by Frank McPherson
Osborne/McGraw-Hill, February 2002
Get the most out of your Pocket PC and all its features and capabilities with this easy-to-follow resource. You'll learn to personalize your portable device to suite both your style and a wide range of needs from business to pleasure. Use your Pocket PC to manage a wealth of information--from scheduling appointments and maintaining contact lists to tracking investments. Connect to the Internet, share data with other handheld devices, play music, download games, send instant messages, and stay on top of your e-mail wherever you go. This handy guide will show you how to be more productive and fully utilize all the functionality your Pocket PC has to offer.
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Where to Buy
This book is available at popular retail book stores such as Borders and Barnes and Noble. You can order it now, online, from the following affiliate links:
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Overview
When Microsoft launched the Pocket PC on April 19, 2000, few knew how successful it would be. There was nervous excitement because the Pocket PC sported a more efficient user interface and performance improvements, but previous handheld operating systems from Microsoft achieved little market success.
Time has shown that there was good reason to be excited, as the Pocket PC became the most successful handheld running Microsoft software to date. By the Pocket PC 2002 launch in October, 2001, the Pocket PC gained significant share of the consumer and enterprise handheld markets. The Pocket PC is now the choice for people who want the most versatile handheld to manage their personal information.
The Pocket PC is the latest in a series of hardware devices that run the Microsoft Windows CE operating system and application software. Also included in the series are the Handheld PC, Auto PC, and embedded devices. Microsoft calls the series Windows Powered devices. The combination of Windows CE and application software is known as Windows for Pocket PCs.
Pocket PCs help you interact in different ways with a variety of information. Think about all of the information that is important to you. It might be appointments, addresses, bank account balances, or documents. It might even be voice recordings, web pages, video clips, or music.
Many people have turned to personal computers to help them keep track of all this different information. But, there is a problem with personal computers. Most sit on tables and desks at home, while we need the information they contain when we are sitting in meetings or out shopping. With a Pocket PC that information can be taken out of the computer so that it is with you at any time, and anywhere. And when you return home that information can be easily updated to your personal computer.
These are incredibly powerful little devices that you can use for work and play. In How To Do Everything With Your Pocket PC I show you how to use the latest Pocket PC software to create documents and spreadsheets, check off those items on your task list, and then relax to the sounds of your favorite musician. If there is something that you want to do with a Pocket PC, this book will show you how to do it.
Part I of this book provides the information that you need to get started with your Pocket PC. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the devices that make up the Windows Powered platform to help you decide which is right for you. Then starting in Chapter 2, I walk you through the experience of setting up your Pocket PC, and in Chapter 3 you learn how to personalize your Pocket PC.
One of the first things you will want to do is move information from your personal computer into the device. Chapter 5 shows you how to connect Pocket PCs with personal computers, and in Chapter 6 you learn how to use the ActiveSync software to synchronize data so that what is stored in Microsoft Outlook on your PC, also appears in Pocket Outlook on your device. As that information changes synchronization ensures that it is the same on both the PC and Pocket PC.
Part II, called “Make The Most of Your Pocket PC” focuses on how you will use your Pocket or PC every day. You will use Pocket Outlook to manage your appointments, addresses, and tasks, and Pocket Office to create documents and spreadsheets. I also provide tips for using your Pocket PC at the office, and when you are traveling. And when you are ready for a break you can install and play one of the many games available for Pocket PCs.
The Internet has become a very important tool for retrieving and exchanging information, and Part III, “Go Online with Your Pocket PC” provides all the instructions you need to connect to and use the Internet. Pocket PCs can connect to the Internet using landline and wireless modems, and directly via local area networks. Once the connection is made you can send and receive e-mail, chat with friends using instant messaging, and browse any web site. You can download Web pages to your device so that they can be read any time, even when you are not connected to the Internet.
Part IV, “Customize Your Pocket PC” shows you how to tailor your device to suit your tastes. You can expand the storage space on Pocket PC to install software from a library of thousands of programs available on the Internet. In Chapter 23 you will learn about some of my favorite programs that you can use to expand the functionality of your Pocket PC.
A number of special elements have been added to help you get the most out of this book:
Contents at a Glance
Part 1 Getting Started
Chapter 1 Welcome to Windows for Pocket PCs
Chapter 2 Get Acquainted with Your Pocket PC
Chapter 3 Personalize Your Pocket PC
Chapter 4 Change Your Pocket PC System Settings
Chapter 5 Connect Your Pocket PC with Desktop Computers
Chapter 6 Synchronize Data with Desktop Computers
Chapter 7 Manage Your Pocket PC from Your Desktop
Part 2 Make the Most of Your Pocket PC
Chapter 8 Manage Appointments, Tasks, and Contacts
Chapter 9 Call a Friend from Your Pocket PC
Chapter 10 Create Documents with Pocket Word
Chapter 11 Crunch Numbers
Chapter 12 Manage Your Money
Chapter 13 Take Notes
Chapter 14 View Pictures and Presentations
Chapter 15 Store and Query Data
Chapter 16 Be Productive At Work
Chapter 17 Travel With Your Pocket PC
Chapter 18 Relax with Games, Music, Books, and Movies
Part 3 Go Online with Your Pocket PC
Chapter 19 Connect to the Internet with or without Wires
Chapter 20 Send and Receive E-mail
Chapter 21 Send and Receive Instant Messages
Chapter 22 Browse the Web
Part 4 Customizing Your Pocket PC
Chapter 23 Expand Your Pocket PC with Software and Hardware