Developing Applications for Portable Devices Phil Denoncourt III Director of Technology Luna Systems Corporation

Outline Technology and Terminology Technology and Terminology Designing Applications Designing Applications Developing Applications Developing Applications

Technology & Terminology History History –Operating Systems Windows CE 1.0 – Gray scale, limited memory Windows CE 1.0 – Gray scale, limited memory Windows CE 2.0 – Full Color, more memory & features Windows CE 2.0 – Full Color, more memory & features Windows CE 3.0 – Current version on devices today Windows CE 3.0 – Current version on devices today Windows CE.NET – Devices are being developed for this OS, none seem to be released yet. Windows CE.NET – Devices are being developed for this OS, none seem to be released yet. –Software Pocket PC – Comes with most devices. Includes Pocket Word, Excel & Outlook and a mini browser. Pocket PC – Comes with most devices. Includes Pocket Word, Excel & Outlook and a mini browser.

Technology & Terminology Types of Devices Types of Devices –Pocket PC (PPC) – Fits in a pocket, longer than wider –Hand held PC (HPC) – ½ laptop –Smartphone – Windows CE on a portable phone –Auto PC – Car radio running Windows CE. Appears to be discontinued

Designing Applications Physical Limitations Physical Limitations –Screen size is small –Usually no Hard drive –Memory is limited usually between megs for programs & data usually between megs for programs & data –Not always an Internet connection –Difficult for user to key in text

Designing Applications Design Factors Design Factors –Can’t provide user with way to end app. –Application will be closed when OS needs memory Must save user information immediately Must save user information immediately Must provide an undo feature Must provide an undo feature –Controls must be as small as possible Abbrevate captions & use tooltips Abbrevate captions & use tooltips –Must use Pocket Outlook for all contact functions

Developing Applications Windows CE 3.0 Windows CE 3.0 –eMbedded Visual Tools 3.0 Visual Basic & C++ Visual Basic & C++ Visual Basic is weak Visual Basic is weak –Doesn’t support creating activex controls –Doesn’t support classes Test using emulator or actual device Test using emulator or actual device

Developing Applications ADOCE ADOCE –Allows you access to CE databases –Object model similar to ADO No command object No command object –Not an easy way to create databases SQLCE SQLCE –If your client has a license for SQL Server, they can install it on their PDA –Uses replication to talk to a full SQL Server