Do You Use Your Pocket PC As A Media Player?

[Ed Hansberry]

Pocket PCs have always had the ability to play music since including Windows Media Player on the device since Pocket PC 2000 was released. Even before that there options, including a version of WMP from MS you could install on some pre-PPC 2000 devices. I am wondering how many use it as your primary music device, and if not, why not? I don't, and for several reasons.<br /><br />• No gapless playback. I have some CDs, like those from Diane Arkensone, that are really one long song. The pauses between songs is unacceptable.<br />• Little or no cooperation between WMP and the phone. You can go deaf if listening to music and the phone rings at the elevated volume. Ditto alarms and reminders.<br />• No "listening to music" profile. This sort of goes with the previous point, but even with text messages, new emails or any other new alert, like some RSS readers have. When I am listenting to music, I want everything else off. I should't have to put the phone in flight mode or disable all my other alarms and reminders temporarily. I recognize this is a user preference and you may want your alerts, but i suspect you may want to turn some off or reduce the volume to about 10% of normal levels.<br /><br />There are more reasons, but the fix is to have some sophisticated profiles on the device allowing the user to configure these preferences at one time, not every time they fire up WMP, and then having to reconfigure them after shutting it down. For now, and the forseeable future, I'll have a separate MP3 player. Right now, I am looking seriously at the new Creative Zen, which should be shipping in a few weeks.

[compboss17]

Hey someone should come up with a really good phone and MP3 player combo. If only someone could take the functionality of something as good as a fully featured iPod and stick it in a phone...I wonder what that would be like... That would probably sell really well.

[Phillip Dyson]

I voted no, but currently I'm looking to do just that. Its only because my Creative Zen:M was stolen and I haven't replaced it yet.

The new Zen looks good but I would be going from 30GB to 16GB. Even with a 4GB SD card I'm still only at 20GB. It may be okay.

I'm between re-buying the Zen:M, the new Zen, and waiting for Zune 2.0. Although I have serious doubts that I would buy the later. These closed systems are just too much hassel. The Zen:M was problem free.

[compboss17]

I voted no, but currently I'm looking to do just that. Its only because my Creative Zen:M was stolen and I haven't replaced it yet.

The new Zen looks good but I would be going from 30GB to 16GB. Even with a 4GB SD card I'm still only at 20GB. It may be okay.

I'm between re-buying the Zen:M, the new Zen, and waiting for Zune 2.0. Although I have serious doubts that I would buy the later. These closed systems are just too much hassel. The Zen:M was problem free.

Wow that was the most UNBIASED thing I think I've ever read. :roll:

[Ed Hansberry]

Hey someone should come up with a really good phone and MP3 player combo. If only someone could take the functionality of something as good as a fully featured iPod and stick it in a phone...I wonder what that would be like... That would probably sell really well.
:rotfl:

[Mountain343]

This is probably one of my MAIN uses for my pocketpc. I have over 20k songs, with most of them in FLAC lossless format. With a collection that large, I use vnc or rdp/terminal to log into my media server and have access to my entire music collection to broadcast a private shoutcast stream. It really sounds a lot more tedius/complicated then it really is. And if I dont have a wifi connection or cell signal, i can always slap in a 4GB CF or SD card on the fly.

Plus with mortplayer I can also listen to other inet radio station streams or when i'm at home, use it to access the shared folders/files on the mediaserver.

I borrowed a friends ipod for a week not to long ago and I can't even begin to tell you how limited and shackled I felt. The last thing I need is to carry a 4th thing on my belt besides a PDA, phone, and 2 way radio.

[Menneisyys]

BTW, some WM players support gapless playback. I'll soon publish a Multimedia Bible; in there, I'll elaborate on all these issues. In the meantime, it's certainly worth giving at least the AximSite forums a quick search for "gapless" to see what people write about this thing.

[Menneisyys]

With a collection that large, I use vnc or rdp/terminal to log into my media server and have access to my entire music collection to broadcast a private shoutcast stream.

I'd say using fully-fledged, heavy-weight remote desktop solutions is a definite overkill. There're several lightweight direct remote controllers that, assuming you run for example WME on your desktop, you could use for flawless remote media selection MUCH more easily than via any kind of a remote desktop accessor. See for example Proximis NetRemote2.

