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Pocket Launcher 3.0 released January 23, 2007 [General] | By Edward J. R. Nice application launcher with tabbed user interface! Information from the software vendor follows. * * * * * Conduits Technologies, Inc. Releases Pocket Launcher 3.0 for Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone Conduits Technologies, Inc. announced the release of Pocket Launcher 3.0, a customizable application launcher that improves upon the device's built-in program launcher with a tab-based categorization system that is expandable to a user's needs, and adaptable to a user's tastes. Pocket Launcher runs on all Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC and Smartphone devices, as well as Pocket PC 2002, Pocket PC 2003, Smartphone 2002, and Smartphone 2003 devices. Pocket Launcher integrates a collection of large, icon-based lists of applications that are installed on a device. Icons represent their respective applications, and when tapped once, the application is launched. The list of icon shortcuts and categories is initially taken from your current layout of the Programs screen, and then copied to another place so that Pocket Launcher can use the shortcut. Pocket Launcher also links a tab to the My Documents folder, providing quick access to your documents from within the program. You can navigate into sub-folders and add tabs that link to any other folder on the device. Version 3 improves upon previous releases by way of hardware compatibility, integration with the device, and new tabbing features. DEVICE/HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY Pocket Launcher 3.0 marks the debut of the application for the Smartphone platform. Instead of using a strip of tabs along the bottom (which is still accessible), you can use the softkeys on the Smartphone to navigate to different tabs. The "1" through "9" keys will launch whichever application is listed onscreen in that position. The "0" key pops up a quicklist of all tabs. For Pocket PC devices with softkeys, they are now integrated to move to the previous or next tab in Pocket Launcher. Devices with scroll wheels, such as the HTC Hermes or Motorola Q, function properly with Pocket Launcher; the wheel scrolls through all icons onscreen, advancing to the next tab when necessary. For devices with keyboards, typing a few letters will pop up an auto-generated quick list of all shortcuts that match the entered text. For example, typing in 'so' will include links to Solitaire; typing 'me' will include links to Messaging and Windows Media. This "search-as-you-type" feature will also search your document filenames as well and include them in the list. DEVICE INTEGRATION Version 3 improves on the Start/Programs integration with the device. On the Pocket PC, you can "bind" Pocket Launcher to pop up whenever you tap on the Start bar at the top of the screen, or have Pocket Launcher replace the standard Programs screen by binding it to the Programs menu. On a Smartphone, a similiar feature is in place; you can bind Pocket Launcher to the "Start" softkey on your Home screen. Pocket Launcher now features an integrated Tasks manager, for easily closing down applications that you are not using, if so desired. The Tasks tab allows you to switch to a running application, close it, or close all applications from Pocket Launcher. Version 3 also adds a "Recently Run" tab, where applications that have been recently run will show up. NEW TABBING FEATURES The visual display of the tabs has also been improved in version 3. The new "squeeze" mode can display four columns of large icons on Pocket PC or Smartphone, allowing for more links onscreen at once. As previously described, new tabs can also be linked to folder contents. By way of the Add Tab - Link To command, a tab can be a virtual File Explorer on your device. The 'Today' tab, first introduced in Pocket Launcher 2, has been improved. The tab now functions on Smartphone devices, and can now send keypresses to the Today screen. This allows you to never leave Pocket Launcher; the Today/Home screen can show up as a tab, and items can be selected on it with the stylus (for Pocket PC) or keypad (for Smartphone). Pocket Launcher is also up-to-date with the latest trends in Pocket PC designs. The program fully supports VGA modes on the Pocket PC, supports Landscape Smartphone devices, and is DPI aware. Pocket Launcher 3.0 is available as a commercial demo from http://www.conduits.com/products/launcher, where you can download and evaluate it for 20 days. Pocket Launcher 3.0 is available for $9.95. Original source of this story is here.  Post your comment (free registration is required to post, but if you register you can edit your posts later)
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