Do Pocket PC applications work in Windows Mobile?

Question

I am planning to merge my PDA and my cellphone into a single unit, by purchasing a Windows Mobile smartphone. I use my PDA mostly to listen to music, read PDFs on the go and as a GPS with TomTom. Is Windows Mobile the same os as Pocket PC? Are the applications mutually compatible? Thanks.

Answer 1

The answer is "usually".

"Pocket PC" is now called "Windows Mobile Classic" for touch screen devices without a phone built in (such as the iPAQ 111) and "Windows Mobile Professional" if its a touch screen with a phone.

If its a Windows phone without a touchscreen its called "Windows Mobile Standard" - previously known as Windows Mobile Smartphone.

Now - for compatibility - software created for Pocket PCs usally works on newer Windows Mobile touch screen devices "Professional/Standard".

However - if you buy a Windows Mobile phone with a high-resolution screen (VGA / XVGA), a square screen or one that primarily works in landscape orientation (the screen is wider than it is tall) the software may not work.

Finally - if you're looking at retail applications such as TomTom or PDF readers - they've been updated to support all of the new Windows Mobile devices now anyways so you really shouldn't have to worry.

I'd just recommend installing the trial version on your new Windows Mobile Professional device before purchasing.

And I like to recommend my favorite software store to new Windows Mobile Users - its called Wireless-Apps.net

Good luck and enjoy your new phone!