Third-Party Software

The beauty of owning a Windows Smartphone is the high support from third-party companies and/or independent developers.  The possibilities are endless and there are plenty of excellent software applications out there that will do just about anything you wish.  As I do in all my Smartphone reviews, this section will cover some of the best apps to use with your Smartphone.

Iliumsoft Ewallet 4.1 for Smartphones

We begin with one of my all time favorites, Ewallet from Ilium Software.  Ewallet is a secure, convenient and fun way of storing all your personal information.  There are plenty of options and its security features are truly excellent.

The Professional Version includes the Desktop application that will allow you to "create" your wallet with ease and easily sync it to your Smartphone upon closing.  You can store just about anything you can think of in your Ewallet file.  There are categories and card types to cover just about everything. 

You can add your own pictures to any card you create and the latest version of Ewallet even allows you to add sound files as well.  What I like the most about this application is its seamless integration with your phone.  Phone numbers you store can be directly dialed from the application and all web links are active, meaning you can click on them and it will launch Pocket IE. 

On the Smartphone, you can display your info in a list/tree view or as icons.  This software is great to store internet sites and passwords, as well as software reg keys.  Highly recommended!

Instant Messaging Options

If your like me, and absolutely hate MSN Messenger, there are other excellent third-party messaging apps out there that do support this device.  The first one is actually free and one I tend to use over MSN.  Consider Agile Messenger as a Trillian version for Smartphones.  You can connect to a variety of networks with ease.

Agile Messenger supports all popular IM services including MSN, ICQ, AOL, and Yahoo.  You have your usual desktop options including connection status and even a traffic counter as well.  Highly recommended!

If Agile Messenger doesn't do it for you, there is one other company called Shape Services that does provide quality IM software for Pocket PC's and Smartphones.  Their software is called IM+, and it sports an user-friendly interface with support for many services.

While I don't like the interface as much over Agile Messenger, IM+ does provide many additional features most would look for, including simultaneous connection to all selected systems and sound alerts for incoming messages and contacts coming online.  Another excellent alternative to the MSN Messenger bundled with the phone.

Web Browsing Options

Unfortunately, the best web browsing options for your Smartphone are indeed subscription-based.  One unique service I found was one developed by a company called GreenLight Wireless.  They have a product for Smartphone users called Skweezer, which will basically optimize your whole browsing experience on your Smartphone.

Skweezer is not actually an application you install on your Smartphone, but rather a service...a clever service that actually works very well.  Once you get your Skweezer account, you can login to the website and "Skweeze" any website for optimal viewing on your Smartphone.  You can then simply add them to your favorites and visit their Smarphone friendly page to gain quick access to them.  I tested it with a number of websites, all of which it did a very good job at optimizing.  In fact, I prefer to browse the web using it now over other options.  The good news is that they do have a free service as well.  However, the Pro service offers many advantages, including faster downloads.  This is highly recommended for browsing the web on such devices with small screens.

One other product I have used in the past is the Thunderhawk Browser from BitStream.  Unfornately, they have informed me that a WM5 version is still not available.  I truly hope they release a new version to support newer devices.  Pages simply load faster

and what I like the most about it, is the "crosshair" that basically acts a mouse pointer, allowing you to click on links with ease.  Keep an eye on the BitStream Website for updates.  I certainly do miss this application after moving on to a WM5 device.

Entertainment Options

Not happy with Pocket WMP?  Want to play your MPEG movies at maximum performance on your Smartphone?  PocketTV is one of the very best video players for Smartphones, and I have used this software for years now.  Yes, they have a freeware version of the software, but their "Pro" version does provided better overall video performance.  I'm pleased to say that the Qtek 8500 handled video quite nicely, with absolutely not lag, sync issues or hesitation as long as they were all properly encoded for such a device.  I loaded everything, from short pocket movies, to full length music videos.  If video playback is your thing, PocketTV is definitely a much better option.

One of the best applications I've found for Smartphones is developed by none other than Resco.  They also happen to offer what I personally think is the best file system explorer for Smartphones, Resco Explorer.  Resco Pocket Radio is an internet radio streaming player designed especially for Smartphones that will play a variety of stations in MP3, OGG or ACC format.  You have a variety of genres to choose from and although the text is is quite hard to read when browsing stations, it works extremely well.  During testing, I was able to connect and stream music from about 80% of the stations listed.  Certainly a great way to pass some time when you're sick of the MP3's you have loaded on this phone.  It is skinnable and there is a scheduler for recording of programs as well.  A personal favorite!

Gaming

If gaming is your thing, you have nothing to worry about when owning a Windows Smartphone.  There are plenty of companies out there developing quality games that are specifically designed for your Smartphone.  A few of them did provide some of their products for testing on the Qtek 8500.  What I found during testing is that you'll have to get used to the flat keypad.  It is much more difficult to play certain games and I prefer those smartphones with recessed buttons for gameplay.  No a major issue though and it will take a bit of practice before you're able to play most games with ease.

For those who don't know by now, Astraware is the company behind some of those cool, addictive games you find on MSN Games.  They sent over two of the most played games on the network, Bejeweled & Cubis.  These are pocket versions designed for your Smartphone and I must say, they do look great on the small screen.

Both games provided from Astraware played flawlessly on the Qtek 8500.  Cubis, in particular, was quite a pleasure to play and colors and graphics were excellent.  A highly addictive game I recommend to many Smartphone users.

Tweaking & Customizing

Let's not forget the wide range of customizing and tweaking that can be done to your Smartphone.  Being a Windows powered phone means that many have gained quite a bit of knowledge on the registry and have found ways to make your device work and look better.

The folks over at Smartphone.si know these devices well and provide what I think is a must have app for advanced Smartphone users.  SmartTweaker is a very inexpensive third-party application that offers you a wide range of "tweaks" to enhance its capabilities.

There are simply too many options but SmartTweaker pretty much has all ends covered.  There are a variety of tweaks that can be enabled, some of which are focused on a particular version of the Operating System. 

After playing with it for some time, there are a variety that are quite useful and you'll want to enable.  "Speed Boost" will basically increase the display cache, resulting in slightly higher performance.  The Speed Up on SMS typing is also quite useful for such a device that does not sport a qwerty keyboard.  Other options include the ability to easily switch between Icon or list view on WM5 devices.  Those with a Qtek 8500 that prefer a list view of the start menu will find this tweak quite handy.  At just under $7, it's a small price to pay for what it has to offer.

Also remember that the perks of having a phone like this is the ability to customize them heavily.  You can download homescreens and/or themes, as well as a variety of homescreen plug-ins that can be quite useful. 

Minor Bugs Present

After installing numerous third-party applications, I found one particular bug quite annoying.  For some odd reason, the homescreen will automatically change from the shipped Qtek homescreen to the Windows Default.  Install two or three more apps, and the homescreen will automatically switch back to the one with the Qtek background image.  This is the first time I've encountered this and I'm completely clueless as to what causes it to revert back to the Windows Default Homescreen.  All I can think of is that is an issue with the ROM itself.  I'm curious to know if anyone who owns the Qtek branded phone has encountered this issue.  Please feel free to discuss in the forums.

Update 08/27/06:  The I-mate ROM does not have this issue, but then again there is not I-mate homescreen either.  The phone ships with the standard Windows homescreen applied.

Next: Performance