Pocket PC OS verges on being crippleware

From: Nightdrive (nightdrive_at_supanet.com)
Date: 01/02/05 

Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 16:16:12 -0000

Before I start, I will state that I really like my iPaq hx4700. Fantastic
screen, WiFi. Browsing the net anywhere in the house is a huge leap forwards
from my old Palm m500 with AvantGo.

However...
I am really disappointed by the quality of the built in applications. They
appear to be intentionally stripped down apps to appease the developer
community. As a developer myself, I'm not opposed to other people making a
living from writing good software, but as a user, it would nice if some
decent functionality was built in, out of the box.

Notes in particular is appalling, it looks like a demo app you'd see in a
programming book. Where are categories? Why can't I change font size of the
listing? Could I have a preview pane?

The calendar is useful, but fairly basic, and has such poor support for the
VGA screen that HP include Pocket Informant. Unfortunately, although some
features look great in VGA (calendar), it is so advanced that it has a
fairly sharp learning curve. Without looking into the manual, I've no idea
how to use the Notes feature - it seems to have been written without regard
for any of the standard UI elements present in the built in applications. It
seems to be designed to provide the maximum number of bullet points in a
feature list, instead of doing the basics correctly.

I understand that due to memory constraints, not all features can be build
into all applications. Every user has different requirements. As such, I'd
rather see the OS shipped with LESS software, and have the choice of
downloading FEATURE RICH, WELL DESIGNED versions of the apps I use the most.
Maybe use a point system like www.ipaqchoice.com

Personally, I'd go for the following:
Notes - with categories, and ability to use a tree (outline) structure if
required. Link to tasks
CHM Viewer - very useful for those C# books
Newsgroup reader - so I can rant anywhere!
Contacts - very minimal, may even use Notes if search is good enough
Calendar - VGA support, and ability to set default settings for new
appointments (I would set all to 'Private' as default, as my work calendar
has to be shared)
...And I wouldn't expect to have to pay $9.99 -> $49.99 for each
application - for the privilege of such basic functionality. A points
system, where you get free points (and buy more if required) which would
allow me to 'purchase' these approvd, consistent applications from
Microsoft, without spending weeks sifting the wheat from the chaff.

Or alternately, provide us with decent apps to start with.

Comments, flames welcome. Suggestions for good commercial software which may
fit my requirements also welcome. This is a general gut feeling about my
first 2 weeks on Pocket PC. I expect more posts with specific questions for
you all in the near future.

Happy mobile computing!

Greg Woods

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Pocket PC OS verges on being crippleware
    ... > appear to be intentionally stripped down apps to appease the developer ... > VGA screen that HP include Pocket Informant. ... > for any of the standard UI elements present in the built in applications. ... > feature list, instead of doing the basics correctly. ...
    (microsoft.public.pocketpc)
  • Pocket PC OS verges on being crippleware
    ... My favorite is pocket informant, but there are others such as agenda fusion. ... The calendar is useful, but fairly basic, and has such poor support for the ... feature list, instead of doing the basics correctly. ... WELL DESIGNED versions of the apps I use the most. ...
    (microsoft.public.pocketpc)
  • Re: Pocket PC OS verges on being crippleware
    ... >VGA screen that HP include Pocket Informant. ... >for any of the standard UI elements present in the built in applications. ... >feature list, instead of doing the basics correctly. ... WELL DESIGNED versions of the apps I use the most. ...
    (microsoft.public.pocketpc)
  • Re: Pocket PC OS verges on being crippleware
    ... Could you please summarize your QUESTION for the newsgroup? ... > for any of the standard UI elements present in the built in applications. ... > feature list, instead of doing the basics correctly. ... WELL DESIGNED versions of the apps I use the most. ...
    (microsoft.public.pocketpc)
  • Re: Name a good Vista feature that goes beyond whats in Tiger.
    ... Some have a use for such apps due to work and such. ... dock and annoy the crap out of you. ... it isn't a feature of the OS: ... H.264 and mpeg4 are standard formats. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)