Asus MyPal A716 PDA Review - Software
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Upon starting the A716 you will be greeted with this screen:
This will also be the screen that will show up every time the power is turned on, but not if you are just waking it from standby mode. The setup is pretty straight forward: synchronize time, calibrate stylus, and read the quick and clean instruction manual.
The "desktop" screen is pretty basic but provides fast access to the most important tools:
The line that says "Tap here to set owner information" allows you to enter things such as your name, company, address, telephone, and email. The it provides the option to display that information every time the PDA is started.
Tapping the Start button in the top left corner provides access to Pocket PC start menu:
This gives you access to everything else that's available. Note also that I decided to use a different background picture which is also included because I thought it looked much sharper (see below).
In the opposite corner from the Start button are two symbols, the one on the left for WiFi and the one on the right for Bluetooth. Tapping one or the other will bring up a similar menu:
Simply tapping "Wireless LAN On" (or Bluetooth) will cause the MyPal to search for available wireless networks and then ask which, if there are more than one, to set as default. After default is set though it will connect to which ever it can get the strongest signal for as long as it has the correct permissions to use it. Unfortunately the MyPal A716 does not allow for simultaneous use of wireless LAN and Bluetooth, turning one on will automatically turn the other off.
Once WiFi or Bluetooth is turned on, a light will come on at the top of the PDA indicating it is connected:
The photograph shows a signal strength indicator located on the top center of the screen. After connecting to the Internet while in my office, which is where the wireless router is, I walked outside, went downstairs and across the street. I was about 30ft from my house (where my office is on the other side of the house) and there was still one little bar on the signal strength meter. I was able to access the web and check my email. Definitely better than I was expecting.
Although the connection was a pretty impressive Pro in my list of Pros and Cons, I realized one of the biggest Cons at the same time. With the sun shining brightly, the screen was almost impossible to read regardless of the brightness setting. Most people won't be using these outside in the sun, but if so, you don't want to be struggling to read an email or see what time your appointment is set for.
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