Restoring Windows Mobile phone

After resetting, need to restore applications and data.  My steps, approximately: 

1. Install programs from CAB files copied from computer to Storage Card
2. Set-up wireless connections 
3. Don't have MyPhone CAB, go to mp.windowsphone.com to download Marketplace bootstrapper.  Using Marketplace, install MyPhone
4. Restore data from MyPhone server.  Do NOT synchronize Contacts or Calendar
5. Configure ActiveSync with m.google.com to synchronize to Gmail Contacts
6. Use SyncMyCal Mobile to sync with my multiple Google Calendars
7. Customize which applications are launched by buttons
8. Speed Dial settings
9. Miscellaneous settings:  Display clock on title bar, Set phone to Vibrate and Ring

Re-setting Windows Mobile device

In an attempt to draw out the life of my Windows Mobile device bought in Sept 2007, I will be resetting the device (Start > Settings > System tab > Clear Storage). This seems to have fixed some stability issues in the past and I hope it will fix my recent problems with extremely short battery life, the phone not answering calls on occasion, and parts of the physical keyboard not responding well.  Not sure if Windows Mobile has registry problems like older versions of Windows.  Prior to resetting the phone to manufacturer defaults, for myself, I need to do these steps to back up the data:

• Back-up data on device
• Sync to m.google.com and then to computer using ActiveSync 
• Sync to myphone.microsoft.com using My Phone app  
• verify latest data in destinations

• In MS Outlook, save Contacts to .pst file.
• Calendar is read-only in Google Calendar ... no need to back-up
• Note programs installed on device, for later re-install  

Essential free software for Windows Mobile 6

From a user point of view, Windows Mobile is a shameful, embarrassing interface.  Possibly because of its stylus-based roots, the touch interface for its native applications are especially awkward to navigate.  Fortunately the crappy base applications that come with WM 6 can be supplanted by these free ones:

• The Core Pocket Media Player (TCPMP) - replaces the dreadful native Windows Media Player.  Excellent touch screen interface and handles most media formats.  Discontinued but I've never had a problem with version 0.72RC1
• Total Commander - the native File Explorer is OK for single-handed use but Total Commander has much more functionality as a file system utility.  However, because of so many widgets on its interface, a stylus is recommended although touch use is acceptable
• S2V - I can't say enough bad things about the native Pictures & Video app:  it's slow, very stylus-oriented, and generally useless. On the other hand S2V is touch-savvy, slick (like an iPhone app, despite how much I dislike Apple's closed philosophy) and responsive. S2V also works well with the hardware navigation controls so single-handed use is great
• Google Maps is a no-brainer to have available on your phone
• Skyfire - mixed reviews on this web browser.  It requires you to be online even to see your bookmarks as Skyfire stores them on its server.  However it is otherwise full-featured, and gives you a PC web browsing experience on your WM phone.  Yes, you can watch YouTube videos with it.  Just remember to be connected online before you start up this app as it otherwise won't stop trying to get online with a cellular connection (persistent bugger).  Conversely, I find Pocket Internet Explorer suitable for most web browsing on the phone because it is mindful of the limited WM screen real estate.  So in this case, Skyfire is not a complete replacement for Pocket IE
• Pocketxpdf - is a 100% replacement for the OEM Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Again the OEM app is stylus-dependent, non-intuitive, doesn't take advantage of WM's "right click" functionality, and generally seems to be programmed by a junior developer who has never touched a mobile device.  While PocketXpdf takes a little bit longer to load a PDF, once loaded, it is relatively fast to zoom in and out, responsive when panning around with your finger, and generally the user's view is very customizable.  I am now able to truly browse my course/conference materials on my phone
• WM users should also evaluate Microsoft's My Phone for backing up their phone contents online.  "My Phone" could also be viewed as a replacement for a Windows PC to sync to, if one is using Ubuntu exclusively as their desktop operating system, e.g.  WM users, beware of this Microsoft travesty:  Lost contacts while trying to sync on laptop 

One more tip is to re-configure your Buttons to launch your frequently used applications with a press of a hardware button on your device.  My HTC has a myriad of buttons so I've got them launching S2V, Total Commander, etc. with just a click.

