Saving time and money the Windows Mobile way |
| | I’m using the Palm Treo Pro, running Windows Mobile 6.1 with service from Sprint. And it’s knocking my socks off. |
| Getting more done | I’ve recently made the step up from a regular not-too-smart phone to a Windows Mobile phone. And I’m impressed by the time and money that I’m saving. The gadget enthusiast in me is thrilled by all the neat features that the phone has, while the busy mom in me is overjoyed at the time I’m saving. I had no idea of all the ways that my life was going to become easier, but I’m quickly finding out—and even beginning to take for granted—how I can make use of my Treo throughout the course of a normal day. Here are some excerpts from my day that might give you an idea of the great things your Windows Mobile phone can do for you.
Take today for example….
9:30 A.M.
Just this morning, I used several of the Windows Mobile phone functions to do as much work while waiting
for a dentist appointment as I would have done in the office, eliminating that sinking feeling that I was
missing something and would have to log additional hours at home this evening to catch up. Instead, even
though I had officially taken today off, I checked my e-mail and responded to staff and client issues
immediately. Not only that, but I was able to browse the web and find a great jogging stroller on craigslist—
the kind that usually gets snapped up in a few minutes. Between the time that the receptionist ushered me
into the dentist’s chair and when the dentist arrived, I dashed off a quick note to the owner of the stroller to
let her know I was interested.
Using the e-mail feature couldn’t have been easier. Although the exact steps can vary from phone to phone,
all Windows Mobile phones have a messaging feature that lets you establish up to seven e-mail accounts.
Some phones have a Getting Started Center where you can access the Messaging menu, but if your phone
doesn't have a Getting Started Center, just click or tap
Start > Programs > Messaging. On most phones,
the Messaging screen looks something like this: |
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 Windows Mobile Messaging screen |
You can modify your device to alert you to incoming e-mail in a number of different ways. But by default, you’ll see the accounts that have new messages awaiting your attention on the Today screen. |
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 Windows Mobile Today screen |
The Today screen also shows you if you’ve missed any calls. As it turns out, when I was getting numb in the dentist’s chair, I did miss a call from the seller of the jogging stroller that I’m eager to get my hands on (and my kid in). But not to worry, it had only been a couple of minutes and I was able to contact her very quickly. |
| First out of the gate! | 11:45 A.M.
Using Call History (Phone > Menu > Call History), I called the seller back immediately and, despite my numb tongue, made arrangements to purchase the stroller for a fraction of its retail price. It’s not that I know the prices off the top of my head; the seller was kind enough to send me several MMS messages with pictures of the stroller, and I used my phone to quickly get online (Start > Internet Explorer > MSN Shopping) and verify that the price that I was offering was a fair one. |
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 Using Call History on a Windows Mobile phone |
12:30 P.M.
But I still had to get to the seller’s house from the dentist’s office. Because I didn’t have a chance to ask for
directions while I was on the phone with her, I turned once again to the Treo for assistance.
On the Start menu, I tapped Internet Explorer, and then I used Windows Live Search Maps to get exact directions to my destination. |
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 MSN Live Search directions on a Windows Mobile phone |
Within 20 minutes, I was taking the jogging stroller for a quick spin around the block to make sure it really was the right one for me. My transaction complete, I quickly consulted the Treo about traffic-free routes home before setting out on the road again.
Using either the phone’s keyboard or the touch-screen keyboard, I can enter the URL of the traffic site I want to use. I can also use Windows Live to find traffic information. (It’s nice that MSN is optimized for mobile devices; non-optimized sites can be a bit harder to navigate.) |
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 Map view on MSN Live Search |
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In today’s uncertain economic climate, I’m tracking all my purchases, no matter how small—including gently used, second-hand strollers. My new phone made even this tedious job a breeze with an application specifically designed for the task. I’m using PocketKeeper by Mobiward. This personal finance management program helps me keep track of my daily out-of-pocket expenditures. With password protection and a free PC companion program, PocketKeeper sheds light on my spending habits and helps me budget. I could also have used Microsoft Office Excel Mobile, which comes installed on my Windows Mobile phone with Office Mobile.
(For more Windows Mobile applications, check out this article: Tracking life’s details with Windows Mobile.) |
| Home sweet home |
2:00 P.M.
I managed to skirt the major delays of bumper-to-bumper traffic, thanks again to my very handy Windows
Mobile phone, which is quickly becoming my most indispensible tool. About this time, the numbness had
completely worn off and a slight soreness is setting in. Never mind, it was a very good day—I saved
time and money, avoided traffic, and got home in time to take my son for a spin in that jogging stroller
before dinner! |
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