I use a lot of Technology and enjoy putting it to work, be it personal computers, digital cameras, mobile phones or music players. In doing so, I have tested a variety of mobile phones from the very basic ones to the PocketPC/Smartphone variety, having used more than 30 different models first hand. 

Each time I have bought any gadget, it has been preceded by countless manhours spent researching the entire category, reviewing every little nuance of its feature-set, build quality, usability, etc.  I have also benefitted significantly from the advice available on discussion forums, on a wide range of known software/hardware issues.  And, of course, the Internet has helped immensely in that regard.  So, this post is me giving back to the community in an effort to help others…

A few weeks ago, I bought a Window Mobile 6.0 PocketPC device (HTC P3400i).  While it offered an excellent platform for a handheld mobile phone, I also noticed that the underlying OS could do with a few enhancements.  The beauty of a Windows-based phone was, of course, that new software was just a few clicks away.

What followed is a significant amount of time researching how to make it more user-friendly.  In the process, I ended up downloading a number of freeware programs, trying them out, and eventually keeping some installed that addressed a number of the limitations built into the WM 6.0 platform. 

Thanks to that experience, I now have a list of the my “My Top 10” freeware apps for WM 6.0 that have simply changed what my PocketPC device can do… Not quite an iPhone but imminently more usable than the boxed version I bought!

Here’s the full list:

• ContactChanger – Changes display of Outlook contacts to ‘First Last’
• GroupSMS – Allows selecting multiple SMS recipients without effort
• MagicButton – The TaskManager you need with a SmartClose feature
• PCM Keyboard – Finger-friendly keyboard with ample error-correction
• PocketCM Contact – iPhone-style contact manager with SMS threads
• S2P – Finger-friendly iPhone-style MP3 player for your phone
• SKToolsLite – A system utility to free up RAM, modify registry, etc.
• VistaHide Battery Guage – A very discreet always-on Battery Meter (see the thin coloured line at the top?)
• XnView Pocket – User-friendly Image Viewer with easy slideshow options
• WorldMatePro – A traveller’s best friend with a lot of free utilities built-in

Bonus: Kevtris – The only Tetris game you’ll ever need!

I have refrained from mentioning version numbers, as the creators of these apps keep rolling out newer versions.  You should, in any case, be downloading the latest build available online.  Most of this is available on popular websites like FreewarePocketPC.net and merely a Google search away.  Enjoy!