I finally got a chance to put WM5 through it's paces today on a Cingular Wizard and I really like what I see, especially from a blogger's point of view. I posted earlier about some of the difficulties with mobile blogging and while it's still not perfect, I'm at least able to get the job done without installing a bunch of add-on software.

Let me start this post by saying thanks to all the readers from Make, Hackaday, and Blogcadre that helped me beta test.

Get Ready.

THANKS!

As you can guess from the post's title, PhotoPlug is finally ready for download.

Make sure you put it on someone's phone for Christmas. It's a great program - you wont regret it.

Here is the final feature list:

• Your photos play as a slideshow on your phone's homescreen
• Play images from internal storage (My Documents), SD Card, or a custom directory of your choice
• QVGA support for the new high-res devices!
• Settings tool makes configuration a snap
• Choose the photo playback speed
• Action button launches camera application on supported devices. On all other devices, the configuration program is launched.
• Faster performance and smaller memory footprint
• Battery saver: photo playback is paused when phone is not in use
• "Slideshow" theme is included with this install. Check back soon for more PhotoPlug enabled home screen themes.

Get It Now!
Click here to get the 2003, 2003se, and 2005 (Magneto) version

Click here to get the 2002 version

I’m taking a stab at posting from an iMate Jam / MDA Compact Windows Mobile Pocket PC. So far its been fairly frustrating, but I think a little practice will help the process.

Here are the main issues I’ve been struggling with while writing this post:

• Single-tasking browser experience in Pocket IE
• Soft keyboard is tedious
• No way to download files such as images

I'm determined to make this work. Watch this post for an update including some tips and tricks for Windows Mobile blogging.

In a strange series of events, Macromedia pulled a quick strategic u-turn... just as I began writing this article. The original story, titled "Macromedia ditches Pocket PC Flash," began like this:

On the 3rd of October, Macromedia decided to remove Pocket PC Flash Player 6 from their website. This download is what allows Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices to view Flash content within Pocket Internet Explorer.

Why on earth would Macromedia attempt to shrink their Flash install base? It boggles the mind. Or does it.

If you want to entertain your suspicions about what Macromedia is doing with the Pocket PC and Smartphone platforms and whether we'll ever get to see Flash for the PSP, keep reading.

I'm just days away from shrink-wrapping the release version of my Smartphone app. PhotoPlug lets you view slide shows and access your phone's camera directly from the home screen.

I think it's the best Smartphone app ever, but I am a little biased. It's definately the best homescreen plugin. That, I am sure. ;)

I'm looking for a few nice people with 2002 or 2005 Smartphones to help me test. In return, you get a free copy of the application before anyone else gets to see it, and you get the opportunity to help an indie developer ensure that this is, in fact, the best SP app ever. If you want to help, please contact me.

Got a favorite Smartphone or Pocket PC application? Let us know in the comments.

UPDATE Dec-02-2005:
The release version of PhotoPlug is finally available for download from smartphone.net. Thanks to everyone who helped!

Get it now!
Click here to get the 2003, 2003se, and 2005 (Magneto) version

Click here to get the 2002 version