Windows Mobile saves the day

How one family organizes their weekend (and life) with Windows Mobile

By Rebecca Zamon

Saturday, 7:00 a.m.

There’s a persistent ringing in Rita Dobson’s ear. Groaning, she glances at the Windows Mobile-based device sitting on the night table and realizes the busy weekend has just begun.

The features you use most often are easily accessible from your Today screen.

Rising from bed, Rita wakes her husband, Graham, gets dressed and pads her way to her children’s bedrooms. Unsurprised, she finds Joel, 11, and Lisa, 8, already sitting on Joel’s bed, glued to The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

“Time to get going!” Rita announces. “Are you all packed for Joel’s swim tournament?” The kids nod, grabbing their overnight bags and hurrying downstairs to eat breakfast.

Pouring the last of the cereal, Graham shouts, “Rita, we’re out of granola — can you add it to the list?” Rita finds her grocery list and adds granola. She also double-checks her “swim tournament packing” list in Notes, and drops her device into her handbag.

“Do you have the directions?” Rita asks Graham, who nods yes and ushers the family out the front door.

Keeping on top of your to-do list is easy when it’s in the palm of your hand.

10:30 a.m.: Are we there yet?

A couple of hours into their drive, the Dobson family is lost. Graham, insisting he knew the way without directions, got off at the wrong exit and can’t find the highway again.

Flipping on the Windows Mobile-based device and using the GPS feature, Rita quickly locates their mistake and the family is directed back on the right track. In the back seat, Joel and Lisa contentedly listen to Hannah Montana on the shared headphones connected to their Windows Mobile-based smart phone.

2:12 p.m.: A win!

Joel is winning his front crawl sprint! Lisa and Rita cheer from the sidelines, while Graham finishes up a spreadsheet he needs for a Monday morning meeting. He glances up just in time to see his son come first in his heat. Graham snaps a picture with his mobile.

Use the mobile version of Microsoft Office to work on Excel, PowerPoint and Word documents.

Bookings, photos and more

“Did you confirm the hotel reservations for tonight?” Graham asks Rita. She shakes her head, checks her purse and then looks at him frantically. “I forgot the phone number!” Shrugging, Graham logs onto Internet Explorer, finds their accommodations swiftly and calls to verify their family suite.

While he’s at it, Graham uploads the pictures he’s just taken to the family’s Windows Live Spaces page. He knows his parents and sister will be checking to see how the weekend is going. A quick note (“All is well — though we’re a little nervous Joel is growing fins”!) and it’s off to dinner with the rest of the team and their families.

7:30 p.m.: Family entertainment

A chime sounds. Rita sees the reminder for her book club on Tuesday and quickly e-mails the group to confirm her attendance.

Having downloaded the book to her device, Rita knows she’ll be able to finish the remaining 150 pages. Luckily, the kids will be entertained by the movie she put into their mobile when they return to the hotel room for the night.

And Graham? She knows he’s more than happy playing solitaire long into the night.

Spreading the news

Homeward bound on Sunday at noon, the Dobsons are tired but happy, singing along to the music playing from the kids’ device. Joel has yet to stop clutching his second-place medal, despite all the pictures captured on Graham’s mobile.

The parents allow Joel and Lisa a few minutes to get in touch with their friends on MSN and check their Windows Live Spaces. They excitedly give their updates and upload the shots before heading into the house.

8:04 p.m.

Rita contentedly checks off the last item on her list (“unpack”). Patting her trusty Windows Mobile-based device, she turns off the lights, knowing that the family’s week is already well scheduled to begin the very next day.