Everything you need to know if you're buying Windows Mobile-related hardware or software is conveniently available online. These sites include experts to answer your buying questions; reviews of hardware, software, and accessories; eBooks, movies, other downloadable content, and much more.
This article describes some of the sites that can help you make your buying choices. Many of these sites cover both Smartphones and Pocket PCs (well note when they are specific to one or the other). Of course, there are other sites worthy of your attention. You can find a much more extensive listing on our Best Sites page (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/bestsites.asp).
Microsoft site helps prospective buyers
Microsoft's Windows Mobile site (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile) is an excellent starting point for someone considering a Windows Mobile device. The section titled What Is Windows Mobile? tells what a Windows Mobile device can do for you and contains an introduction to each of the built-in applications. The Browse and Buy Devices section gives you an overview of this family of devices, what they can do, and includes online demos of each.
News and Reviews
Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine online (http://www.pocketpcmag.com) contains archives of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine articles, including reviews of most of the devices and the major third-party applications. It has a searchable Encyclopedia of Software and Accessories (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_enc/encyclopedia.asp) and a Buyers Guide (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/bg04/ppcs.asp) that lets you compare devices (Pocket PCs,
Smartphones, Phone Editions, and Vertical/Niche Market) feature by feature. There is an extensive archive of reviews of software, hardware, and accessories. Reviews from the previous issue are posted online once the current issue is on the newsstand. The Best Software Awards page helps you identify the best titles in each software category.
Aximsite (http://www.aximsite.com) is one of the most active Windows Mobile communities, with nearly 140,000 registered users. you'll find a wealth of resources, including reviews, FAQs, and more. The site has one of the better collections of reviews of accessories and hardware peripherals for the Pocket PC. There are also over 100 reviews of applications, utilities, and games. (Pocket PC only)
MoDaCo (http://www.modaco.com) has daily news, reviews, active forums with nearly 150,000 registered users, freeware downloads, and more. The Fair Deal section (http://www.fairdeal.modaco.com/homeSoftware.asp) offers hardware and software. (Smartphone only)
CoolSmartPhone (http://www.coolsmartphone.com) has daily news, a large collection of helpful reviews, and hundreds of downloads. (Smartphone only)
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