Here is translation of an article of one of the testers of the new operating system for handheld computers from Microsoft - Pocket PC 2002. Joel Evans describes a handheld, Hewlett-Packard Jornada 565, released on the same day as Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 - October 4, 2001 - and this OS.
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In April last year, Microsoft has presented the third (final) version of the operating system for handheld Pocket PC. The new version differs from its predecessors quite significantly, but unfortunately, despite an active advertising campaign, could not win that percentage of the market PDA, had counted on Microsoft. She was full of mistakes and shortcomings, and the market continues to lead the device to PalmOS and other operating systems. The developers have promised to "bring to mind" the next version of the OS - Pocket PC 2002. Since then, more than a year. Microsoft has had plenty of time to reflect and meet all the needs of users. In addition, the company recruited a team of "advanced users" (including the author), who arrived in the main office and expressed their views on all the necessary innovations and improvements. Yes, and the market situation PDA has changed dramatically during this time. Now it is not only the players, offering the device on the PalmOS, but the company RIM, which managed to win significant segment of the corporate market, thanks to its wireless device BlackBerry, you can send and receive e-mail that called "on the fly." New devices that combine the functionality of phones and PDAs. At the same time a serious competitor, like all Psion has decided to withdraw from PDA market. Before we proceed to review the new properties Pocket PC 2002, we should note a few changes. Only the owners iPAQ or @ migo Pocket PC will be able to upgrade their OS, as these PDAs are supported ROM and processor StrongARM. Of course, now in the market began to emerge new handheld computers that match their technical specifications for these options, so that any new purchase will have a pledge for the future. Now let's talk about some new features in the operating system Pocket PC 2002. Firstly, it never freezes. My old iPaq at all times sboil OS and hung so often that it's ok to use the handheld in the daily work was simply impossible. Most of the failures occurred due to poor organization of the memory management, which is now debugged. I had all the time to remember how many applications I have open at the same time and from time to time to close them. On the new device I can open a sufficient number of programs without having problems. In essence, memory management is now implemented exactly as Microsoft promised to do so in the very first release of Pocket PC.
Operating system Pocket PC 2002: what has changed?
Entering text
Previous OS allows to enter text using the onscreen keyboard and character recognition software Transcriber, which had to be installed separately. Pocket PC 2002 has the same features plus to them recognition system is completely analogous palmovskomu Graffiti, but at the same time more intelligent recognition software. In other words, if you're familiar with palmovskim graffiti, you can immediately start typing familiar stroke of a pen, or just write by hand. HP also supplies with their Pocket PC AccessPanel - program that allows you to quickly enter pre-made phrases, contact information or the current date / time in any application.
Customize
The new version supports a fashionable technology "skins". Third-party program for a long time you can customize the program shell Pocket PC user to taste. Now this feature is built into the operating system. You can even insert a picture into the background and / or in the menu.
Alerts
To display the alerts are now being used windows, furnished in the form of bubbles that pop up on top of other programs. Since there are notices about upcoming events, new Internet-pager messages, etc.
Terminal Services Client
This program is designed for corporate users. With it you can access remotely from the PDA to any Win32-application, which is located on a computer that is running Terminal Server. This software is likely to reach its target audience.
Connection Manager
In previous versions of Pocket PC was very easy to configure CCP to use at home, at work or somewhere else. Developers have created a new system of communication control in order to facilitate this process. You can now click of a button to indicate the device that you are working, for example, home and everything you need settings are automatically generated.
Infrared exchange
With the advent of Pocket Pc of their owners immediately tried to transfer files via an infrared port on Palm and other handhelds. For such an exchange program required a third party. The new version of the OS supports industry-standard OBEX, so that you can now communicate with anything that has an infrared "eye".
In the Internet through a desktop computer
Now you can go online with a PDA simply by throwing it into a cradle that is connected to a desktop computer connected to the web.
Improvements in e-mail client
Pocket PC 2002, knows how to independently configure the mail settings. All you need is to enter your email address. Now as you can sync subfolders in your email program. A dream come true multi-user!
Check spelling
Made quite sensibly, it is possible to check e-mail before sending (of course, only the English language - VS:). Unfortunately, due to the size of the program, it will be used only in the version that comes with the new Pocket PC.
Pocket Internet Explorer
The browser will now properly supports multiple languages, works with HTML 3.2, WAP 1.2.1 and CHTML. Now you can not display images at all or show them selectively, which saves a lot of time working with the network. The new version also supports file uploads, so now no need to download an application on a desktop computer to install them on your PDA.
