Be careful if you go to Scotland. Old people should be dangerous, because they have signs like that:

Beware of the elderly!

A long time ago, I had access to a Pocket PC with mobile phone capabilities (a HP h6300 series) . Its was as big as a PDA, with a little antenna on the top. After a few days using it (maybe some weeks), I realized that I was not comfortable using it. It was extremely big compared to my previous mobile phone, and I was not using at all the task lists or the calendar. So I returned the PDA and continued using my “simple” phone.

But about 5 months ago, I recovered it and started to use it again. This time, I looked at it different. The WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities, combined with a external 512 MB SD card, let me add a lot of functionalities. I was wrong using it as mobile phone with extras. It is, instead, a portable computer, with phone capabilities added. With this idea in mind, a Pocket PC based smartphone can be a good investment. See how I am using it, with the help of some applications (most of them free!):

• Weather forecast. Information about today, and next days, of several cities (in my case, Manresa and Barcelona) using ADBWeather. It can be updated using and Internet connection.
• Podcast player: Subscribe to, download, and listen podcasts with Lastpod (a.k.a. Audipod).
• PDF reader: with the included software, or installing Acrobat Reader.
• Power Point, Word and Excel (ouch x3) editor.
• Txt editor. Even vim can be used :D.
• IM Messenger: MSN, jabber, gtalk… using imov Messenger.
• Image editor/viewer. Very useful combined with maps! It can substitute in some cases a GPS!
• eBook reader.
• VoIP terminal. Skype people has developed it.
• Music Player, with GSPlayer. Not so cool as an Ipod, but works well enough :).
• Video Player. TCPMP is very good doing this. Watch divx at anyplace, at anytime. Nice when travelling by bus or underground ;).
• Flashlight / lantern. Yes, you read right. pLamp uses the PDA illuminated screen to accomplish it.
• RSS reader. I love it as a substitute for the web navigator. I use pRSSreader.
• The bluetooth connection can be used to connect to an external GPS receiver. There are several programs available, mos of them not free. A free (but simple) solution is RichesseGPS. I only recommend it for Geocaching application. It is more and intelligent compass that a mapping application.
• The typical TODO list, calendar, contacts list…
• And, of course, mobile phone (calling and SMS/MMS).
• And games! :D

So, not bad for “big and not so cool design” mobile phone, duh? If you are propietary of a toy like this, I recommend you to take a look at PDA@jasnapaka.com. He developed some useful applications, such as an improved task manager, ruler (using the screen again!) or improved battery monitor.

I think that, on the future, everybody will carry a portable computer with himself, as today everybody is carrying a mobile phone. And Smartphones could be the first step.