Date:30 March 2005
Introduction
Do you know the "X" button on the top right corner of the screen on your Pocket PC does not close the program but minimizes it instead? Often misunderstood as a program bug, it's just the way Microsoft designed the software. To actually close the program, you have to click on Start / Settings / System and select the Memory icon. From there, click on the "Running programs" tab to end your tasks. How inconvenient.
But fret not, scores of developers have acted on Microsoft's "inadequacy" and came up with their own solutions to better manage programs running on our devices. Some have chosen to cash in on their products while others have generously contributed their work to the community as freeware.
For this write-up, we have selected a few free task managers which PCCSG members have recommended. Here're our top picks.
vBar
At a mere 21KB, it is touted as the world's smallest and fastest task manager. Highly recommend as a 'no frills' alternative, it integrates seamlessly into the Windows Mobile OS, gets the job done and most importantly, is free!
vBar changes the function of the "X" button from minimize to close. It also adds a 'menu' button and when tapped, displays all the tasks running in the background. Additionally, a resource gauge indicates your battery and memory status. On our Xda II Mini, vBar performed flawlessly. Response was zippy and it did not interfere with the default Windows icons. We had no problems functioning in different display modes as it is tested to work with VGA Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition devices. Skinnable, you can tweak the menu, close, ok and battery/memory icons.
vBar can be found at http://www.vieka.com/vbar.htm
PocketNav
Another freeware task manager written by Scott Seligman, PocketNav, won the Survivor award for being the best task switcher app. Although similar to vBar, it has some added features.
What we find most useful in PocketNav is the option to enable dual functions for the close button. By enabling "Tap and Hold", you can now minimize programs by tapping on the "X" and end tasks by pressing and holding onto it. The software also worked well when toggling between the different display modes. Unfortunately, PocketNav was noticeably slower than vBar with a slight lag sporadically. The icons are also not skinnable. Windows Mobile 2003 users should select "Pocket PC 2002 UI" under options. While the software was written for Pocket PC 2000/2002 devices, it seems to work for most current devices.
PocketNav can be found at http://www.scottandmichelle.net/scott/cestuff.html
Magic Button
Another useful task manager is Magic Button by TransCreative. It boasts a small footprint and the executable file is merely 40KB in size. We noticed that it ran slightly faster than PocketNav but still can't match vBar's zippiness. However, it has extras which might catch your eye.
Magic Button can operate in two modes. The first mode is "hidden" mode and looks exactly like the default Pocket PC task bar. However, when you switch to the second "enhanced" mode by tapping on the Magic Button icon you will have a very different task bar. In addition to the default icons, the task bar will display running tasks, a "Today" icon and a battery meter.
The "X" button can be configured to either close or minimize programs (for both "hidden" and "enhanced" modes). Programs can also be closed by tapping and holding onto their respective icons (in enhanced mode) on the task bar and selecting "Close [Program name]". Magic Button also worked well when the screen was switched between landscape and portrait orientation.
Unfortunately, we found the "mode" switching redundant as we preferred "enhanced" mode. In addition, Magic button lets you assign mode switching to one of the hardware buttons.
Pocket PC Phone Edition users should take note. In enhanced mode, you can only display a maximum of three original icons and the Clock. Meaning, it will show only the programs currently running, the add-on "Today" icon, the original radio icon, the clock and the "X" button. The "Connection/GPRS" icon is now missing. Hopefully, a newer version will fix this oversight.
Overall, Magic Button performed better than the other two apps mentioned earlier. Unfortunately, it takes a while to figure out so beginners should invest a little more time.
Download your copy of Magic Button at http://www.trancreative.com/mb.aspx
Wisbar Advance 1.3.2.2
If you don't use a Phone Edition device, Wisbar Advance is a great choice. A variation of Wisbar, this free task manager is packed with features and fully skinnable.
Probably the best looking task manager available, it displays running tasks and enables you to minimize programs by tapping on "X" or close them by pressing and holding on "X". It basically does everything that the earlier three tasks managers can do and lets you dress up your Pocket PC with skins. Do note that this will take up more resources and slow down the overall performance.
Sadly, newer versions are no longer free. The latest free edition of Wisbar Advance is 1.3.2.2. This version only supports up to Windows Mobile 2003 devices (non-Second Edition). In order to work on newer devices, it is necessary to purchase the updated version (2.X onwards) of Wisbar Advance.
Wisbar Advance 1.3.2.2 can be downloaded at http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/downloads/wisbar.html
A trial version of Wisbar Advance 2.X is available at http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/wisbar/index.html
