fonts 8)

[DaViD_BRaNDoN]

Thanks for the feedback on the PocketBreeze. Will try it out soon :) Anyway, the font looks small. I'm guessing it's configurable?

Text size on the Calendar tab can be configured under the Calendar tab forth settings page (move using the next button). You can change font size, bold, italic, under-line and color for each item state on the Calendar tab (for appointments: busy, free, out of office etc. and for tasks: overdue, future due etc.).

There are also some general settings for fonts on all tabs like font face and shadow fonts 8)

Cool! I knew it! Thanks for the detailed info :wink:

[webagogue]

I tried this out a few weeks ago and ended up uninstalling it for one major reason - the size of the scroll bar was much too small. I don't know if this is a config issue or just system design.

Anyway, I see from the screenshots that the scroll bar is much bigger now. I think I'll give this a go.

[buckyg]

IMHO, if you tried it before and thought "if only..." and it's been awhile, then go back and try it again. Amit is very responsive and keeps adding new features. This program is updated regularly, based on user feedback.

If only more developers would be half as responsive...

[ignar]

I tried this out a few weeks ago and ended up uninstalling it for one major reason - the size of the scroll bar was much too small. I don't know if this is a config issue or just system design.

Anyway, I see from the screenshots that the scroll bar is much bigger now. I think I'll give this a go.

You can use D-Pad to scroll up and down. I fount it's much easier.

[ctmagnus]

You can use D-Pad to scroll up and down. I fount it's much easier.

But if you use Windows Media on your device and you have the d-pad mapped in WMP, the d-pad scrolling in Pocket Breeze will override the d-pad functionality in WMP. Of course there are other media players but I have no idea how PocketBreeze interacts with them, as I kinda like WMP.

[Kai920]

If you haven't tried 4.1 and smart filters - try it now!

Can PB replace PocketInformant? :?: I realize they are generally different programs, but on my XDA I, space is at a premium and I would not mind uninstalling PI if PB will allow me a nice, clean PIM interface from the Today Screen.

How much space does PB require?

[DaViD_BRaNDoN]

Well, I gave PocketBreeze 4.1.01 a try last nite and after 2 hours of playing around with it, I uninstalled. Not that it's not good but it's a matter of preferance. And I still prefer PepeSoft's Calendar+.

The today screen looks cluttered with PocketBreeze. The settings page is a bit overwhelming and sometimes hard to go about, especially for someone who is new to PocketBreeze. I prefer this arrangement for Calendar screen:

Appointment (in Bold Font) - Icons
Start Time - End Time (Location)

The Tasks screen font size is too small and I prefer this arrangement for Tasks screen:

Priority - Task Subject - Icons
Start/Due Date

Oh well, this is just me :mrgreen:

[Jacob]

The only thing that comes close to the quality of this product is the quality of the suuport Amit gives.

This is not a replacement for PI, but I need to open PI a whole lot less now.

[foebea]

One thing I would like to see SBP do with PocketPlus, is a per page today item configuration, so I can have weather apps on one tab, and calander apps on another etc.


foebea,
There is a multi-Today screen app called TodayX (http://www.mtux.com/info_tdx.aspx) that will do what you want.

--AJ

Very close, though I would prefer the extra today items be included in the tabs of the main, rather than additional icons to change page.

I TodayPlus had the exact functionality I needed, but I like the ease of use of the Iconset in pocketplus. Maybe I should learn to code :mrgreen:

Thanks for lookin out!

[maymaio]

If you haven't tried 4.1 and smart filters - try it now!

Can PB replace PocketInformant? :?: I realize they are generally different programs, but on my XDA I, space is at a premium and I would not mind uninstalling PI if PB will allow me a nice, clean PIM interface from the Today Screen.

How much space does PB require?

If you don't need all the blown PIM features then PB can be a great replacement for you. I'm now using it only with the default PIM and it's enough for my needs.

I would say - give it a try for a week and see if it's enough for you or not.

[jsnielsen]

PB is THE most useful thing I have on my today screen. I hardly ever open up my PI anymore, except to create new contacts, appointments, etc. PI + PB is a killer combo :)

[BukTop]

They improved the speed a lot since the days of Calendar Plus Pro and with the latest version you can also disable/enable any tab you wish. If you'll disable tabs you don't use it will even work faster. :)

How do I disable any of Calendar, Tasks or Special Events tabs? I know how to disable the fourth Contacts Tab, but can't do it for first three ones. Is it possible?

