I'm pre-cropping some wallpaper/ backgrounds for my PocketPCs with VGA screens.
I cropped them at 480x640 but then realized that the Start bar and bottom bar overlay and block the full image. Irritating...
I want to pre-crop them. 480 is obviously correct for X and I'm assuming Y will probably be a resolution of less than 600ish?
I'm gonna have to toy around and see if I can nail the exact resolution of the viewing area.
8/10
I can’t believe it! Goal achieved.
The Arteck is a new easily obtainable & affordable #Keyboard. It connects to every persistent #WindowsMobile #PocketPC device that I tested! It’s driverless and the layout is almost perfect for it’s size. It’s also backlit!
I’m confused though. It’s #Bluetooth LE 5.1 and should not work with these Bluetooth Classic 1.2 and 2.0 devices. Whats going on here?
Lets crack it open and take a look.
7/10
Now the best for last! The Arteck HB030B #Bluetooth #Keyboard.
This is a cheap keyboard that you can still find new. It has a chiclet design, is backlit & doesn’t compromise much on the layout other than messing a bit with the Alt, Ctrl and Windows key button arrangement.
Amazingly this Bluetooth 5.1 keyboard connects to all of my iPaqs (111, 210, HX2495, HX2795b) & my #Dell Axim X51V using Passkey 1234!
6/10
This is the #Ipad Kensington Key Folio Pro K39357US.
This #Bluetooth chiclet #Keyboard is fantastic! It is sleek, responsive and feels modern. It also has a decent layout and doesn’t forget the right shift key like the previous Key Folio.
Once again it effortlessly connected to all of my iPaqs (111, 210, HX2495, HX2795b) and surprisingly also connected to my #Dell Axim X51V using Passkey 1234!
5/10
Next up is the #Ipad Kensington Key Folio K39294.
It’s a #Bluetooth 2.0 spill proof rubber covered #Keyboard that drove me crazy due to the right shift key being absent. LOL.
It’s connectivity was identical to the Freedom Pro. It easily connected to all of my iPaqs (111, 210, HX2495, HX2795b) and unfortunately refused to connect to any of my #Dell Axim X50 and X51 series.
4/10
First up is the Freedom Pro #Bluetooth #Keyboard.
This keyboard folds in half and has a slide out removable stand for your #PDA.
I didn’t like it. It was probably decent for the time but we can do much better these days.
Regardless, it easily connected to all of my iPaqs (111, 210, HX2495, HX2795b) and unfortunately refused to connect to any of my #Dell Axim X50 and X51 series.
3/10
It was already going to take some luck to get great compatibility with a random #Keyboard but I also had another goal; the #Bluetooth keyboard needed to run under the HID profile so no driver installation would be necessary.
The dream is to get a new keyboard, connect over Bluetooth and just start typing!
I began researching and securing a variety of keyboards to try & focused my testing on persistent #WindowsMobile 5.0+ devices
2/10
Unfortunately after talking with people & reading up on the #Bluetooth protocol I learned that Bluetooth Classic (1, 2, & 3) is not compatible with the current Bluetooth LE (4, 5, etc.). I had no idea!
A new keyboard seemed doubtful and everyone I talked to suggested buying an old expensive #PocketPC or #PDA #Keyboard but then I got a great suggestion; get an old #Ipad keyboard.
Those are plentiful and cheap!
1/10
Those who have followed me for a while know my obsession with #RetroTech. After my #Palm TX bit the dust, I took the opportunity to jump into the world of #PocketPC.
I wrote several tutorials in the past and recently turned my focused to finding a new #Bluetooth #Keyboard that would be compatible with them. There were some made back when these devices were new but there had to be a better, current solution.
Since #Bluetooth doesn't require you to install drivers, would a current Bluetooth #keyboard work with an old #PocketPC or #Palm #PDA?
I know that they had Bluetooth keyboards made for some of them back in the day but I am not familiar with the backwards compatibility of the Bluetooth standard.
Unfortunately, I do not currently have a Bluetooth keyboard to test. Does anyone else know the answer to this?
Yay! I'm a winner, or so I tell myself... 
@lowqualityfacts This... is a Pocket PC
[6/6]
#IrDA is up and running on #Windows 10. I can now wirelessly transfer files between my Laptop and #PocketPC!
It’s much more convenient than having to juggle multiple proprietary cables.
It’s one cable to rule them all. One cable to transfer files across every IrDA enable device and I love it!
This is amazing and I believe I have achieved what I set out to do; Restore the FULL functionality of Pocket Pcs on modern hardware!
[1/6]
At the beginning of this year I set out with a goal to restore FULL #PocketPC compatibility on a current #Windows 10 #PC.
We outlined how to both establish a connection AND Sync here… https://mas.to/@Judeau/112678025590638375
We looked at different keyboards and how to transfer Word files while preserving formatting here… https://mas.to/@Judeau/112689361744308651
The last piece of the puzzle was restoring wireless #IrDA connectivity.
Spoiler alert: I got it!
Lately I have been playing around with #IrDA due to my current #PocketPC #Palm and #PDA obsession.
It's so cool doing wireless file transfers between devices. It's like pre-Bluetooth.
Is there ANY way to get IrDA working on a current #Windows 10 or 11 PC with a USB IrDA dongel?
I have heard conflicting info on this. I want to say the answer is no but then projects like Irdroid muddy the waters for me.
[6/6]
After typing a short message and using a bit of formatting, I transferred the file back to my PC.
I opened it with Libre Office it handled the PWS extension like a champ!
20 years later this is still a fantastic and completely usable device! I sometimes take my laptop to do some writing on short trips or camping. Not any more! This will be my go to device! It takes up virtually no space and lasts for days.
[5/6]
Pocket Word is a surprisingly full featured program. It has the basic formatting options one expects and has spell check and fairly decent word prediction.
Now comes the exciting part. I want to run a test.
Lets see If what I type in Pocket Word can be transferred to the PC while retaining the correct formatting and as hassle free as possible.
[4/6]
I don’t have a Bluetooth #Keyboard to test but I can’t imagine preferring it to a device specific one.
These #Keyboards connect directly to the data port on the #PocketPC or #Palm #PDA.
The downside is that these only work with the device they were designed for. Fortunately they are quick to setup and provide a hassle free experience. They are also powered by the connected device so no need for batteries like the other two.
[2/6]
No one wants to type a lengthy paper on Pocket Word pecking at the screen. Lets look at our options for #Keyboards.
There are 3 kinds. Infrared, Bluetooth and device specific.
A majority of #Palm #PDA and #PocketPC devices have IrDA, or Infrared. This standard allows for universal keyboards that wirelessly transmit the key strokes to the device and are potentially compatible with all devices. Its kind of like Bluetooth.
[1/6]
In Tuesdays 7 part post https://mas.to/@Judeau/112678025590638375 we talked about how to get various #PocketPC #PDA devices setup, talking and syncing to a Windows 10/11 computer.
It’s great to have the full functionality of these devices on a modern computer. They are quite useful as a daily carry, but I wonder, can we take it even further?
#WindowsMobile comes with Pocket Word. Can we use one of these as a legitimate writing device?
