Panoramic Calc Pro updated to 2.0.6 for Windows Mobile Professional

Calc Pro 2.0.6 has been released. This version fixes the menu bug seen on some newer HTC devices. If 2.0.5 works correctly there is no need to update (but it won't cause problems either).

Also worth noting - Panoramic Calc Pro for Windows Mobile Standard will be ready for release in less than 1 week. The interface has been completely reworked to get the most of out of WM Smartphone controls - but all of the same power and features will be available the for non-touch screen phones.

More information on Calc Pro is available here:
http://www.panoramicsoft.com/mobileapps/calcpro/Calcpro.php

How to get Microsoft eBook reader to open lit files from the file explorer

I keep seeing posts and comments online stating that Microsoft's eBook reader for the Pocket PC is only able to open lit files (ebooks) from within the application.

This is only partially true - whoever created the installer for Microsoft Reader make a mistake when registering the file associations for .lit files.

Fortunately there is a straight forward fix and it makes life much easier if you frequently read eBooks.







First off, make sure you have the latest version installed. Grab it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/ppc.mspx

*note that latest version drops support for Pocket PC 2002

Next you'll need a registry editor for your Pocket PC. If you don't have one I recommend iSS Registry Editor (I know it works because I helped develop it). You can use the trial version for 4 days if you don't think you'll need it in the future.

Grab it here:

http://www.wireless-apps.net/desc.php?d=d1&id=220720

Install iSS Registry Editor and open it on your Pocket PC.

Navigate to

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\eBook\Shell\Open\Command

There should only be the default key - now this key is almost right - Microsoft just forgot the quotation marks

Depending on where you installed it the key will look something like
\Program Files\Microsoft Reader\msdreader.exe %1

Change it to
"\Program Files\Microsoft Reader\msdreader.exe" %1

(note the second quote goes before the %1)

Save and you're done. Microsoft eBook reader will now automatically open correctly when you launch an ebook from the File Explorer (or iSS Explorer Pro).

Panoramic BlackJack YouTube Video

A great way to check out Panoramic BlackJack for Windows Mobile Classic, Standard, & Professional.

Have a look at the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8S5AyN3FBo

For more information on BlackJack, go here:
http://www.panoramicsoft.com/mobilegames/blackjack/Blackjack.php

Panoramic Hexegems for Windows Mobile Stanard Released

Hot on the heals of BlackJack - Panoramic software has updated Panoramic Hexegems to version 1.0.1. This version fixes a handful of minor bugs but more importantly - it marks the release of Hexegems for Windows Mobile Standard.

For more information or to purchase Hexegems, go here:

http://www.panoramicsoft.com/mobilegames/hexegems/HexeGems.php

Panoramic BlackJack released for Windows Mobile

The first title from Panoramic that is compatible with both Windows Mobile Professional/Classic devices and Windows Mobile Standard phones.

Its a really great BlackJack game - we aimed to make it the best looking BlackJack game on the market as well as packing in the most features.

It supports the usual split, double, insurance and surrender options, but it also includes card counting. This of course isn't something you should do in gambling establishments but its a great way to get the edge on your buddies in a casual game.

Panoramic also goes one step further and includes a "Learn to Play" mode. After extensive research (and lots of BlackJack playing) we created an optimized strategy of play and the learn to play mode will suggest the best move based on the current player and dealer hand. Its a really great way to improve your BlackJack game. Combine it with a simple card counting routine and you can easily beat the house.

More info can be found here:

http://www.panoramicsoft.com/mobilegames/blackjack/Blackjack.php

And you can purchase BlackJack for Windows Mobile Professional or Classic here:

http://www.wireless-gaming.com/desc.php?d=d1&id=242992

And for Windows Mobile Standard (Smartphone) here:

http://www.wireless-gaming.com/desc.php?d=d2&id=243489

Calc Pro 2.0.5 for Windows Mobile Professional

Another update as we work towards releasing Calc Pro for Windows Mobile Standard devices.



This version ended up with a lot of fixes and improvements:

Reduced memory usage
Fixed bug in the Loan worksheet found on some devices
No longer saves Tape files if the save tape option is set to off
Menu works correctly on 320x320 screens (Palm Treo Pro)

It should be updated and online by the end of the day

http://www.panoramicsoft.com/
http://windowsmobilecalculator.com/

HTC Touch Diamond and its DDR Memory

Recently I was looking over the hardware specifications of the new HTC Touch Diamond and noticed that HTC is claiming the use of DDR memory.

Over the weekend I had a little free time so I created a Windows Mobile benchmark application so I could do some comparison testing. It just so happened that a colleague of mine had a Diamond on order.

I thought a fair comparison would be the Dell Axim x51v as its just about the only really usable VGA Windows Mobile device I've used.

I'll provide some benchmark numbers later this week but I'll let you know the summary now. Not surprisingly, the Dell x51v was a fair bit faster on integer and floating point calculations when compared to the HTC Touch Diamond. However, when testing memory performance the Diamond was almost twice as fast - so it appears that the HTC is making good use of the DDR memory. Now the big number - the HTC posted frame rates for normal drawing operations that were almost 3 times faster than the speedy Dell.

I should get a chance to put the Diamond through its paces but I think its fair to say it this is an excellent choice for gaming and multimedia.

Coming soon: benchmarks with the new Palm Treo Pro as well as several other windows mobile phones.