Angel 4 Software - What Platform?

[Omikron]

I was thinking about this for quite a while now and I think it may be of concern to others as well. After looking at the iR3, it becomes apparent that the handheld software they released was made soley for the PalmOS platform.

Unfortunately, for me, and many others in my position. I do not own, and never will own, a Palm based PDA. They have recent years fallen somewhat behind the competition. What I DO own however, are several high-end iPAQs (3870, 2215, 5555), two of which are based on the Windows Mobile 2003 platform (2215, 5555), the other using Pocket PC 2002 (3870). If I'm going to shell out $1400+ for a high end gun, why should I not be allowed the right to use the software on high-end devices?

I propose that WDP port the Palm-based software to the Pocket PC based OS so as to offer maximum compatibility and flexibility for users. The development suite for PocketPC/Windows Mobile is available from Microsoft free of charge and supports both the VB and C++ programming languages. If WDP themselves are not willing to make a release to Pocket PCs, I would be more than willing to port the codebase myself, providing that I have been supplied with the current, pre-existing code that is being used for the Palm platform. What are your views on this? Am I the only one who wants a Pocket PC version or would this be a welcome addition?

[Emmit]

part of the reason for using the Palm is that they are relatively cheap. If you have no intentions of using it for anything else other than tuning your marker you can pick one up for about $100....sorry I'm not interested in dropping a couple hundered bucks just because the unit can play some MP3's and plug into a VW Beetle:thumbsdow

[Omikron]

Pocket PC is currently the fastest selling PDA with more than 1/3 of the world's market share. By not releasing a Pocket PC version they are alienating 1/3 of the market. Why should I be forced to spend $100 just to run a configuration program? The Pocket PC platform is so much easier to code for too. I've coded for both platforms and I can say from experience that Palm is not fun to deal with. If they don't want to do it, at the very least they should allow someone else to do it. Heck, if I had the code I'd port it for free.


P.S. It is much more powerful than that. It nearly a full blown computer in your pocket. I can do almost anything a normal laptop can, just more compact. Everything from terminal services and wireless browsing using the intergrated WLAN, to a full blown media player, or even a GPS unit, Pocket PC's are by far the most versitile of PDA's. I think spending $1400 dollars on a marker should at the very least warrant some decent support.

P.P.S. The HP iPAQ 1940 is currently selling for $199, well within the range of "budget" PDA's. Furthermore you can pick up a Dell Axim for $140.

[warpedx]

Things have changed since the iR3 software was released. Back then, Pocket PC's were still more expensive, unlike now. I see WDP releasing their software in Palm format, but maybe they will release another verion, if there are enough people asking for it.
I know I am.

[Emmit]

please see the other thread on this

I chatted with Ken about it, and got some info.

[Omikron]

Originally posted by Emmit
please see the other thread on this

I chatted with Ken about it, and got some info.

I beleive warpedx was referring to the Pocket PC platform when he was asking for "another version". The other thread, as I have read thus far, covers only the Palm software and wether or not they will be releasing a new one for the 4 (they are) but says nothing of cross-platform releases.

All I know is that many people would readily welcome a Pocket PC release. I already carry enough gadgets with me and the last thing I need is to BUY another PDA specifically for configuring one marker. I really and truly hope that WDP acts on this, or at the very least helps someone else write it. If they don't, I will do my best to reverse engineer the protocol and make my own release.

[dako6680]

I agree with omikron. I hate Palm OS because they are limited and they suck ass. Palm OS are for people that dont know that Windows CE is a much better OS. I never understood why WDP never released one. And that is not true about the price. I have been using Windows CE devices since they first came out and they have always had bootleg renegade brands that were cheap. I have a palm for my ir3 only because my friend gave me one to me and I tell you, it only sees the light of day when I play paintball. I would have never spend 100 bucks for a piece of crap palm especially to run one program. WDP, wise up and upgrade.

[C]-[iLDe]

I see no reason why Pocket PC owners should be left out (even though i own a Palm). If WDP doesnt make it, SOMEONE should make it available.

[Creapy]

Omikron - have you made any progress on this issue? Any development done. Have you had any contact with WDP on this issue?

Let me know - I'm interested in moving on this.

Thanks

[scooter]

I agree with the thread originator. Sorry Emmit, but for me it's not the $100 for a cheap palm, it's about having a choice. It would cost nothing for WDP to support an alternate platform, there are plenty of programmers that woudl volunteer the time if they made the software opensource.

[Omikron]

Originally posted by Creapy
Omikron - have you made any progress on this issue? Any development done. Have you had any contact with WDP on this issue?

Let me know - I'm interested in moving on this.

Thanks

So far they've pretty much given everyone the bird. If they choose not to support PocketPC I will put time into reverse engineering PalmStar for the 4 once it is released. Until then, the best we can do is voice our opinion.

[MoogLe]

great idea, i never understood why they only made it for the palm OS either