Also see my related Bible at http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=53973 . It thoroughly compares ALL the remote media controllers AND explains how streaming needs to be implemented, on top of them.

[rlobrecht]

The other reason I don't use it (besides Ed's) is battery life. Since my Pocket PC is also my phone, I don't want to run everything low listening to MP3s. My nano is pretty small, and I don't really need music with me everywhere anyway.

[adamz]

I've been using my Pocket PC/Windows Mobile devices for mobile music exclusively since the iPAQ H3600 over 7 years ago. The first thing I do when I get into my car is plug it in. I keep a 1Gb and a 2Gb playlist on my desktop which I update and modify as I choose. Each are synced automatically with their respective storage card sizes on the mobile device. Though I may have to add an 8Gb playlist when the 8Gb MicroSDHC cards come out. My 2Gb playlist has almost 600 songs on it and the card is only half full. Letting WMP/Media Center automatically convert the files to WMA and WMV really helps with the storage limitation without significant loss in quality. Furthermore, since I have a Media Center PC, I can automatically sync recorded TV shows for viewing elsewhere. That certainly isn't possible on any iPod unless you purchase the show through iTunes if the one you want is available.

I also love the cooperation between WMP and the phone in Windows Mobile. When a phone call comes in, the audio pauses so you can hear Voice Command announce the name of the caller. If you keep the phone ring volume the same as the system volume there's no need to worry about going deaf since both would be the same.

I also prefer having the reminders announced during music playback. I set reminders for a reason. If I wanted to ignore my appointments I wouldn't set reminders for them.

And since my phone is also a GPS Navigation system, I've got navigation voice prompts playing along at the same volume as the music. This is extremely useful.

I heard that the Apple iPhone shuts the phone off if you plug it into a car stereo adapter. That alone is a deal breaker for me. Having my music, phone calls, appointments, messages, and GPS Navigation instructions audible through the car stereo (or my motorcycle helmet) all via one device is awesome. I can't imagine having to use something so less advanced.

[Mark Larson]

I've never paid the necessary $$ to have a good mp3 listening phone, so I never listen to music on my phone.

I had an SDA with the mp3 buttons on the front, but never got a miniSD card for it. I used my Axim with pPod for a while, but then I got a Sansa and started listening to music on that. I got a Q, but I don't really feel like getting a big miniSD card for it. Plus it transfers at 11 Mbps. Why doesn't MS include USB 2.0 support after years of USB 2.0? Oh, right, they must leave it up to the OEMs. :roll:

In my mind, the proper mp3 phones are the Sony Ericssons Walkman phones, high-end Nokias, iPhone, and a few others. Most other phones lack any sort of coherence or consistency with music, and carriers are quick to disable useful features for the heck of it if they can't charge for them.

I do love TCPMP for playing videos on my Q. Beautiful screen, loud speakers - what's not to love?

As long as MS doesn't improve their interface, their phones will end up being used at only 75% of their capacity. Leaving features out just so third-party software companies can make some money is not the answer.

[rookcnu]

Everything Adamz said,... except the GPS part.
8O

[Mikey]

I bought an iPOD after trying to listen to sermons on the Pocket PC. After about a month of this I switched to the 60 GB iPOD. I've since put all my music on iTUNES &amp; have never looked back. I used my best friends iPHONE earlier today after trying out his Treo 750 for a few days. He now put the Treo 750 on Ebay, as I could not stand the email glitches &amp; Bluetooth problems, not to mention how slow the processor was.

Apple, on the other hand, really has the music figured out &amp; the iPHONE is awesome as well. After 5 iPAQs, 3 Dell Axims, &amp; 3 WM Smartphones, I can say that when Apple has in one try out done WM. It's sad too as the Pocket PC's have a lot of potential &amp; I've got hundreds of $ of programs on the Pocket PC BUT WM has never figured out how to make their devices easy to use, matching the Windows glitches.

Further, out of the box a Blackberry is easy to set up for email. Why can't WM do that for the common man. Didn't mean to rant but I can't believe Bill Gates can't do better.

