Panoramic Launch Pad updated to 1.2.0

Panoramic has been almost flooded with feature requests for this new product and some of them have made it into the new version of Launch Pad.

Version 1.2.0 has a few new key features:

• proper keyboard support on the Programs and Settings view
• keyboard support when adding Programs or Settings to the Favorites view
• "Bounce" effect added to all of the scrolling menus (just for fun)
• minor memory optimizations

Go to http://www.panoramicsoft.com/ for more information and to get the latest version

Panoramic Phone Genius and Contacts Genius updated to v 1.6.0

Both of these titles from Panoramic Software have been updated to version 1.6.0

Several minor bug fixes were made to Contacts Genius (which is included in Phone Genius). The big fix is the ability to display contacts without names that only have a business name defined.

A "Bounce" effect has also been added to the scrolling menus and lists.

Go to www.panoramicsoft.com for more information

Calc Pro updated to 2.7.6

Yes, yet another update to Panoramic Calc Pro. There have been quite a few updates recently, and that is mostly due to user feedback.

A small bug was spotted when entering constants in RPN mode, it would add the previous value to stack twice - that has now been fixed.

Two new conversions have been added to the Torque Unit converter "km cm" and "g cm".

And a bug has been fixed that corrects some currency symbols not showing up in the Currency Converter on traditional Chinese devices.


This new version probably doesn't contain anything for the average user but if you're like me you want to have the latest version installed anyways - so head over to www.panoramicsoft.com

Trivial Pursuit Digital Choice

I've been playing Trivial Pursuit off and on for a few years now and I finally got tired of trying to answer questions that were all at least 10 years old. I went to the store and the only new version of game I could find was "Trivial Pursuit Digital Choice". And I'll be honest, had there been the normal version I still probably would have bought the one with the electronic gizmo.

The game comes with a full size board, and all of the usual player pieces, the only difference is the electronic device that you use in place of the trivia cards (which you can see sitting above the PSP 1001).



The device comes with 12 sets of 50 questions that cover the basic Trivial Pursuit categories. You can also go to their website and download other question packs - which are well organized and spread across a huge range of interests/categories.

The bad:

• the device is cheaply made
• is not intuitive to use - it'll take some time before you're comfortable with it
• its cumbersome to set up custom games
• the back light turns off very quickly

The good:

• it holds 2000 questions across multiple categories
• its very easy to add new questions from the website
• battery life is excellent
• it tells you when you've used up all of the questions in a category
• allows for quick games where the question packs are randomly selected

I personally still prefer playing with the standard cards - there's just something strange about passing around the bulky, plastic device. And its far easier to flip over a card than press several buttons to get to a question.

Overall though I'd still recommend it simply for the huge selection and variety of questions.

http://www.hasbro.com/trivialpursuit/

Panoramic Launch Pad and Calc Pro updates released today

Calc Pro has been updated to 2.7.5 - this is a very minor update. It corrects the display bug when entering 0s after a decimal (they weren't showing up in previous versions). Please note, this bug only affected the display and not the accuracy of Calc Pro.

The bigger news is the update to Launch Pad. Panoramic had a great response to the release of Launch Pad as well as a flood of user suggestions. This version addresses some of those:

• Launch Pad minimizes when shown if you tap the Start Menu Icon
• Launch Pad minimizes when shown if Launch Pad is mapped to a hardware button
• Favorites have been improved when switching between landscape and portrait
• Loading time has been improved on first use
• Added option to remove section headings on the Settings list
• Minor optimizations to use less space and memory

Grab them both from http://www.panoramicsoft.com

Panoramic Launch Pad updated to 1.1.2

Another minor update to Panoramic Launch Pad

This version contains several bug fixes:

• Programs list properly updates when applications are installed or removed
• Improved behavior when un-installing Launch Pad

As well, several new "Favorites" labels have been added to compliment the ability to add files and folders to the Favorites screen.

Go to www.panoramicsoft.com for more information

Panoramic Phone Genius updated to 1.5.1 and gets a new low price

Panoramic Phone Genius has been updated to version 1.5.1 and this is the version to get. Almost all aspects of the software have been reviewed and tweaked and as a result, the new version is even more responsive and very stable.

But the big news is the 20% price drop. As well, Panoramic Contacts Genius and Area Code Genius are both going on sale.

Head to www.panoramicsoft.com for more information.

Panoramic Calc Pro 2.7.4 released

Calc Pro has received yet another update. Most of the updates came from user requests - thank you again to everyone that has taken the time to e-mail.

Changes/Updates in 2.7.4:

One big change in this version for R.P.N. users. Calc Pro will now change all appropriate calculators to R.P.N. labelling for buttons (ie "Enter" instead of "="). It will also replace the left and right brackets with stack manipulation buttons.

