Reviews & Editorials

Welcome to the reviews section. Here you can find an archive of reviews and editorials written by HPC Factor staff, guest writers and community members. Check back often for new Handheld PC related reviews and articles.

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Artwork Index

A picture is worth a thousand words; and it is that picture which often is the first impression any user has of a review or editorial here on the site. Take a trip back over the last few years of home page featurette graphics here in our Artwork Index.

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Recent Editorials

Whatever happened to customer service for Handheld PC owners?
They say it is hard to find customer service in 2007, but is it even harder if you are a Handheld PC owner? John Ottini explains why H/PC users are suffering the raw end of the service deal, and begrudgingly accepting it - John Ottini

HPC:Factor Top-10 of 2006-2007
In our annual celebration of all things Handheld PC, Clinton Fitch shares his Top-10 Software applications for the Handheld PC for the year gone by - Clinton Fitch

Is the Handheld PC Anti-Virus?
Security, Security, Security. The three S's of almost any form of personal computing in the 21st century. For mobile device users the concept of device security amongst the cacophony of security alerts, scares and best intended advice is almost nonexistent. So where in reality does the Handheld PC stand, and should you be worried? We take a comprehensive look at where Windows CE stands in terms of security, and ask is the H/PC really anti-virus? - Chris Tilley

It's Time for Mobile Office Applications to Go
It is a rather bold statement, one that is especially easy to dismiss out of hand. Should Windows embedded devices continue to ship with Mobile editions of Microsoft Office? Is there a better way? and, is the Pocket Office suite even relevant? - Clinton Fitch

The sad truth about Handheld and Pocket PC's
As Microsoft slowly tightens its stranglehold on the PDA world, but yet struggles to make a profit from it's Windows Mobile consumer division. John Ottini throws caution to the wind and asks the question: "Do people really care for PDA's?" - John Ottini

Is Windows CE a Choice or a Lifestyle?
To some the Handheld PC is a godsend, and to others nothing more than a quaint museum toys, as legacy of a bygone age, to which more often than not they were never a part of. To those of us who diligently remain within the community do we accept the problems that we experience day to day simply as a choice, or is it more apt to see it as a way of life? - Julio Ortiz

Serial Dilemma. What are your options without a Serial Cable?
Increasingly Handheld PC users on the second hand market are unable to obtain the de facto serial cable. The inclusion of a serial cable in new computers is already an uncertainty, so if you find yourself in a similar situation, what exactly can you do? - Chris Tilley

x86 Emulation makes it to the H/PC
The Windows Mobile companion device has always afforded its users the ability to take the desktop, or at least compact parts of it out on the road. Now with a new emulation environment it's possible to take the entire desktop with you on the companion. But is it really all it's cracked up to be? - Chris Tilley

Are you a prisoner of the unlock code?
Have you purchased software only to become unstuck once the developers support cycle comes to an abrupt, unexpected end? - John Ottini

John Ottini's Top 10 List (2004)
Our seasonal feature. This year community lead John Ottini runs through the Top 10 applications he has been using in 2004 - John Ottini

Windows Media Player 10 Preview
Windows Media Player host connectivity has fallen by the wayside recently. Does the new Windows XP Player change anything?- Chris Tilley

Protecting your Handheld PC
Handheld PC devices represent a considerable investment. So what can be done to protect our cherished companions. - Clinton Fitch

A users view of the community
Wrapping up our series on the state of the community. Jake Fisher discusses the Handheld PC from his perspective - Jake Fisher

Reality Bites
John Ottini discusses his surprise at Handango's decision to phase out support for Windows CE Handheld PC applications.

The More Things Change
John Ottini replies to the recent commentary on the state of the Handheld PC community - John Ottini

On The Road!
Have you ever found yourself on the Road and needed to send files or Print when you didn't have your cables. We may have some old-hat solutions - Jake Fisher

State of the community
In reply to Clinton Fitch's article on what is going wrong in the H/PC community we add our two cents to the issues raised by Clinton - Chris Tilley

Messenger Madness
Two months after we first announced the lock-down that would see H/PC users left in IM limbo. We look back on what's happened so far - Chris Tilley

Do you love your H/PC or not?
Following recent events and the relentless armchair beration of the platform. Clinton Fitch asks who is really to blame for the current situation - Clinton Fitch

John Ottini's Top 10 List (2003)
Reviewer and support guru John Ottini spills the beans over his 10 favourite H/PC applications - John Ottini

Beginning of the H/PC - Wallet PC
The origins of the Handheld PC lie in the Microsoft Concept of a Wallet PC, we take a look - Chris Tilley

Windows Mobile H/PC 2003 ?
Can the Pocket PC save the Handheld PC? Windows Mobile Handheld PC 2003 - Chris Tilley

Clinton's Top 10 List (2002)
Ever wondered what a H/PC reviewer gets up to on his H/PC? Clinton Fitch tells us his top 10 applications - Clinton Fitch

Windows CE 4.1 First Look
Windows CE .net 4.1 on the Handheld PC First Look - Chris Tilley

Building High. Watch your numbers!
Microsoft release ActiveSync 3.5 - Chris Tilley

Office XP and Windows CE Compatibility
Will Office XP support the HPC? - Chris Tilley

Its those Pocket PC's Again...
Gripe. Microsoft Updates Mobile Site, just not the HPC site - Chris Tilley