Abstract

This article could also be called "cutting the umbilical cord" since its purpose is to show how to break the parent/baby relationship between a PC and a Pocket PC. The basic PDA philosophy is that a PDA is expected to be attached to a PC and its main purpose is to provide a portable copy of information that resides on a PC. The terms Pocket PC and PPC will be used interchangeably in this article.

One of the goals of Mobile Crossing is to provide PDA solutions that do not require a PC connection to work properly. This article lays this ground work and provides topics that will stimulate discussion in the forums.

Pocket PC Computers.

Today's Pocket PC's are capable of being full computers in their own right. They can have 400 MHz processors with 64 Meg or RAM supplemented with additional writeable ROM storage and pluggable expansion memory. They have color screens, I/O capability, and an operating system with most of the capabilities of Windows on a PC. They are more powerful than full PC's of only a few years ago.

Microsoft has relegated the PPC to a role of being a satellite to a PC. For this reason many people who don't own a Windows PC do not consider a Pocket PC as a unit they would buy. Even if they own a PC or use one at work they might not be interested in extending the functions to a portable device. Mobile Crossing units can operate fully as a navigation solution without any connection to a PC.

There is no reason why any PPC cannot be a standalone unit if supported properly. In addition there is no need to give up connectivity to get this independence. Thus, even a person who wants to use PC connectivity can use it at home and still be assured that an extended trip will not compromise this data.

ActiveSync

The main tie between a PC and a Pocket PC is ActiveSync. This program provides all of the interface functions between the two pieces of hardware. The following services for the user are performed by ActiveSync:

• It synchronizes their PIM data permitting appointments, contacts, etc. to be set one place and show up both places. Outlook is the PC application that contains the PIM data on the PC.
• It provides a method of running setup files on the PC to get files installed on the PPC.
• It maintains copies of all installation files so they can be reinstalled if needed.
• It provides a method to reinstall and remove files previously installed. (But only if they were installed via ActiveSync.)
• It maintains independent information for multiple PPC devices for some things but not PIM data. To get separate PIM data the user will need multiple logins.
• It provides a backup facility.
• It provides loop through Internet connection. With an ActiveSync connection the user can use the browser on the PPC to surf the Internet for example.
• It supports conduit applications to modify data as it is sent to the unit. This is used by Adobe to add tagging for example. It is also used to translate WORD files and EXCEL files to the native PPC format. Other applications can use conduits to provide similar services for their files.
• It provides the ability to browse the file system on the PPC and drag and drop. Drag and drop goes through the conduits.
• It syncs the clock on the PPC to the PC clock. (This service is provided via the Outlook sync)
• It will sync one directory on the PPC if desired – This is usually 'my documents'. Full sync of the entire PPC contents is not supported by ActiveSync.
• It is needed to activate the Microsoft reader. Microsoft Reader files are synced using a conduit.
• There are a few other minor things.

Doing Without ActiveSync

Without ActiveSync you can do almost everything yourself except:

1. conduit support
2. install from PC executables (but cab file install works)
3. convert database formats for files or PIM data

Mac users can use a third part tool called Missing Sync that can do some of those things. Other sync replacement programs are available for a Mac as well.

UNIX users have some support for some things but not as much as Missing Sync.

ActiveSync web browsing is identical to regular Internet support so if we can use ActiveSync we can use other techniques as well. These include a modem, a cell phone, wireless network cards, and Bluetooth.

Backups should be done to a removable card and kept in a safe place.

The reason not to use ActiveSync is that it only runs on a PC and the latest version will no longer work on older pc's requiring everyone to buy a new unit or at least upgrade their OS.

There are other techniques that can be used to mitigate most of the ActiveSync advantages, such as just downloading a cab file and installing it on the unit itself. The unit already includes a remove program.

Files may be beamed between PDA's avoiding the need to transfer them to a PC first.

The Mobile Crossing Approach

Mobile Crossing provides a fully functional navigation solution straight out of the box. The WayPoint PPC comes preloaded with navigation software and home area maps. Extra maps are available preloaded on memory cards that can just be plugged in to use them.

Should a user wish to load additional programs Mobile Crossing will make some available in a cab file format. Cab files are the native install files for Pocket PC. In addition some files will be provided as native PPC executables that do not require installation. Both of these file types can be downloaded directly to the Pocket PC either from the web site for from the supplied CDROM. By default cab files only install in RAM memory but a Mobile Crossing supplied PPC executable can be used to install them anywhere.

Documentation is provided as Adobe Acrobat files. The documentation has been pre-tagged to provide reflow on the Pocket PC. The term reflow describes the ability to reformat the information to make it easier to read on the small screen of a PPC. They can also be downloaded directly to the PDA without the use of ActiveSync conduits.

The backup function will be provided on the unit itself to enable backups to be made to a memory card which can be kept by the user permitting a restore from any location, not just back at the PC.

In addition Mobile Crossing provides Outlook and ActiveSync for users who want to use this facility. The idea is that a user can be as independent or dependent as they want to be. A trip of several weeks or forever can be taken without worrying about a computer back home.

Revison:

Initial version 2004/7/26