INTRODUCTION:

Well I have a huge collection of software for a Pocket PC. Some are free, many I have purchased, many I no longer use, and some were just a waste of money. As a recommendation when getting ready to purchase Pocket PC software, use the Trial of that software first. I have plenty of apps that I purchased based upon a magazine, another user, or a review that I never used because they flat out sucked, I mean like a Hoover sucks. Many Pocket PC apps are just plain horrible, they don't work right and they just cause problems. Other apps just seem like they don't work right, but in reality you just have to configure them correctly, and then they make life easy (phoneAlarm anyone....). And yet some apps are so nice that you would be willing to pay more for it because of the amount it helps. So load the trail, test the software for the WHOLE trial, and then purchase. You will be happy you did, and probably save hundreds of dollars (I know I would have...). If you are worried about using a trial, do a Sprite Backup first, then load it, this way you can always revert to when you didn't have it loaded, or you can do a Hard Reset to get that fresh phone feeling...

So this list is a list of software that I use on my i730/i830. This list is divided in to two sections, purchased software and free software. I currently use Handango.com to purchase my software, just because I have been using them for years, and I like the way it works. There are other sites to use, but that's just my preference since it keeps a history of my software, as well as the registration keys.

Also when downloading the software, backup both the install file, and a copy of the registration key. This is important if you ever want to hard reset your i730/i830, as this guide is explaining. Also you will want to make sure your name is correct on the i730/i830, as many applications use your name in the registration process, and the serial number is linked to your name. This is also why I like Handango.com, they keep the registration keys and let me re-download an install file. I still keep them on my computer, and burned to a CD, just in case, but this gives me plenty of options to get the software I paid for back on my Pocket PC.

So when looking through my purchased list, don't PM me or post that I could have not bought the software because a free version exists, I don't want to hear that. I have already bought these software packages and grown to like them. If there are replacements that are free, so be it. I know these work for me, otherwise they would not be on the list. Also I have no affiliation with any of these software vendors, I am not paid by them, I have not gotten the software for free for recommending them, I paid for them out of my own pocket. Now if you know of any developers that want to pay to recommend them, let me know and I will change this statement...

This list gives a quick overview, to see more about them, click the link, or search for them on Handango.com to see a full description.

PURCHASED SOFTWARE (alphabetical - Only the ones I use):

abcDB 6.39 - This is a database application for the i730/i830. You can link Access Database files, and sync them using ActiveSync. Currently I use this to interact with my billing database so I can easily bill customers and keep track of my billable hours while on the go.

abcDB Desktop Studio 1.0 - This is an expensive application, but well worth it if you are designing database applications for a Pocket PC. I purchased it after spending a few hours trying to create a linking database on the Pocket PC and didn't get very far. After loading this Desktop Studio I was able to create the form screens and reports I needed for my Pocket PC. Was worth every penny.

Bejeweled 2 - You have to have a few games, and I can only take so much Solitare. This is an addictive game, and version 2 has a never ending game mode and puzzle mode. Right now I am on level 33 on the never ending game and normally play it when I have 5 - 10 minutes to kill.

eWallet 4.1 Professional Edition - This program keeps track of your serial numbers, passwords, credit card numbers, frequent flyer numbers, etc. I use this both for personal and work. I deal with many customers and must keep track of many passwords for different systems, and this allows me a secure way to keep track of them. This also loads a version on your computer, allowing syncing to it, and easier entry.

EZDial for WM2003SE V. 3.04SE - This program is loaded in the Phone App. It allows you to use the Phone App Screen to look up contacts by typing on the keys instead of pulling out the keyboard. So you want contact Michael, you would dial 6-4-2-4-2-3-5 on the screen, and then on the right side of the screen a list of corresponding contacts appears. This is similar to the way Smartphones work with no keyboards. I like the app, and use it occasionally as I still miss my Samsung i600, and the way it used to dial contacts instead of having to bring up the contacts program.

SBSH iLauncher 2.3.01 - I don't use the Today Screen App for this, just the tray launcher. I prefer to keep my Today Screen clear, and like the quick launching capabilities of this program, and easy setup and use.

IM+ - This is just like Trillian on the PC. You can access AIM, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber, and Google Talk with this app and communicate with people on the go. I used to use Agile Messenger, but they have started the, we are going to change monthly speech, and I decided to buy this app, which I think works much better.

phoneAlarm 1.30.03 - What can I say about this that I haven't said numerous times in the forum. This program is bar far the most useful program I have ever loaded on my i730/i830. People complain all the time, but I stand by it because, I know it works. Many people complain because they don't take the time to go through the configuration of the software, which makes it stable. So when you download my configuration file, you will see what I change. To use this, you HAVE to go through every setting to make sure they are set correct, or it can be unstable. Also the versions on this change all the time, so be aware that my config file will match the version here.