[JesterMania]

I've been using my Pocket PC (non-phone) for basically everything including music (still using WinamPAQ :mrgreen:). As I will be making the switch to a Pocket PC Phone in the upcoming months, I guess a few posters pointed out some valid points as to why a PPC Phone would not be the best MP3 player. The new iPod Touch is pretty tempting with an iPhone-style design, but I will probably be leaning more on getting a Sony PSP instead for music and games.

[fredng]

My girlfriend just got an iPhone last week to replace her HP rw6828, and I must say I'm impressed. Windows Media Player can't even compare to the iPod feature, and Safari loads up all the pages that Opera failed before. She's happy, and I'm bitter when I get back to reality using my WM phone...

[Jon Westfall]

I bought a Pocket PC in 2003
and twas music playing on it for me

In 2005 an iPod came my way
but when cleaning my bag it couldn't stay

In 2006 a Zune was purchased new
but I still hated carrying media players times 2

So in 2007 the pocket PC has been back
does all I want and helps cut down the slack

[Janak Parekh]

Hey someone should come up with a really good phone and MP3 player combo. If only someone could take the functionality of something as good as a fully featured iPod and stick it in a phone...I wonder what that would be like... That would probably sell really well.
So, most people know about the iPhone's various strengths and its iPod module. Here's some technical thoughts that I haven't seen on using the iPhone as a phone+music player.

1. Volume control. The iPhone absolutely shines in this regard. It holds a dizzying number of different volume settings perfectly: it remembers different volumes for no headphones, headphones, and headphones with integrated mic (i.e., 2-conductor and 3-conductor units have separate stored volumes!), which is great when I swap between the mediocre but headset-enabled iPhone headphones and my regular earbuds. I've never blown out my ear using the iPhone, which was not the case with my earlier iPAQs and Pocket PC Phones.

2. Vibration: This just works right. If you have the ring switch flipped to vibrate, it will turn the phone to vibrate if you have no headphones connected. If you have headphones on, it'll ring and vibrate. Music is not affected either way. This enables me to leave it on vibrate 100% of the time and not have to think about things. (Oh, and when the call comes in, it fades out nicely, rings, etc.)

3. Battery life. The iPhone's battery life is shockingly good. I can listen to music for hours and talk for hours without draining the battery. This was rarely the case with my Treo or earlier phones.

4. Sound quality. The iPhone has excellent sound quality; of the Pocket PC Phones I've had earlier, only the Universal had equivalent (if better) quality.

Then you've got the gapless playback, CoverFlow, UI, iTunes sync, etc. If only Apple didn't recess the headphone jack...

--janak

[jeisner]

I use a Creative Vision W for movies and to hold my entire music collection. But from day to day in the car and on the train I use my HTC Touch (with a 4gb microSD) as my main MP3 player. Sound quality is fine and I always have it with me..

OT: The lack of 'real' 3rd party app support will stop me from ever considering the iphone..

[daS]

One other reason I don't use my Windows Mobile phone as a music player is that about the only time I use one is when I'm riding my bike (with open earbuds on low volume) or at the gym. At those times, I need something that is more rugged and cheap than my Pocket PC. I have a small SanDisk player that has 1M of RAM and a MicroSD slot for additional capacity. This gives me many more hours of play time than I need - even when doing a century ride! 8)

I don't have to worry about it in my jersey's back pocket and it's small and light. Plus, if the battery dies because I used it too much, I don't have to worry that I won't be able to make a phone call in an emergency.

[jarekt]

I've been listening music on my WM devices since ages and the most important thing I'd like to say is "get a bluetooth stereo headset". Aside obvious advanteges (remote controll, wirless music) it really improves user experience. The most important is that You can have Your PDA on full volume all the time becouse headset has its own volume potentiometer. That was real pain when using cable headphones when message arrived - no more volume problem with BT headphones. Another thing is that You can turn a PDA off with power button and music still sounds and AVRC remote controls still works - no more need for turning screen off manually which is really important for battery life.
As the matter of fact I'm listening music rather with SE k800i than my PDA but using BT stereo user experience is really similar while with cable setup SE is much, much superior.
BTW. As for a gapless music there are quite many programs that can do that - for example Conduit Pocket Player

[Menneisyys]

The most important is that You can have Your PDA on full volume all the time becouse headset has its own volume potentiometer. That was real pain when using cable headphones when message arrived - no more volume problem with BT headphones.