[amitregev]

Hi BukTop,

You can disable all tabs except the Calendar tab which is the default tab.

You can disable the Tasks and the Special Events tab on the "Tabs control" section on the settings, the same as you disable ContactBreeze.

If you don't see on this settings section the Tasks and Special Events tabs options it means you simply don't use the latest version (4.1.01) - this feature was only added two days ago 8)

You can simply download the latest trial version from Handango and install over the current one you are using, the registration key on your device (if you are registered) will automatically move with you to the new version and will disable the trial limitations.

You can also read more about the latest version 4.1.01 release on our forums:

http://www.sbsh.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1282

Hope this helps :)

[mrkablooey]

Well, I gave PocketBreeze 4.1.01 a try last nite and after 2 hours of playing around with it, I uninstalled. Not that it's not good but it's a matter of preferance. And I still prefer PepeSoft's Calendar+.

The today screen looks cluttered with PocketBreeze. The settings page is a bit overwhelming and sometimes hard to go about, especially for someone who is new to PocketBreeze. I prefer this arrangement for Calendar screen:

Appointment (in Bold Font) - Icons
Start Time - End Time (Location)

The Tasks screen font size is too small and I prefer this arrangement for Tasks screen:

Priority - Task Subject - Icons
Start/Due Date

Oh well, this is just me :mrgreen:

While nobody can force your hand with software, if you'd like to give PB another try, just go to the SBSH forums and put a request in the appropriate section. Chances are it will be in the next revision, out within just a couple of days. They tend to tweak it once a week or so, taking input from everyone that suggests something. :)

[DaViD_BRaNDoN]

Well, I gave PocketBreeze 4.1.01 a try last nite and after 2 hours of playing around with it, I uninstalled. Not that it's not good but it's a matter of preferance. And I still prefer PepeSoft's Calendar+.

The today screen looks cluttered with PocketBreeze. The settings page is a bit overwhelming and sometimes hard to go about, especially for someone who is new to PocketBreeze. I prefer this arrangement for Calendar screen:

Appointment (in Bold Font) - Icons
Start Time - End Time (Location)

The Tasks screen font size is too small and I prefer this arrangement for Tasks screen:

Priority - Task Subject - Icons
Start/Due Date

Oh well, this is just me :mrgreen:

While nobody can force your hand with software, if you'd like to give PB another try, just go to the SBSH forums and put a request in the appropriate section. Chances are it will be in the next revision, out within just a couple of days. They tend to tweak it once a week or so, taking input from everyone that suggests something. :)

Ya, I would give it a try again in the near future when it has features that I'm looking for :wink:

[Kai920]

If you haven't tried 4.1 and smart filters - try it now!

Can PB replace PocketInformant? :?: I realize they are generally different programs, but on my XDA I, space is at a premium and I would not mind uninstalling PI if PB will allow me a nice, clean PIM interface from the Today Screen.

How much space does PB require?

If you don't need all the blown PIM features then PB can be a great replacement for you. I'm now using it only with the default PIM and it's enough for my needs.

I would say - give it a try for a week and see if it's enough for you or not.

Thanks for the advice maymaio. I think I could survive with the built-in PIM, so I'm going to give PB a try now!

[Rob Alexander]

It looks like it could be an excellent product, but I'm afraid I can't use it until Juni ports his Time Machine theme (from Dashboard) over to it. :lol: Okay, I'm kind of half joking, but half serious. That theme is the best combination I've ever found of having subtle colors, being easy on the eyes, having small fonts visible in various lighting, etc., and I'd really hate to give it up. Any chance of a Time Machine theme for PB, Juni?

[bigdaddyblues]

I have a Casio EM-500. Is there a lower version of pocket breeze that works with 2000 or is there a program that is similar that would work on a pocket pc 2000?

thanks,
blues

[Jason Lee]

How large is the install? I'm assuming quite large since the installer file is 1722K, those are usually a lot smaller than the final install.
I have been temped to buy this program since if first became pocket breeze. It looks like a very good program but it may do too much for my needs. I have always wanted to try pocket informent but can survive just fine with the builtin PIM. The only thing I miss is a nice layout of my upcomming week (maybe more) with tasks included. My solution has been tAgenda (http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/kohgo/index_en.html) for many years. For the most part it provides all the functionality i need. If i want to see more you can chage the amount of lines it shows right from taping and holding on the today plugin. It only takes up 244K.
Pocket breeze just looks so cool and it is soo affordable. It really looks like something i would enjoy using but space is very hard to come by on my ppc. :)

[amitregev]

Hi Jason :)

The actual PocketBreeze DLL file is 364kb, everything else can go under the storage card if you choose to install it on the storage card.

