HP hx4700

Tweaks2K2 - 2 times finalist!!!

2006-10-02T13:15:00.000-04:00

I was just reading JKonTheRun a few minutes ago when I found that Tweaks2K2 won the Pocket PC and SmartPhone Awards this year in the System and Registry Category in it's two versions for Pocket PC and SmartPhones!

Tengo New Release

2006-09-26T11:12:00.000-04:00

I just received a new email about the latest release of Tengo:

Just like you to know that we have just launched TenGO v2.1 (www.tengo.net) plus support for another additional 5 more National languages (Danish, Dutch, Italian, Finnish, Norwegian). Some of the features in the new TenGO v2.1 are:

· Improved Memory resource management

· Updated language support (Now includes 11 National Languages)

· Updated security feature - users need to register for a new unlocking license key

· Bug Fixes

· Updated Tutorial

If you don't know what is Tengo, go and click in the above link, you will never regret it.

ChDict .NET v1.2 Released

2006-08-11T08:56:00.000-04:00

This program will allow you to select which language you want to use in the Spell Check option of Pocket Word. It also changes the completion/suggestion dictionary according to the language selected, Spanish or English. This last option has been added in this latest release and it's the first time that something like that has been included in any tool like this one. And on top of all this... ChDict is FREE!

You can find ChDict and many other freewares made by Tweaks2K2 here.

Tweaks2K2 Nominations

2006-08-04T08:46:00.000-04:00

Smart Phone and Pocket PC Magazine Best Software Awards in one of the most important events in the World of Mobile devices. Tweaks2K2 for Pocket PC - last year Winner - has been nominated for 5th time - consecutively - for this Award. But that's not all, the Second Member of Tweaks2K2 family, Tweaks2K2 for SmartPhone has been also nominated again this year, its second year as nominee. I feel honored to have these two programs nominated for this Prestigious Awards.

Tweaks2K2 has a 3rd Member in its family: Tweaks2K2 PC Edition. This program was specially designed having in mind the small screens of UMPCs/Origamis devices. And even when it's not that well known like its two "older brothers" for me is one of the most important tool that an IT professional in charge of configuring Pocket PCs can have. In addition to the usual PC Registry hacks, Tweaks2K2 PC Edition is armed with more than 75 registry hacks that allow to take full control and configure any Pocket PC without having to install any software on it. All is done from your PC using this program.

what's behind of

2006-08-01T20:14:00.000-04:00

For those wondering what's behind the latest hack included in Tweaks2K2 the answer can be found here.

The above link points to "Tweaks2K2 How-to" section, enjoy it.

ROM update

2006-07-30T21:03:00.000-04:00

HP has released ROM version 2.01 (27 Jul 06) for hx4700.

Fixes issue where certain CompactFlash (CF) memory cards and I/O cards do not respond.

ActiveSync 4.2 problem

2006-07-19T09:41:00.000-04:00

To all those who have had problems with connecting to the internet from the device when upgrading from ActiveSync 4.1 to 4.2:

ActiveSync version 4.2 made a change to how it interacts with the Windows networking stack to use Layered Service Providers (LSPs) on outgoing Desktop-Pass-Through connections. This allows for improved compatibility in environments where connections to the internet must be passed through these LSPs (ISA Proxy is one such example).

Unfortunately, it appears this change has caused some issues for a small segment of users who have LSPs that interfere with ActiveSync communication.

There is a registry key fix which will essentially remove this change.

Please download and rename the attached text file with the .txt extension to the .reg extension. In other words, change the file LSPvalue.txt to LSPvalue.reg. Afterwards, please double click on the newly renamed .reg file and click on the "Yes" button.

This should resolve your issues.

Thanks,

Edington
--Edington Watt
Windows Mobile Platform
Microsoft Corp.

The file can be downloaded here.

Sudoku Game

2006-06-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a version of Sudoku game for SP that works OK in WM5. I like this one because it allows you to create your own packs of games in XML format in a very easy way. It's a freeware and the author says that he will make a version of it fully supporting Pocket PCs soon but again, the SP version works in WM5 without ink support off course.

Tweaks2k2 v3.22 released

2006-05-22T20:06:00.000-04:00

This version includes a new hack that fixes the slowness in hx4700 updated with WM5 caused by NavPoint Service.

Link.

