Treo 700 PDA -- The 240x240 Dilema
Copyright 2006 Steve Bralovich
Today, many Pocket PC phones have 240x240 resolution because Windows Mobile 5.0 doesn't support 320x320 resolution and the next square screen resolution supported is 480x480.
However, when it comes to prices of touch screens, the screens with 480x480 are too expensive. So Pocket PC phone manufacturers, who wanted to use square resolution in order to accommodate a QWERTY keyboard, were forced into 240x240.
Examples of devices sporting the square screens are the HP iPaq HW6500 series, HW6900 series, Palm Treo 700w, and Fujitsu Siemens Pocket LOOX T830 Pocket PC phones. Look for some others later in 2006.
When regular Pocket PC applications and games are run, the square screens cut off the information below the 240 pixel mark. Sometimes, they do scroll but often that's not the case which means that about 25 percent of the display is missing.
The only real solution to this problem is to have software that is designed specifically to accommodate the 240x240 resolution.
Developers have begun to rework existing games and applications to work on square screen devices but a convenient list of what's currently available is a little difficult to come by.
A complete list would be impossible to write about in this article but here is a sampling of popular applications and games that are known to be 240x240 and Treo 700 ready:
Battery Pack Pro v2.1.3 View battery life, storage cards, launch apps, keep your system optimized & adjust brightness on your today page.
Egress (RSS Feeds) v2.4.2 Egress is an advanced yet easy to use application which displays your favourite RSS/ATOM feeds directly on your PocketPC. Now supports Podcasting!
Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide 2006 Instantly transform your handheld into the most up-to-date, comprehensive and reliable movie guide around
Novii Remote Deluxe v3.3 Operate your home theater, TV set, Cable/Sat box, DVD/CD, Audio, VCR, etc.
PhatNotes v4.6 PhatNotes is an award-winning notes organizer for Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PCs, Desktop PCs and Palm OS powered mobile devices.
PhatPad v3.0 Highest Rated Note-Taking Application for Windows Mobile Software Includes Customizable Toolbar, Photo Backgrounds and More
Spb Pocket Plus Task manager. Powerful Today plug-in with tabs. Close button that really closes, etc.
Spb Weather Spb Weather is a powerful weather Today plug-in. You can customize weather views, skins and weather sources. You can save your Today screen space running Spb Weather as a tab of Spb Pocket Plus 2.5+
SOTI Pocket Controller Operate your Pocket PC or Smartphone from your desktop computer, video recording,capture/print screens,skins,DOS,battery/memory usage
Sprite BackUp Sprite Backup 5.0 for Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC. The ultimate backup solution from the award winning Sprite Software Ltd
Space Reclaimer v2.5.4 The only Microsoft Certified Pocket PC cleaner. Safe and robust.
SplashID v3.32 Secure personal identification organizer for Windows Mobile Pocket PC
Games:
Atomic Cannon v2.5 Ultimate artillery duel with 85 weapons of mass destruction.
Battleship The official version of the classic Battleship naval combat game.
Bejeweled Incredibly popular and addictive online game by PopCap
Bejeweled 2 The legend has returned...and is more wildly addictive than ever before
Checkers Pro Revisit this classic and learn Flying Kings.
Chess Pro Improve your skills using unlimited hint, undo and replay.
Chuzzle Chuzzles are googly-eyed little balls of fur that giggle, squeak, and sneeze as you push them across the board.
Cribbage Pro Race to the finish with this classic.
Concrete Software?s Aces Texas Hold ?Em v1.3.1.1 Play the original, award winning Texas Holdem poker game.
Euchre Pro Master your game using detailed history and statistics.
Five Hundred Pro Improve your skills using unlimited hint, undo and replay.
Gin Pro Discard and Knock your way to win.
Hearts Pro Embrace the Queen and shoot the moon.
Jackpot Casino 3D casino with blackjack, roulette and two slot machines.
Jigsaw Powerful jigsaw puzzle for 240x240 Windows Mobile devices.
Meteor Beautiful space breakout for 240x240 Windows Mobile devices. A must for Arkanoid fans.
Motocross 3-D Mini Sports Bike Full screen motorcycle racing!Support Windows Mobile 5.0 and Square Screen.
Spades Pro Improve your skills using unlimited hint, undo and replay
Sudoku A version of the puzzle craze that's become a worldwide phenomenon.
Zuma Control the stone frog idol of the ancient Zuma in this action puzzler
For a more complete and frequently updated list see the author resource box below.
About the Author
About the author: Steve Bralovich has been a Pocket PC enthusiast and developer since the year 2000. He develops programs for numerous devices including Pocket PC phones with square screens. He has compiled a convenient and frequently updated list of popular 240x240 and Treo 700 compatible applications and games at: http://treo-700-treos.blogspot.com
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