Windows Media Player
The new version can play streaming data from the Internet in real time and support, as mentioned above, the skins.
MSN Messenger
As expected, the new OS is very well realized work with MSN Messenger. Many new features, including the possibility of multiple simultaneous chat sessions, automatic connection and disconnection, notice that your companion prints and much more.
Integration with PC
The latest version of ActiveSync (3.5) with Pocket PC 2002 operating flawlessly. Handheld communication with the "big" computer is now working as it should be, according to assurances Microsoft, in previous versions. Before connection to a PC via the cradle was uncertain and often ended with a reboot. Now I just throw the PDA into the cradle and the software does the rest.
Games
Included with the HP Jornada 565 are a few games. Here are some screenshots for you to be able to assess the quality of graphics. Games are real-time sound and graphics are the best of all, that I have ever seen on a PDA.
Speech Recognition
Around speech recognition raised a lot of publicity. On the installation CD you can find the demo Mobile Conversay, which can be used to run voice applications on the Pocket PC, find out the exact time and date, etc. In general, you simply start the application and start talking, no training is needed.
Software for HP
Complete c device also comes a few Special programs for HP. HP backup - backup software database with your addresses, contacts and calendar to a special "secure folder HP», where the data will be protected in the event of power loss. The program can also be configured to backup data on the card Compact Flash. With the help of a real copy all the contents of memory Jornad'y. HP emergency backup - with this program you can automatically back up data to a special "secure folder HP». HP home menu - the program shell HP task switcher - used to switch between open applications. HP image viewer - a program image display, supports a slide show. HP pocket camera software - a program to work with a digital camera Hewlett-Packard. HP Microchai - lightweight version of HP ChaiVM - a program to run applications Java. Stowaway keyboard driver - the driver for the keyboard Stowaway.
Jornada 565
The device differs from its predecessor in a positive way. In summary: - Processor: 32-bit StrongARM 206 MHz - Memory: 32 MB RAM (RAM), 43 MB flash ROM (FlashROM) - Display: 320 x 240 pixel, LCD, touch screen, 65,536 colors - Nutrition: a removable battery (Li -Polymer), on average, allows you to work 14 hours - Standby battery CR2032 (3V) - Connectivity: USB / serial port (RS232C), infrared (IrDA) - Expansion: CompactFlash Type I and Ie - Audio: speaker and stereo headphone jack - Dimensions : 132 x 76,5 x 17,2 mm - Weight: 173 g with standard battery without the cover. Wt. The first thing noted author, was the weight of the PDA. It's amazing how much it easier for other Pocket PC, and this despite the memory expansion slot CF. He, incidentally, has always been not very convenient to attach the module to CF iPaq, and now do not need. Screen. The new screen differs dramatically from even a well-known LCD iPAQ. Once one company does something well, the rest immediately picked up the idea. Particularly good built-in screen cover. Stylus. Flat pen earlier models is replaced by more convenient. And it has now secured the rear, as with most handhelds. Slot CF. Without any additional modules you can use the cards, Compact Flash. For a larger map to (for example, adapters, PC-card) to remove the cover. Removable battery. Jornada comes with a removable battery charging, so you can carry a spare. Backup battery. Unfortunately, in the case of a landing on the main power battery backup will store data for only one day.
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Joystick. Round button to move the cursor in all four directions. It is useful to use PDA without a stylus. Buttons scroll up / down. LED alerts. In case, if you turn the sound off by setting yourself a reminder, the LED flashes. Very useful for use in those places where you need to keep quiet.
Conclusion
The author sums up his impressions of working with the novelty of the case. New Jornada I liked more than my good old iPaq. As I mentioned, it is very convenient to have the opportunity to work with CF cards without any external modules. According to rumors, the new model from Toshiba will not only have a CF-, and SD-slot, so probably I buy it just as soon as it will go on sale. The only problem that is peculiar models HP, is the price. Jornada 565 now costs $ 600 ($ 700 in Russia) that the PDA a lot, especially compared with competitors that do not use Pocket PC OS.
Score
The device receives a solid top five for quality: an excellent opportunity with a low weight. Easy set up, configure, and CF-slot is also spoken in favor of this model. Sources, Materials:
PDAGeek
The authors, translation:
Vladimir Speransky
Joel Evans
