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Friday, July 15, 2005

Theme a Day GiveAway -- Free Pocket PC Themes

PDA and Mobile Today is starting a new feature of the blog for the month of July.

Everyday for the rest of this month, we will be giving away one FREE commercial theme for Pocket PC. (continued...)

Each theme will be up for grabs for 24 hours only. From the time we post it until the next day at the same time.

We won't be announcing this much, so it's up to you to come back and visit us often.

These themes have an average selling price of around $3-5 each so it will give you a chance to download some really cool themes and save some money.

What's the catch?

None really. However, if you like this PDA and Mobile Today feature and would like it to continue past July, we need your help to get
the word out about it.

You don't need to bust a gut on this, but if you would just tell everyone who you think might be interested in some cool free themes, it would go a long way to convincing us that it should remain a permanent part of the blog.

Feel free to post messages on Pocket PC message boards or related user groups but please do not SPAM or make a nuisance of yourself,
okay?

You can also email your friends and let them know too. Especially if you think they might be interested in free themes or want to read some PDA related info.

BTW, as you would expect, there is no product support for these free themes so please read the directions in the ReadMeFirst.txt file carefully to avoid
problems or disappointments. Support is available for purchased themes, so if you really need it, buy the theme.

We're excited by this promotion and we hope you are too. So don't forget to visit often and get the word out about it as much as you can.

Hopefully, you'll have some fun and it will become a permanent feature of the blog.

--Steve
Editor
PDA and Mobile Today

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Free Theme -- ButterFly Animated

By: The Editor

Posted at: 12:00 Noon -- Free Offer Expires at Noon Tomorrow

Get a taste of the outdoors with this Butterfly Animated Theme.
The scene could be anyone's home garden. (continued...)

The animation features a monarch butterfly that flaps its wings randomly from time to time.

The theme works with and requires GigaByte Solutions Animated Today or FlashDash theme player products (Free Trials Available) and the Free Flash Player for Pocket PC from Macromedia.com

It was designed for Animated Today but will work fine with FlashDash. Looks terrific on VGA screens!

The theme has been tested on both Pocket PC 2002 and 2003 and works well on both.

If you're a nature lover, you'll find this theme an interesting addition to your collection.

Download it here, play with it and leave your comments about it using the comments feature located at the bottom of this post.

The Butterfly Animated theme is part of the "Theme a Day GiveAway" promotion. If you want to continue to download more FREE themes beyond the month of July, please click on the link to read about it and do what you can to support it. If enough people support it, we will continue it. Otherwise we'll pull it from the blog next month due to lack of interest.

This Free Version DOES NOT include support, so read the README1st.txt file located inside the product zip file to avoid disappointments.

If you like it, don't forget to use the refer a friend link also at the bottom of this post to spread the word about it.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Pocket PC Theme -- BMW Clock FlashDash

By: The Editor

*** Free Offer Expired ***

BMW Clock Theme.
The theme features the BMW logo as a today screen clock.(continued...)

It also features a real working analog clock that keeps the time according to your system clock. The second hand is a dot that circles the logo with each tick.

The theme works with and requires GigaByte Solutions FlashDash theme player product (Free Trial Available) and the Free Flash Player for Pocket PC from Macromedia.com

It was designed for FlashDash and has been tested on Pocket PC 2002 and 2003. Looks sensational on VGA screens.

Great for the BMW lover.

Buy It Here and leave your comments about it using the comments feature located at the bottom of this post.

When installing, read the README1st.txt file located inside the product zip file to avoid disappointments.

If you like it, don't forget to use the refer a friend link also at the bottom of
this post to spread the word about it.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Pocket PC Tips and Tricks -- Games

By: The Authors of Pocket PC Tips and Tricks

PLAYING PC AND CONSOLE GAMES
Let's get one thing clear - you will NOT be able to play Doom3 or Halo on your Pocket PC (Quake 1 and Doom 1 are available, though). What you CAN do is play older PC and console games via emulators. There are a surprising number of emulators available for the Pocket PC platform, including a few that provide entire operating systems like PocketDOS and Pocket Commodore 64. (continued...)

