Pocket Informant 1.1 for iPhone is Coming — Looks Outstanding
Pocket Informant fans who use iPhones better get ready. Version 1.1 is coming soon and based on a preview of the new version, it looks stellar. The new version adds a lot of new features to PI:
–Configurable tasks in Month, Week, List views.–Automatic sync–Push Alarms for both events and todos–Threaded Background data generation for faster performance–Task Due dates–Calendar Filter–Mini-Text for Month View cells–More Task defualts–Rewritten settings–Send Meeting requests from within PI
If you are one of those people (like me) who simply must see things for him/herself then check out this video preview:
http://www.youtube.com/v/bZNAlUNlJHA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1
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Pocket Informant exists because Windows Mobile sucks at everything. The iPhone OS doesn’t. I don’t think many people will see the need for this.
Thats cool to have that opinion on Windows Mobile, some people like a closed platform and being told what they can and cannot do with their phone. However, some of us are more mobile savvy and like the freedom that open operating systems afford us.
I beg to differ. There are many people who rely heavily on their calendars and/or task managers and want well designed programs on their mobile devices. Unfortunately, Apple’s native calendar is quite basic at best. I have been migrating from DateBk on the old Palm platform and it is light years ahead of the Apple calendar in many, but not all, respects. PI will eventually give the iPhone/iPod Touch platform a program that meets the needs of those who are looking for a modern PDA replacement in their mobile device.
–Ken
I could not disagree more. Although the iPhone interface is pretty and enjoyable, the functionality of the inbuilt calendar application is incredibly basic. The superb power and flexibility of Pocket Informant on Windows Mobile has kept me tied to Windows Mobile for a very long time. Pocket Informant is far more useful and powerful than all the desktop equivalents.
As the functionality of the iPhone version of Pocket Informant approaches that of the Windows Mobile version, I may soon be able to enjoy the beautiful and slick iPhone interface without sacrificing the practical life management power that Pocket Informant gives me.
Excuse me?
Windows Mobile is pretty lackluster out of the box, but PocketBreeze + Pocket Informant turn my hx4700 into a PDA no iPhone or iPod touch can stand up to yet (though Pocket Informant on those devices is catching up).
Also, guess what? Apple’s default PIM suite on those devices makes Windows Mobile’s default PIM suite look good. It’s that horrible, especially looking at the Newton MessagePad 2000/2100 (still the gold standard in PIM).
Install TCPMP and/or Kinoma Play, and I can play more media formats than the iPhone or iPod touch.
Install SoftMaker Office, and I have ludicrously powerful document editing capabilities that I don’t think QuickOffice on the iPhone/iPod touch can match.
Install Opera Mobile 9.7, Iris (if you can find an install file now), Dorothy, Skyfire, or some other browser that isn’t the godawful Internet Explorer Mobile, and you have a Web browser that rivals Safari Mobile.
Install Pocket Artist, and I could do some sketching or light image editing on the go.
Install WMWifiRouter on a smartphone with both 3G and Wi-Fi, and voila! Instant Wi-Fi hotspot through your 3G connection! I have yet to see an iPhone do that.
The best part of all? I can install whatever I want WITHOUT HAVING TO JAILBREAK THE DEVICE. (And that was just a sample of WM apps!)
I’m not saying that the iPhone and iPod touch are horrible now, but they don’t give me the functionality that only Windows Mobile currently offers (albeit with a ton of third-party apps).
Then again, maybe I just don’t know what the iPod touch (iPhone is not an option for me) apps I seek are, while I already know what’s good on Windows Mobile.
That’s if they don’t refuse it for being offensive or whatever. Seriously, what would ever motivate developers to put out apps on this platform when there is no guarantee that they will accept it or refuse it after a minor update. By the way, how would you know how good or bad the IPhone is since they ban a lot of good apps that would show their weakness.
Apple Calendar is rather clunky for anyone with a significant business need for a calendar. I mean seriously, the month view on apple is weak and pedantic.