Note that there still is colleration between the system volume and the A2DP volume with the MS BT stack. It's only with the (superior) Broadcom/Widcomm BT stack that they are fully independent.

Another thing is that You can turn a PDA off with power button and music still sounds and AVRC remote controls still works - no more need for turning screen off manually which is really important for battery life.

well, most players do support turning off the screen automatically. And, you can always use hardware button shortcuts if you don't have AVRCP - that is, no need to use the touchscreen.

[jarekt]

The most important is that You can have Your PDA on full volume all the time becouse headset has its own volume potentiometer. That was real pain when using cable headphones when message arrived - no more volume problem with BT headphones.

Note that there still is colleration between the system volume and the A2DP volume with the MS BT stack. It's only with the (superior) Broadcom/Widcomm BT stack that they are fully independent.


That's true but the point is that with BT headset You can't damage Your ears when message arives or appointment sounds. I have music listening experience on my WM6 devices equally good as on SE or Samsung mobile. It's much more convinient than looking for special software and special configuration to have the same effect. Considering ergonomics and easyness of use it's quite "another world" with PDA pared with BT stereo set. Try to switch off screen with WMP and You'll know what I'm talking about (even when You have some spare hardware button to assing this function it doesn't work when WMP is in background..). The only problem is that I have to switch BT audio manually (that's the same problem with samsung phones while SE is doing it automaticly).
And I'm aware of sound quality issues with WM BT stock - I'm just not an audiophile and I hardly hear a diffrence.

[sheltem]

I've been listening music on my WM devices since ages and the most important thing I'd like to say is "get a bluetooth stereo headset". Aside obvious advanteges (remote controll, wirless music) it really improves user experience. The most important is that You can have Your PDA on full volume all the time becouse headset has its own volume potentiometer. That was real pain when using cable headphones when message arrived - no more volume problem with BT headphones. Another thing is that You can turn a PDA off with power button and music still sounds and AVRC remote controls still works - no more need for turning screen off manually which is really important for battery life.
As the matter of fact I'm listening music rather with SE k800i than my PDA but using BT stereo user experience is really similar while with cable setup SE is much, much superior.
BTW. As for a gapless music there are quite many programs that can do that - for example Conduit Pocket Player

I agree 100%. My Motorola S9's is the reason why I sold off my Ipod. Pause/Play, Rewind/Fast Foward all work flawlessly with my Sprint Mogul. I also use HTC homescreen plugin and HTC Audio Manager (see screenshots below).

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4893/pccapture1jr4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8529/pccapture2lv5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4404/pccapture3bo0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Jason Lee]

I have always used my mobile device for a media player. All the way back to the windows CE 2.11 days and my HP jornada 430se and the HUM mp3 player. :)

I carry around more music than i could listen to in one day. All synced though windows media player on my desktop. Works great.

[philb2k]

Currently using my Ipaq 1940 in the car as my commute player for podcasts and music. I've got a samsung mp3 player but as the PPC is in use most of the time, its just easier to sync it with Windows Media Player at home.

[pocketpcadmirer]

I've always been using my device as my audio/video player.
Why carry 2 devices, when 1 device can handle things nicely :roll:

[Brad Adrian]

Nope. I'm a moody guy and never know what kind of music/books I'm going to want to listen to. So, I've gotta have at least 30GB.

[Phillip Dyson]

Nope. I'm a moody guy and never know what kind of music/books I'm going to want to listen to. So, I've gotta have at least 30GB.

My sentiments exactly. One reason why a random sync wouldn't work for. My music span the full spectrum of sounds.

Plus since TyTN doesn't have a standard headphone jack I don't think a cassette deck adapter is an option in my car.

[Hosidax]

Yes. I do use my 8525 for music and ebooks -- alot.

I use Pocket Player 3.2 and a handful of other 3rd party software.

Sorry Ed, but I don't have any of your concerns. I don't have a problem using the phone and other features while I'm listening. It all works great for me, and I love it.

[maikii]

Until recently, I used my phone (T-Mobile MDA-HTC Wizard) as my primary music player, although I have a few MP3 players. Since I carry the phone all the time anyhow, seems simpler not to have another device to carry as well. I use TCPMP as my main media player app.

