Press Release: Riverland Screensaver Now Available On Pocket PC
Handy Entertainment brings it’s Palm eye-candy bestseller to the Windows Mobile platform with the release of the real-time Riverland Screensaver for Pocket PC.
This popular screensaver application makes your screen come alive! You’ll see relaxing riverland scenery and unparalleled realism that will keep you watching the screen from dawn to sunset.
Riverland Screensaver is a whole living world inside your Pocket PC. It mirrors the local time so that you always see what’s happening in Riverland at the same time. If you wake up bright and early, you may catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness monster swimming by. At night, you can make a wish upon a falling star. Or you can watch flowers blossom in a speed-up mode. If you want to watch sunset after dark, however, you’ll need to roll back your system clock.
One reviewer said “Riverland guarantees an immediate “WOW” by everyone to whom you show this little gem on your handheld’s screen. It’s very nice, rock solid stable, and extremely entertaining.”
Riverland Screensaver Features:
- Relaxing riverland scenery
- Realistic day and night change
- Over 50 fun animations
- Real-time mode in sync with the system clock
- Day/hour and Day/minute speed modes
- Analog clock with system clock and “Riverland time-zone” clock faces
- Screen scrolling with save state on exit
Bundled with screensaver manager, Riverland Screensaver can auto-launch while on AC or battery power.
It’s available from http://www.handyent.com/riverlandppc/ as a free trial at a special introductory discount - 50% off regular price. Now just $4.95!
Press Release: WorldMateTM Comes to a Java Phone Near You
MobiMate? Announces WorldMate Standard Edition for J2ME
Lod, Israel, July 29th, 2004 ? Following the exceptional success of WorldMate on other platforms MobiMate announces that their best selling mobile travel application is now available on J2ME phones.? The service, now available on pervasive Java phones, is comparable with the WorldMate versions available on smart-phone platforms like Symbian, who have won industry recognition as well as best-seller status. MobiMate?s WorldMate Standard Edition includes 4 functions bundled in the same product ? World Clocks, World Weather for 257 major cities worldwide, provided by The Weather Channel Interactive, Inc. (www.weather.com), a Currency Converter with on-line currency rate updates, and a graphical Day / Night World Map. The service is in use by hundreds of thousands of users worldwide on smart-phone and PDA platforms, and is bundled with devices from notable vendors like Sony Ericsson, Nokia, HP, PalmOne and others.? Many mobile phone operators have already shown interest in working in cooperation with MobiMate in order to offer WorldMate directly to their customers.
Nadav Gur, MobiMate?s CEO, was quoted stating ?WorldMate Standard Edition is a clear demonstration of the capabilities of J2ME phones. We have waited years for these phones to evolve to a point where we can provide a compelling bundle of functionality and user experience. WorldMate J2ME is a useful, useable and attractive application ? like its counterparts on other platforms.?
WorldMate Standard Edition for J2ME will initially be made available only through select wireless operators, aggregators and handset vendors.
For more details please visit www.mobimate.com/j2me/wmse or by email j2me@mobimate.com
DDH Software Announces HanDBase Reporter for Palm OS and Pocket PC
Wellington, FL (July 21st, 2004) DDH Software, Inc. today announces the release of its newest HanDBase add-on product, HanDBase Reporter for Palm OS and Pocket PC.
Many HanDBase users have been looking for a report writing application that would allow them to print their HanDBase information directly from their PDA. Using HanDBase Reporter they can now design and print custom invoices, patient records, sales orders, equipment logs, receipts, survey results or anything else needed, right from HanDBase.
HanDBase Reporter is a tool designed to allow the HanDBase user to create custom templates that will be filled-in with data collected and stored in HanDBase, when printing via an infrared, Bluetooth, WiFi or a serial port connection. The templates may contain typesetting information such as italics, bold, centering, tables, lists, etc.
“We created HanDBase Reporter for our vertical market clients in the Healthcare, Service, Auditing, and Sales fields, to name just a few, to be a practical solution for printing mobile reports. Most of our clients purchase our HanDBase software as a solution to collect data out in the field. The idea of enabling them an efficient means for printing custom reports, invoices, and the like is just a natural extension of what their already doing with HanDBase,” said Paul Hoffman, DDH Software’s VP of Sales.
