SOTI Inc. have generously allowed me to review their latest version of Pocket Controller Professional - Version 5.05.  This version is also WM5 compatible.

Pocket Controller Professional is a powerful desktop application that allows the Pocket PC or Smartphone to be controlled from the desktop or laptop computer.  It can also display a full size image of the Pocket PC / Smartphone on the desktop, by way of the included Skin Manager.  Hundreds of skins are available for download to suit just about any device.  Let me start by showing off its features...

FEATURES

• DOS Emulator
• Sync Manager
• Explore Tool
• Macro Recording and Playing
• Overlay Drawing
• Screen Capture
• Skins
• System Information
• Task Manager
• Video Recording

DOS Emulator

The DOS Emulator allows the user to execute DOS style commands on the Pocket PC from the Desktop or Laptop computer.  Supported commands are visible through the Pocket Controller Help menu.

Sync Manager

The Sync Manager is a handy utility that enables any number of folders on the Pocket PC (including Memory Card) to be synchronised to any number of folders on the Desktop or Laptop computer.  The Sync Manager contains sync rules to determine which files in the folders are to be synchronised based on the file extensions.  I was hopeful that this also performed the appropriate file conversions from mobile format to desktop equivalent, but this is not the case.  This feature is perfect for documents not normally converted through ActiveSync, such as music, pictures, video, .pdf and html.  Perhaps later versions will see file conversion as a standard feature.  Nevertheless, this is a powerful feature to have, and I have it set to synchronise html and pdf documents when my device is connected to ActiveSync.

Explore Tool

Explore Tool is a familiar Windows Explorer style application that allows the user to explore both the Desktop or Laptop computer along with the Pocket PC.

Macro Recording and Playing

Have you ever needed to explain how to use the Pocket PC to work colleagues?  The Macro feature enables the user to record a series of stylus movements and clicks that makes for a neat playback for a seminar or demonstration.  With your Laptop set up with a projector, you can easily explain how to use the Pocket PC and relevant software by running your pre-recorded macro.  This leaves you free to walk around the room, adding your explanations.

Another use for Macro's would be to automate some tasks on the Pocket PC while it is connected to your Desktop or Laptop computer.

Overlay Drawing

While conducting your training seminar, or showing off your latest software, Overlay Drawing allows you to draw any shapes and lines onto the Pocket PC screen and skin.  This enables you to highlight which hardware buttons to press, or which software menus to select making it easy for the audience to understand how your program or Pocket PC is driven.

Screen Capture

The Screen Capture utility is the one I use the most.  For most of my reviews, I use the screen capture utility to record the Pocket PC screen either by itself, or with the skin included.  In my previous review on the XDA Atom, I chose not to include the skin as one is not yet available for download.

Skins

SOTI have made hundreds of Pocket PC and Smartphone skins available for free download through the Skin Manager utility.  If the skin you are after doesn't appear there, SOTI will create one upon request.

System Information

The System Information screen shows detailed information about your Pocket PC including OS Version, Display specifications, Memory utilization, Application addresses and Battery status.

Task Manager

This feature is great when testing out software, especially if the stability is unknown.  With this task manager, you can easily kill any application that may be preventing your device from operating correctly.  The trick is to have your device connected first, before it becomes unstable!

Video Recording

The Video Recording feature is similar to Macro Recording, except that the recording is saved as a video file (avi).  This allows the user to demonstrate the Pocket PC and software functions to others without having Pocket Controller installed.  For example, if one user is having trouble using some software, the designer or manager can simply record what is to be done, and email the video file to the department on the other side of town, or the country.  It also doubles as a hands free presentation aid allowing the presenter to walk around the room while the video is playing.

Remote Keyboard and Mouse

Using Pocket Controller Professional makes keyboard input a breeze!  When configuring Spb Weather, I always use my Laptop keyboard and mouse to input the necessary fields, as using the stylus and soft keyboard is always a slow task.  Pocket Controller Professional can be configured to be always on top, so no matter which documents you switch between, the virtual Pocket PC is always visible.

CONCLUSIONS

SOTI have done a great job designing Pocket Controller Professional, and have developed an application that is the perfect companion to Pocket PC's and Smartphones.  Pocket Controller Professional is available from the SOTI Website for $30.95USD.

The only aspect preventing a perfect score is the inability to convert Mobile files to Desktop equivalents (.pxl to .xls for example).  Other than this, Pocket Controller Professional is an essential tool for Pocket PC power users and business professionals.

This Terrific Pocket PC Companion Deserves a Neat 9/10