New update in the WM5 speed up hack for hx4700 machines

2006-05-22T16:43:00.000-04:00

Werner has posted an update in his previous article that can be read here. Basically all is needed is a simple registry hack that of course is going to be included in the next version of Tweaks2K2 for PPC.

How to speed up your WM5 just updated hx4700

2006-05-22T13:48:00.000-04:00

This article is something that you should read if you have upgraded your hx4700 to WM5. It will help you to speed up a little bit your hx4700.

WM5 upgrade

2006-03-22T18:51:00.000-05:00

Finally the hx4700 gets the WM5 upgrade... (link)

More about MS Security Implementation

2006-03-08T08:24:00.000-05:00

More about MS Security Implementation

I was asked a few weeks ago by one of Microsoft guys how this MS Security Implementation (I’m talking about locking part of the registry and denying applications access to some APIs) could affect developers, users and them too. Well, here and here you can find good examples that help to answer their question. Since the beginning developers have been fixing OEMs and MS mistakes a lot faster than patches that they release to fix this problems/mistakes. If MS/OEM locks devices how the heck we are supposed to do that? Paying the huge amounts of money for those ridiculous certifications? Listen, I have got the best certification than a developer can get: the trust and popularity among users! And for that, believe me, I never needed any MS logo or Signature.

Attachments in Storage Card

2006-03-08T07:23:00.000-05:00

Attachments in Storage Card
The HP iPAQ Pocket PC series h2200, hx2000, and hx4700 do not recognize the naming conventions "Secure Digital" (SD) and "Compact Flash" (CF) as storage cards for saving Inbox items such as e-mail and e-mail attachments. Instead of saving these files to the storage cards, the Pocket PC saves them to the HP File Store. This issue occurs because of a Microsoft Inbox limitation that recognizes only "Storage Card" as the single file name for SD and CF cards. This issue is not attributable to the Pocket PC but to the Microsoft Windows Pocket PC Operating System.
RESOLUTION
A resolution in the form of a downloadable SoftPAQ (SP) has been released to resolve this issue for the English version of the hx4700 series. The SP will enable you to change SD and CF card folder names to "storage card" folder names. (Click the link below to download the SP.) When the other hx4700 language-specific versions are released, HP will update this advisory to announce their availability.
Link to HP
This advisory will be updated again and the download link provided when the SoftPAQs release for the h2200 and hx2000 series products.

Tweaks2K2 PC Edition: what is coming next?

2006-03-03T13:45:00.000-05:00

Tweaks2K2 PC Edition: What’s coming next?

For the first time users will be able to change the top and bottom bar color in Windows Mobile 5 devices from a program! And for the first time from a PC without having to install anything in their PPCs!

Tweaks2K2 PC Edition
page

Tweaks2K2 for PPC Finalist!

2005-09-26T20:54:00.000-04:00

For the Second Time this year the Board of Experts of SmartPhone & Pocket PC Magazine has voted Tweaks2K2 .NET for Pocket PC to be among the best in its category "System and Registry" in Pocket PC magazine's Fifth Annual Best Software Awards.

WM5 will give you at least 25% of battery life.

2005-09-19T13:33:00.000-04:00

WM5 will give you at least 25% more battery life.

According to Mike Calligaro, member of Microsoft Mobile Team, the fact that Windows Mobile 5 use Persistent Storage to keep the data safe in your Pocket PC will give you from 25% to 50% more of battery live.

“when we shut you down because your batteries were "critically low," they were still 1/4 to 1/2 full. Why? Because, if the batteries ever fully died, it would be catastrophic. You'd lose your data, and that's, in our opinion, one of the worst things that can happen. So we made a requirement and held our OEMs to it. The requirement was that, at the point where we decided the batteries were "critically low," they had to still have enough power to keep the RAM charged for 72 hours. The idea there was that you could discover that you were out of power on Friday on the way home and you'd still have your data on Monday when you got back to your charger.” – Mike Calligaro says.

“A typical battery holds 1000mAh of charge. 128M of RAM takes about 500mAh to stay resident for 72 hours. 64M takes about 250. This is why you never saw a 256M WM 2003 device. It would have run for a minute then decided its batteries were critically low.” – He added.

So taking in consideration the above explained, we could see from 25% to 50% more of battery life depending of your current amount of RAM.

My Docware Pictures

2005-09-06T15:23:00.000-04:00

Here are my Docware Pictures from my hx4700.

5000 mAh in your hx4700!

