The Smartphone version of Pocket Internet Explorer is a great improvement over the Web browsers available on most cell phones because it lets you view standard Web pages rather than limiting you to the relatively rare WAP-formatted pages designed for mobile phones (Screen 4).
Screen 4 (above): Pocket Internet Explorer lets you view standard Web pages as well as WAP-formatted pages on the Smartphone.
Finally, the Smartphone version of Windows Media Player lets you listen to MP3 and WMA music files and watch videos on the small screen (Screen 5). This will help make the Smartphone appealing to the youth market. However, video and music are power-intensive applications; I would be concerned about draining the battery and then not having enough power left for an important phone call.
Screen 5 (above): Windows Media Player lets you watch videos and listen to music or audio files on your Smartphone.
Biggest market will be the enterprise
The Windows Mobile Smartphone may appeal to power users of mobile phones—the kind of person that wants a phone first, but needs (or just wants) the extra functionality of a PDA. However, I think that the biggest market for the Smartphone will be the enterprise, with custom applications installed. There are numerous business situations in which a mobile employee needs to view or enter information while he or she is away from the office. In many of these cases, navigating to find the information and entering simple responses can be accomplished with a list menu. A portable and relatively inexpensive Smartphone could handle this scenario easily. For example, when a pharmacist needs a doctor's approval for renewing a prescription, an application running on the Smartphone could allow the physician to view a synopsis of the patient's medical record and either approve or reject the request, or select from a few other alternatives such as requiring the patient to make an appointment. Microsoft's development tools and third-party middleware, such as Syware's Visual CE (www.syware.com), allow much more rapid development of such applications than is possible with competitive smartphone operating systems such as PalmOS and Symbian.
Smartphones are currently available in Europe (www.orange.com/english/forwardthinking/spvsmartphone2.asp) and should be in the U.S. by the end of the year.
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David Shier is the President of Shier Systems & Software, Inc. A former software engineer and Director of Marketing and Sales, David started Shier Systems in 1994 to focus on providing ultra-mobile computing and communications solutions including Windows CE based hardware and software. Through Shier Systems, David is available for consulting services related to mobile and wireless applications. David can be contacted via the company Web site at www.shier.com or by e-mail at [email protected].
Games Roundup
Short reviews from Games Editor, Allen Gall
More Developers on Board
Games released over the past two months show that while individual authors are still cranking out homespun titles, more major players in the game industry are creating content. EverQuest for the Pocket PC: Attack on Qeynos shows that Sony has a continued interest in developing content for Pocket PCs. Although Spawn doesn't have innovative game play, it's a step up from some of Zio Interactive's earlier titles in terms of graphics and construction. Frontier Studios, headed by designer David Braben (creator of the legendary Elite series of adventure/ strategy desktop PC games in the early 80s), has managed to create a fast, attractive, and addictive shooting game called DarXide EMP.
EverQuest for the Pocket PC: Attack on Qeynos (A)
EverQuest for the Pocket PC is the handheld version of the highly popular online adventure game released by Sony. I reviewed EverQuest Chapter I in the last issue of the magazine. Sony has now released Chapter II: Attack on Qeynos, offering new locations and more quests, some of which are secondary and not connected to the main storyline. This time you're out to find out why the city of Qeynos is being attacked by evil monsters called "gnolls."
The second installment of EverQuest for the Pocket PC offers new maps, adventures, and monsters (above).
Chapter II: Attack on Qeynos uses the same isometric (overhead scroller at an angle) interface as Chapter I, but animation is faster, and your character walks and regenerates hit points faster. You can open chests to obtain treasure, although some are booby-trapped with monsters. This is a stand-alone game (Chapter I is not required to play). However, you can import characters from Chapter I as well as create a new character from scratch (no new character types are offered). This episode doesn't break any new ground, but the game is already so absorbing that you might not notice.
For more information, visit the Sony Online Entertainment Web site (http://eqpocket.station.sony.com). EverQuest for the Pocket PC: Attack on Qeynos supports Pocket PC 2002 devices. A trial version is not available at this time, but you can download a free demo of Chapter I at the EverQuest Web site (http://eqpocket.station.sony.com/patch.jsp). The full version can be purchased for $19.99.
Spawn (A-)
Zio Interactive's Spawn is a straightforward beat-'em-up game reminiscent of some older desktop PC classics (Street Fighting Man, Robocop, and others). Based on the popular and highly stylized superhero comic of the same name, Spawn uses a 3rd-person 3D perspective to place you in the middle of a series of missions in which you achieve special objectives while collecting weapons and advancing to higher levels.
It doesn't have much depth, but the appeal of beating up bad guys still comes across in Spawn (above).
The missions are divided by animated comic book segments. During the action, the player is allowed to select Spawn's responses, which affect the progress of the game. The missions are really just about killing, and the camera is always directly behind the player, which makes combat very difficult with the jerky movement controls. You can use the stylus or the d-pad for input, but neither works very well. Unfortunately, the game is rife with spelling and grammatical errors.
