Use Pocket PCs as Touchpad Input Devices for Desktops

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=2740' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?contentid=2740</a><br /><br /></div>Geekzone spotted a new program called 'Advanced Remote Control', which allows user to use Pocket PCs as an input devices for desktop or laptop computers.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/1.jpg" /><br /><br />"Despite the cool graphics this application is surprisingly useful. I tuned it to behave mostly like a touchpad, but I did some extensions so you can use it in graphics design as a tablet input device for your workstation PC. When you get on it you will find it great for use with the top-line image creation / processing software (Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw, 3D stuff etc.). The background image is created this way. I even use it to upload this entry on CodeProject." <br /><br />For more detail about the program (and to download it), visit <a href="http://www.codeproject.com/netcf/TabletPC.asp">The Code Project</a>.

[Kacey Green]

Seems usefull I'll have to try it.

[jizmo]

If you'd use this for a drawing pad replacement, you'd have to have a very, very, very, very good screen protector.

My Wacom is oh so scratched just after 3 months of use.

/jizmo

[Darius Wey]

This piece of sotware works a dream! :D

Precision and sensitivity are very good. The .NET Framework never ceases to amaze me! :mrgreen:

If you're having problems, please remember you need the .NET Framework 1.1 on your PC installed, as well as the .NET Compact Framework on your Pocket PC (should already be installed if you are running WM2003).

[divajess]

I know that OneNote doesn't work very well with drawing tablets but I wonder how this input would work with it....hmmm....

[jake080]

sweet, so its using PPC s input device for PC!
cool
~JAke

[Felix Torres]

A PocketPC with wifi could be used as a wireless mouse for a laptop running a presentation...

Worth the price of admission right there.

[Kacey Green]

Worth the price of admission right there.
:?:

[upplepop]

Just an FYI, downloading the program requires that you create a (free) account :roll:
Also note that you will need the .NET framework installed on the computer and the PocketPC.

I installed it and tried it out, but I'm not that impressed. It doesn't work well when I use my finger (like a laptop touchpad), so you have to use the stylus. Also, you have to pick up the stylus a lot if you are moving the cursor a long way. It may work okay for drawing, as long as you're not drawing over a large area. Oh, and you have to watch out for the Start and Close buttons because the Menu Bar is still active.

On the other hand, it is very easy to install & use. It consists of two executables; one that you run on the computer, and the other you run on the PPC. You can change the orientation, so your PPC can be horiz/vert, upside-down, etc.

[ppc4me]

Can someone comment on how well it would work for getting handwritten text into OneNote on a regular (non tablet) notebook? I am currently evaluating OneNote and would love for this to be the solution that makes it work like a tablet - at least on an interim basis until I get a tablet PC.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can try it out and comment or do a mini review based on OneNote.

Tony

ppc4me

[Gremmie]

In a similar fashion, I'm curious if it has any propensity to use XP's built in handwriting recognition engine.

[pacemkr]

Looks like a great program, but dont expect to use it as a replacement for a drawing pad. This obviously has no sense of pen (stylus) pressure, while drawing boards have hundreds if not thousands of presure levels.

[Felix Torres]

Worth the price of admission right there.
:?:

TINSTAAFL!!!
Everything has a price in one form or another.

[Steven Cedrone]

Worth the price of admission right there.
:?:

TINSTAAFL!!!
Everything has a price in one form or another.

It's TANSTAAFL... :wink:

Steve

[OSUKid7]

Tried it. Looks good, but very simple, yet I'm still getting TONS of exceptions both on my Tablet PC and my iPaq. Looks like the guy spend a couple of days on this and released it without testing it thoroughly. Hope he works on it though, it could be very useful.

[Kacey Green]

It's TANSTAAFL... :wink:

Steve

I had to google that one.

[Talon]

Set up bluetooth lan access and it works over bluetooth as well. A very nice little program but I don't think I'll be throwing my mouse away just yet.

[Felix Torres]

Worth the price of admission right there.
:?:

TINSTAAFL!!!
Everything has a price in one form or another.

It's TANSTAAFL... :wink:

Steve

Out west it is...
...but us city slickers ain't that careless with our lingo... :D