applications unplugged: using ca-visual objects with handheld computers
DESCRIPTION
Handheld computers. Smart phones. Are they toys or are they tools? That’s a question that’s being asked in a lot of places these days. The topic of interest is the various types of handheld and palmtop computers that are available today. . Beyond the handheld device, Microsoft has other ideas. For instance, they have been targeting the Windows Mobile environment specifically at embedded devices, and there seems to be significant vertical market potential there. What are these devices, and what can they do? Today's devices are fully featured computers, featuring some method of connecting and synchronizing their data with backup copies held on the desktop systemsAlong with the way that they are able to synchronize their data they have one other feature that makes these pocket size devices potentially very powerful from our perspective. This is the fact that they are fully programmable. This means that as applications developers, we can write programs for them that we can also interface with our desktop applications, thus providing our users with a portable, friendly, alternate input medium.TRANSCRIPT
Gary Stark
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
If CellPhone:Off .or. ;CellPhone:SilentMode
SELF:Stay := TRUEEnd
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Once upon a time
• There was a mainframe computer
• Then there was the mini computer
• Then came the micro computer
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Today many use a laptop computer
• Except my dog
Gary [email protected]
• He uses a yaptop
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Today:
Gary [email protected]
– Handheld Computers– Palmtop Computers– Wearable Computers
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Small - Truly pocketable
Gary [email protected]
• Versatile - Real applications
• Quick - Instant on
• Built-in connectivity– USB– Bluetooth– WLAN
• Inexpensive– from US$100
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Inexpensive
Gary [email protected]
– From US$100
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• The Contenders
Gary [email protected]
– Palm OS devices – Windows CE
• Pocket PC 2002• CE 3.x (Handhelds)• Auto PC• Telephony
– Linux
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• The Contenders
Gary [email protected]
– Palm OS devices -• Palm series
• Handspring series
• Sony Clie
• Symbol
• Cellphones– Samsung, Kyocera, etc.
– Motorola Dragonball CPU
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• The Contenders
Gary [email protected]
– Windows Pocket PC 2002• Compaq iPAQ• Cassiopeia (E200, etc)• HP Journada• Symbol
– Intel StrongArm CPU
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• The Contenders
Gary [email protected]
– Windows CE - Other form factors• HP Journada HPC• Auto PC• Windows Embedded
– Linux• Sharp Zaurus
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Lost In Action– Apple's Newton
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Are They Organizers?
Gary [email protected]
– Task management
– Contact management
– Time management
– Notepad
– Pocket calculator
– Fully programmable
– Expandable
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Effortless synchronization to desktop computers– Via cradle or cable– Via WLAN– Via modem
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Web Surfing
• Voice recorder
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Expandable– PCMCIA Cards
• WLAN
• Modem
• RAM
• GPS
• Cellphone
– CF Cards• WLAN
• Modem
• RAM
• MicroDrive
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Expandable– Multi Media / Secure Digital Cards
• RAM
– Custom Cards• Modem
• RAM
• Cellphone
• Bluetooth
• GPS
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Wireless– 802.11b
• Ethernet LAN• Access to corporate data
– Bluetooth• Personal networking• Closely held devices
– Printer
– Cellphone
– Camera
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Are They Toys?
Gary [email protected]
– Fully progammable– Windows hosted development environments– Metrowerks CodeWarrior for Palm OS – Microsoft Embedded toolkit
• CE devices are .NET compliant
• Sega Dreamcast is a Windows CE device!
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Windows CE:
Gary [email protected]
– Visual C++– Visual Basic– Visual J++– .NET– NS Basic
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Palm OS:
Gary [email protected]
– MetroWerks CodeWarrior– AppForge– NS Basic– Pocket Studio
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Using A Handheld Computer
Gary [email protected]
• The user interface– Palm/PPC devices use a stylus– No keyboard needed– Optional keyboards becoming commonplace
• H/PCs use keyboard
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• No Keyboard
Gary [email protected]
• Optimize user interface– Dropdowns– Checkboxes– Radio Buttons
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• The Operating Environments
Gary [email protected]
– Palm Pilot, Handspring Visor, Sony Clie, Palm based Cellphones
• Proprietary operating system
• Palm OS
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• The Operating Environments
Gary [email protected]
– Windows CE Devices– Windows CE - 32 bit Windows API
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• The Operating Environments
Gary [email protected]
– Linux Desktop
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Different versions of CE for– H/PC– Palm sized PC– Must compile for target CPU
• New Microsoft PPC specification– Intel StrrongArm CPU– All devices will use same core
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Application Ideas?
Gary [email protected]
– In store data collection– Expense tracking– Time billing– Parking meters– Real Estate
– Electricity meters– In field sales orders– Education– Shopping Cart– Restaurant Orders
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Application Ideas?
Gary [email protected]
• Warehouse management? – Real Time Data Access– Connect to various backends
• DBF
• SQL
– Wireless or wired
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Methodolgies
Gary [email protected]
• Custom Applications
• IE Browser Interface
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Data Gathering
Gary [email protected]
– Screen real estate is very limited– Keyboard entry may not be available– Handwriting recognition works, but ...
• KISS
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Consider Your Data
Gary [email protected]
– Where does it originate?– Who uses it?– And why?
• Data validation?– Consider tools– Visual Objects, VB, .NET, PHP
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• GUI Elements
Gary [email protected]
– Drop down lists– Buttons - Push and Radio– Checkboxes– Calendar
• Make it easy for your user
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• On The Desktop
• Design– Design
• Design– Design
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• On The Desktop
• Consider the partner O/S
• Consider the partner DBMS– DBF– SQL
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• On The Desktop• Consider the partner application
– Visual Objects
– C++
– VB
– C#
– .NET
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• On The Desktop
• Consider the data access methodologies– Direct access
• Custom Application• Browser Based
– XML– Delimited Text File
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• In Your Hand– Consider your tools– Might be platform driven– Can't use Microsoft products on
Palm OS Devices– Extra Hardware
• Cost• Availability
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Consider the tools' restrictions– No xBase on either platform
• Can use a DOS emulator and compileand run Clipper applications on CE devices!
– ODBC is available on Windows CE– All can talk directly with PC platform
• Ideal for live, portable solutions in conjunction with a desktop PC
Gary [email protected]
Applications UnpluggedUsing VO with Handheld Computers
• Data, Data, Who's Got The data?– Handheld?– Desktop?– Both?
• Synchronization design
• Who is the source of truth?
Gary [email protected]