The combat interface gets the job done (you push the appropriate button and Spawn attacks), but I would prefer having a wider variety of attacks available. The game has decent image quality and resolution. The levels have a variety of locales, which keep the game from being too repetitive. I can't deny that mindless violence has a certain appeal. If you can accept its flaws, Spawn manages to be an enjoyable effort.
For more information on Spawn, visit the ZIO Interactive Web site (www.ziointeractive.com). Spawn supports the original iPAQs and all Pocket PC 2002 devices. A free trial version is available; the full version can be purchased for $29.95.
Michael Schumacher Racing World Kart 2002 (A-)
Michael Schumacher Racing World Kart 2002 has a lot to offer: good graphics, realistic sound effects, challenging tracks, and decent controls, all at a very playable speed. The game's best features are its controls and realistic physics: the karts handle like the real thing, with their quick, jerky turning characteristics and tendency to spin out around sharp corners. This is an accomplishment since it's in these two areas that most racing games fail.
Michael Schumacher Racing World Kart 2002 offers a surprising amount of realism, but you'd better be a serious racing fan to do well in the game.
However, as good as it is, the game has two major problems. The first is the game's difficulty: you'd better have the skills of Schumacher himself if you want to beat the highly-skilled computer-controlled opponents. The second problem is the game's overly complex activation scheme—even Digital Rights Management (DRM) advocates would find it annoying! To copy the game to your Pocket PC you first have to run the installation program. Then you have to load the program and enter an "ID number," which creates an Inbox e-mail which is synced with Outlook on your desktop PC and then sent to the developer through an automated e-mail address. You'll then receive an "unlock code" in your e-mail, which you'll need to enter to play the game. Woe to you if you don't use Outlook on your desktop PC, or don't sync with it. And woe to you if you ever have to reinstall the game—the activation scheme works only once and you have to contact the develope
r directly to get another unlock code.
Michael Schumacher Racing World Kart2002 is probably the best racing game I've seen so far, even though it's not the most balanced or the most accessible. If you're a casual gamer, you might want to drive on by this one. But if you're a racing junkie and willing to put up with the quirks, this one might be worth a spot in your garage.
For more information, visit the Inverse Entertainment Website (www.inverse-entertainment.de/msrwppc2002/indexe.html). World Kart 2002 supports Pocket PC 2002 devices. A free trial version is available, and the full version can be purchased for $19.99.
DarXide EMP (A-)
Originally developed for the Sega 32X console platform (popular in the mid-90s), DarXide EMP offers 12 levels of increasingly difficult arcade combat. Your job is to blast asteroids and enemy ships, provide cover for friendly ships, and rescue stranded miners.
DarXide EMP is a fast, smooth, and good looking space shooter.
This isn't just an Asteroids clone, however; DarXide EMP features a fairly sophisticated interface, complete with a radar display and other bells and whistles. Player and enemy ships are fully 3D and have smooth, fluid motion. Although the game is primarily a shoot-'em-up, each level has enemies that require a different strategy to defeat. It's a simple concept, but excellent game design and top-notch graphics make DarXide a satisfying little romp.
Frontier Games founder David Braben created the legendary desktop PC game of the same name in the early 80s. For more information on DarXide EMP, visit the Frontier Games Web site (www.frontier.co.uk). DarXide EMP supports Pocket PC 2002 devices. A free trial version is available, and the full version can be purchased for $20 (note that the game is available for purchase only at the Frontier Games Web site).
Pocket C64 (B)
I like emulators—software programs that allow one computer system to run games or programs written for another. I've played with the majority of the game platform emulators available for the Pocket PC and find that most have compatibility problems. Hence, I find the idea of paying money for one questionable.
It doesn't get much more 80s than Ghostbusters, and you can relive the game, and a lot of other C64 classics, with Pocket C64 (above).
However, for the modest price of $6.95 you can get Pocket C64, a Commodore 64 emulator that is definitely a notch above most. It has a bunch of slick features, including multiple screen sizes and orientations (that you can change on the fly), support for multiple drives, and a great overlay interface that gives you access to all the functions of the program. It still has some of the quirks found in other emulators, including spotty sound reproduction and problems running certain games. But many of the original games that do run on this emulator look, sound, and play pretty well. An overhead shooter called Raid on Bungeling Bay ran quite nicely. With a slew of features and free upgrades, this one will be a worthwhile investment for Commodore 64 nostalgia buffs.
For more information about Pocket C64, visit the Clickgamer Web site(www.clickgamer.com). Pocket C64 supports all Pocket PCs. A free trial version is available, and the full version can be purchased for $6.95.