HanDBase Reporter comes in two pieces: Report Templates Manager and Report Templates Printer. The first is an application that allows the user to design templates using an integrated editor; all templates in the device can also be administrated in that same program. The second is mostly transparent to the end user; it becomes active whenever a user chooses to either Print Record or Print Records within HanDBase. If multiple report templates are available for the active database, the user is given the option of which templates to use and then the printing begins.
Requirements
Currently supported platforms are the Pocket PC (Microsoft Windows Mobile 3.0 and above, on ARM based devices) and PalmSource PalmOS (version 3.5 and above). Reporter includes all the software components for either of the platforms to function, which includes printer drivers developed by Bachmann Software from their PrintBoy Enterprise Edition.
The user that will be creating the templates should have basic knowledge of HTML (HyperText Markup Language). Database development and data type knowledge of HanDBase is required.
PalmOS Edition
- PalmOS version 3.5 and above.
- At least 400KB of free RAM on device for basic installation.
- 600KB of free RAM for complete installation, plus 35KB per printer driver.
- HanDBase for PalmOS version 3.0k and above.
Pocket PC Edition
- Microsoft Windows CE version 3.0 and above.
- An ARM based processor in the device.
- 1.2MB of available memory on device.
- HanDBase for PalmOS version 3.0j and above.
Conclusion:
Using HanDBase Reporter you now have the ability to take your business right to your customers and to create the hard copies of your important documentation.
Pricing of HanDBase Reporter retails for $19.99
To find out more about or to buy HanDBase Reporter go to http://www.ddhsoftware.com/hanDBase_reporter.html
Garmin announces iQue 3200 with GPS
On Friday, Garmin annouced the new iQue 3200, a less-expensive version of the award-winning iQue 3600. Like the iQue 3600, the 3200 is a Palm Powered PDA with fully integrated Global Positioning System technology. The iQue 3200 features Garmin’s Que technology, a set of applications that provides users with GPS navigation including location awareness on an electronic map, route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance. In the iQue 3200, users can attach a location stamp to Address Book contacts or Date Book appointments and then follow voice prompts to their selected location.
The iQue 3200 has a bright 320 x 320 color display with a separate Graffiti data input area. Garmin provides a standard automative navigation accessory kit that powers the unit and recharges the battery while being used in a vehicle. Running Palm OS 5.2 on a 200 MHz Motorola DragonBall MXL CPU, the 5.2 ounce iQue 3200 has 32 MB of SDRAM, an SDIO slot, and a rechargeable lithium ion battery.
Suggested retail price for the iQue 3200 is $535.70, but Amazon.com is currently taking pre-orders at the low price of $429. It will come with a MapSource City Select CD, USB recharge/sync cradle, AC adapter, automotive windshield mount with integrated charger and speaker, installation CD, owner’s manual and quick-reference guide.
If you’re interested in reading more information about the iQue 3200, you may wish to visit the Garmin website at:
http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3200/
As Expected, New iPAQs Available Today!
Yep, they’re finally here after months of speculation, badly made attempts to cover up the new devices, FCC site photos and manual links, and endless discussion about the pros and cons of each device. HP today annouced the new line of iPAQs, including the h6315 Pocket PC Phone (which will be marketed in the USA by T-Mobile), the powerful hx4700 series (with VGA screen and trackpad) and a number of Mobile Media Companion devices. The price on the h1915 has also been reduced, which tells me that they’re probably going to cut the “old” devices in the near future.
