The preliminary list of nominees for the Best Software Awards for 2008 have been posted and are open for review and feedback for the next three weeks. If you have the time, review the list and make some recommendations of software that you think should be included in the list. All recommendations received before July 16th will be considered and the list will be finalized on July 21st.<< MORE >>

Have you noticed that many of the free Java applications all seem to be geared to be distributed to the more conventional cell phones?  To get many of these applications you have to use your cellphone to navigate to a website that will determine if the application is ...<< MORE >>

One of the things WM6.1 brings to the table for mobile devices is threaded text messaging. Threaded text messaging organizes text messages together into a single conversation, so when you text with a friend or colleague, you can view the entire conversation as you type - your text messages are not interspersed with all the other text messages you might have on your mobile device.<< MORE >>

If you have a GPS enabled mobile device and you want to use Windows Live Search's GPS option, all you need to do is set the correct GPS COM port in Windows Live Search so it matches the COM port that your mobile device's GPS radio uses. For the hw6925, the GPS COM port is COM Port 7<< MORE >>

Here's a list of some of my favorite landing places, the mobile software I'm trying out, and new websites I've bookmarked this week that I'd like to share with you.  Enjoy!

You may have noticed the Goals I posted in the Sidebar to the left.  About a month or so ...<< MORE >>

If you want to read PDF files on your Pocket PC, you have a couple of choices in PDF Readers.  In this article I will evaluate and compare the three most popular PDF Readers for ...<< MORE >>

I bought the hw6925 from AT&T and have been using it now for about a year and a half.  Since I am planning a trip to  The Netherlands next year, I decided to look into unlocking the hw6925 so I can use a prepaid Holland-based SIM card in ...<< MORE >>

If you want to run Java applications on a Pocket PC, you need to install a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to manage and run the applications and the Java applications. I don't know much about Java, but I recently installed two different Java based applications (or MIDlets) to my hw6925 and discovered that the IPAQ hw6900s already include a Java Virtual Machine in their set of preinstalled applications. << MORE >>

Syncing a Pocket PC to a Vista computer should be pretty easy.  But from the forum threads I've read, it seems to be more trouble than syncing with ActiveSync.  Before you try to sync to a Vista computer, make sure you've got a compatible mobile device and compatible software.  Also ...<< MORE >>

I am not concerned about viruses or spyware invading my Pocket PC and I don't think you need to be overly concerned about them either for a couple of reasons: Pocket PCs run a distinctly different operating system than a Windows computer so the viruses and spyware that affect ...<< MORE >>

Last night some more severe weather, with the threat of tornados, swept through Georgia. In the community where I live (which is about 35 miles away from Atlanta), the tornado sirens went off a couple of times early this morning. At 4:30 am, a tornado had been sighted only a few miles from my home. Luckily, the tornado steered clear of my neighborhood, but last night's excitement got me searching for a quick weather update solution for my Pocket PC and I found a really great free application called Weather Watcher Mobile.<< MORE >>

Most of the time when I am away from my home network I have easy access to free WIFI. But I don't like being chained to locations that provide free WIFI. I subscribe to an unlimited data plan through AT&T and decided to explore using the hw6925 as a modem for my new UMPC. << MORE >>

One of the really nice features of the IPAQ hw6900 family of Pocket PCs is that they include a built-in GPS receiver. I was a GPS virgin when I bought my hw6925. I had heard of GPS and had a vague notion of what it was, but I had never seen GPS in action and had no idea how versatile, convenient, and sometimes frustrating it could be. Since I don't travel much these days and I almost always know where I am going, I didn't think I needed GPS or that I would use it, so the GPS receiver was not the reason I purchased the hw6925. For a long time I was indifferent to the GPS capability of my Pocket PC, but over time, I've come to enjoy using it. However, as a new user, my initial GPS experience was confusing, frustrating and a bit disorienting. << MORE >>

Last time I checked, I could not find a way to block spam text messages through my AT&T account. Today, I received another spam text message, so I decided to look around again, and I was delighted to discover that AT&T now provides a way to selectively block text messages. I have no idea when AT&T started providing this option - I never received any kind of announcement of it and I haven't seen anyone blogging about it, so I think it is a little known, probably recently released, option.<< MORE >>

I must confess...I am not in good shape! Running up and down the hills around where I live is a miserable experience. But I've gotten into shape before on these hills, and I know I can do it again. For tonight's run, I ran down the hill that is close to where I live. Unfortunately, running down a hill means I've got to run up the hill to get back home. That hill is a thorn in my side every time I start back running and, like tonight, I usually wind up walking up it. I had better success today using GPS on my Pocket PC to track the route I ran. Here are the statistics that GPS collected regarding my "run." Not very impressive, but it's still cool to have the GPS software automatically log duration, distance, pace, etc. << MORE >>

Over the years, I've been an on again/off again runner. It's been several months since I was consistent with my running routine and I think my Pocket PC will give me the kick in the pants I need to get off my duff, away from the computer and out on the road again. Today I installed VidaOne's My Sport Training and its companion software, GPS for Pocket PC, to my hw6925. I'm looking forward to hitting the road with my dog Gracie, to see how well the GPS for Pocket PC software works.<< MORE >>

I have always been an avid reader. Every bookshelf in my home is filled to capacity (and I have a lot of book cases). Lately I've been exploring electronic options (no bookshelves needed ), and I'm delighted to report that I have loaded up my SD card with books. Now, whenever I'm standing in line, waiting for an appointment, or just hanging out, I've always got a miniature library with me to keep me occupied. The subject of electronic books (referred to here as eBooks) and Mobile Devices is quite large and somewhat complex. In this article, I've attempted to give you enough information to get you started. At a minimum you need to know something about eBook Reader software, you need a basic understanding of encryption and Digital Rights Management and you need to know where to go to get the books. << MORE >>

The other day I took my IPAQ hx2415 out of my bag and it wouldn't turn on because I had inadvertently allowed the battery to get too low. I was disappointed that I would not be able to use my Pocket PC that day until I remembered that I had the Lil' Sync USB Mobile Power Pack in my gadget bag. Pocket PC Tech's Lil' Sync USB Mobile Power Pack is a fairly simple little gizmo that packs a powerful punch. One end of the Power Pack has a mini USB port that is used to charge up its 4400 mAh capacity Li-Ion battery and the other end of it has a standard USB port that is used to power a mobile device. On the front are three indicator lights and an on/off switch. << MORE >>

On Sunday all of my Pocket PCs, except for my rx1950, adjusted for DST. I think the problem could have been caused by the Real Time Clock update that I installed to the rx1950 a few days prior to the DST time change. I fixed the problem by uninstalling the DST patch on the rx1950 that I'd installed last year and installing the newest Microsoft DST Patch. << MORE >>

Did your Pocket PC miss leap year? If you have an h1900, an rx3700 or an rx1950, your Pocket PC may be ahead by one day.<< MORE >>