Windows Mobile accessories are like the catalogs you receive during the holiday shopping season; there are so many of them that it can be almost impossible to separate the good from the bad. Were going to help you out by looking at a few of the most useful accessories and uncovering their important benefits. Well also discuss some of the ways you can get more out of each accessory.
Protect your new screen or give new life to an old one
One of the first things I suggest adding to a new Windows Mobile device is a protective screen cover. These flexible and thin sheets of clear plastic have been around for more than a decade and adhere to the screen to provide a thin layer of anti-scratch coating. However, I've always been disappointed by the bubbles that can appear under the plastic sheet if you're not careful when you apply it. I've also found that some of these products have a resistive surface that makes writing or drawing with the stylus an unpleasant experience.
Earlier this year, I purchased a ClearTouch Crystal screen protector (Fig. 1) from the Boxwave Corporation (http://boxwave.com). The company boasts that the ClearTouch Crystal is for users that demand the ultimate in uninhibited clarity. Unlike most soft and flexible screen protectors, the ClearTouch Crystal has a firm, glass-like surface and is incredibly easy to apply.
Because the ClearTouch is not as soft as other screen protector films, it lasts longer, even with heavy stylus use. This also makes the surface great to write on, because there's even less resistance than on the actual touch screen. Your stylus will glide over the surface, and the company even claims it improves handwriting recognition. The surface is also more resistant to fingerprints than the Windows Mobile touch screen, so even those who choose to forego the stylus will still find the ClearTouch to be a valuable ally.
Fig. 1: The Boxwave ClearTouch Crystal screen protector offers superior screen readability with a smooth, fingerprint-resistant surface.
The ClearTouch screen protector is available in Crystal (which they claim's provides 99% visibility) and Anti-glare versions, starting at $6.95 for a single protector (the ClearTouch for my T-Mobile MDA was $12.95). The package includes a screen cleaning cloth and a plastic applicator tool to help remove the bubbles that appear during installation.
Get more: If you have been using your device without screen protection and have some minor scratches, installing the ClearTouch Crystal on your devices touch screen can help make it look like new. The screen protection will provide a new, smooth surface for you to glide the stylus on and keep slight damage that may have already been done from becoming worse.
Cradle your device to tidy up your desk
Having a cradle to place your Windows Mobile device in is a wonderful thing (Fig. 2). It not only protects your device, but also provides a better viewing angle to see the screen while you're sitting at your desk, while at the same time recharging the battery. Additionally, for people with other mobile devices (MP3 players, GPS receivers, other PDAs), it does away with the frustrating search for the right connectivity cable. Unfortunately, most Windows Mobile devices no longer ship with a cradle. Instead, you get a cable that provides the same functions. Sometimes, the devices manufacturer will offer optional cradles, but these can be expensive.
Fig. 2: The Boxwave cradle holds your device in an upright position and also allows you to charge the unit using its A/C power adapter while your PC is turned off.
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