Monday, July 04, 2005
apMemo 2.2 mini review
Everyone has those small applications that they consider an essential install every time they rebuild their Pocket PC. I have a couple and one in particular is apMemo from apSofts. Borne out of a frustration to use my device for quick scheduled reminders, I looked at a number of different tools to do the job which is when I stumbled upon the trial of this software which was originally the free ware product. Since then, the product has matured with the updated features making the version two product well worth the purchase price that was introduced.
So what makes apMemo so special to demand a place on my Pocket PC? Quite simple - its easy to use interface which lets me create and schedule informative reminders in literally a couple of seconds.
After the simple installation, the first thing we want to check out is the tools menu which contains the main options. From here we can default the pen size and colour as well as the background colour for our notes. We also have the option of moving the data file to another location should be wish to manage our storage memory utilisation. Although the size of the data file is dependant on the number and complexity of the memos you create, it is typically very small and leaving the default path should be fine for the vast majority of users.
Getting into the application proper, we are presented with a blank memo the first time we start it up. Creating a memo from here is as simple as scribbling a note or picture down in freehand and voila – we have a visual reminder much in the same form as a post it note. The biggest asset of course is setting a reminder on a memo which will alert you when the memo is relevant. Doing so is achieved by tapping the small clock icon on the tool bar at the bottom and selecting a quick time option from those available or going into the full set time applet. There is a good selection of preset intervals to quickly set the reminder however the full applet provides the user with a calendar to select the date as well quick buttons to select the time or to use the digital counter for greater precision. All memos have their creation date and time stamp in the top left corner and any memo with a reminder set has the clock icon highlighted in red with the date and time of the scheduled reminder in the top bar.
Icons along the bottom allow quick access to create a new memo, delete the existing one and cycling back and forwards through existing memos. To the right of the clock icon you can quickly select the pen width and colour and finally we have the eraser tool that allows you to make corrections with the stylus by simply rubbing out the offending sections.
This is a very robust and simple to use little application and easily one of my most used. The one thing I would like to see added is support for the Pocket PC input panel so you can add text to more complex notes as opposed to free-handwriting with the stylus.
If you are looking for a standalone reminder application that is both fast and simple use, you need look no further.
So what makes apMemo so special to demand a place on my Pocket PC? Quite simple - its easy to use interface which lets me create and schedule informative reminders in literally a couple of seconds.
After the simple installation, the first thing we want to check out is the tools menu which contains the main options. From here we can default the pen size and colour as well as the background colour for our notes. We also have the option of moving the data file to another location should be wish to manage our storage memory utilisation. Although the size of the data file is dependant on the number and complexity of the memos you create, it is typically very small and leaving the default path should be fine for the vast majority of users.
Getting into the application proper, we are presented with a blank memo the first time we start it up. Creating a memo from here is as simple as scribbling a note or picture down in freehand and voila – we have a visual reminder much in the same form as a post it note. The biggest asset of course is setting a reminder on a memo which will alert you when the memo is relevant. Doing so is achieved by tapping the small clock icon on the tool bar at the bottom and selecting a quick time option from those available or going into the full set time applet. There is a good selection of preset intervals to quickly set the reminder however the full applet provides the user with a calendar to select the date as well quick buttons to select the time or to use the digital counter for greater precision. All memos have their creation date and time stamp in the top left corner and any memo with a reminder set has the clock icon highlighted in red with the date and time of the scheduled reminder in the top bar.
Icons along the bottom allow quick access to create a new memo, delete the existing one and cycling back and forwards through existing memos. To the right of the clock icon you can quickly select the pen width and colour and finally we have the eraser tool that allows you to make corrections with the stylus by simply rubbing out the offending sections.
This is a very robust and simple to use little application and easily one of my most used. The one thing I would like to see added is support for the Pocket PC input panel so you can add text to more complex notes as opposed to free-handwriting with the stylus.
If you are looking for a standalone reminder application that is both fast and simple use, you need look no further.
