As seen in Figure R, a handy addition to the system tray is "Cascade". This offers you the same functionality as the Start menu except that it's a file and folder browser and allows you to quickly access those files that are buried away somewhere on your handheld without leaving your current application.

FIGURE R


Here's Cascade at work. Roll over picture for a larger image.

This is especially useful for reaching the individual control panels without having to open the main control panel folder.

For custom backgrounds and for simple doodling, you'll be pleased to find a miniature version of Microsoft's Paint called Pocket Paint. Check out Figure S for a screenshot.

FIGURE S


I've opened a PowerToy background bitmap in Pocket Paint. Roll over picture for a larger image.

You also get a text-based view of all of your Pocket Outlook information called Today, shown in Figure T, that works in a similar fashion to Outlook Today on the desktop PC.

FIGURE T


Today doesn't quite resemble Outlook 98's Today feature. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Today also includes "fuel gauge-like" indicators for left over battery power and memory for both programs and storage.

Whether or not these little add-ons are groundbreaking isn't really critical since they're all free for anyone to use. You can't go wrong there!

BSQUARE bMOBILE News
I purchased the BSQUARE handheld PC Bundle Pack back in November when BSQUARE was offering it at a great reduced price and one of their most popular applications that the pack included was bMOBILE News. A drawback to Windows CE is the lack of an included newsgroup reader, which, in many cases, is a valuable tool for gathering information from other Internet users while you are traveling. BSQUARE filled this gap with their handy newsgroup reader, shown in Figure U.

FIGURE U


bMOBILE News is about getting lots done in little time. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Have a look at Figure V to read a nice announcement that was recently posted by Windows CE Online. [Never let it be said that we don't promote "the other guys" here in Windows CE Power Magazine. - DG]

FIGURE V


bMOBILE News is made for ease of use on small screens. Roll over picture for a larger image.

bMOBILE News supports multiple news servers and newsgroups and even allows you to send and receive file attachments and launch Web site addresses easily. I was thankful for having purchased and installed this program when my computer was having technical problems. I used the newsgroups a lot for staying on top of the current Windows CE news and this program was a real joy to use.

You know as well as I that some applications for Windows CE are very scarce with added features and some do just one task without any extras or options. This may be welcome given the memory limitations of handhelds but it doesn't mean that you don't want any additional usefulness. BSQUARE was sure to cover about every need that you avid newsgroup users have and gave you the option of signatures, separate reply email address fields, setting download limitations, built-in filtering, printing, flash card storage of newsgroup databases, and more. This newsgroup reader definitely has all of your bases covered and for a Windows CE application, I'm impressed with the functionality that it offers.