A guide to handheld operating systems
Published: 10 Aug 2006
Windows Mobile
Originally regarded as little more than Microsoft's answer to Palm, the Windows Mobile (formerly Pocket PC) operating system has come into its own. Last year's release of version 5 brought some much-needed improvements, including smarter mobile versions of Word and Excel, direct-push technology and persistent storage.
Ease of use
Windows Mobile is the better contact manager, offering a lot more data fields than Palm OS and an easier method of searching large lists. Tapping address-book-like tabs brings you to names starting with those letters. Even if you have 1,000 contacts, you can usually find the one you're looking for with just two or three taps. It's worth noting that all Windows Mobile devices let you record voice memos (a core function of the OS), while only some Palm OS models do. Windows Mobile's Calendar function is on a par with Palm's program, but we feel the latter offers a superior to-do list -- if only because it organises everything more logically.
Core applications
Over the years, Microsoft has made few changes to the Calendar, Contacts, Notes and Tasks applets. They're capable programs that synchronise well with Outlook, but we wish Microsoft would brighten them up a bit, as they're pretty stark. Windows Mobile 5 brought only one noteworthy improvement: you can now assign a photo (and ringtone, if you have a smartphone) to an individual contact.
Desktop compatibility
Windows Mobile syncs with Microsoft Outlook and only Microsoft Outlook (although a third-party program called The Missing Sync allows for synchronisation with Macintosh systems). The recently updated ActiveSync 4.1 utility makes this a seamless, nearly instantaneous affair -- although Microsoft inexplicably removed a few desirable features, such as the option to sync via Wi-Fi.
Office compatibility
With the arrival of Windows Mobile 5, Microsoft finally added native file support to its Word and Excel applets. Translation: it's no longer necessary to convert desktop documents to the Mobile format -- a process that stripped most of the formatting. As for the applets themselves, they've improved as well, with long-overdue features such as a spelling checker and support for embedded tables and images. And finally, there's a PowerPoint viewer called PowerPoint Mobile.
It still shocks us, however, that Microsoft offers no convenient way to synchronise Word and Excel documents with their desktop counterparts -- unless you relocate everything to a special folder.
Email
Email got a big boost with Windows Mobile 5 with the support of direct-push technology. Available through Microsoft's Messaging and Security Feature Pack, it allows you to receive messages in real time. Otherwise, the Outlook applet hasn't changed much, except for the name (Outlook Mobile was formerly known as Messaging). It can transact mail via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM and GPRS connections, and desktop synchronisation.
Multimedia
No other platform can touch Windows Mobile when it comes to multimedia. Right out of the box, it supports DRM-protected music (meaning you can play songs purchased or downloaded from various online services) and TV and movie recordings from Media Center PCs and TiVo boxes. Most recently, Sling Media launched SlingPlayer Mobile for the Windows Mobile operating system, letting you watch your own TV on your handheld.
Third-party applications
If there's a function you want your Windows Mobile handheld to perform, the chances are good there's a program that can do it. Sites such as Handango and PocketGear are home to thousands of third-party applications -- and some of the best games you'll find on any handheld platform. Among the more celebrated Windows Mobile titles are Age of Empires, Quake Mobile and Myst for Pocket PC.
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