Magic Button Task Switcher

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.trancreative.com/mb/">http://www.trancreative.com/mb/</a><br /><br />There are plenty of Task Managers available for Pocket PC. However if you are still searching for the right one, try this software. Features include:<br /><br />• Does not take up any of your screen real estate, yet easy to access. <br />• Located on title bar but does not cover any standard info, i.e. Sound icon, notification icon... It matches perfectly with the current theme. <br />• Very small foot print (memory usage). Only 40kb executable file does it all (help file is extra). <br />• Makes close button really close applications. Just in case you haven't noticed, the default one only minimizes them. <br />• Provides Task bar with running task icons, activated by tap and hold on the Close/OK button. It hides automatically when you don't need it. Map a hardware button to MB then show or hide task bar with a touch. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030201-magicbutton.gif" /><br /><br />It only works on Pocket PC 2002 devices. Best of all, it is free!

[Bearjaw]

I just downloaded it and I must say its much better than the task switchewr that comes with the Axim! Way to go Trancreative! Jeff

[SnAPPUrU-nyan-ko]

Free software, w00ty =^_^=

[powder2000]

I like it a lot :!:

[paris]

Well all i am waitting for is the next reincarnation of WisBar by Chris

here is a new feature list:

Full Notification Support - Finished
Custom Task Actions - Finished
Smaller Memory Footprint - In Progress
Custom Date/Time Formats - Planned
Cascading Start Menu - In Progress
Full Skinning - In Progress
Desktop Skin Creator - Planned
Lower Bar Skinning - Planned
Bubble Dialogs for All Platforms (Volume Control, Time/Next Appointment, Battery Status and Connection Status) - Planned

go here for more info : http://www.pelmarinc.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=3e3c4cd20610499a;act=ST;f=1;t=392

[RickP in AZ]

I've been using Magic Button since Thursday evening and am really coming to like it. I frequently use my iPAQ online and lamented the need to exit WISBar in order to control the connection.

I will be writing a full review of Magic Button for PPCThoughts here which will be up in a few days.

Tip #1: In Magic Button settings, set the Tap and Hold Delay to a lower number. I have found that 400 milliseconds offer faster deployment of the Magic Button bar app.

(BTW I too am lloking forward to the next version of WISBar. But until it is public Magic Button offers me the features I want (Close, Running task icons, and a battery meter) while still allowing me full use of the standard taskbar functions of the OS.

More to follow

[Fzara]

This makes me question why I paid money for Pocket Plus, when I could have downloaded this!
(Of course the battery meter and repeating alarms are a nice add-on)

[DrtyBlvd]

Good Alternative available here:

http://www.conduits.com/products/apps/task.asp

[christak]

This is a nice app -- but I still prefer ICBar...

http://www.ictinus.com/icbar/

[spursdude]

I just tried this out, and it seems pretty nice and powerful. I may actually use this over GigaBar...it's gonna be a tough choice.

Can anybody tell me what the "Sticky Bar" setting is? Thanks.

[lanwarrior]

Does anyone experience ANY bugs or slowness running this on iPAQ or Fujitsu Loox? I am eager to download, but afraid it may messed up anything. Currently using PocketNav for about 1 year now, and have no complaint so far.

[WillyG]

One word: WOW

[yvilla]

I paid for and used to swear by GigaTask, but tried this out and its really tempting me to switch. Its much simpler, and I really like having my open programs' icons on the task bar. The only thing "missing" as compared to GigaTask is having the menu of programs to open available up there on the task bar, but the "Home" program that comes with all Toshibas is fine for that, and was just wasted while I was using GigaTask.

[RickP in AZ]

yvilla - There is of course no reason why you can't use both. :) I still use iTask as much as ever for quick access to settings, screen captures, and several other tasks which iTask is perfectly attuned to. (I keep reloading and unloading GigaTask as I don't care for how it implements its taskbar component.)

Still testing Magic Button - 3 times the battery meter has lost its level. Exiting and restarting Magic Button brought it back to normal.

[jwf]

I just tried this out, and it seems pretty nice and powerful. I may actually use this over GigaBar...it's gonna be a tough choice.

Can anybody tell me what the "Sticky Bar" setting is? Thanks.

The "Sticky Bar" setting seems to control whether the icon bar is displayed permanently or not.

[RickP in AZ]

Tip #2: Tap & Hold on a running task icon and an option will appear to close that application. Handy for closing tasks which are running in the background.

Because of the above feature and the fact that used smart minimize with WISBar I have turned off the option for the "X" button to close the application and now have it set to just minimize.