Also, although the ZIP file you download is big, the actual files that are installed are not so big. In our ZIP we also include two additional CAB files for Pocket PC 2002 users and Windows Mobile 2003 who use Mac OS and can't install using the EXE file installer - this means you actually get in the ZIP file you download from Handango PocketBreeze size three times :D

Also, after installing the VGA resources dll is copied to your device, which is about 259kb, but PocketBreeze automatically checks if you use a VGA device, and if not it will be automatically removed.

PocketBreeze was designed all the way to be as small as possible solution - this is the reason we use ONLY native code we write alone without using any code parts like MFC; Using other code parts usually make the result file much bigger because it also include many code parts that you don't need - we write everything from the start, even our scroll bar is our own code written from zero (yes - I don't sleep too much... :oops: ).

I'm sure you won't find any solution powerful and customizable as PocketBreeze and yet at the same size.

Hope this helps :)

[Jason Lee]

damnit.. now i gotta go buy it... :wink:

Thanks for the fast responce. :mrgreen:

[amitregev]

:) I really hope you will enjoy it!

Be sure to check our forums - we usually post new small releases almost every 2-3 days, and I can already tell you I'm now finishing tomorrow's new version with some new great additions 8)

http://www.sbsh.net/forums

You can also get many additional skins on our skins page:

http://www.sbsh.net/products/pocketbreeze/index.php?page=skins

As you can see, most of them designed by Juni who also helped us with the new default look of PocketBreeze 4.1 8) (many many thanks Juni!!!)

There are also some new skins designed by Chefz that I will add later on tonight to our site - I just need a few additional hours in each day.... :lol:

[sracer]

Are there any options for PocketBreeze to have a more compact display? I like the options and features, but stuff is just spread out. It defeats the purpose of having a Today plug-in if I have to perform multiple taps to view appointments and tasks. It's no easier/convenient than pressing a hardware button to launch the calendar or task list.

I prefer to be able to simply turn on my PPC and see at a glance what appointment and tasks are pending. (not all of them, but maybe the next 3-5)

So can Pocket Breeze do that? I've tried the demo and it didn't seem like it could.
Here's a screenshot of what I'm looking for:
http://percontifamily.com/speedzone/AtomicAge-03.jpg

[brucejackson]

I prefer to be able to simply turn on my PPC and see at a glance what appointment and tasks are pending. (not all of them, but maybe the next 3-5)


Hi,

Try out alarmToday http://www.pocketmax.net, it doesn't have all the features of Pocket Breeze - but works great at showing pending tasks/appoinmtents, and creating quick alarms. Even wakes me up in the morning with my fav. MP3

[sracer]

Would alarmToday would display a task that doesn't have a start/due date?

[Jason Lee]

I prefer to be able to simply turn on my PPC and see at a glance what appointment and tasks are pending. (not all of them, but maybe the next 3-5)


Maybe something like this?
http://batcave.smsu.edu/images/pbsimple.png

You can make it nice and simple. You can also have it setup just like this but add the expand collaps buttons as well. you can make it shorter too if this is too long.

[amitregev]

Are there any options for PocketBreeze to have a more compact display? I like the options and features, but stuff is just spread out. It defeats the purpose of having a Today plug-in if I have to perform multiple taps to view appointments and tasks. It's no easier/convenient than pressing a hardware button to launch the calendar or task list.

I prefer to be able to simply turn on my PPC and see at a glance what appointment and tasks are pending. (not all of them, but maybe the next 3-5)

So can Pocket Breeze do that? I've tried the demo and it didn't seem like it could.
Here's a screenshot of what I'm looking for:
http://percontifamily.com/speedzone/AtomicAge-03.jpg

Hi sracer,

I'm sorry for the late response, I had to finish a new release and some other things we are working on now.

I included below three screenshots of my today screen. As you can see the left screen shot is with most features activated: grouping buttons, daily counters, timelines, overdue and undated tasks and more. In the second screenshot I disabled most of the features through the settings to create a simpler look with PocketBreeze, as you can see I also removed the additional tabs: Tasks, Special Events and Contacts, but of course you can decide if you wish to leave them or not, I removed them only to show the capability.