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Where to Get These Games
Unless otherwise noted, games mentioned in this column are available at the following Web sites:
Handango (www.handango.com)
PocketGear (www.pocketgear.com)
Many games are also available at the developer's Web site (check the end of each review for developer information, supported devices, and prices).
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Gaming News
Recently, a member of the Norwegian Parliament, apparently bored during a session focusing on a debate of the Iraq situation, decided to make a little war of his own. The politician was caught playing a copy of Zio Interactive's shooter Metalion on his iPAQ 3900. Although embarrassing, those of us who've ever fired up our Pocket PCs during a dull meeting can definitely sympathize.
Norwegian Parliament member is caught playing Metalion (above).
As you've probably heard, Pocket PC magazine has officially launched an online forum for people to discuss news and articles from the magazine. In the Games Central discussion board, you can discuss anything related to Pocket PC gaming, including anything mentioned in this column. It's a great way to talk about what's new in gaming and share tips and tricks with other users. If you haven't already, sign up for a free account at www.PocketPCmag.com/ forum and check it out.
Some of you have already signed up for my gaming newsletter, The Week in Games. Each and every week, I briefly talk about a couple of games and share any interesting news items I have. In the future, I'll ask for reader input about what makes a good game and what you'd like to see in the future. Sign up if you haven't already (www.PocketPCmag.com/newsletter.asp).
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Other New Games
Coconut Island (A-)
Against a well-conceived island backdrop, Clickgamer's Coconut Island entertains you with three simple games: Coconut 4 (a clone of the popular puzzle game, Connect 4), SlingShot (a target shooting game), and Fruits Ahoy (in which you capture falling objects). You can play the games individually, or together in a tournament mode.
SlingShot, one of the three games offered in Coconut Island, is fast-paced and fun (above).
For more information on Coconut Island, visit the Click gamer Website (www.clickgamer.com). Coconut Island supports all Pocket PCs. A free trial version is available, and the full version can be purchased for $8.95.
Flip It! (B+)
Not quite a game, this Douglas Beck effort is a neat novelty: an electronic doodle pad that allows you to make frame-by-frame animations.
For more information about Flip It, visit the Digital Cocepts Web Site at (www.dig-concepts.com). Flip It! supports all Pocket PCs (except the Jornada) and all Pocket PC 2002 devices. A free trial version is available, and the full version can be purchased for $4.99
Flip it! is your personal digital sketch pad (above)
Counter Sheep
It's overhead view doesn't offer the stategic options of Snals or Battle Dwarves, but this unusual shooter is still a lot of fun.
For more information about Counter Sheep, visit the OzCreations Web site (www.ozcreations.com). Counter Sheep supports Pocket PCs (except the Jornada) and Pocket PC 2002 devices. A free trial version is available, and the full version can be purchased for $9.95.
While harder to play and not as much fun as Snails, Counter Sheep is still a decent shooting game (above).
Warbirds (B+)
The controls on this one are a bit flawed—you have to constantly press buttons and tap on the screen to keep the game moving. However, this clone of Joust (a game in which you "jousted" other birds by tapping them from the front or top, and collected their eggs) comes fairly close to recreating the appeal of the original.
If you can get past the difficult controls, Warbirds is a terrific Joust clone (above).
For more information about Warbirds, visit the Digital concepts Web site at (www.dig-concepts.com) Warbirds supports all Pocket PCs (except the Jornada) and all Pocket PC 2002 devices. A free trial version is available, and the full version can be purchased for $12.99.
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Allen Gall is from the Central Illinois area and holds a Master of Arts in English from Bradley University. He has worked as a Web content writer, a developer of e-learning courses, and a technical editor for one of the world's largest insurance companies. His interests range from classic literature to computer hardware and videogame consoles. His main interests in PDAs include gaming (of course), e-books, and wireless connectivity. Allen is always interested in reviewing and testing new games and products for the Pocket PC platform. You can reach him at [email protected].
Comments from Pocket PC Awards Judges on Travel Software
Our 38 expert judges for the Pocket PC Awards had plenty to say about the 438 products they judged. In this issue we are publishing their comments on travel-related programs. The purpose of pu
blishing experts' comments is to give insights about a variety of products, not to show how the judges voted. (The winners and finalists in the 2002 Pocket PC Awards can be found on our Web site (www.PocketPCmag.com/jan03/winners.asp). For the sake of brevity, we've included only one judge's comment per product, and we've edited each down to its essence.
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Guides
Jeff McKean
www.tesseractseattle.com
Vindigo (www.vindigo.com) gives details about restaurants, theaters, bars, clubs, stores, and other places of interest in major cities. I have completely navigated New York City using Vindigo and would not even think of leaving it off my device. Content is high quality, constantly updated, and useful. Downloading this content is relatively painless. Vindigo was originally released for the Palm OS and helped drive sales of that device. The fact that a Pocket PC version is available will help make switching from Palm to Pocket PC easier.
Pocket PC Magazine, November '03 Page 6