These work fine for what they are, but if you just want to play a game it's probably overkill. Perhaps the best emulator available is PocketSCUMM. This will allow you to play older LucasArts games, like Monkey Island, Loom, Sam and Max Hit the Road, Day of the Tentacle, etc. These are all great games, and the emulator is very easy to use and configure.

If Sierra games are your choice, you'll want to download Pocket Sarien. Pocket Sarien works with early games such as Space Quest 1 and 2, Leisure Suit Larry and more. A large chunk of screen space is taken up with the on-screen keyboard, but the games are all perfectly playable.

Source: Pocket PC Tips and Tricks

Buy It Now and Save 5$ -- Click Here
Regular $19.95 -- Now $14.95

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Pocket PC Theme -- BatClock FlashDash

By: The Editor

*** Free Offer Expired ***

Batman Begins Clock Theme.
The theme features the Caped-Crusader from the recent movie.(continued...)

It also features a real working analog/digital clock that keeps the time according to your system clock.

The theme works with and requires GigaByte Solutions FlashDash theme player product (Free Trial Available) and the Free Flash Player for Pocket PC from Macromedia.com

It was designed for FlashDash and has been tested on Pocket PC 2002 and 2003. Looks sensational on VGA screens.

This is a great theme for any Batman fans or people who just want a cool today screen clock.

Buy It Here and leave your comments about it using the comments feature located at the bottom of this post.

When installing, read the README1st.txt file located inside the product zip file to avoid disappointments.

If you like it, don't forget to use the refer a friend link also at the bottom of
this post to spread the word about it.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Win A Dell Axim X50V Plus Free Software!

By: The Editor

Every week in July, PocketGear.com will send one lucky winner a Dell Axim™ X50v bundled with Handmark software! An additional winner will receive a bundle of Handmark software valued at over $250! Read on for the details. (continued...)

I just bought one of these for around $500 and it's a terrific Pocket PC. Integrated WiFi, Bluetooth, Fast 624 Mhz. X-Scale processor and an excellent VGA resolution screen. It's a nice compact unit that fits easily into your shirt pocket unlike my old iPaq 3630 that it replaces. Owning one of these babies will keep you well equipped for at least a couple of years... a long time in computer time.

The full-screen FlashDash themes look sensational with the VGA resolution!

Now you have a chance to get one free when you make your software purchases at PocketGear.com The secondary prize of $250 worth of free Handmark software isn't bad either.

I'm not sure if the promotional code will work in conjunction with other promo codes such as the ones in the weekly discounts list, but I'll try to find out and make it known here in the comments section.

Entering the contest is easy:

1. Choose from any of the categories below and buy any software you like.

2. Enter the code "DELLAXIM" exactly as shown into the Promotional textfield at checkout

3. You will be automatically entered into the drawing

Get Weekly Discounts on Pocket PC Software on PocketGear.com

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Pocket PC Theme -- War Of The Worlds FlashDash

By: The Editor

*** Free Offer Expired ***

War of The Worlds FlashDash Theme.
The theme is reminiscent of the old classic movie War of The Worlds. (continued...)

The animation features a martian spaceship that glides across the sky and fires its laser at planet earth.

The theme works with and requires GigaByte Solutions FlashDash theme player product (Free Trial Available) and the Free Flash Player for Pocket PC from Macromedia.com

It was designed for FlashDash and has been tested on Pocket PC 2002 and 2003. Looks sensational on VGA screens.

This is really a fun animated theme and should be topic of conversation at home and in the office.

Buy It Here and leave your comments about it using the comments feature located at the bottom of this post.

When installing, read the README1st.txt file located inside the product zip file to avoid disappointments.

If you like it, don't forget to use the refer a friend link also at the bottom of
this post to spread the word about it.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

How To Choose a GPS

By: J. Chartwell

You've heard that new sport, geocaching, is fun. Or, you're tired of getting lost on your travels. Welcome to the 21st century. Global Postioning System (GPS) has been around long enough that prices are reasonable and the technology is user-friendly. With myriad brands and models, how to choose?

