Alternatives to Pocket Internet Explorer

Only about two years late, browsing on a Windows Mobile device is finally seeing some improvement… I mean c’mon… the iPhone has been out for over a year!  What took so long!!?

Below are two alternatives to the included Pocket I.E. that I use in tandem, each with its own purpose:

Opera Mobile 9.5 beta 2 – Internet Browser

OVERVIEW: Probably the best way to view the internet on a Windows Mobile device.

PROS: Nicely allows full web pages to be viewed as they would on a desktop with zoom capabilities that respond quickly. The large buttons and icons are easily used with either a stylus or a finger.

CONS: Does not support some of the new media formats found on the internet, such as FLASH (YouTube), out of the box; a FLASH plugin may be available.

[Info]
[Download]

SkyFire – Internet Browser

OVERVIEW: Only good for one thing – viewing FLASH.

PROS: Allows video on the web such as FLASH (YouTube) to finally to be viewed, easily, on a Windows Mobile device.

CONS: Everything else you could think of.

[Download]

Blogging on a PocketPC

Those looking to blog via a PocketPC need look no further than moBlog.

moBlog is a .NET Compact Framework (.NETCF) 2.0 dependent application. Hence you will need to have .NETCF 2.0, which is a free download from Microsoft installed on your device. You can download .NETCF 2.0 here. It will work on any Windows Mobile 2003 / Windows Mobile 5.0 (WM5) / Windows Mobile 6.0 (WM6) devices.

moBlog currently supports Blogger, WordPress.com and Live Spaces with support for LiveJournal and MovableType/TypePad in the works.

Turn off AT&T Data Access

The 8525 is set by default to connect to AT&T’s data service when you try to access the internet, sometimes even if WiFi is turned on and available – enter MoDaCo NoData.

NoData easily toggles AT&T ’s MEdia Net capability on and off.  With MEdia net access disabled the 8525 will not be able to connect to AT&T’s data network and therefore will not incur data charges by accident. Doing so seems to have no effect on text messages but does seem to prevent MMS messages from being recieved.

This application also gives you the option to disable what it calls “My ISP GPRS” which I have had no reason use or to test.

This post links to a .cab file that can be downloaded and installed directly onto the 8525, no computer needed.

Google Maps – Almost As Good As GPS

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Google Maps is the one application on my 8525 that I couldn’t live without, but, doing so would certainly be a bummer.

See your location on the map, with or without GPS. Save time and tedious keystrokes finding where you are, what’s around you, and how to get there…

The My Location feature takes information broadcast from mobile towers near you to approximate your current location on the map – it’s not GPS, but it comes pretty close (approximately 1000m close, on average).

Turn on your 8525’s Wifi or use access AT&T’s data network if there aren’t any free hotspots around and let Google Maps show you how to get to where you need to go next.

This post links to a .cab file that can be downloaded and installed directly onto the 8525, no computer needed.

A Better Picture Viewer

Windows Mobile comes with the most basic of picture viewers. Do yourself a favor and get a better one – a good option would be Resco Photo Viewer. It creates a great slideshow of the pictures on your Pocket PC with only a few clicks.  A free 7-day trial is available.

For more bang for your buck, consider their Utility Package which includes Resco Explorer.

A Better File Explorer

Windows Mobile comes with the most basic of file explorers. Do yourself a favor and get a better one – a good option would be Resco File Explorer. I’ve used this program for years and have no complaints. A free 7-day trial is available.

For more bang for your buck, consider their Utility Package which includes Resco Photo Viewer.

Mobile RSS Reader

I don’t know how I would survive without Google Reader on my PC, but when it comes to reading the news on my 8525, Google Reader via Pocket IE (Internet Explorer) gets the job done but leaves a lot to be desired. Currently I am looking for something that works better. Any suggestions?

When it comes to a good RSS reader for downloading enclosures (i.e. podcasts) directly to the 8525 I use a different RSS reader: NewsBreak by iliumsoft. Works great but isn’t cheap = $19.95 but there is a free trial.