HP iPAQ RX3100 - Use and Software

The HP iPAQ RX3100 uses Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 SE. The step up to the SE is huge as far as the OS goes. It is one of the newest releases on which smart phones are based. It offers many new features that were previously not included in the pocket PC operating systems. It still has the traditional layout and design of the older versions.

I hadn't played with a PDA since the original Pocket PC was released. Finding applications and configuring the device made it feel like I was back to using a Pocket PC. Only now there were more options already there. I am still dumbfounded as to why it has Excel and Word. There is an Outlook type of application, but no PowerPoint. You have to go find a third party application for that, which will cost you some extra money. I haven't been able to find a freeware PowerPoint program.

This PDA is designed with multimedia in mind. HP considers the RX3100 a Mobile Media Companion. This doesn't mean that any additional hardware beyond what I already talked about will be required, but it does mean it includes some other software that typically isn't included on most PDAs.

Typically, I don't give second thoughts to the many "featured" applications these devices come with. Usually they are either demo versions or stripped down versions of software that I either don't use or use enough that I would rather have the full fledged software. Rarely do I find bundled applications that I want to use. The applications that are included with the RX3100 are actually useful and beneficial to have.

The main software here is designed by Nevo. It is some rather convenient multimedia software. The first program is Home Control. I'm sure you have heard of or seen those remotes that can control all your devices with just a single remote. Well those usually cost close to $100 or even more.

This device does all that and more. You can program nearly any device that uses an IR controller. You can program in a nearly unlimited number of devices. You get the benefit of having a nice big LCD screen along with the remote. This technology is all run through the IR port on your PDA -- the same thing that remotes work on.

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