If you want a GPS for both hiking and driving use, then a handheld unit would be the way to go. Some handhelds even have accessories to allow them to be installed in an automobile. But don't rule out a PDA. More on that in a moment. For driving only, there are GPS receivers made just for vehicle use. (continued...)

Handheld GPS receivers are either mapping or non--mapping. A basic, non--mapping unit can often cost less than $100 US and usually has/displays the following:

Location
Compass heading
Elevation above sea level
Accurate time
Satellite location and signal strength
The ability to calculate distance traveled
The ability to record your path as a set of waypoints
The ability to navigate routes
The ability to retrace your steps

Handheld mapping receivers do all the above plus have the ability to display maps. The maps are either pre--loaded or uploaded from your PC. Prices are reasonable for mapping units, starting at around $150 US.

Paper maps are strongly recommended whether you're using a mapping receiver or not. Paper maps do not require batteries and probably won't go defective. Also, a paper map gives you a "big picture" view of your situation -- something lacking on the small screen of a GPS.

I mentioned earlier your considering a PDA with GPS capability. A PDA is bulkier and the battery life is usually shorter, but if you're using a PDA anyway, then there are several ways to turn a PDA into a GPS. Some PDAs accept a GPS "sleeve." That is a device that the PDA nestles into. Another choice is one of Garmin's PDAs. Garmin is probably the most popular GPS maker and they have one PDA/GPS that is Palm--based and one that is Pocket PC--based.

Prices for automotive GPS start at around $250 US. These provide turn--by--turn guidance. Spend a little more than that and you get voice guidance. These are larger than handhelds in order to accommodate a screen large enough to be seen while driving. They are powered by the car's electrical system and because of this, they can only be used in a vehicle.

Many automobile manufacturers now offer built-in GPS receivers as an option. Because they are built-in, the big advantages are security and aesthetics. They are quite a bit more expensive than add-on units and often have fewer options. I've also heard some stories of people having a hard time getting map updates.

A PDA/GPS is a good alternative for automotive use. Its screen is about the size of an automotive unit, so seeing the display is not a problem. They can also be powered by the car, eliminating battery worries. The Garmin PDAs mentioned above both come with the hardware and software for automotive use.

If you're hiking, a basic handheld unit (without maps) will be fine since you'll always have paper maps with you anyway (you will, won't you?). An advantage to a handheld mapping unit is that they usually have more advanced features than the basic units. For driving, you have the choice of a handheld, in--car dedicated, or PDA. The handheld does have limited usefulness in a car, as it does not provide turn--by--turn guidance. For a more detailed look at how to choose a GPS, click here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. Chartwell has developed Maps GPS Info.com, which provides practical information on GPS and maps that everyone can use. His website includes product reviews and a maps/GPS glossary.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Monday, July 11, 2005

BlueTooth Defined

Definition: Bluetooth is a specification for the use of low-power radio communications to wirelessly link phones, computers and other network devices over short distances. The name "Bluetooth" is borrowed from Harald Bluetooth, who was a king in Denmark more than 1,000 years ago.

Bluetooth technology was designed primarily to support simple wireless networking of personal consumer devices and peripherals, including cell phones, PDAs, and wireless headsets. The wireless signals transmitted in Bluetooth reach over short distances, typically up to 30 feet (10 meters). Bluetooth devices generally communicate at less than 1 Mbps. (continued...)

Bluetooth networks feature a dynamic topology called a piconet or PAN. Piconets contain a minimum of two and a maximum of eight Bluetooth peer devices. Devices communicate using protocols that are part of the Bluetooth Specification. Version 1.1 of the specification is in widespread use today with versions 1.2 and 2.0 under development.

Although the Bluetooth standard utilizes the same 2.4 Ghz range as 802.11b and 802.11g, Bluetooth technology is not a suitable Wi-Fi replacement. Compared to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth networking is much slower, a bit more limited in range, and supports many fewer devices.