Here’s a link to a press release from HP that focuses mainly on the h6315:
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2004/040726c.html
You can also read the specs and view high-resolution photos of the new devices here:
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2004/ipaq/products.html
As announced earlier on PDAntic.com, several online and “brick and mortar” retailers are now starting to sell the new iPAQs. We hope to get several of the iPAQs for review purposes in the near future. If you can’t wait for our review, you can read several short reviews that PC Magazine has posted today:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1626999,00.asp
UPDATE: Interested in seeing how the trackpad on the hx4700 series works? Synaptics has a nice Flash-based demo that shows just how powerful this new pointing device is:
http://www.synaptics.com/flash/navpoint_demo.swf
Press Release: New Yanoff v2.1 Usenet Newsreader for Palm OS Now Available
July 7, 2004
SonLight Software today officially released New Yanoff version 2.1, the premiere portable news reader for Palm OS.
New Yanoff is an online/offline Usenet NNTP news reader for palmOne and Palm OS-compatible PDA’s. New Yanoff is offered in two versions: Yanoff- and Yanoff+.
Yanoff- is the freeware version which features:
* Full compatibility with OS4 and OS5 (Garnet)
* Multiple download methods (e.g. Batch-Header with Body-on-Demand)
* Outgoing support for news (NNTP) and simple email (SMTP)
* Context-sensitive, user-definable buttons
* Multiple-server support
* Essential MIME support
* Event (e.g. error) and port logging (allows for uninterrupted polling)
* Global Find support
* Audible feedback/alerts
Yanoff+ is the advanced commercial version which contains everything found in Yanoff- plus much more, including:
* Authenticated login support for SMTP
* Killfile and other Anti-SPAM functions
* Thread caching for radical speed increases in article threading
* Progress dialogs and cancel/defer/resume ability for long operations
* ROT13 and ReverseText
* Multiple fonts
* SentBox option
Yanoff+ can be operated in trialware mode for 15 days after which it locks down to the Yanoff- feature set. Users can purchase an unlock key for $24.00 (US) via SonLight Software’s online store which restores the locked features of expired Yanoff+.
New Yanoff version 2.1 for Palm OS can be downloaded at the following URL:
http://www.PalmYanoff.com
Minimum Requirements:
* palmOne or Palm OS-compatible PDA running Palm OS version 3.5 or later
* internet connectivity (PalmPhone or PC host via HotSync).
New iPAQs to be released Monday, June 26th
We just received word that the new iPAQs will be officially announced on Monday, July 26th. This new line of devices is already starting to show up at some retailers - Pocket PC Thoughts had a posting from a Circuit City employee who has had a chance to use the new rz1715. The author of the posting was NOT thrilled about the rz1715, noting that it only has 25 MB of usable memory and an ineffective digitizer on the screen.
I am really interested in the high-end iPAQs in this series, so as soon as I have a chance to give one a try I’ll be sure to post a review (or two) here on PDAntic.com
Ilium Software Releases eWallet 4.0 for palmOne, Pocket PC and Smartphone
The good folks at Ilium Software have announced the availability of eWallet 4.0, an upgrade that will most certainly keep this secure personal information manager at the top of the heap for a long time to come. The features of eWallet 4.0 include:
?Nested categories! eWallet 4.0 lets you have categories in other categories. Organize your info how you want it.
?Complete card-level synchronization on any platform. Change your cards anywhere, any time, and keep all changes when you sync.
?The highest-praised portable wallet program - the winner of 9 major awards.
?Industry standard 128-bit key RC4 encryption to protect your important info.
?Protection against keyboard logging - fill in passwords, credit cards and other info on web pages without keying them! It’s easier and more secure.
?A password hint. No more worries worry about forgetting your password.
?As many wallet files as you want. Have different wallets for work, home, family and more. Organize your info the way you want it, and share wallets with family members or coworkers on a network.
?Complete compatibility across your Pocket PC, Palm Powered Handheld, Windows Mobile Smartphone or Windows PC. Have the same info on all your devices.
?Over 30 unique card templates. You’ll recognize your cards at a glance when they look like your real cards.? More than 30 card types makes it easy to have everything you need right with you when you need it!
?Complete landscape support for Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition.
?The ability to customize your cards with your own graphics and icons. Quickly recognize any card with just a glance.
?Free downloadable graphics. Use our graphics or make your own.
?The ability to change card field labels and save cards as templates on any platform. Make exactly the card you want.
