Switched Typhoon -> Magician: miss xBar ao.

[Guest spvdk]

Hi

As so many others, I have taken the step from the HTC Typhoon to the Magician. This is my very first Pocket PC, so I have some newbie questions, if that's ok?

First of all, I really miss my xBar. A single program, that allows me to switch tasks, kill programs, clean up RAM and launch new programs.

I have tried SideX, but that seems rather old and clumbsy. Vito Systemtools was a complete disaster! I downloaded the demo and it killed off my Magician 100%! It just kept on rebooting, until I finally gave it a hard reset. Btw, that's not the first time I am having problems with Vito software...

The programs from DinarSoft are ok. Only problem is that they have split the program into many different parts (Launcher, Menu & Switcher) and I haven't got that many hardware buttons to assign! :D

What other options are there? What do you guys use?

Is the Pocket Internet Explorer the way to hit the net? I have noticed Access Netfront, but that seems rather old. Haven't been updated for something like 18 months? What's the number one choice on the PPC platform?

Any program (other than yet another dead program from Vito) to add dual functionality to the hardware buttons? Short and long presses...?

Thanks!

[Guest LadFromWales85]

For browsers, Netfront is very bloated, and consumes lots of ram, but it does support running java applets.

I keep meaning to try http://www.bitstream.com/wireless/ - Thunderhawk

There is also Minimo, developed by the Mozilla team, but thats very much in the alpha stages of development at the moment

I use Sbp Pocket Plus for switching applications. When you are in one application, you can tap and hold the X, and you will get options to minimise/close etc the application, and below that, all the other applications you are currently running. If you are on your homescreen, you cant get to your applications though :D (you need to be in application to access this menu)

I don't know about this double button thing, but it does sound cool :D If you find anything, let us know :D

[Guest Disco Stu]

Definitely check out Spb Pocket Plus :

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/?en

[Guest spvdk]

Thanks, I am already trying Spb Pocket Plus. But, as LadFromWales85 say, very frustrating that you can't access from the Today screen. I would also like the option to access the program using a hardware button, and that seems impossible.

I tested Thunderhawk, but got scared away (just like I did on the Typhoon) :D Very odd to navigate and text so small, it's almost impossible to read. I guess working with the settings can help, but first impression weren't... impressive! :D

The dual functionality of hardware buttons were nothing special on the UIQ platform, where I have spent almost two years. Many application supported that, and we even had a Control Panel addon for just that. I must admit I am a bit surprised it isn't the standard on the PPC platform too, since it can save a lot of time launching everyday tools/tasks.

[Guest LadFromWales85]

I am tempted to try a UIQ device, like the Sony Ericsson P910i, but they dont have all that much grunt, only a 150MHz processor :D But it does have a hardware keypad, and is slightly more phone-centric.

You not like UIQ anymore?

[Guest spvdk]

I had a P800 and was a bit frustrated SE didn't seem to care about fixing the bugs on this incredibly nice Smartphone. One simple thing, that was bothering a LOT of owners, was the lack of dithering on the 4.096 color screen. It could be fixed in no time and would make a huge difference, but SE wanted us to buy new hardare instead. So we did...

The P900 was only a slight update, yet at full price. Again we got a handfull of bugs, like T9 crashing daily. SE didn't care about that, but when someone found out how to unbrand the P900 using SE's update site, they worked very hard for days to stop it. I guess that's ok, but why didn't they work as hard to keep the paying costumers happy, or at least to deliver a somewhat bug free highend phone?

Turned out that SE's solution was for us to buy the same phone for the third time, yet again desquised by a new front flip. That's when I had enough and left SE and thereby the UIQ platform. Sure, it had a few good points, but as you say, the SE models are also way underpowered. Paying that much money for a Smartphone, that isn't even able to play back video without stuttering?

No, SE has had enough of my money. Now I am a VERY happy MS costumer. IMHO, the biggest difference between MS and SE is that MS is here for the long run, to win the market, and that takes a lot of hard work. SE, on the other hand, is just here to make a quick few bucks. Well, not from me anymore...

---------------------

To answer my own question, there IS a program available for controling the hardware buttons, called Double Launcher. Not to give double action, or tripple, but 4x the action! I have tried it out for a few minutes and now I am on my way to register. Yes, it really is that great. Go try it out :D

http://www.pocketpccity.com/software/pocke...e-pocketpc.html

[Guest GothTeddy]

If you are on your homescreen, you cant get to your applications though :D (you need to be in application to access this menu)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes you can :D just click on where the X would be, in the top corner, and as if by magic, up pops the menu :D

[Guest dreamweavel]

found this on PDA gold - freeware alt-tab thingy Vbar1.7

[Guest LadFromWales85]

yes you can :D just click on where the X would be, in the top corner, and as if by magic, up pops the menu :D

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow! thanks, never knew that :D Now I can get to applications from the homescreen without re-running them, heh :D

[Guest yarod_g14]

Hello people,

I just got rid of my XDA 2 and Im waiting delivery of my Magician on sat. I cant wait!!

I have always used Wise Bar as my task manager on my XDA. Had it for over a year or so and never needed another app, this one seemed to do all I wanted. I never attempted to set it up with a Hardware button.

[Guest jfran]

I used vBar for a while then removed it becaused it interferred with BT activesync / GPRS connection, cant exactly remember which, however I use PHM Taskmanager which you can set up to run at startup and runs from the task bar, shows the running applications and processes, and allows hibernation, soft and hard resets from the menu.... its a great piece of kit.

rgds

jim

Edited May 4, 2005 by jfran

[Guest fraser]

I use PHM Taskmanager

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for sharing that, I use PocketNav for task switching (I recommend it), but I've been meaning to get a more fully featured one for getting a full process list and messing around with other things. The fact that you can tweak process priorities (while dangerous!) is pretty good!

[Guest spvdk]

xBar 2.6 has been released for PPC! Unfortunately it's still more or less the smartphone apps, so without hardware numerical keys, it's a bit of a problem even entering the serial key during startup! Well, guess this will improve on the next build.

Can't wait to see if xBar will be as good on the PPC, as it is on the Smartphone platform ;)