(Recently though, the headset jack went bad (is that common on the Wizards?) and the sound quality through it is very bad, regardless of which headphones I use. One of these days I'll send the phone to PPC Techs to have that fixed. But it's a pain that this happened,)

One advantage of the Iphone is its 8 GB built-in memory. I really wish that Windows Mobile manufacturers would start adding more storage memory to their devices as well. As the cost of flash memory keeps going down (and larger capacities fit in smaller spaces), they should be able to add 8 or more GB without significantly increasing size and cost.

I think that in order to compete with the Iphone, WM phones are going to have to include more storage.

[Rob Alexander]

I have always used my mobile device for a media player. All the way back to the windows CE 2.11 days and my HP jornada 430se and the HUM mp3 player. :)

Me too! I've never owned a dedicated MP3 player and really haven't even the slightest urge to have one. One more thing to carry? No thanks. I have my PPC with me all the time and, when I do want to listen to music, it's there and it works great. In fairness, though, I don't listen to music much away from my desk. Most of my mobile music listening is done while traveling, passing the boring hours on a plane.

[Snail]

I used a pda exclusively as a player right back to my first PPC (E105). That is, until my digital music collection grew bigger than storage cards could comfortably handle. Then I got an iPod.

I'm considering going back to all in one device , but the Treo has a (curse deleted) 2.5mm socket... maybe I'll try bluetooth one day!

[Don't Panic!]

PPC/WM devices all the way. I like the all in one convenience.

[Menneisyys]

(Recently though, the headset jack went bad (is that common on the Wizards?) and the sound quality through it is very bad, regardless of which headphones I use. One of these days I'll send the phone to PPC Techs to have that fixed. But it's a pain that this happened,)

The wizard has another very common problem regarding the jack - see the "no more sound from the internal speakers" problem fixable by reconnecting and quickly removing the wired headset (repeated until the sound returns).

[TOCA]

With me, it boils down to one word: "Batterytime".

I'm using my Himalaya as News- and book reader, during dayly commutes, and a PPT pressenter durring work, and all the other Office apps gets used, at least on a weekly basis (E-mail and Web is in dayly use).

All of this requires all the battery, I can mannage to put inside the device, and a spare one in the side pocket.

I do however use the WMP, and CorePlayer, from time to time, durring my free time an weekends, mostly for listening to online radio, and the occasinal showoff, with a few small videos, just to show, that my oooold device can do more than anny flashy new oh so smart phone :twisted:

For on the go music, i must confess, that I own a Nano :roll:

[Menneisyys]

With me, it boils down to one word: "Batterytime".

I'm using my Himalaya as News- and book reader, during dayly commutes, and a PPT pressenter durring work, and all the other Office apps gets used, at least on a weekly basis (E-mail and Web is in dayly use).

All of this requires all the battery, I can mannage to put inside the device, and a spare one in the side pocket.

I do however use the WMP, and CorePlayer, from time to time, durring my free time an weekends, mostly for listening to online radio, and the occasinal showoff, with a few small videos, just to show, that my oooold device can do more than anny flashy new oh so smart phone :twisted:

For on the go music, i must confess, that I own a Nano :roll:

Speaking of battery life when using your WM device as a multimedia player, you will ALL want to check out the article at http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=53656 - it discusses everything you'll ever need to know about increasing battery life.

[Bittermormon]

I have an old 20 gb ipod that I use a lot, especially in the car since my tuner know broke. I use it with iTunes to store a bunch of podcasts. I occasionally use it at work, but more and more I've been using my MDA with some Plantronics 590's I picked up. I really like not having wires while I'm working. (I work with my hands so its easy to get tangled up.) I also occasionally use my MDA in the car if I'm running a few errands and don't want to carry the iPod.

That being said I will always own an iPod that holds all my music. Great for road trips, plane flights, and the battery life is still pretty decent.

[tikiman7]

I have always used my mobile device for a media player. All the way back to the windows CE 2.11 days and my HP jornada 430se and the HUM mp3 player. :)

Me too! I've never owned a dedicated MP3 player and really haven't even the slightest urge to have one. One more thing to carry? No thanks. I have my PPC with me all the time and, when I do want to listen to music, it's there and it works great. In fairness, though, I don't listen to music much away from my desk. Most of my mobile music listening is done while traveling, passing the boring hours on a plane.