?Ilium Software’s world-class toll-free tech support.
Ilium gave us the following info about upgrade costs:
“If you bought eWallet on or after April 15, 2004, your upgrade copy is free on the same platform(s). If you bought eWallet before April 12, 2004, or got eWallet included with a Compaq iPAQ 3100, 3600 or 3800 series Pocket PC, you can get this upgrade for $16.95 for: a Pocket PC, Palm Powered Handheld, or Windows Smartphone and a Windows PC .”
Press Release: Pixelogic Releases ‘Street Duel: Underground Racing’
Pixelogic Ltd, creators of the award-winning Italian Job for Playstation, have released “Street Duel: Underground Racing”, their new 3D driving game for Pocket PC. Based on the dark street racing subculture, the game involves racing over rooftops, performing spectacular jumps, and smashing through traffic in the pursuit of winning the ultimate performance supercar.
Features:
- Full screen 3D graphics.
- Proper physics engine with rigid body dynamics and accurate collision detection.
- Drive 9 different vehicles each with their own unique handling characteristics.
- Perform handbrake turns and lurid powerslides, complete with skidmarks, suspension, tyresmoke, brakelights, etc.
- Over 32 races and challenges.
Priced at $19.99, full details are available at www.pixelogic.co.uk.
New PDAntic.com Affiliate Program
Back in December 2003, we published a review of the two Macintosh to Pocket PC sync tools that are currently available - PocketMac and The Missing Sync for Pocket PC. We’re glad to announce that PDAntic.com is now an affiliate seller of PocketMac. If you’re a Pocket PC user and also own a Mac, you owe it to yourself to buy a copy of PocketMac! It’s a simple matter of clicking the “Pocket Mac - Buy It Here!” button on the left side of this page, which will take you right to the PocketMac online store. Your purchase also helps support PDAntic.com, so you’ll gain my undying respect and admiration!
First Pocket PC Virus
It had to happen sometime. After years of speculation about when we’d see the first virus for the Pocket PC platform, F-Secure just reported that it’s here. The new virus is called “Dsut.1520″ and is apparently a proof of concept virus for future jerks to emulate. At least it is polite enough to ask you if you want to infect all of the .EXE files on your Pocket PC:
And in case you’re wondering, this is NOT the reason I’ve been lax in posting much news this last week! 
My wife and I are having a lot of home improvements done at our place, so I’m surprised I even have time to sleep and eat… Anyway, if you want to read the gory details about this disappointing development in the Pocket PC World, click here.
New Version 2.3 of Microsoft Reader Now Available For Download
Microsoft announced yesterday that there is a new version (2.3) of Microsoft Reader available for download. According to their site, the new version features:
“Pan and zoom capabilities for embedded graphics
Screen rotation capability between portrait and landscape modes for more natural, comfortable reading (Windows Mobile 2003, Second Edition devices only)”
This version of Microsoft Reader for Pocket PC (version 2.3) is compatible with:
Pocket PC 2002 and Pocket PC Phone Edition devices
Windows Mobile? 2003 based Pocket PC and Phone Edition devices
Windows Mobile 2003, Second Edition based Pocket PC and Phone Edition devices
It is not compatible with Windows Mobile-based Smartphone devices.
The update also resolves some previously known performance issues.
You can get the download HERE.
New iPAQs Getting Closer - Check Out These Pictures!
Here they are! The new HP iPAQs! From left to right, we have the hx4705, the h6315, the rx3415 and the rz1715. All are now starting to show up at online retail locations with a 2 - 3 week delivery promised, so I think we’re about to see these new units finally hitting the market.
I’m VERY impressed with the hx4705 - full VGA screen, integrated flip cover, a 624 MHz Intel Bulverde CPU, CF Type II and SD slots, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a built-in touchpad. My only complaint is that it only has 64MB of RAM, of which 55MB is available to users. There IS an 80MB ROM user store, which means that you could load it up with your software and leave the SDRAM for your data. If it had an integrated camera it would be perfect! Expect the rx3415 to show up in the $399.95 price range.
