What Can I Do With My Pocket PC?

[Raphael Salgado]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.aximsite.com/articles/link.php?id=22' target='_blank'>http://www.aximsite.com/articles/link.php?id=22</a><br /><br /></div>If there was ever a moment that someone came up to you, pointed at your Pocket PC in hand, and asked, <i>"What can you really do with that thing?"</i> and you stuttered back in either a cryptic, broken, or incomplete response, then this is for you. Though this often-updated article was originally titled by a Dell Axim enthusiast (and also its site moderator), it can obviously apply to nearly all Pocket PC devices.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/salgado-20060810-swissarmyppc.jpg" /><br /><br />From office productivity to multimedia to games and more, this tutorial truly shows the potential that have justified praise for our Windows Mobile devices over the years. How much of this do you already do? How much of this were you unaware of? As a IT support professional, a decision-making employee of an enterprise, or an electronic retail sales associate - could this guide give you more leverage for you in getting or selling them? In any case, I'm sure any device owner could find something of value in this article, so try to find some quiet time to read up on it, and maybe you just might add some more functionality and/or fun to your Pocket PC.

[rhmorrison]

I think the better question would be

"What devices does your PPC replace"

OR

"What tools does your swiss army PPC contain"?
Notepad
Voice recorder
Calculator
Flashlight
Ruler
MP3 player
Photo album
Appointment calander
Address/Telephone book
GPS navigation system
Maps (streets and subways)
Video player
Dictionary
Game Boy (or simular)
Universal Remote Control
Word Processor (w/Stowaway keyboard)
Stopwatch
Watch
Weather radio
Books
Secure password book
Todo lists
------------------------------
T.V. (w/Internet access)
Radio (w/Internet access)These are just the devices that I could think of right off the top of my head that I don't need to carry because I can perform the functions of all of these devices using my antique hp Jornada 568 (except the T.V. and FM reception which I have verified work by streaming to the WLAN from my PC tuner card but don't really have any real use for since when I am at home I have access to a 'real' T.V. and Radio).

[MG]

rh,

Good list but you missed a big one..... CELL PHONE!

Mark

[rhmorrison]

Good list but you missed a big one..... CELL PHONE! 8O Since my device won't work as a cell phone without removing my CF card and since you really need the right mobile OS to support really being a cell phone I did not include this function. Of course someone that has one of the cell phone PDA's this would be their primary use for the device.

[jgrnt1]

When I think about it, it's amazing how many of these functions I use on a regular basis with my iPAQ 4700. I'm in the fast food business. I run 100+ restaurants, which keeps me out in the field a lot.

Pocket Informant and PocketBreeze are my lifelines every day for appointments and contacts.

Since I travel a lot, I have weather from all the major cities I visit loaded into WeatherPanel.

Again, because of the travel, I use iGuidance and Bluetooth GPS, more for fun than anything else, since I know where all my restaurants are. It does come in handy during traffic jams, though.

So I don't have to carry a bunch of books around, I read everything I can on my iPAQ -- the VGA screen really helps here.

I have Conduit's Timekeeper stopwatch program, which I use many times a day, to time speed of service in my restaurants' drive-thrus.

To keep the iPAQ handy, I have an installed Proclip mount in the car, specific to the 4700, which provides power. This also allows me to use the iPAQ as a music server. I had power run to my trunk, where I installed an ASUS WL-HDD with a 40GB drive in it. Via WiFi, I stream mp3's to the iPAQ. With Mortplayer, I play the music through the car's sound system.

I have powerOne's financial calculators loaded. These come in handy for real estate transactions, pro formas, etc.

I'm learning Spanish with "Spanish in Your Car" and Audible Player.

I have a pdf version of our restaurant chain's multi-volume operating manuals on an SD card, which means I don't have to carry a bulky box of manuals in my trunk.