Photo Contacts Pro 4.01 - This program allows assigning of ringtones to individual contacts/groups. It lets you put a photo for the contact and replaces the incoming call screen with a full screen app. Each portion is configurable, and works very well.

PIEPlus V1.31 - This is an application that modifies the way Pocket IE works. Multiple windows, modifies the page, navigate with the D-Pad, etc.

Pocket Quicken V2.03 - Well it's name speaks for itself. It syncs with Quicken on the desktop and allows you to make entries and see what's happening with your finances.

Pocket DVD Studio 3.6 - Desktop utility that converts DVDs to a format for the Pocket PC. Each DVD has options, but roughly it's 100 MBs per hour of video. There are other converters, but this is the one I started with and still enjoy.

SPB Pocket Plus 3.0.4.1 - I don't use the Today Screen Plugin for this app, basically I have it for the battery status bar and for the close button control, as well as some Pocket IE enhancements. I am slowly leaning towards potentially using the today app, but am not right now.

FREE/DONATIONWARE SOFTWARE (alphabetical - Only the ones I use):

These applications will be included at the end of this guide, as well as a link to those software applications main pages. Once this section is up, I will link each of these to that post, until then, do a search for them, on here, or Google it.

MRailing Tools Pack V1.0 - You will see listed in the instructions of some of these free/donationware apps that it is a part of the MRailing Tools Pack. I have combined these apps in to one downloadable zip file for easy install on the i730/i830. Instructions for placing both downloading and placing this Tools Pack on your i730/i830 can be found at the bottom of this Setup Guide or by clicking the link of this title. Detailed instructions about how to use this Tools Pack will be provided in the Setup Guide.

ActiveSync 3.8 - This of course allows your computer to communicate with your i730/i830. Verison 3.8 is the latest build for Windows Mobile 2003SE, and I would suggest sticking with this version over 4.1. 4.1 is meant for Windows Mobile 5, and the 4.1 version removes some feature that 3.8 still has, namely Syncing across a network, or with WiFi. So stick with 3.8

Clean Mail - This is a utility released by the makers of Sprite Backup. Occasionally when you restore a backup your Text Message box, Outlook Mail box, or other POP/IMAP mail boxes on the phone are messed up and contain weird messages you can't delete. This application rebuilds your mail store, and resets it. You loose all of your mail on the device, and text messages, but it fixes the problem. This is part of the "MRailing i730/i830 Tools Pack".

PHM Regedit - This is a free registry editor provided by PHM. Currently their website is down (see the site), but their software is amazing stuff for being free. They really should be charging for this stuff. The registry editor is small and free, and you don't even have to install it. This is part of the "MRailing i730/i830 Tools Pack".

PhoneHelper 1.05 - Created by one of our own users "Dimension". This does a few things, one gives you a Num Lock (NumLocker) for the i730/i830, something that was missed. Another thing it does is a Double Press Caps. Meaning you quickly double press a key and it caps the letter. It also assigns a Close Dialog box (Dialog Killer) to the center d-pad (blue) button. All these settings are configurable in the PhoneHelper Configuration Utility. This utility replaces NumLocker and Dialog Killer and those apps should NOT be used. There also seems to be a conflict between this program and WiFi and Phone together Version 3 that SuperDave has released. I personally don't use the SuperDave hack, so I am not sure if it has been resolved, but my suggestion is to pick the one that you prefer and not user the other. This is part of the "MRailing i730/i830 Tools Pack".

Samsung MCCI Drivers (Tethering Drivers) - Well since none of us tether , these aren't necessary (Michael cracks a smile...). But if you were to tether you would need these drivers so your computer could recognize your i730/i830 as a modem and you could set it up for a USB DUN Connection (this is from the i730/i830 FAQ and contains the use). See also **PATH Shortcut Below.

VoiceSignal Update VSuite 2.0 Version 0157 - This is what it says, and update to VoiceSignal to fix a few issues, as well as improve VoiceSignal use of Bluetooth.

WiFi Shortcut - This is a shortcut directly to the WiFi App. If you want to remove the WiFi app from the Today Screen, then this will launch that app. This is part of the "MRailing i730/i830 Tools Pack".

(**PATH) - (**7284) - Data Connection Shortcut - This is a shortcut to directly access the Data Connection program for changing between ActiveSync Connection and USB Modem Connection. It seems that Samsung/Verizon have released an updated i730 that does not allow the **PATH dial in the Phone App to access this program, as well as the i830 does not have this ability. This shortcut allows direct access to the Data Connection Program for switching between USB Modem and ActiveSync. This is part of the "MRailing i730/i830 Tools Pack".