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Posted by Werner \"Menneisyys\" Ruotsala on October 17, 2007, 10:33 am
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Back in early 1997, when the first Microsoft WindowsCE 1.0-based devices hit
the selves, they already contained shortcuts to built-in programs. Back
then, as the 1.0-series of WindowsCE exclusively ran under clamshell
Handheld PC's with a built-in keyboard, it was pretty easy to find place for
these quick start keys. For example, in the Philips Velo 1, the entire
number row is overridden with them, providing access to almost all major
applications (Pocket Word, Excel, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, WWW, Inbox,
Database, Calculator, Voice Memo) delivered with the device.
When, in 1998, the Palm-size PC's and, in 2000, Pocket PC's arrived, the
lack of a built-in real keyboard meant it was no longer possible to crunch
as many buttons in the radically reduced front and side surface of the
device. Therefore, the number of shortcut keys were substantially reduced;
most devices only sported five of them. There were differences in both
directions: for example, the HP iPAQ 2210 only had four, while the
Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720 had six and, what is more, these buttons
were all bifunctional: press and hold them instead of just quickly pressing
it, and another functionality starts. (Some models, for example, the h2210,
also supports something like this - holding the buttons results in, in
general, creating new records. However, unlike with the Pocket Loox, you can't
redefine the functionality if you want to access something different.)
Unfortunately, very few models support bifunctional (short-press and
long-press) buttons. While some device manufacturers (like HP with their WM5
upgrade for the HP iPAQ hx4700, introducing full support for press-and-hold
front buttons) did realize the ability to double the functionality one can
quickly access with a single button press(-and-hold), not even the latest
mainstream models offer this. For example, HTC's Pocket PC Phone Edition
(Windows Mobile Professional) models, in general, only offer one application
(app for short) button with double functionality (for example, Button 4 on
the Universal and the Wizard); all the others are single-function and,
therefore, greatly reduce their usefulness and the flexibility, should you
want to greatly speed up invoking applications or greatly simplifying tasks
(for example, by a hardware button-initiated macro playing back several
pre-recorded stylus taps to, for example, greatly speed up mail checking).
Some of the current models even more reduced the number of (redefinable)
buttons. For example, the HTC Elf / Touch only allows for redefining the
Camera button and nothing else (also see THIS). Yeah, only ONE button. Nice,
eh?
The hardware manufacturers' neglecting the need of people wanting for more
functionality assigned to the few hardware buttons of their Pocket PC's
(and, due to the, in general, far fewer application buttons they have, to a
lesser degree, MS Smartphones) has resulted in a plethora of third-party
solutions that do allow for this. In this roundup, I explain and thoroughly
compare these all.
This kind of a Button Enhancer Bible has long been awaited. Except for some
not very recent (pre-WM5) and, now, completely outdated quick reviews &
comparisons, there has never been a really decent and thorough comparison of
the major button enhancers, let alone ones that cover even the latest
(2007), kick-butt, freeware titles developed by some highly skilled
XDA-Developers folks.
....
more at:
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=2246&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
--
Werner "Menneisyys" Ruotsalainen - Microsoft MVP - Windows - Mobile Devices
Please see the Pocket PC Mag Expert Blog (including mine) at
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/ - you will definitely like it.
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