Ditto. I've listened to and now watch my ppc as my main (and only) mm player. I'll probably continue to use the rx3115 for entertainment even though I have a Treo750, I don't have a problem carrying both. Phone and mm = too much battery.

[Menneisyys]

Phone and mm = too much battery.

I really don't want to force anyone to give alternative MM players a try, but you would see a BIG increase in battery life if you switched to TCPMP (or, even better, the commercial CorePlayer and/or, if you can access it, iPlay) from the stock, built-in Windows Media Player :)

[Phillip Dyson]

Plus since TyTN doesn't have a standard headphone jack I don't think a cassette deck adapter is an option in my car.

Speak of the devil.
http://www.mobileplanet.com/p.aspx?i=148546

[kingraf01]

Ever since my first PPC (HP Jornada) I've used it as my music for working out, and with an FM modulator a media player for the car for long road trips. Also used my Axim X5, Axim X50, my SmartPhones - MPX200, 220 and now my HTC Touch. Never had a problem with pauses between tracks or "deafening" ring tones.

With the SmartPhones I used Motorola headsets, and now with the HTC Touch I use the hands free BlueTooth S9. AWESOME!!! Never needed, nor want an iPod. :D :D :D :D

Oh yeah and when on a stationary at the gym (Bike, Stairmaster, treadmill, etc.) I watch music videos which really make the time go quicker.

[Mike Dimmick]

I have an Axim x30. Back when I bought it, I considered using it as a media player, but there were two main problems. The first was very expensive storage for any large amount of data. That problem's gone, 2GB SD cards are really cheap.

The second is insurmountable. The Axim's audio quality is simply rubbish.

[Jon Westfall]

Plus since TyTN doesn't have a standard headphone jack I don't think a cassette deck adapter is an option in my car.

2 Words: i.Tech Clip. Picked up an R35 from eBay a few years ago and use it with a tape adapter as it has a 3.5 mm output. Pretty sweet.

Jon.

[absynth]

i like pocket player.. it's come a long way. internet radio.. good tech support and visualization (runs smooth)

my only complaint with pocket player is that it's small gui makes it hard sometimes for one hand operation (selecting a specific song in a big list) and thats just my need, not their "fault". I keep meaning to email them about it.

I like everything in one. i listen to music in my car. tomtom gps while listening to music.. nice because voice still comes across clear while looking at pocket player and that's usually good enough

the poll shows most do, which make sense.. honestly i never really liked ipod music interface.. feels restrictive.. and since that's all you get with iphone or otherwise, i like having options. i like having a platform that has competition.

i've said it before and i'll say it again.. apple boasts creativity "thinking different" yet their products are limited. imagine if the world was reversed.. that most people had apples and a few had pcs.. wouldn't it be kinda funny that pc's would boast more flexibility? iphone is just an extension of that approach.. THE iphone.. what if everyone had iphones and ditched pocket pc? we'd be a lot of folks wishing we could do more with our devices...

maybe apple will open it up in time.. and that would be awesome. i'd probably get one.. but i don't believe that will happen. no more than the ipod has ever really evolved. it's much safer and stable to lock a device down to do what you want from day one to end of life.. and i see the wisdom and logic in that.. however as a developer, i want a platform that's open to innovation from anyone with a good idea.

ipod does what it does well, if you like how it does it. if you don't tough, buy something else.. and that goes for most mp3 players.. but then again, at least then you have choices. if the iphone were as open as pocket pc, you bet people would make alternatives that would appeal to peoples needs.

Caleb

[gordonjohansen]

MY PDA has always been my primary playback device. I don't really need it for music but I love to listen to old radio plays from the 30's and 40's (especially since they are so cheap to buy now (2.99 for 50-100)). Nothing knocks me out faster at night than some of those voices. Since I don't demand perfect sound, the PDA is perfect and unlike when I used to listen to them on the radio, I don't miss the last 10 minutes of every show because I fall asleep. I just restart it the next night at whatever point I remember hearing last.