Syncing with multiple Google Calendars

I use Google Calendar a lot (and use multiple calendars) so naturally I want to have access to my calendars on my phone. Of course, if I have a Wi-Fi connection, I can use my Google Calendar with the web browser on the phone; this is a no-brainer. But what if I want to use the Windows Mobile Calendar on the phone itself? One way that might work for most people is with Google Calendar Sync. Here is another way that requires some tech savvy (and support might not be available in Outlook versions lower than 2007):

• As opposed to Google Calendar Sync, this is one-way synchronization (Google Calendar to MS Outlook to phone) but multiple Google Calendars is supported (Macro below needs to be adjusted slightly)
• ActiveSync syncs with the MS Outlook default calendar (for the Profile the phone has partnership with; more on that in another post)
• You can add the Google Calendar in Outlook (for 2007 version, go File > Data Management > Internet Calendars tab, View and subscribe to Internet Calendars)
  
• After you've set up the Google Calendar in Outlook (http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=34576), the trick is to copy the Google Calendar items to the Outlook default calendar as that is what ActiveSync synchronizes to. Use this macro within Outlook

' Author:  Alan Leung (in 2008)
'
' MAPI
'   |
'   +-- Personal Folders
'   |     |
'   |     +-- Deleted Items
'   |     +-- Inbox
'   |     +-- Calendar
'   |     +-- ...
'   |
'   +-- Internet Calendars
'         |
'         +-- Deleted Items
'         +-- Google - Personal
'         +-- ...
'
' Interesting articles along the way:
' Import Calendar Days To Specific Cells - Excel Help & VBA Help:  http://www.ozgrid.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66377
' How to: Create Appointments:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms268752(VS.80).aspx
' How Do I ... in Outlook:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb208173.aspx
' How to programmatically import Outlook items from Access:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290658
'
' TODO: recurring events do not appear to be copied over

Const CREATED_BY_SYNC_MACRO_TAG As String = "CREATED_BY_SYNC_MACRO"


Sub CopyBetweenCalendars()

 Dim eraseDestinationCal As Boolean
 eraseDestinationCal = True
 Dim originCalName1, originCalName2 As String
 originCalName1 = "Name of Calendar 1 in Outlook"
 originCalName2 = "Name of Calendar 2 in Outlook"
 Dim destinationCal As Outlook.MAPIFolder

 Dim ns As Outlook.NameSpace
 Set ns = Application.GetNamespace("MAPI")
 ' This would do the same as the following line
 '    Set destinationCal = ns.folders.Item("Personal Folders").folders.Item("Calendar")
 Set destinationCal = ns.GetDefaultFolder(olFolderCalendar)

 ' Erase destination calendar
 If (eraseDestinationCal) Then

     For Each appointment In destinationCal.Items
 
         If appointment.BillingInformation = CREATED_BY_SYNC_MACRO_TAG Then
         
             appointment.Delete
         End If
     Next appointment
 End If

 CopyAppointments originCalName1, ns
 CopyAppointments originCalName2, ns

 MsgBox ("Done executing CopyBetweenCalendars()")
End Sub


Sub CopyAppointments(ByVal originCalName As String, ns As Outlook.NameSpace)

 Dim originCal As Outlook.MAPIFolder
 Set originCal = ns.Folders.Item("Internet Calendars").Folders.Item(originCalName)
 ' Set originCal = GetCalendar(originCalName, ns)

 ' Copy appointments over; TODO: easier, more accurate way to do this?
 Dim original As Outlook.AppointmentItem
 For Each original In originCal.Items
 
     Dim apptCopy As Outlook.AppointmentItem
     
     Set apptCopy = CreateItem(Outlook.OlItemType.olAppointmentItem)
     With apptCopy
         .Subject = original.Subject
         .Body = original.Body
         .Start = original.Start
         .End = original.End
         .AllDayEvent = original.AllDayEvent
         .Location = original.Location
         ' TODO:  recurring appointments?
         .ReminderSet = False   ' Don't remind, you'll be looking at Calendar
         .BillingInformation = CREATED_BY_SYNC_MACRO_TAG
     End With
 
     apptCopy.Save
     ' Something like this doesn't seem to be necessary
     '   destinationCal.Items.Add apptCopy
 Next original
End Sub

• Once you see the "Done executing CopyBetweenCalendars()" message box, let ActiveSync do its thing and voila, you have your Google Calendar items on the phone!
  

My HTC 6800 (Windows Mobile 6.0)

I purchased my HTC 6800 from Bell Canada back in September 2007. Initially it was kind of neat, then it felt awkward and unintuitive. Because it cost me $400 at the time (no data plan), I was forced to wrestle with it rather than chucking it in the garbage. Now I think it has become quite practical and useful in my daily life. I'd like to share some tips on my blog for this and other Windows Mobile devices.