Tips: Things you can do with your new Pocket PC 2002

The Pocket PC 2002 has a lot of new features built into it. Here are my favorites and some tips that will help you get the most out of them.

"BEAMING" DATA BETWEEN VARIOUS DEVICES

The Pocket PC 2002 (PPC 02) adds a new way to transfer data via the infrared port, via the OBEX-compliant "Beaming" feature. This lets you transfer data between the PPC 02 and cell phones or Palm OS devices or even your Windows 2000 desktop without having to add a third-party application. The PPC 02 and the various other devices automatically recognize each other and beam the data.

TIP - ­Tracking file transfer status. A receiving PPC 02 device doesn't give any indication during a large file transfer process that it is actually receiving data. You must look at the status messages on the PPC 02 that is sending the file to see that it has made connection with the receiving device and the file is transferring.

TIP -­ Receiving data from original Pocket PC. You can beam information to, and receive it from, the original Pocket PC 2000 devices. But the PPC 02 will not automatically start receiving data, like it does with OBEX. You must first access the Infrared Receive application (Start/ Programs/Infrared Receive), line up the devices, and have the user of the original Pocket PC start sending data.

TIP -­ Turn off OBEX to conserve your battery life. For OBEX to automatically start receiving data, it must be active all the time, draining your batteries. You can turn it off to increase battery life (Start/Settings/ Connections/Beam, then de-selecting the box labeled Receiving).

TIP -­ Synchronize data via an infrared connection with your desktop PC. The new PPC 02, as well as the original Pocket PC, can synchronize data with a desktop/notebook PC equipped with an infrared port. However, the feature is hard to find on the PPC 02. To initiate infrared syncing, go to the Start menu and select the built-in ActiveSync application. (If you have removed it from the Start menu, it can be found in the Programs folder). Then, select the Tools menu and tap on Connect via IR. This tip assumes that you have already set up infrared communications on your desktop PC.

CONNECTION MANAGER AUTOMATES CONNECTIVITY

Microsoft's improved Connection Manager is supposed to simplify the process of connecting to your ISP or network by centralizing and automating it. Try and let Connection Manager's new "artificial intelligence" try to figure out the correct settings for you, but be prepared if it doesn't.

TIP: Seek help if you have trouble with Connection Manager. If you have multiple connections into your network and Internet, such as wireless LAN, modem card, Infrared, phone, etc., don't spend too much time before getting online to seek help at the Microsoft newsgroups.

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TITLE BAR

Make sure to check out the improvements to the title bar. One of the most important is the new notification system. Periodically, a "message bubble" will pop up, indicating an important event (incoming e-mail, MSN Messenger message, low-battery warning, upcoming appointment, etc.). The message will include a brief description of the event ­ an e-mail message header, for example.

TIP: Toggle the clock icon between analog and digital display. As with previous Pocket PCs, a clock icon appears in the title bar. But now you can change from the default digital display to an analog (clock face) display. Simply tap and hold down on the icon, and select from the drop-down menu.

TIP: Tap the time icon to view a snapshot of the entire day. A quick tap displays a message bubble displaying the date, time, your next appointment, and power status.

TIP: Tap the new speaker icon and adjust volume. This displays a slider that lets you adjust the speaker volume, and buttons to turn it off or on. TIP: "Close" icon actually minimizes applications ­ but don't worry about it. The new "Close" icon found on the extreme right of the title bar really minimizes the application. But the new version of the operating system does a better job of intelligently closing applications whenever memory needs to be freed up. The tip here is to stop worrying about closing applications, let the operating system do it.

ACTIVESYNC 3.5 ADDS DESKTOP PASS-THROUGH