Battery Pack 2002 Reviewed

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&amp;platformId=2&amp;productType=2&amp;catalog=0&amp;amp;sectionId=0&amp;productId=24948">http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&amp;platformId=2&amp;productType=2&amp;catalog=0&amp;amp;sectionId=0&amp;productId=24948</a><br /><br />Battery Pack 2002 has been the #1 selling application on my Handango list since we launched the new version of the site was launched, and after seeing it on the list for the 500th time I decided to take it for a spin. I wish I would have given it a try sooner! It's a very useful application that gives control-freaks like myself the information we love to have.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/batterymonitor2002-00.jpg" /><br /><br />The application consists of two modules that plug into the Today screen: Program Bar and Battery Bar. In the screen shot above, the Program Bar is below my owner information, and below that is the Battery Bar. Each module has several features worth noting, so keep reading!<!><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/batterymonitor2002-01.jpg" /><br /><br />Tapping on the small battery/folder icon brings up the Powerstore screen, which gives you main battery level, backup battery level (if present - in my XDA, it's not), program memory, storage memory, and storage card memory (two slots are supported, but I only have an SD card inserted).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/batterymonitor2002-02.jpg" /><br /><br />By default, the Program Bar lists two lines of applications - in this regard, it's not much different than other freeware applications like Launcher. What I found interesting though was how it automatically included every available shortcut on the device, including links to the Control Panel applications. Each shortcut can be re-mapped so you can build your own set of shortcuts in whatever order makes sense to you. There are also some unique apps like Cleanup which purges the temporary files, cookies, and temporary internet files.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/batterymonitor2002-03.jpg" /><br /><br />The Program Bar can be expanded to five rows of icons, and the date can be disabled.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/batterymonitor2002-04.jpg" /><br /><br />The results are a little too chaotic for my liking, but if you like having everything one tap away from your start screen, this is a good way to do it.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/batterymonitor2002-05.jpg" /><br /><br />The Battery Bar has a wide variety of configuration options, including choices as to when the audible warning is triggered. The "voice" sounds like a highly-compressed WAV file, and I'm not convinced it's useful - I had to open up eight applications before I could force my device to run out of program memory, and unless your volume is cranked up to maximum, you probably won't hear it. The Battery Bar has two modes: Large and Small.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/batterymonitor2002-06.jpg" /><br /><br />The small mode is shown above - this is my preferred mode. It's small enough to keep out of the way, but it still has the information the larger version does.<br /><br />All in all, this is a very useful tool and <a href="http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&amp;sectionId=0&productId=24948">well worth the $9.95</a>. I've even found that with the shortcut to the list of running applications, I haven't needed to install a task killer to recover memory. If memory serves there's a free demo - I can't confirm that right now because Handango is spitting up Internal Server 500 errors when I browse to this app, but by the time this review goes live it should work. Be sure to check this app out!

[Anthony Caruana]

Highly recommended. This is a really useful suite of apps and Today plug-ins.

[vetteguy]

Does the data usage (thr 730Kn.$1.42) display also come from this application? Or is that something else?

[lipinski77]

The only problem that I have is the ability to clear the list of memory cards and their associated icons. I put in my 256MB CF card in and selected an icon to show for it. After a few days I formatted the card and the icon changed. I went back and saw a listiing for another CF card that was .1 MB different than the one before it. I guess formatting the card changed the available space and now I cannot get the extra listing out of the list. Same thing happend for my SD cards.

Anyone else have this problem or maybe a solution.

Thanks,

James

[kidoco]

love the app. Also love the pocketpc thoughts today screen can we download it, if so where is it available :)

[FredMurphy]

I've just downloaded the demo version and find the fact that it lists my Bluetooth CF card as having 5.9MB (of 8.8MB) free a little odd. [ :oops: Just realised that's my HP's SafeStore.]

[smashcasi]

vetteguy: The data usage is from a program called GPRS Monitor (http://www.softspb.com/products/gprsmonitor/index.html).

[vetteguy]

vetteguy: The data usage is from a program called GPRS Monitor (http://www.softspb.com/products/gprsmonitor/index.html).
Thanks for the info...I just realized that I have actually tried this software but it completely prevented my GPRS connection from working, so I guess I won't be using it.

[chrisnian]

love the app. Also love the pocketpc thoughts today screen can we download it, if so where is it available :)

Here's a link to the theme (courtesy of Marlof) :lol:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/bregonje/thoughts3.tsk

[kidoco]

CHRISNIAN, THANKS FOR THE LINK! :D

[ledowning]

I have been using this software for over six months now and find it to be very usefull. The only problem I have encountered is with the constant software updates and the battery life indicator. Once you have depleted your battery a couple of times, the battery indicator does a reasonable job of showing the amount of time left on your battery. After applying a software upgrade, the battery indicator defaults back to 2-3 hours or so battery time left and it takes quite awhile to move the stats back up again.

[smittyofdhs]

hasn't anybody else who has used this software been annoyed by the fact that the today screen now flickers every 2 seconds because of this software updating?

I tried this on my Ipaq way back when and hated the fact that it made my today screen flicker. Now I try it on my Siemens SX56 and the software still has the problem.

If you want the same features (minus the program bar) then go get rhinocode's pocketpanel at http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=2757

It does the same things that this app does but with no screen flicker at all.

[msprague]

Has anyone tried this yet? Any thoughts on how it compares?
Information Pack Today(PocketPC 2002) by Charisma Entertainment (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=331&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&amp;sectionId=0&productId=44092)

[JF in Detroit]

smittyofdhs said, hasn't anybody else who has used this software been annoyed by the fact that the today screen now flickers every 2 seconds because of this software updating?

I've got to say, I installed this program many months ago, and I have never noticed a screen flicker.

BTW, the updates are free, the launcher is very flexible, and the battery bar offers useful information at a glance. I really like this program, and have never had a hint of a problem with it. :infinity:

[jojaboi]

I only have one complaint. I have 58 mb of remaining memory on my 256 mb sd card and that dern woman wont stop telling me "your storage card space is full" :? What's up with that, lady? I think she's the same one that keeps tellin me "it's too small". She don't know what she's talkin' bout. Regardless of what she says, i'm gettin what I want (out of the software, i mean) :lol:

[Coralie]

love the app. Also love the pocketpc thoughts today screen can we download it, if so where is it available :)

Here's a link to the theme (courtesy of Marlof) :lol:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/bregonje/thoughts3.tsk
hmm .. 'thoughts3.tsk' .. does that mean there's a one & a two? :wink:

thanks for the link. i've downloaded it too. 8)

[Coralie]

just want to add my two cents' worth. i've been using it for a few weeks now & find it to be very useful. i do get the 'flicker' that's been mentioned, but it's very slight & it can be lessened by changing how often it updates in the options.

i'm like jason, i chose to have the battery bar in 'small' mode. much neater but still as much information as you could want.

i also turned the voice notification off. since i have an ipaq 3630 with only 32mb of ram, i'm perpetually running low on memory. :? thanks lady, don't rub it in, okay?