We cannot respond to all letters or e-mail, but we do read them all. Please send us questions, suggestions for improvements to the magazine, ideas for new software, or general comments. All responses, unless otherwise indicated, are from Rich Hall, Editor of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine. You can reach Rich at Rich@PocketPCmag.com. This column contains e-mail from readers as may also include selected messages from the Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine forums. The content has been edited for clarity.
Will you expand to cover other mobile devices?
I have been a big fan of your magazine for many years. It has always played a big roll in which smartphone or Pocket PC I have purchased. Your reviews on third-party applications have been super as well. I am concerned right now because of my recent purchase of a new BlackBerry Curve. I know that currently, you only cover Windows Mobile devices. Will you expand so that I can get information on non-Windows Mobile devices? There are very few magazines out there that are as well put together as yours.
Marc Simmans
Marc: We may occasionally do an article on a device running another OS, especially if it's particularly newsworthy. In fact, we have a short article in this issue about a user who had to switch to a BlackBerry at work because that was the only handheld device the IT department supported. In addition, we have an article that looks at the iPhone from a business user's perspective. However, these articles will always have a tie-in to Windows Mobile (comparisons, things Microsoft could do better, etc.).
In the last five years we have watched a couple of magazines that attempted to cover a broad range of devices go out of business. We strongly believe that we need to focus on one operating system and do a good job supporting it.
Thanks for your support over the years.
Cassette adapters are the least expensive way to play music through your car stereo
I read your article titled "Play Pocket PC/Smartphone Music through Your Car Stereo" (Jun '07, page 33; online: pocketpcmag.com/_archives/Jun07/fmmod.aspx). Why go through all that expense when you can buy a cassette adapter for your device? It costs much less (about $10), it's easy to install, and you don't have to tune to an unused FM station. All you have to do is slip it into the cassette receptacle in your car stereo and plug its cable into the headphone jack on your Windows Mobile device. Then turn on the car stereo, switch it to cassette play mode, and start your music on Media Player Mobile. I use a cigarette lighter adapter to power my iPAQ Pocket PC while I'm playing music. You can get a cassette adapter at most electronics stores—I purchased mine at Radio Shack a few years ago. I have a large selection of music that I like to listen to saved to storage cards. This is the easiest way I've found to play the music through the car stereo.
Joe Leonardo
Joe: I agree with your point if the car stereo in question has a cassette player. Unfortunately, most care stereos these days come with CD players instead. If you're in the market for a car stereo, make sure you get one with an auxiliary jack on the front of the device. Then, you can buy a cable that will connect your device directly to the stereo.
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