Download these handheld PC and Palm-size PC programs for free and try them before you buy them!
Experience is the best teacher, and also the best product reviewer. Fortunately, many of the software programs developed for Windows CE are made available as commercial demos, shareware, or freeware, letting you try the program first to see if you like it.
This new section in Handheld PC Magazine will take a brief look at such software. We'll describe it, give you a few brief editorial comments about the product, and then let you know where you can get the software for free.
All software reviewed by Rich Hall, unless otherwise stated.
QuickLaunch
Promoted as a "button extender" for the Palm-size PC, this simple utility lets you access Palm-size PC applications quickly. Open QuickLaunch and tap on the applications button and it pops up. QuickLaunch lets you assign any built-in or user-installed application to its screen buttons. Palm-size PC users already have user-configurable hardware buttons to open four applications (Start, Settings, Buttons, Program). But if you find yourself regularly accessing more than four applications, QuickLaunch may be for you. Assign QuickLaunch to one of the hardware buttons. Then when you want to start an application, all you have to do is press a button and tap the screen.
The free version lets you assign three QuickLaunch buttons; the commercial version lets you assign 18. The free version is alright for checking out the program, but three user-assigned buttons is too few. If you like it, pay the $19.95 for the full 18-button version.
Freeware
Commercial version with 18 user-assigned quick launch buttons -- $19.95
Use with Palm-size PC only
Contact Applian Technologies
Phone 415-831-1499
Fax 415-668-6668
Web www.applian.com.
MazeCraze
This Pac Man clone provides arcade entertainment on H/PCs (Palm-size PC version out soon). As with the old Pac Man, you maneuver your little gobbler around a maze, devouring dollars left in your path, and trying to avoid enemy bombs, bulldozers, and more. It has a variety of sound effects, which I immediately turned off so the publisher wouldn't think I was having too much fun. You might want to set the speed of the game slower at first.
MazeCraze price -- $19.95
Use with H/PCs; Palm-size PC version coming
Sales contact: MobileSoft
Phone 800-773-1523 or 330-673-7110
Web www.mobilesoft.com.
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