We’ve talked about the h6315 before. This is a Pocket PC Phone with built-in Bluetooth and WiFi, integrated camera, a snap-on keyboard for composing email and SMS messages, and 64MB of RAM (55MB usable). If you want a quad-band GSM/GPRS phone, this is the way to go. The h6315 will retail for $599.95, although you’ll probably be able to get it for a bit less through your favorite mobile phone carrier.
The rx3415 also has a built-in camera, Bluetooth, WiFi and 64MB of RAM (56MB usable). It’s loaded with a number of photo editing, multimedia and remote control apps. Suggested retail price is $399.95.
Last but not least, the $279.95 rz1715 seems to be a replacement for the h1910/1915. It doesn’t have a camera, Bluetooth or WiFi, and only has 25MB of user accessible memory.
I’ve seen listings for these new units on several sites including Ace Photo Digital and CDW. If you’re about to purchase a new PDA, I definitely suggest waiting a few weeks…
Press Release: PlanMaker for Pocket PCs Trial Version Available Now
A trial version of PlanMaker for Pocket PCs is available now.
The big news is: It fully supports Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, with high-resolution screens and landscape mode.
If you are a Pocket PC user - using any device from Pocket PC 2000, 2002, 2003 up to Windows Mobile 2003 SE - you owe it to yourself to try out PlanMaker for Pocket PCs on your mobile device.
PlanMaker is the only desktop-class spreadsheet for Pocket PCs and Handheld PCs. It has the same features and reads and writes the same files that Microsoft Excel XP and Excel 2003 do.
PlanMaker, however, is not just for mobile devices. In fact, PlanMaker 2004 is the only spreadsheet worldwide that is available for four major operating systems and provides identical features and identical file formats on all of them:
- PlanMaker 2004 for Windows
- PlanMaker 2004 for Linux
- PlanMaker 2004 for Pocket PCs
- PlanMaker 2004 for Handheld PCs and CE.NET
Here is what NewsForge.com had to say about PlanMaker: “You won’t find a more Excel-compatible spreadsheet on any operating system, but Microsoft compatibility is far from PlanMaker’s only worthwhile feature.”
PlanMaker is already more than worth the money at the regular price of just $49.95 (EUR 49.95). But if you own a copy of TextMaker for any platform, you can save even more: Existing TextMaker customers just pay $34.95 or EUR 34.95. But hurry: This introductory offer may be discontinued at any time!
Find out more about PlanMaker:
http://www.softmaker.de/pm_en.htm
Press Release: Pocket PC Magazine 4th Annual Best Software Awards
Over 70 Windows Mobile experts from around the world will vote in Pocket PC magazine?s Fourth Annual Best Software Awards. The purpose of these awards is to help users select software that best suits their Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone needs, and to honor companies that produce outstanding software. Information about the awards as well as the list of experts can be found at www.PocketPCmag.com/awards.
Pocket PC magazine?s New Products Editor, Diane Dumas, and the 70+ Board of Experts will be finalizing the list of nominees for the 2004 awards in July. Approximately, 20% of the software in the Pocket PC magazine Encyclopedia of Software and Accessories will be nominated in 70 Pocket PC categories, 22 Smartphone categories, and 15 Developer categories. Vendors can enter their product information at the PocketPCmag.com Encyclopedia directly at no charge. The listings in the Encyclopedia are available for public viewing and searching.
On July 19 a preliminary version of the nominations will be made public at PocketPCmag.com/awards. The public is invited to comment and make suggestions at the PocketPCmag.com discussion forums. On July 31 nominations will be frozen. Handango (www.handango.com) will be supplying the expert judges with copies of the software. Finalists will be announced in September and winners in October. The Pocket PC magazine 2005 Buyers Guide, available in September, will contain descriptions of all the nominees. The December issue of Pocket PC magazine will contain descriptions of the finalists and winners.
After reading the information found at www.PocketPCmag.com/awards, questions can be directed to Publisher, Hal Goldstein, hal@thaddeus.com, and New Products Editor, Diane Dumas, diane@pocketpcmag.com.
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