Spb Pocket Plus also adds excellent features to Pocket Internet Explorer (PIE) as well.  By enabling these features, users can have multiple PIE windows (Figure 12) open as well as having the browser display in full screen mode (Figure 13).  Both of these are exceptionally helpful for users who have their Pocket PCs network enabled.

In addition, PIE with Pocket Plus can save pictures from a web page (Figure 14), something that has sorely lacked in the Windows Mobile world but Handheld PC owners have enjoyed for many years.  New in 3.0, users can also open a hyperlink in the background.  This allows users to tap-and-hold on a hyperlink then open another PIE window.

With the release of 3.0, Spb Software House also added several new features to Pocket Plus.  First, users can now close any application directly from the Task Manager (Figure 15).  The Task Manager is seen by tapping-and-holding the upper-right corner of the display where the close button is located.  By each running application, a close icon is available so that application can be closed immediately rather than having to go to it and closing it from there.

Additionally, users now have a Safe Mode feature.  This feature allows users to boot their devices into a "bare essentials" mode up much like that of Windows desktop PCs.  When the Windows Mobile device is rebooted, a small dialog screen is displayed before the User Interface is loaded asking users to tap or press the Action button (press down on the D-Pad) to boot into Safe Mode.  Once in this mode, the UI is changed to display only the Safe Mode screen, informing users that Today Plug-ins, autorun applications and services are disabled along with a reset button (Figure 16).  Users can then use the Start button to go to Control Panel or run any application for their troubleshooting needs. This is an excellent addition to Pocket Plus as it allows users with misbehaving applications to recover quickly and remove the application before extensive damage is done, or a reset is required.  The Safe Mode feature can be configured to activate when a soft-reset is performed or when the device worked for less than one minute after a soft-reset (Figure 17).

In Pocket Plus 3.0, users now have the ability to integrate other Spb Software applications right into it.  Now, instead of having multiple Today screen items for other Spb applications, they can now be tabbed and be a part of Pocket Plus.  Currently three such applications have the ability to be integrated:  Spb Diary 1.5 (for a review of Spb Diary, go to http://www.clintonfitch.com/reviews/spb/diary-1-5/default.asp) (Figure 17) and Spb Weather 1.0 (Figure 18) (for a review of Spb Weather, go to http://www.clintonfitch.com/reviews/spb/weather-1-0/default.asp) and Spb Finance 2.0.  It is important that users have the latest versions of these applications before attempting to integrate them.  Further, Spb Software House plans to release more free plug-ins for Pocket Plus 3.0 in the coming weeks.

Likewise, users have the option to assign a wide range of functions to the hardware buttons on their Windows Mobile device.  Until now, users were limited in what could be assigned to these hardware buttons, mostly to applications.  With Pocket Plus, users can assign a wide range of functions to the buttons including the features of Pocket Plus itself.  So, for example, users could assign a hardware button to turn up their backlight and turn it down with another button.  To assign buttons, users need to access the Pocket Plus controls, tap the buttons Feature then tap Feature Options.  From here, tap Edit Buttons and check the features to enable as being hardware button options (Figure 19).  Once the features are selected, tap OK and tap Assign Buttons.  This will allow users to assign the newly enabled features (at the bottom of the pull-down list) to a hardware button (Figure 20).  New to 3.0, users now have a Windows PC-like ALT+TAB feature which can be assigned to a hardware button.  This allows users to switch quickly between open applications on their device by repeatedly pressing the assigned button (Figure 21).

Figure 19:  Feature Enabling for Hardware Button Assignment	Figure 20:  Assigning a Feature to a Hardware Button

 

Figure 21:  The New ALT+TAB Function

As mentioned already, the majority of Pocket Plus’ features and functions can be accessed by tapping-and-holding the Pocket Plus icon on the Today screen.  From here, users can enable the various features of the applications in their respective categories (Figure 22).  For example, users can control which features of File Explorer are added (Figure 23), how the close button is to function, as well as the Today screen itself.

Spb Software House is one of the leading developers in the Windows Mobile arena, and Spb Pocket Plus proves it.  With the release of 3.0, it is clear that Spb Software House has taken this product to the next level.  With all of the new features, along with a substantial improvement in speed and performance, it is a must-have application for any serious Windows Mobile device user.  Pocket Plus has also been improved in its VGA support and is completely compatible with Windows Mobile 5.0.  The application is well designed and behaved and functions exceptionally well.  Additionally, their support is responsive and accurate with many additional FAQ’s online for each of their products.  Spb Software House makes great products but is also great to work with. 

Pocket Plus 3.0 is available in a demonstration version and for purchase from the Spb Software House website at http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com.  The application is designed to work with Pocket PC 2002, 2003, 2003SE and Windows Mobile 5.0 devices.  Note however that Pocket Plus is not compatible with the iPaq 6340.  The cost of Pocket Plus 3.0 is $24.95 while existing users can upgrade for $9.95.  You can try or buy Pocket Plus from the Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! store by clicking here.

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