Written by Peter Murphy on Saturday, April 4, 2009

Quick Look: Celio Redfly Viewer

We all like a desktop solution to edit data on our Windows Mobile devices, it’s just easier, the ill fated Redfly from Celio, hit the market at an unfortunate time, coinciding with the introduction and utter proliferation of the netbook. Although the devices were similairly sized and priced, the disadvantage of the Redfly was that it doesn’t do anything but work off your Windows Mobile device, let’s face it Celio couldn’t even give the hardware away.

In what appears to be an astute marketing move, they have released a software Beta, that let’s you use an XP or Vista based PC, in the same way as the stand alone Redfly, whilst still running all of your normal Windows apps. Not having the chance to check out the Hardware, I had to try out the software, up till now, I’ve been using Soti Pocket Controller for the same purpose, but of late I’ve noticed some inconsistencies with screen capture, so another option like this, took my attention immediately. Aware that this is a beta, I thought I’d have a quick look and tell you what I think… [just a note, click on any of the images to see full size]

Normally, working with Soti, I have a simulation of my phone screen on the desktop, no larger, it just loses clarity, and crispness, so an alternative that gives me better image clarity, for starters is appealing. But

you can compare the two, Pocket Controller maintains the feel of your mobile. whilst Redfly on the desktop, has a few problems. You can see that the theme colour is maintained at the top of the Celio window, but doesn’t translate to the rest of the screen. No matter really, well it is, because I use a theme with white text, there are two today screen plug-ins that you cannot visually access unless you actually tap/click on them, and then they open the application anyway! The top plug-in there is date and the bottom is newsbreak from Iliumsoft, and the reason to have them on the desktop is obvious, to see what they say. Already a big non plus for me, do I have to have a compatible theme to use the software?

Another thing that’s really interesting about the way it works is that it’s a reflection of the way it works on the Redfly hardware. The majority of the settings and tweaks are device side, not PC side.

I was surprised, but when you think about the origin of this application, came from a device that is a doorstop unless connected to a WinMo phone, you sort of get a bit of an “Ahh, well, OK” feeling.

The interface is as simple and intuitive, shall I say fool proof, on the desktop, you would really have to be a non PC person to work out how to get around this application on the desktop. I did find though that some apps themselves weren’t compatible, or partially incompatible with Redfly. So SPB menu would load, but the now screen came up black screen. Some applications wouldn’t start at all, and trying to multi task, would lock up the phone, causing the dreaded soft reset ho hum.