Sharpes-R-Us

What's on my Treo 650 - Part 3

Here's part three of what's on my Treo 650. This should cover the rest of the software I'm using. Be sure to check out part one, part two, and my accessories list.

Util(ities) Tab

Card Export II - So now you've got a 1GB external SD card, but how do you get things to and fro? You can get use a USB card reader on your PC, but then you've got to pull the card in and out every time. You can do some transfers through hotsync, but you're limited by filetype and its slower. With Card Export II on your Treo you just use your hotsync cable (the retractable ones are nice) and the SD card shows up just like any other USB drive in Windows Explorer. You can then copy files back and forth, or use SyncToy to keep files in sync. $14.95 (A free alternative is Palm File Browser but it requires software to be installed on the PC, so it's not as portable)
Card Backup - Even with NVFS, you still need backups. Even with hotsyncs, you still need backups. This one is free and backs up to your external SD card. For a small upgrade fee, you can do partial restores. Free for basic functionality, $11.95 for full version
Cleanup and Uninstall Manager - Removes files left behind from other apps. $18.50 for both apps
Dataviz Tool - This allows you to move most of Documents To Go to the SD card, freeing up megabytes of RAM. Free
FileZ - Very useful file manager for internal memory and external card. Move, delete, rename, copy, and change file attributes, as long as you know what you're doing, of course. Free
HandZip - Unzip files you download right on the card.
KeyGuardTime+ - This nice app will pop up the date and time and other system info when the Treo is powered on. It shows battery level, cell signal strength, bluetooth, ir, etc. The way I use it is to have it tied to the keyguard. That way I can turn on the power and quickly check the time and the device powers off after a few seconds without every unlocking the keys. But when I'm actually using the Treo, the time display goes away as soon as I hit the center button to clear the keyguard and unlock the keyboard. It never gets in the way. Free
Minutes2Go - Keep track of how many minutes you've used this month, unless of course you have some insane number of package minutes and just don't care. Free
ResetNetlib - This can sometimes fix a network stack problem without resetting the whole device. Free
TimeCopy - This simple app is indispensible. All it does is set your Treo's clock to be the same as your PC's clock everytime you hotsync. Just set your PC to sync with an official time server and you'll always have the exact correct time. Free
VolumeCare - Dramatically increases the volume of your Treo. You can adjust the speakerphone, speaker, headset, earbud, and mic input level separately. Really makes an astounding difference. The biggest disappointment in the phone function is the lack of good volume, but VolumeCare fixes that. $14.95

Sys(tem) Tab

KeyCaps600 - Allows you to type faster by using the shift and symbol keys less often. I setup a double click of a letter to capitalize it, and if I hold the letter, it types the symbol. Once you try it, it's much faster. Works for Treo 650 as well. Better to get this version as is has reduced load on the OS. Free
KeyShades Light - Turn the keyboard light on and off as you wish. This can save lots of battery power during the day and save your eyes if you're watching a movie on your Treo at night. I assign it to the button on the side of the Treo and then I can just press and hold that button to toggle the lights on and off. It automatically returns to the app you were in. Free
LEDOff - Take control of your LED. I don't need it to blink all the time when I've got cell coverage. But I do want it to blink with I get email and turn red when it's charging. Configure it however you like. Free
Profiles - Common in cell phones, but missing in the Treo is custom profiles. This app fills the gap. You can create times when your Treo is silent, times with it vibrates, or uses a loud ring. You can even use a special keyword so that meeting entries in your calendar trigger a specific profile for the duration of the event. I can enter "Shhh" for an event and my Treo will automatically silence all sounds and switch to vibrate mode. It's also set to go to vibrate mode every night when it's time to put the kids to bed. Free

That covers all the software. I'll leave where to find free ringtones, system sounds, speeddial tricks, and mobile bookmarks for another post.

Posted by Chris on 11/12/2005 03:19:00 PM :: Permalink