I have not gone the converged device route, so I have a separate cell phone. Convergence would be great, if I could get a decent VGA screen. I've thought about the HTC Universal, but I can't justify spending $1,000 for one, since I'm locked into Cingular (national contract) and they don't carry it. In fact, I don't think any US carriers have the Universal. Besides, I have the new LG CU500, which runs on Cingular's 3G network. I tether it to my laptop and save $10 a night at hotels. It also gives my iPAQ internet access anytime, anywhere.

Could I do most, or all of the above, with dedicated devices? Would those devices do it better? Yes and maybe, but this is one of those WBIC things.

[kzemach]

I have not gone the converged device route, so I have a separate cell phone. Convergence would be great, if I could get a decent VGA screen. I've thought about the HTC Universal, but I can't justify spending $1,000 for one, since I'm locked into Cingular (national contract) and they don't carry it.


You can order all sorts of HTC variants that are unlocked, that work with Cingular, at www.mobileplanet.com, among other places. I just ordered the new TyTn (which they don't list, but get from their partner Expansys in England). It gets here in 5 more days... Price wasn't too bad either!

[jgrnt1]

You can order all sorts of HTC variants that are unlocked, that work with Cingular, at www.mobileplanet.com, among other places. I just ordered the new TyTn (which they don't list, but get from their partner Expansys in England). It gets here in 5 more days... Price wasn't too bad either!

Thanks, but I believe the Universal is the only HTC with a VGA screen. I just looked at Mobileplanet again, and it's still $900 (Qtek 9000).

[rim]

"What tools does your swiss army PPC contain"?

Notepad
Voice recorder
Calculator
Flashlight
Ruler
MP3 player
Photo album
Appointment calander
Address/Telephone book
GPS navigation system
Maps (streets and subways)
Video player
Dictionary
Game Boy (or simular)
Universal Remote Control
Word Processor (w/Stowaway keyboard)
Stopwatch
Watch
Weather radio
Books
Secure password book
Todo lists


Oops, I never imagined my PDA can do all this stuff :roll: I use mine as

Notepad
Blog updater (I use hblogger, available on pocketgear; what software do you use for this function?)
Universal Remote Control (noviiremote deluxe software at novii.tv )
Organizer (don't like any 3d party software)
Books
Dictionary

[Sven Johannsen]

Of course someone that has one of the cell phone PDA's this would be their primary use for the device.

That's not necessarily true. In fact I would think a converged PDA's cell phone capability might be one of the lesser used features. That is the case for me. I carry a PPCPE, a K-jam to be exact, and the phone function is rarely used compard to the other functions. I do it this way because i don't use a cell that much, but want one around. This way I don't have to carry it as an extra device.

If you really depend on a cell phone, I would suggest looking at Smartphones. They are more phone centric, but have a lot of decent PDA functionality, in a typically smaller package.

[Jason Lee]

That's not necessarily true. In fact I would think a converged PDA's cell phone capability might be one of the lesser used features. That is the case for me. I carry a PPCPE, a K-jam to be exact, and the phone function is rarely used compard to the other functions. I do it this way because i don't use a cell that much, but want one around. This way I don't have to carry it as an extra device.

If you really depend on a cell phone, I would suggest looking at Smartphones. They are more phone centric, but have a lot of decent PDA functionality, in a typically smaller package.

I'm the same way. I had a K-jam through work then got my 8125. I have the lowest plan i could get.. doesn't even exist anymore. hehe. I use maybe 75 minutes per month of phone. But i use 200-500 text messages (sometimes more if the network monitor "pages" me a lot) and email and web constantly.

Even when i had a standalone phone i used it mostly for a bluetooth internet connection for my pocket pc. :D

So i like having the phone built in mostly for an internet connection and a phone when i need one. :) works great for me.

[ctmagnus]

So i like having the phone built in mostly for an internet connection and a phone when i need one. :) works great for me.

I concur. Phones are handy for talking on when absolutely necessary, but data connections are indispensable. ;)