2005-09-05T12:45:00.000-04:00

Mugen Power has made a new Extra Extended Battery reaching 5000 mAh. The new battery can be bought here.

ROM update problems??

2005-09-04T23:13:00.000-04:00

If you are having problems with your ROM update this thread at BrightHand.com is something that you should read before you send your hx4700 back to HP to be fixed.

Mugen Power 4500 mAh BATTERY

2005-09-04T23:10:00.000-04:00

"This is the second Mugen Power Battery that I own and I can't think of me having a Pocket PC without a Mugen Power Battery on it. This battery gives me the freedom of mind of not having to think about to recharge the battery everyday after work. "

Read the full review here.

You can buy this battery here.

Recommended Accessories

2005-09-04T23:01:00.000-04:00

hx4700 Cases

Cases.com ($17.00 ~ $50) - great variety.

Wawagadget.com ($23) - This company is based in Honk Kong and sells using eBay.

Caseonline.com (~$60.00) - Very good quality cases but very very expensive.

Timbuk2 padded strap pouch ($20.00) - This is a very good solution if you are thinking that may be in the future you will buy accessories (extended battery, GPRS, GPS) that will change the shape of your PPC.

iPaq Bi-Fold Leather Case - H4700 - ($21.99) – It seems like this case allows you to use the flip cover.

PielFrama (~ $49.00) - Does not allow you to use the flip cover.

J&R's Shoreline PDA pouch - (~$10.00) - . It's a very simple universal case.

Allmobi.com ($8.99)

Screen Protectors

Boxwave

PocketSolutions - More Info here.

Javoedge

PPCTechs

Allmobi.com (Washables and Reusables)

Stylus

Boxwave

GPS

TomTom Navigator 2004 USA

Recommended Software for hx4700

2005-09-04T22:37:00.001-04:00

Screen Capture

Magic SS (freeware)

Today Screen Lauchers

tdLauncher(freeware - )

RhinoLaunch Pro Launcher 2.0 ($6.95)

iLauncher ($4.95 - This allow to have multipages of short cuts)

Task Managers

Magic Button (freeware)

HandySwitcher ($4.99)

vBar Freeware)

WiFi SniffersWiFi Graph by Kasuei Consultant Group (Freeware - )

WiFifoFum (freeware-)

Today Screen Themes

Pocket McDeb

http://www.pocketpcthemes.com/vga.asp

Remote Control Software (no hardware needed at all but the IR port is located at the bottom of your hx4700 so you may need a program like RotateSE180)

Total Remote ($24.00)

Vito Remote ($15.95)

Scientific Calculator

SpaceTime ($14.95)

Tools

Memmaid($11.99)

HandyMenu ($5.99)

Pocket Hack Master ($14.95)(The Maximum possible speedat this moment is 663 MHz. The latest version tested has stability issues. Very flexible and powerful tool. Recommended for advance users.)

XCPUScalar ($15.95) (Very easy to use OC utility)

Calligrapher($29.95)

Resco File Explorer ($24.99)

SE_VGA Demo (Freeware)

Note: None of the OC tools tested by me so far are completely stable in the hx4700. Some times they work for many days without any problem and they suddenly they lock the device in a way that a hard reset is needed to get control of it again. This is my personal experience and could differ from the experiences of others. Please create a daily backup before you use any OC.

Other Programs

BetaPlayer (Freeware)

Advice to New hx4700 Owners

2005-09-04T22:37:00.000-04:00

This is something that I believe all new owners should read before they start to install programs in any Pocket PC.

My advice to new Owner

Invisible tool bar icons in SE

2005-09-04T22:31:00.000-04:00

For Developers: Code Solution for Invisible tool bar icons in SE and ImageList initialization error in hx4700s.

Many of my fellow developers have been looking for a solution for the first and lately for the second issue. Both issues in some way are relative and are clearly a bug in Microsoft Compact Framework. Doing some research in the web looking for different ways to initialize an ImageList object during the form load time I found a way that fix the SE icons invisibility issue and the initialization error present in hx4700 when the BitMap Cache parameter of the ATI driver is enabled. So basically, there is not need to disable the bitmap cache to avoid the error in hx4700s if you use this method to initialize the ImageList component.

To easily understand the process I have prepared a C# and VB .NET projects that can be downloaded here.

Note: This problem was fixed in the latest ROM update for this device.