Free Software You Can't Afford To Miss

Windows Mobile has an incredibly strong community of developers offering thousands of fantastic programs. Why don't more people use third-party apps? Unlike the iPhone's App Store, Windows Mobile software is found scattered across the Web and finding them can become an exercise in frustration, especially for the new user. In addition, users hesitate to spend extra money on a device that may have already cost them hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, there's a wide variety of third-party programs that don't cost you a cent. This article looks at some excellent examples.


Manage your contacts with PocketCM


PocketCM: pocketcm.com


Touch screen only


As a mobile professional, you need to be able to store and quickly access all of your critical information, including contact names, phone numbers, e-mail and SMS addresses, and more. Outlook Mobile is a pretty bare-bones solution, but there are a number of third-party contact managers that fill in the gaps. On of the best is PocketCM, a freeware program that allows you to make phone calls and send SMS text messages without leaving the program. More importantly, the interface is fully customizable, and several extremely attractive skins are available from the developer's Web site.

View appointments and tasks with TodayAgenda


TodayAgenda: tiews.info


Touch screen only


Although Windows Mobile 6 included an improved and more useful version Outlook Mobile, it still doesn't display Calendar and Tasks info in a very useful format on the Today screen. For example, the Tasks listing only displays the number of pending Tasks, and the Calendar listing only displays appointments for the current day. 


TodayAgenda from Tiews is an incredibly useful Today screen plug-in that displays all of your Tasks, Calendar appointments, and birthdays/anniversaries directly on your Today screen. It also gives you numerous advanced features for managing this information.

Add a full-featured file explorer with Total Commander


Total Commander: ghisler.com/ce.htm


Touch and non-touch screen versions


Windows Mobile devices come with an extremely basic file explorer that's underpowered and difficult to use. Fortunately, a number of excellent third-party file explorers are available, and one of the best is freeware.


Total Commander by Ghisler includes features and options you'd find on a full-featured desktop PC file explorer, including the ability to copy and move whole subdirectories, a properties dialog and the ability to change attributes, file and directory Zip and un-Zip capability, built-in text and Registry editors, an FTP client, and more. 


Enhance your mobile Internet experience with Skyfire


Skyfire: skyfire.com