As is true for Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies today, concerns with Bluetooth include security and interoperability with other networking standards.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Pocket PC Theme -- SunClock FlashDash

By: The Editor

*** Free Offer Expired ***

Blazing Sun Clock Theme.
The theme features a bright orange-yellow sun blazing brightly.(continued...)

It also features a real working analog clock that keeps the time according to your system clock.

The theme works with and requires GigaByte Solutions FlashDash theme player product (Free Trial Available) and the Free Flash Player for Pocket PC from Macromedia.com

It was designed for FlashDash and has been tested on Pocket PC 2002 and 2003. Looks sensational on VGA screens.

This is really a fun animated theme and should be topic of conversation at home and in the office.

Buy It Here, and leave your comments about it using the comments feature located at the bottom of this post.

When installing, read the README1st.txt file located inside the product zip file to avoid disappointments.

If you like this theme, don't forget to use the refer a friend link also at the bottom of this post to spread the word about it.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Sunday, July 10, 2005

New Pocket PC Theme -- Masters Voice

Master's Voice Pocket PC Theme is a one-of-a-kind animated theme.
It features an updated version of the old RCA Victor logo "His Master's Voice". (continued...)

In this new version, the dog is robotic and has x-ray vision eyes that are looking at the old victrola record player. Really a unique theme that should arouse comments from your friends.

The theme requires GigaByte Solutions FlashDash theme player product (Free Trial Available) and the Free Flash Player for Pocket PC from Macromedia.com

It was designed for FlashDash and has been tested on both Pocket PC 2002 and 2003 and works well on both. It has also been tested on VGA screens and is compatible.

This is fun animated theme that displays beautifully on your today screen. Especially on VGA screens.

Buy It Here, and leave your comments about it using the comments feature located at the bottom of this post.

When installing, read the README1st.txt file located inside the product zip file to avoid disappointments.

If you like this theme, don't forget to use the refer a friend link at the bottom of this post to spread the word about it.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Pocket PC Theme -- PDA Nuke FlashDash

By: The Editor

*** Free Offer Expired ***

PDA Nuke Pocket PC Theme is a unique animated theme.

It makes your today screen look nuclear powered! (continued...)

The animation shows a nuclear logo spinning back and forth. It's a simple theme with an interesting effect that is both fun and interesting.

The theme requires GigaByte Solutions FlashDash theme player product (Free Trial Available) and the Free Flash Player for Pocket PC from Macromedia.com

It was designed for FlashDash and has been tested on both Pocket PC 2002 and 2003 and works well on both. It has also been tested on VGA screens and is compatible.

This is fun animated theme that displays beautifully on your today screen. Especially on VGA screens.

Buy It Here, and leave your comments about it using the comments feature located at the bottom of this post.

When installing, read the README1st.txt file located inside the product zip file to avoid disappointments.

Don't forget to use the refer a friend link at the bottom of this post to spread the word about it.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Hot-Spots Now Number More Than 65,000 Worldwide

The United States has more hot-spots than any other nation, but London is the leading hot-spot city, a survey has found.

There are now more than 65,000 hotspots in 100 countries, according to a listing released Tuesday by wireless information and service provider JiWire. (continued...)

The United States has, by far, the largest number of hotspots with almost 27,600, according to JiWire. The U.K. is in second place with almost 10,500 hotspots and Germany is in third place with almost 6200 hotspots.

However, the individual city with the most hotspots is London, with about 1,200, according to the organization. Tokyo is second with more than 1000 hotspots and Paris is third with 771. The leading U.S. city is New York, with 545 hotspots.

Hotels and resorts are the leading venue for hotspots worldwide with almost 18,600 hotspots. About 12,400 hotspots are in restaurants and about 10,600 hotsptos are in cafes, according to JiWire.

"With Wi-Fi now in 100 countries, hotspot coverage is now available in a majority of nations around the world," Kevin McKenzie, JiWire's CEO, said in a statement. "With such explosive growth in just a few years, public Wi-Fi has truly become an integral part of the way people stay connected around the globe."

That's why, if you're considering a new PDA or an upgrade, this is a must-have option.

Save Money On Pocket PC Software

Read more!