Freeware Square (September 2008): A Monthly Roundup Of Free Software For Windows Mobile
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This month’s of Freeware Square is a rather interesting one. I cover some really useful applications; from those that help you increase productivity through text messaging (believe it or not) to those that actually hamper it (as you spend your time watching YouTube on the go). Just applications are they?
If you have an unlimited text messaging plan and want to get more out of it, PowerSMS is one such freeware that you’ll want to download. Currently in beta, it boasts many useful features that are sorely missing from Windows Mobile’s text messaging application. Just what am I talking about you ask? Here’s what I mean:
- Note to Self: Need to capture a thought or send yourself a reminder? With PowerSMS, there’s no fumbling around to type your own phone number or search for a contact.
- Group Message: Texting the same set of people over and over again? PowerSMS lets you create groups of contacts, and drastically reduces the number of clicks required to text them.
- Auto Reply: Ever ignore a phone call while you’re in a meeting or movie theater? Let PowerSMS respond to those calls automatically with a text message, thus politely letting them know when you’ll call back.
- Schedule SMS: Schedule greetings or reminders in advance. PowerSMS will automatically send the message even if you forget. Especially appreciated by loved ones.
- Cool Stats: Let PowerSMS analyze your messages and tell you interesting things like when and with whom you text the most over a given period. Just for fun or to verify your bill.
- Backup & Restore: Switching phones? Just need to get rid of old messages? PowerSMS will help you archive, transfer or export messages to your computer or to another phone.
Some really good stuff from Trinket Software. No news of whether it will be free once out of beta or not but like I say, enjoy the good times while they’re here.
- SecondToday
An aptly named application, this is one for those of you who complain about the lack of Today screen real estate. One of the things I love about Windows Mobile (and I am sure many of you agree too) is the 
Today Screen. We get to choose what kind of information we want and exactly where to place it. But what happens when you put so many on it that you have to scroll to get to the information you want? You install SecondToday that is.- That’s not the only thing is does. Notice how small your tray icons are? With SecondToday, you can now enlarge them so they’re much more finger-friendly. How useful is that? Looks like the days of the stylus are numbered!
It is is without a doubt that YouTube is a huge phenom and many devices are starting to claim support for it. Over at the Windows Mobile platform, there are a few options you can exercise to play YouTube on your device. Whether it’s through a plugin for an application or a dedicated application, the choices are there.
However, for those of you drooling over the new YouTube player in the Diamond, you don’t have to purchase a new device to enjoy it (though if you are eyeing the Diamond, by all means go and get it).
This application is not the version ripped from the Diamond ROM which has been noted to not work with QVGA devices. Instead, a kind soul,milesmowbray, over at XDA Developers Forum (bless the folks there) has answered our prayers. Just download, install and enjoy!
No, this program does not make spending money any easier though if someone did create one, I would be the first one to pay for it.
Instead, it’s a simple application that allows you to log your expenses. It’s not meant to be a full finance manager application and the author has no plans for one. So why am I recommending it?
Well for those of you who are interested to log expenses for just a certain aspect of your life (such as how much you are spending on your car or dining out), this is one such application that you’ll want on your Pocket PC.
I had used this recently when I was curious about how much I was spending on food and it was a really great tool. Nothing complicated about it. It just works!
What’s MWC you ask? It stands or Marshall Wait Cursor and what it does is something you might have once thought of doing but thought it was just too troublesome: it changes your wait cursor. Yes from that circle made up 4 quadrants of Microsoft’s color to just about anything that you want to.
So good is that it supports both VGA and QVGA and allows you to change your cursor on the fly without any complicated registry hacks. There’s even a cursor pack that you can download if the options that came with the applications bore you.
Feeling creative? Why not create your own cursor then? If you do, let us know about it.
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I always enjoy this monthly freeware article, and this month is no different with some great programs offered.
I was hesitant to install Second Today though, due to all the negative comments on the SecondToday web link listed, but still I’ll give it a try along with MWC2.
Thanks for your kind words Rico. Sometimes the negative comments are due to users trying a older version or a conflict between 2 applications. So I would recommend you give it a shot and as always, be sure to backup.
The same author who wrote Second Today wrote “Battery Status” now HomeScreen++. I haven’t had any problems with it and will be installing Second Today.
I’d recommend HomeScreen++ for those who want to track their data/voice usage etc.
Thanks for the heads up Chris. I will be sure to give HomeScreen++ a go and who knows, it might just make it to next month’s list.