Although I left my icons, you can also choose exactly which icons you wish to see and what not (you can remove them all) and of course you can also use one simple text color, I decided to leave my category colors for items' text.

I think this configuration results a pretty simple design. Although it's not the same design as you show, but if you really look for a more 'clean' look I think this is better then the one you show. Having text so crowded is not a 'clean' look (of course this is only my opinion :) ).

In the right screenshot I wanted to show that although the simpler look you will still enjoy many powerful capabilities PocketBreeze offers like the popup monthly calendar that allows you to find a date 'on the fly' and you can also use your stylus to mark portion of dates in the popup calendar and load them to the display - all of this using the simpler look.

http://www.sbsh.net/temp/pb_ppcthoughts.jpg

Of course I can't convince everyone that our design is the best - this is why there are a verity of products - but I always try to answer all questions.

If you will decide at the end of the day that you wish to use PocketBreeze after all, I advice you to take a look at our special offer 8)

http://www.sbsh.net/products/pocketbreeze/index.php?page=special_offers

Cheers.

[amitregev]

I prefer to be able to simply turn on my PPC and see at a glance what appointment and tasks are pending. (not all of them, but maybe the next 3-5)


Maybe something like this?
http://batcave.smsu.edu/images/pbsimple.png

You can make it nice and simple. You can also have it setup just like this but add the expand collaps buttons as well. you can make it shorter too if this is too long.

And I was just writing my answer :D thanks :)

[sracer]

I prefer to be able to simply turn on my PPC and see at a glance what appointment and tasks are pending. (not all of them, but maybe the next 3-5)


Maybe something like this?
http://batcave.smsu.edu/images/pbsimple.png

You can make it nice and simple. You can also have it setup just like this but add the expand collaps buttons as well. you can make it shorter too if this is too long.

Thanks Jason! Although not as compact as I prefer, it is certainly workable and more compact than I originally thought possible with Pocket Breeze. I'm sold. :D If I'm gonna shell out money for a calendar/task plug-in, I might as well get one that is highly configurable... in case my tastes change. ;)

Alas, it doesn't appear that I can take advantage of the special. Oh well, even at full price it is worth it. Thanks!

[SassKwatch]

I'm using Dashboard at the moment, and this is making me think rather seriously about switching.
Does PB have a function equivalent to Dashboard's 'MiniLauncher'?

[Jason Lee]

The only problem I have found with the program is that it has so many options. 8O I have been playing with it for two days and still not sure I have it how I want it. :lol:

It's so much fun! I spend all my free time now changing how PB looks. It is amazing how different you can make it look. Not to mention how much you can change the way it functions. :)

So far I am leaning towards a simple look where I don't have to scroll or click anything so see all the information I need. Still can't decide if I want to display undated and futer tasks on the calendar tab though.. What can I say, I'm a freak (possibly a little obsessive/compulsive). :mrgreen:

[sanwijay]

Help help ... anyone facing the same problem as i am ??? Missing bluetooth icon, which is caused by pocket breeze ... is this a bug ??? Pls help ... Thx.

[ironguy]

I'm using Dashboard at the moment, and this is making me think rather seriously about switching.
Does PB have a function equivalent to Dashboard's 'MiniLauncher'?

No, but one of the other products from the same great developers is iLauncher which is a multi-tabbed Today line launcher plug-in like the minilauncher in Dashboard. You can also assign a hardware button to make the program launcher full screen. If you look around for discounts you can probably get both for under $10. Also check out ContactBreeze. Once you have these, you have all the functionality of Dashboard.

[shawnc]

Just a quick question for anyone. I'm trying to purchase pocketbreeze and receive my 15% subscriber discount. Handago is requesting a promotion code but I can't seem to locate one. Can anyone give me a hand with this?

Thanx,

EDIT - Oops, never mind :oops: !

[amitregev]

Hi shawnc :)

Did you solved it? we might need to update the promotion :oops:

BTW - this post is a bit old and we are now getting ready to release PocketBreeze 4.3 that will include a some new major features :D I advice you to stay tuned on our forums as we plan to release the first public beta in the next 24 hours. http://www.sbsh.net/forums

Upgrading to 4.3 is of course for free :)

[shawnc]

Amit,

Just sent you an email, I got it working just fine. I've read nothing but positive things about you and your support did not dissapoint. Thank you very much for all your help and I look forward to the updated version (maybe I will have figured out my current edition by then :wink: ).