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Accessories

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MAC address of your Wi-Fi unit/card

Submitted Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Werner Ruotsalainen explains how to obtain the MAC address of your Wi-Fi unit/card using both built-in and third-party applications. Click here for the article.

Color code your cables when traveling

Submitted Tuesday, February 26, 2008
If you do a lot of traveling and carry a ton of electronic equipment such as a Windows Mobile device, an MP3 player, a laptop, international power converters, DC adaptors for the plane, etc., each of these gadgets unfortunately comes with a number of power and sync cables.
One way to organize the clutter is to use Velcro color-coded cable ties. Each device that you carry can then get its own color tie.
[Read more]

Installing the same application on several storage cards

Submitted Thursday, September 6, 2007

Werner Ruotsalainen explains how you can rerun the installer on each storage card or use a card reader. Click here for the article.

AM/FM CF/SD radio cards

Submitted Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Read Werner Ruotsalainen’s post and subsequent discussion regarding radio cards for Pocket PCs here.

Displaying a Pocket PC on a projector

Submitted Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Werner Ruotsalainen discusses the different methods of displaying the screen of a Pocket PC through a projector, including the use of an external CF/SD VGA output card. Click here for the article.

Find compatible hardware accessories and device drivers for clamshell Handheld PCs like the NEC MobilePro and HP Jornada

Submitted Monday, July 16, 2007
Finding compatible peripheral hardware accessories for your Handheld PC or PDA can be difficult. Created by the user community, the HPC:Factor Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) provides an easy to search database of compatible hardware accessories for Windows CE 1.0 through 6.0 and includes driver downloads, tips, and Web links to help you get up and running (hpcfactor.com/hcl).

Use a screen protector to prevent wear and tear

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The display on a Windows Mobile touch screen device is designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. However, continued tapping on the screen can, over time, leave small scratches, which decrease the value of the device and make it less enjoyable to use. A relatively inexpensive way to avoid scratches is to apply screen protectors (a.k.a., “screen overlays”) to the display.
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Hard objects scratch the screen

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Don’t carry your Windows Mobile device in a pocket, briefcase, or handbag along with hard objects that can scratch the screen. If you carry your device in a coat pocket, keep change and keys in one pocket and the device in the other, and keep the screen facing your body.
[Read more]

Protect your device: Get a case

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Although designed for the rigors of every-day use, Windows Mobile devices are electronic gadgets with breakable displays. Some attention needs to be paid toward protecting them from damage, and the best way to do that is by carrying the device in a case. Most ship with a leather or vinyl slip-cover.
[Read more]

Make text entry easier: Get an external keyboard or a device with a QWERTY keyboard

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006

The soft keyboard and other input panels found on touch screen devices can be a pain to work with, and it can take an inordinate amount of time to enter text. Additionally, the “T9” text entry method built into some non-touchscreen smartphones requires multiple presses of numbers to enter text. Fortunately, most of the newer phone-enabled devices come with QWERTY thumb keyboards, which make it easier to enter text.

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Finding the hardware accessories you need

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The first place to look for hardware accessories is the Web site of the manufacturer of your Windows Mobile device or the wireless carrier that sold you the device.
[Read more]

External keyboard makes text entry easier

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Many of the older touch screen Pocket PCs are pen-entry devices without physical keyboards. However, the majority of Windows Mobile touch screen devices released today have integrated phones and QWERTY thumb keyboards for text entry. Unfortunately, these keyboards are small and not well suited for extended text entry. The easiest way to enter Contacts, Calendar appointments, text, etc., is to do it on your PC and sync it with your Windows Mobile device.
[Read more]

Replacing a damaged screen

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Even of you carry your device in a carrying case, it's possible to drop it while you're using it and damage the screen. If you do this while your device is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer or wireless carrier that sold it to you.
[Read more]

GPS receivers and other accessories cause extra drain on your device’s battery: get a car charger and a spare battery

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
GPS receivers require power to operate. If you have one built into your device, or if you add one using a cabled or CF/SD card interface, the receiver draws the needed power from your device. Bluetooth GPS receivers have their own rechargeable batteries, but to communicate with them your device must also have Bluetooth capability, and it must be turned on.
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Connect Pocket PC to cell phone via cable

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
If you want to go on the Internet using your Pocket PC, you can by using the data capabilities of your existing cell phone and cell network. You will need to connect your Pocket PC to your cell phone via a cable. Gomatic (Gomadic.com/accessories-wireless.html) offers cables for a wide variety of Pocket PCs and cell phones.
[Read more]

Spare power adapters for home, work, and travel

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
In order to enhance your Windows Mobile experience and add convenience, it is a good idea to have spare power adapters for your device. For instance, if you use your device for both work and personal use, it's more convenient to have adapters at work and at home, than to carry one back and forth.
[Read more]

Get a spare or optional extended battery

Submitted Wednesday, December 13, 2006
If you often find your battery level too low or notice that you're constantly recharging your device, you may want to consider purchasing an extended battery. These batteries are custom made for each Pocket PC or smartphone series and fit onto the back of your device.
[Read more]

Buy accessories online and save money

Submitted Friday, December 8, 2006
As soon as you buy your new Windows Mobile device, you’ll be tempted to accessorize it. The best place to start looking for accessories is your device manufacturer’s Web site. The site will usually point you to add-ons that specifically connect to your handheld, and sometimes they’re actually built, tested, and certified by the hardware manufacturer to work flawlessly.
[Read more]

Headset improves the quality of Skype calls

Submitted Friday, December 8, 2006
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology involves software and hardware that allows you to place and receive phone calls over a computer connected to the Internet.
[Read more]

Use a dashboard or windshield mount in vehicles

Submitted Friday, February 23, 2007
If you use your Windows Mobile device in the car to listen to music or to navigate via GPS, get a dashboard or windshield mount and keep the Pocket PC or Smartphone in the mount while you're driving. It will be easier to see and you won't have to fumble around to find it. Some device manufacturers offer these as optional accessories. If yours doesn't, they are available from third-party vendors.
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Use an ergonomic stylus

Submitted Tuesday, April 10, 2007
It's no secret that we lose a lot of ergonomic benefits by using a handheld device. The tiny device designs and smaller keyboards don't promote good ergonomic techniques. However, there is one way that you can promote better use: with a third-party stylus. Best of all, you can carry a better stylus around with you without any extra effort!
A third-party stylus promotes better ergonomics by eliminating the need to try to write with a tight, pinched grip.
[Read more]