For most Pocket PC users, the ability to at-a-glace look at the Today screen and see upcoming appointments, tasks is one of the draws of the format.  By simply turning the device on, users can check these things along with the number of email messages waiting for them to read.  It is a quick but powerful feature of the platform.

The challenge arises however when a users needs exceed the ability of the built-in applications of most Pocket PCs.  Further, in order to display the Inbox, Calendar and Tasks on the Today screen, three separate Today plug-ins must be activated in the settings menu.  This requirement results in a somewhat cluttered Today screen with no integration between the three.

Seeing this need, SBSH Mobile Software developed PocketBreeze, an all-in-one Today plug-in that allows for calendar, inbox, tasks and special events to all be listed in one place.  PocketBreeze is more than just a replacement for these Today plug-ins.  Rather, it is a highly customizable solution that allows users to define how information is displayed, where it is displayed with in the application, integration with other Personal Information Management applications such as Developer One’s Agenda Fusion, as well as many other user defined settings.  PocketBreeze takes personal information viewing and management to a new and well designed level that even the most casual of Pocket PC owners can benefit from using.

Like most Pocket PC applications, PocketBreeze is installed via ActiveSync.  The installation uses approximately 1MB of storage space.  The application can be installed either in the devices memory or on a Storage Card.  It is recommended by Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! that PocketBreeze, like other applications that enhance the Today screen, be installed in the Pocket PCs built-in storage area.  After the installation, PocketBreeze requires a soft-reset of the device and will be started automatically when this process is completed.

The PocketBreeze Today plug-in is designed to replace the standard plug-ins for Calendar, Tasks and Inbox.  All three of these can be shown in the PocketBreeze plug-in, thus saving space on the Today screen.  The standard layout of PocketBreeze is easy to read and in many ways self explanatory (Figure 1).  At the top of the plug-in, a pop-up calendar button is on the left while the category filter, settings, calendar, tasks and special events buttons are along the right side.  The calendar pop-up is shown by simply tapping the calendar button (Figure 2).  By default, the calendar will be shown in the plug-in display.  Tasks can be show by tapping the Tasks button on the menu bar (Figure 3) as well as Special Events (Figure 4).  Note that these can also be displayed along with the calendar in the default view, making it quick to see tasks and events on one screen without having to tap to find them on different screens.

The versatility and customization of PocketBreeze is impressive, allowing for users to change not only the way information is displayed but which information is displayed and where it is displayed.  All of these customizations are done via an extensive options list that is available by tapping the settings button (Figure 5).  The settings and options that are available for each component of PocketBreeze are listed in the pull-down menu, allowing users to select only the parts of the application they wish to customize (Figure 6).

Once in the settings menu, it will quickly become apparent that PocketBreeze has a huge number of configuration options.  This extreme flexibility is one of the aspects of the application that makes it stand apart from similar PIM-type applications.  On first glance the options can be intimidating.  However, the SBSH Mobile Software team went the extra step to explain what each option does before it is enabled.  By tapping on an option in the scroll box, a dialog of what that option does is displayed just above it (Figure 7).  This gives users a good indication of what the option does and helps in determining if it is desired.  This extra step eliminates much of the guesswork.

Within Outlook and Pocket Outlook, Categories is an excellent and often overlooked way to manage contacts and tasks.  PocketBreeze allows full management of contacts and task via Categories and takes it one step further by allowing users to set icons and/or colors to categories (Figure 8).  By doing this, PocketBreeze makes it easy to identify contacts or tasks and quickly determine their priority in ones schedule.  Likewise, PocketBreeze also allows for filtering based on the category information (Figure 9). 

While there are many features that make PocketBreeze a great application, perhaps one of the most useful features is the Search function (Figure 10).  Located both in PocketBreeze as well as a secondary application in the Programs menu, Search allows users to find information – contact, email, calendar events – for any searched entry (Figure 11).  The Search function is fast and is a great way to find information related to a subject or contact quickly.  It is a feature that power Pocket PC users will quickly find being used on a regular basis.

While this review provides a good overview of PocketBreeze, it is by no means exhaustive.  There are many more features and high levels of customization that were only mentioned here in small detail.  Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! highly recommends users download the available 12-day, fully functional demonstration from the SBSH Mobile Software Site (http://www.sbsh.net/products/pocketbreeze/).  Purchasing of PocketBreeze is done through Handango via the PocketBreeze site.  The licensed version of the application is $14.95 US, a far cry from similar PIM products with similar or fewer features. 

SBSH also provides excellent web-based support for their products.  In sample emails sent to support, answers were provided within minutes, not hours or days like many developers.  While this may not be the case with every issue that is sent to support, it is clear that SBSH is serious about providing customer support at the highest level. This only adds to an already great application that should be at the top of every Pocket PC owners list of applications to have on their device.

You can get more information on PocketBreeze 4.2 and this review in the SBSH Forums:  http://www.sbsh.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=3890

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