• added the ability to update the currencies from the file menu



• added Reaumur to temperature conversions



• fixed "Quiet" sound setting for the worksheets



• fixed text spacing on wide screen devices (specifically "Reset" in the worksheets)



• fixed the Menu selector for the Scientific calculator when in RPN mode



• increased the size of the Menu text for 320x320 (128 dpi) devices



• increased the size of the button text in the converters for square screen devices



• other minor layout adjustments

For updates, purchasing, or further information, please visit http://www.windowsmobilecalculator.com/

Panoramic Software releases 3 new Calculators

Realizing that not everyone needs the "Swiss army knife" like feature set of Calc Pro, Panoramic has released three lower priced calculator applications.

Panoramic Converter Pro contains the same powerful unit and currency conversions of Calc Pro for about 1/3 of the cost of Calc Pro.

http://www.panoramicsoft.com/mobileapps/converterpro/ConverterPro.php

Panoramic Scientific Calc contains the Scientific, Graphing, Base Conversion and Constants calculators from Calc Pro for about 1/2 of the price.

http://www.panoramicsoft.com/mobileapps/scicalc/SciCalc.php

And finally, Panoramic Financial Calc contains the Financial and Statistics calculators, again at about 1/2 of the cost.

http://www.panoramicsoft.com/mobileapps/financialcalc/FinancialCalc.php

All of the products in the Panoramic calculator family share a common code base, meaning the any updates or fixes will be applied to all five calculator products.

Also worth noting, if you buy the three newly released calculators individually, Panoramic will allow you to upgrade to Calc Pro free of charge. Simply request the upgrade at http://www.panoramicsoft.com/

Which is also an excellent place to find additional information or to purchase any of the Panoramic calculators.

Panoramic Software releases Launch Pad for Windows Mobile Professional & Standard

Panoramic Launch Pad started its life as a companion application for Panoramic Phone Manager. It was eventually decided that although it matched nicely with the look and feel, it didn't really fit with what we wanted to acheive with Phone Manager. So it was used interally for a while until we realized it was a really useful utility all on its own.

So it was polished up, giving a catchy title and Launch Pad 1.0.0 was released. Shortly afterwards, it became apparent that it could be improved, and Launch Pad 1.1.1 was released earlier today.

Description:

"Panoramic LaunchPad allows you the freedom to easily access your Windows Mobile applications, settings, files and folders with your finger tips. Flip between two customizable favorite screens for quick access to your most frequently used items. An easy to use touch kinetic scroll menu allows you to find the Program or device Setting you are looking for in seconds. "





Improvements in 1.1.1:

Ability to add files or folders to the favorites
Ability to change the titles of the two favorites sections
Improved labels on the favorites
Cleaner uninstallation
Better support for 320x320 devices
A few other minor tweaks

You can grab the latest version here:
http://www.panoramicsoft.com/mobileapps/launchpad/LaunchPad.php

I am a Windows Mobile Specialist

I came across a certification that Microsoft gives out called a "Windows Mobile Specialist".

It sounded like the type of certification I should have so I looked into it further. The entire course it available online and can be completed in a couple of hours. If you know the material before hand it can be done in less (during your lunch break for example).

It does require you to know Windows Mobile fairly well but its not difficult. The course is really aimed at retailers to ensure they know the products but any good mobile junkie might as well get the certification. If nothing else it gives you a small amount of credibility when giving advice on your blog ;)

Start here:

http://www.windowsmobiletraining.com/

Update* I'm now also a "Windows Mobile Small Business Retail Specialist". Perhaps I switch retail.

Calc Pro 2.7.2 & 2.7.3 Released

We have new releases of Panoramic Calc Pro. 2.7.3 was releases immediately after 2.7.2 and fixes a bug with Calc Pro's application icon. Its not an essential update but you'll probably want it for ascetic reasons.

2.7.2 contains some major updates, however these new features and updates probably won't be used by most of our users (my self included).

Better handling of inputting and calculating values in Degrees/Minutes/Seconds. As you can see in the screenshot, Calc Pro will now properly format and handle values in DMS. Numbers can easily be converted between decimal and degrees from the Scientific calculator.

Multi line display for the R.P.N. calculator mode. As you can see in the screenshot we now show two lines of the stack instead of one. For owners of wide screen devices - you'll see 3 lines of the stack when your calculator is in portrait mode.

Better viewing of the RPN stack. You can tap on the low right area of the display to show the values currently in the stack. Its now displayed in a finger friendly list instead of simple message window.

Added Base3, 4, 5, & 12 support the Base Conversions calculator. This is mostly of academic interest but it doesn't take away from any of the other features so we felt it was a worthy addition.

Added the ability to save images of the graph from the graph screen (2.7.1). Also added the ability to chose the name and location of the bitmap to be saved.

Increased the spacing on the menus for wide screen devices in portrait mode to make them easier to use with your fingers.

And as usual we've continued to make minor improvements in the calculator logic and with the button layouts.


Grab the latest version here:
http://www.windowsmobilecalculator.com/