Viewing web pages on Pocket PC

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I’ve just linked my PPC to the web for the first time (through Bluetooth and my mobile phone). Web pages do not seem to reconfigure themselves for the small screen leading to an aweful lot of scrolling from side to side. Am I missing something? A setting or a piece of software?

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You are not missing anything, Unless the web site is set up for the handheld browsers you are putting it on a 240×320 screen. Most web sites are designed for 800×600 because the vast majority of monitors are set for that.

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David,
I can’t offer a solution, I’m afraid, but I must confess an interest in what you’re doing as I’m hoping to get some kit together to perform a similar function in the near future. What combination of PDA and phone are you using (I’m considering the iPAQ5550 and T610 in combination, but annoying things like finances may get in the way of that).

How easy did you find it to get the 2 devices talking? Did you use (a) manuals; ( personal experience; © knowledgeable friend/colleague; or (d) find a really good procedure on the net or in a magazine?

Appreciate any help/advice you can provide.

Jeremy
(somewhere in very wet Birmingham at the moment)

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Hi Jeremy

Trial and error I’m afraid. I’m using a new iPaq 2210 and my trusty Nokia 6310i (the 2210 is a great bit of kit if you haven’t bought yet try it). With a T610 I can’t think why you don’t browse on it direct, but anyway.

1) Get the Bluetooth connection sorted first so that the two devices recognise each other.

2) On your PPC select Settings/Connections and there is an option to add a new modem connection. Follow the prompts.

3) Have a look in Bluetooth Manager and see that you have a shortcut titled Dial up using . I found it devilish difficult to get this to work and it was with much trial and error as Internet Explorer seemed to think it was connecting to a network. ‘Fraid I can’t remeber exactly how I managed it.

In terms of using the system I have found that if I just fire up IE I don’t get anywhere (of course this may indicate a problem setting somewhere). I have found that I have to go into Bluetooth Manager and activate the link before firing up IE. Oh! and remebering first to switch on the phone’s Bluetooth (if you leave it permanently on needlessly there is a bigger drain on the batteries).

My query was really whether someone else had seen anything to help reading web sites. A zoom facility or ability to change to landscape would make the web experience much better. As it is I plan only to use the facility only when necessary to view webmail. IE/Bluetooth is not the fastest combination but there is an option not to load graphics which helps.

Overall I am surprised at what is hailed as a great use of mobile technology (Windows Mobile no less) proved to be such a sod to set up and use.

By the way Its sunshine now here in Nottingham so you should be out of the rain soon.

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Thanks for the advice.
I’m not set on any particular bit of kit at the moment – it just happens that as my current phone is over 3 yrs old now, I think it deserves an upgrade, and the T610 is the one getting all the good reviews at the moment. Mind you, by the time Xmas comes I’ll probably have changed to wanting the new Sendo X or something different!

As far as pocket PCs go, I only mentioned the 5550 as I know it has WiFi and bluetooth builtin, which saves the hassle of plugging in extra network cards later on.

I’ll post a new thread with my experiences if anything comes of all this!

Jeremy

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Thanks for the advice.
I’m not set on any particular bit of kit at the moment – it just happens that as my current phone is over 3 yrs old now, I think it deserves an upgrade, and the T610 is the one getting all the good reviews at the moment. Mind you, by the time Xmas comes I’ll probably have changed to wanting the new Sendo X or something different!

As far as pocket PCs go, I only mentioned the 5550 as I know it has WiFi and bluetooth builtin, which saves the hassle of plugging in extra network cards later on.

I’ll post a new thread with my experiences if anything comes of all this!

Jeremy

Reply | Quote

Hi Jeremy

Trial and error I’m afraid. I’m using a new iPaq 2210 and my trusty Nokia 6310i (the 2210 is a great bit of kit if you haven’t bought yet try it). With a T610 I can’t think why you don’t browse on it direct, but anyway.

1) Get the Bluetooth connection sorted first so that the two devices recognise each other.

2) On your PPC select Settings/Connections and there is an option to add a new modem connection. Follow the prompts.

3) Have a look in Bluetooth Manager and see that you have a shortcut titled Dial up using . I found it devilish difficult to get this to work and it was with much trial and error as Internet Explorer seemed to think it was connecting to a network. ‘Fraid I can’t remeber exactly how I managed it.

In terms of using the system I have found that if I just fire up IE I don’t get anywhere (of course this may indicate a problem setting somewhere). I have found that I have to go into Bluetooth Manager and activate the link before firing up IE. Oh! and remebering first to switch on the phone’s Bluetooth (if you leave it permanently on needlessly there is a bigger drain on the batteries).

My query was really whether someone else had seen anything to help reading web sites. A zoom facility or ability to change to landscape would make the web experience much better. As it is I plan only to use the facility only when necessary to view webmail. IE/Bluetooth is not the fastest combination but there is an option not to load graphics which helps.

Overall I am surprised at what is hailed as a great use of mobile technology (Windows Mobile no less) proved to be such a sod to set up and use.

By the way Its sunshine now here in Nottingham so you should be out of the rain soon.

Reply | Quote

David,
I can’t offer a solution, I’m afraid, but I must confess an interest in what you’re doing as I’m hoping to get some kit together to perform a similar function in the near future. What combination of PDA and phone are you using (I’m considering the iPAQ5550 and T610 in combination, but annoying things like finances may get in the way of that).

How easy did you find it to get the 2 devices talking? Did you use (a) manuals; ( personal experience; © knowledgeable friend/colleague; or (d) find a really good procedure on the net or in a magazine?

Appreciate any help/advice you can provide.

Jeremy
(somewhere in very wet Birmingham at the moment)

Reply | Quote

You are not missing anything, Unless the web site is set up for the handheld browsers you are putting it on a 240×320 screen. Most web sites are designed for 800×600 because the vast majority of monitors are set for that.

Reply | Quote