Like most Windows Mobile device owners, I have my device docked and synchronized with my laptop the majority of my day.  This means that I am regularly looking up information or playing a tension releasing game on my device while still leaving it docked.

One way that I have learned to save time and avoiding picking up the stylus regularly is to have my Windows Mobile display on my laptop’s screen via Laplink Software’s Laplink Controller for Pocket PC.  Controller is a client application that allows users to have their device screen displayed on their PCs display.  Beyond just a remote display, Controller allows for users to interact with their device with their mouse and keyboard instead of touching the device directly.  Users can also configure Controller to mimic hardware buttons and can create script to automate tasks on their device.  Controller even allows users to take screenshots of their device – including skins resembling their devices – as well as create videos of interaction with the device.  All of this functionality at a price of under $30 makes Laplink Controller a great value and one of the best remote desktop applications available for Windows Mobile users.

Laplink Controller primarily resides on users desktop PCs while a smaller agent is installed on the Windows Mobile device.  The desktop installation consumes approximately 7MB of hard disk space while the Windows Mobile agent takes less than 100KB.  The agent installs into the devices main memory and is started automatically after soft-resets of the device.  It is important to note that Controller requires that ActiveSync be running in order to function properly.

Once installed and started, Laplink Controller displays the Windows Mobile device screen along with the various menus of the application itself (Figure 1).  The majority of Controller’s functions are available via the icons displayed on the menu while all can be accessed by the various pull-down menus on the menu bar.  With the Windows Mobile device displayed, no longer is it necessary to tap the physical device itself.  Users can now use their desktop PCs mouse to “tap” via mouse clicks and functionality is identical.  For example, a tap-and-hold to access an options menu on a Windows Mobile device is now a click-and-hold within Laplink Controller.

Users also have the option of skinning their Controller display rather than having the default application menu.  Changing to skin mode is done via the Skin Selector menu (Figure 2).  Almost any device skin is available either already installed or by free download from Laplink.  Once the skin is selected and applied, the display changes to reflect the physical look of the device (Figure 3).

The Skin download manager is automatic within Laplink Controller and only requires users to select the skin they wish to download.  When using the Skin Selector toolbar, if a skin is chosen that has not been downloaded, Controller will indicate this via a screen pop-up (Figure 4).  By clicking the Skin Manager button, a secondary window opens showing all of the various manufactures and models for which skins are available (Figure 5).  To download a skin into Controller, select the desired model and click the Get It! Button to download the individual skin.  Laplink has also made the entire package of skins available in one simple download.  The Skin Pack can be found at http://www.laplink.com/support/updates/ and is a free download to registered Laplink Controller users.

Beyond a simple remote control application, Laplink Controller provides users with a deep pool of information about their Windows Mobile device.  One such feature is the System Info function (Figure 6).  System Info displays critical information concerning the Windows Mobile device including the Operating System, the processor, available memory and battery information.

Laplink Controller can also show users what processes are running on their Windows Mobile device via the Task Manager icon or from the Tools menu (Figure 7).  Similar to the Task Manager on Windows PCs, this tool shows the processes running, the application using it and the option to kill the process.  This function is helpful when trying to diagnose an issue or when a misbehaving application makes the use and or function of the Windows Mobile device difficult and slow.

While the System Information and Task Manager abilities of Controller set it apart from many similar applications, Laplink went further and added a DOS Emulator.  The Emulator provides users a CLI (Command Line Interface) for their connected Windows Mobile device and accepts a wide range of DOS command (Figure 8).  A complete list of the supported commands is available in the Help file of the application.  Users can also access their desktop drives via the emulator, not just the Windows Mobile device.

Perhaps more practical than the DOS Emulator is the screen capture function of Laplink Controller.  This feature allows users to capture screen shots from their Windows Mobile device.  When selected, users can choose the format in which to save the capture (BMP, JPG or GIF) and the location where to save the file (Figure 9)The files are automatically named as “CaptureX” (X being the number).  It is important to note that when in skin mode, the screen capture will include the skin in addition to the display of the Windows Mobile device.  An example of this is Figure 3 in this review.

Similarly, Laplink Controller also includes a Video mode which allows users to create videos from their Windows Mobile device.  By selecting the Video function from the Tools>Video menu, users can create a video – including titles – of operations on their device (Figure 10).  The quality of the video will depend upon the codec chosen which is user selectable (Figure 11).  To see an example of a video made by Laplink Controller, go to http://www.clintonfitch.com/videos/spb/addicon.wmv. The ability to create videos is an excellent teaching tool for those new to Windows Mobile, especially in the corporate environment.   

Laplink Controller incorporates a recordable macro function, topping off its impressive list of features.  The macro recorder allows users to create a script that automatically perform a task such as opening an application.  Much like the Video capture feature, the macro is recorded based on the mouse clicks performed during its recording mode.  Users can start the macro recorder from the menu bar or by going to Tools>Macro.  Once started, users are prompted for a name of the macro (Figure 12).  Once named and OK is clicked, the macro is recording until the macro stop button is clicked.  Once created, users can run the macro anytime by selecting the macro play button on the menu bar.

With all of this functionality, Laplink Software has brought their forward-thinking to the Windows Mobile powered Smartphone arena as well.  Controller works with Windows Mobile powered Smartphones and provides the same level of features and functionality as it does with Pocket PC Devices. 

The layout Controller’s display is identical for both Pocket PC (see Figure 1) and Smartphone (Figure 13).  The only functional difference is the lack of tapping or mouse clicking as Smartphones are designed differently than Pocket PCs.  That said, all the features of the Smartphone work while using Controller, including the ability to place and receive phone calls (Figure 14). 

It is difficult to find anything not to like about Laplink Controller.  The application is well behaved and is intuitive in its operation and supported by some of the best written Help files I’ve seen in some time.  Every feature and function of Controller is covered in extensive detail in the Help files, making them useful – somewhat of a novelty today.  The application is a definite must have for users who need or desire to control their Windows Mobile device without having to pick up their stylus. Beyond this, its ability to capture screens and videos make it a well suited application for the creation of user help files and training videos, especially in the corporate environment. 

Backing up the Help files is outstanding customer support.  Support options include a self-help knowledge base, email support and live chat (during normal business hours).  Users are required to register to access the support options.  During test chat sessions and email support, I found Laplink’s support to be helpful, friendly and accurate. 

Laplink Controller for Pocket PC is available for purchase directly from Laplink for $29.95 (US).  A free trial is available from Laplink as well.  To get more information, go to http://www.laplink.com/products/controller/overview.asp.

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Clinton Fitch
Senior Editor
Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! (http://www.clintonfitch.com)
HPC:Factor (http://www.hpcfactor.com)