Supporting Windows Mobile Devices

By Chris De Herrera, Webmaster, Pocket PC FAQ

Microsoft MVP – Windows Mobile

What is Windows Mobile?

Windows Mobile is a combination of the Windows CE operating system, a new user interface and applications.

– Smartphone – Windows Mobile Standard Edition – a cell phone first. Does not have a touch screen.

– Pocket PC – Windows Mobile Professional – a data input device using a touch screen.

– Size – small handheld devices however some are much larger

– Combined devices – cell phone, PDA, media player, camera, etc.

What is Windows Mobile?

Calendar Contacts Messaging

Excel Mobile Word Mobile PowerPoint Mobile

What Are Windows Mobile’s Features?

Windows Mobile offers:– Cell phone – voice calling– Cellular based data – EvDO, 1xRTT, GPRS,

EDGE and UMTS– Wi-Fi – 802.11b as well as 802.11g– Storage – internal storage and expansion via

microSD, miniSD or SD flash– Connectivity – Supports TCP/IP, web browser,

IMAP and POP3 e-mail, native Exchange support– Ability to display Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

files – Pocket PCs can edit Word and Excel files

What isn’t Windows Mobile?

– Is not the same operating system and functionality of Windows that you have on your desktop PC

– Doesn’t run standard Windows applications including ActiveX controls designed for the PC.

– Limited browser functionality – subset of JavaScript and limited screen size affect usability of desktop websites

– Slower devices – most Windows Mobile devices CPUs run at 200-400MHz

– Limited storage – The internal flash storage is significantly smaller than your PC’s hard drive. Usually you will have anywhere from 32MB to 128MB of internal storage

System Architecture

– Uses a ARM based RISC processor– 32 process spaces each with 32 MB of ram– Internal storage is flash memory and it is

shared between the boot ROM and installed programs or stored data

– No swap file– Processes are paged in and out of the address

space to execute – this allows for fast switching between applications

– Uses a registry hive to store application configuration data

– Has an internal database for applications such as calendar, contacts, tasks, messaging, etc.

Enterprise Mobile Assessment

The Enterprise Mobile Assessment assists companies with assessing their support for mobile devices

Assesses the following areas: E-Mail, Synchronization, Website, Device Security,

Applications – Internal, Applications – External, Remote Access, Documentation, Recognized by Management, Audit, Governance of Mobility

Available for free at http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/assessment/

Enterprise Mobile Assessment

Demonstration - Walkthrough

Connecting to the Desktop

– Uses ActiveSync for Windows XP– Uses Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC) for

Windows Vista– Controls the type of data that is synchronized, whether

or not internet connectivity via the desktop is available– TCP/IP is used to connect Windows Mobile to your PC– Installation order sensitive – must install Outlook prior to

installing ActiveSync or WMDC– Troubleshooting is more complex due to error codes

instead of text error messagesTroubleshooting– ActiveSync

http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/faqs/t-shootactivesync.htm– WMDC

http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/faqs/wmdc/index.htm

Windows Mobile Device Center

Demonstration - Walkthrough

Remote Control of a Device

ActiveSync Remote Display Part of the Developer Toys - FREE http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=74473fd6-1dcc-47aa-ab28-6a2b006edfe9&displaylang=en

3rd Party Software such as:• Soti Pocket Controller – http://www.soti.net/ • My Mobiler – Free - http://www.mtux.com/

Remote Control of a Device

Demonstration - Walkthrough

Connecting to Exchange

Exchange 2003 SP2 and Exchange 2007 support the ability to sync with Windows Mobile

– A Digital Certificate is highly recommended for security

– IMAP vs EAS – IMAP supports html e-mail on regardless of the

version of Exchange– EAS only supports html e-mail with Exchange 2007

and Windows Mobile 6

– Troubleshooting error codes - http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/faqs/activesync/exchange_errors.php

Exchange Mobile Client Configuration

Demonstration - Walkthrough

Managing Device Configurations

– Exchange 2003 SP2, Exchange 2007 – Can set password length and complexity and require periodic password change

– 3rd party– Odyssey Software Athena– SOTI MobiControl

– System Center Mobile Device Manager (SCMDM) 2008 – announced last fall, currently in beta.

– Over the air configuration of security settings configured from Windows servers.

– This release will require users to upgrade their devices to support remote management.

Emulator – Run Apps w/o a Device

Test applications Create screen shots for documentation Reproduce user issues for support staff Best experience is with a Tablet PC because it

allows you to emulate the Pocket PC’s touch screen using a stylus just like a real mobile device

Download of Windows Mobile 5 emulator for free - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=C62D54A5-183A-4A1E-A7E2-CC500ED1F19A&displaylang=en

Windows Mobile 6 emulators are part of the Visual Studio 2005 SDKs

Emulator Demonstration

Demonstration - Walkthrough

Steps for a rollout

Decide which devices to support Decide how they will integrate in your

environment Decide what software is required for users Decide which management tools to use Decide how you want to replicate the software – I

recommend Sprite Backup or Clone Notify staff of policies on using the device Notify support staff of deployment date – make

sure they have support tools! Deploy hardware and applications

Remote Control of a PC or Server

Pocket PCs offer the capability to remote control a PC or Server

Remote Desktop Connection – May not be available in all devices. Works just like it does on your PC – allows you to connect to Terminal Services as well as your PC.

3rd Party Applications such as Goto My PC – http://www.gotomypc.com LogMeIn – http://www.logmein.com/ VNC – Various clients

Remote Control of a PC via LogMeIn

Demonstration - Walkthrough

Questions and Answers

Questions and AnswersAbout Windows Mobile

Finding Applications

Smartphone & Pocket PC Magazine’s Encyclopedia of Software and Accessories - http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_enc/encyclopedia.asp - A mixture of free and purchased software

Handango – http://www.handango.com – A mixture of free and purchased software – Handango is the backbone of most software stores for Windows Mobile sites

FreewarePPC – http://www.freewareppc.com – Free software

Resources

Microsofthttp://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/

NewsPocket PC Thoughts

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com Smartphone Thoughts

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com Technical SupportPocket PC FAQ http://www.pocketpcfaq.com,

http://forums.pocketpcfaq.com Microsoft Newsgroups – msnews.microsoft.comSmartphone & Pocket PC Magazine –

http://ppcmag.com

Supporting Windows Mobile Devices

By Chris De Herrera, Webmaster, Pocket PC FAQ

Microsoft MVP – Windows Mobile