Third Party Fix For Alarm Bug In Windows Mobile 2003 - alarmToday

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.pocketmax.net/alarmToday.htm">http://www.pocketmax.net/alarmToday.htm</a><br /><br />alarmToday claims to fix the wake up problems that <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21911">some are experiencing</a> in their Windows Mobile 2003 device. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2004/20040105-alarmtoday.gif" /><br /><br />The image shows this on a 2002 device so the alarm fix dialog box is grayed out. Of course, this app does much more than that. :) Features include: <br /><br />• Clear overview of all pending alarms <br />• Single click open / edit alarm in host application <br />• Allows deletion of alarms, including annoying warnings on startup from previously installed applications <br />• Interfaces directly with Outlook, Pocket Informant and Agenda Fusion <br />• Powerful custom alarms to play music (including complete songlists), open documents or applications and much more <br />• Quick handwritten alarm notes <br />• Provides repeating alarms (even on PPC 2002) and escalating sound <br />• Override system sound so no alarms go unheard <br />• Automatically remove duplicate alarms <br />• Includes German &amp; Spanish user interface <br /><br /><br />It works on Pocket PC 2000, 2002 and 2003 and requires 150K of RAM. You can <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=81439">download it for $9.99</a>. <i>(Affiliate link)</i> If you try it, post back with alarm reliability. My 2215 alarms never fail me so I couldn't tell if it works as advertised or not. ;-)

[arnage2]

nice launcher. What is it?

[Andy Whiteford]

This is a cool app. I've been playing around with it the while I have never had any issues with alarms on my h1940, I have been using this app for repeating alarms, reminders etc. and it works flawlessly. Well almost, when my device wakes up for an alarm, the display comes on and it sounds but the backlight remains off and I cannot change this. When I power off the device and back on it works fine. Anyone else seen this?

The today plug in works very similar to tAgenda which is great and it's simple to add a quick reminder alarm note which is my main reason for checking it out. I don't use the likes of Agenda Fusion or Pocket Informant as they are more than I really need.

[Vincent M Ferrari]

All I can say is, I guess it doesn't work for everyone. :(

Sheesh...

[Andy Whiteford]

I was surprised by this as it seems very robust otherwise. I will contact the developer to find out about this as otherwise it looks like it could be an ideal app for many people.

[Vincent M Ferrari]

I have an Ipaq 5555 and it did absolutely nothing, if that's any help.

Oh well. Guess I'll just get a cheap alarm clock since I can't rely on my PPC to wake me up now.

[markan]

Based on some quick tests it seems to have fixed the alarm problems with my Axim X5. :)

I'm not sure I need another tool to add repeating alarms though :wink:

[sobk]

Installed on WM2003 (Phone Edition) and it made the UI freeze about 30 seconds after every soft reset so couldn't get into start menu, or today screen wouldn't refresh where the today plugin was located, some programs that were already running seemed fine. Would be great otherwise!

30 seconds was long enough to uninstall it though until this is fixed, hopefully not too long :)

[rmasinag]

When I installed Sprite oftware's Pocket backup, and sheduled a backup every midnight, my alarm problems went away on my HP 2210.


..............just my $ 0.50 :)

[StuartM]

Ed:

It does look interesting. But I just spent 5.00 for Alert Techs fix, and I just can't see throwing good money after bad, on a maybe. Have you heard anything new from MS or HP? I have been told that HP has escalated it to Tier III Support - and I was told I would get an ETA of status in a few weeks as to when/if we will see a fix.

Stuart

[Take1]

Tried this program (previous build) on my Toshiba e405 and it didn't do anything to fix the alarm issue.

I've gone back to my old Sony TG50 because I NEED alarms to go off and simply can't go back to a PPC unit until this issue is fixed. I am AMAZED MS hasn't addressed this problem yet!

[Ed Hansberry]

I am AMAZED MS hasn't addressed this problem yet!Why do you assume because it hasn't been fixed that they aren't addressing it?

[DaleReeck]

I am AMAZED MS hasn't addressed this problem yet!Why do you assume because it hasn't been fixed that they aren't addressing it?

Depends on the definition of "address" and its tense. To address a problem can mean it is fixed or it can mean it is being investigated but not yet fixed. Likewise, an addressED problem has been fixed. AddressING a problem implies active investigation but not necessarily a fixed problem yet :)

I think he meant he's surprised that MS has failed to actually fix the problem. I have to admit, I am surprised as well that we don't have a fix from MS yet. Sure its great they are looking at it. But most of us are only concerned with fixing it, not looking into it. 2003 has been out for quite a while and you would think that alarms failing to activate would be considered a serious problem. But after many months, the only progress MS has made is "looking at it"? I expected a better response from MS :(

[Mike Wagstaff]

Why do you assume because it hasn't been fixed that they aren't addressing it?
Considering that alarms have never worked reliably since the introduction of the first Pocket PC, I think it's perfectly understandable that people are a little on the cynical side. This problem has existed for years, and the fact that it still exists leaves a sour taste.

Having said that, I'd be interested to know whether this fix for Pocket PC 2000 devices (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5749), announced on Pocket PC Thoughts back in late 2002, is of any help...

On a happier note, my Jornada 720 (based on the H/PC 2000 variant of CE) has acted as my main alarm clock for the past 2 years - and has never once missed an alarm... :)