Resco Contact Manager 2.05

Resco, the Windows Mobile developers behind the classic Resco Explorer and Resco Photo Manager, have released an update to another of their applications:  Resco Contact Manager.  The update, now at version 2.05, brings several fixes that users should find worth the free update.  Check out the details below:

The Improvements in version 2.05 deal with the Facebook integration, especially the Log in procedure. According to problems occurring with the log in Resco decided to completely change the whole process. The new one will be more flexible and any other changes will be promptly solved using an online update, without the need to reinstall the application again.

New Features in Version 2.05

Improved Log in Process to Facebook

The new process will be more effective and flexible to changes made by the Facebook developers.

Online Facebook Service Update

The program checks the available updates each time you log in to Facebook.  Any changes regarding the Facebook features (Facebook contacts, messaging, etc…) will be automatically integrated without the need to reinstall the program again.

Korean SMS Support

The application can now display the Korean SMS.

Resco Photo Manager 7 for Windows Mobile Main UI Screen

Introduction

Resco recently introduced Photo Manager version 7 for Windows Mobile phones. Version 7, a major upgrade to an already top-notch photo viewer program, is aimed at better serving the touch screen of user’s devices. Resco was kind enough to provide a complimentary copy for me to review, and I’ve been spending some time with the update on my HTC Touch Pro. After grabbing yourself a glass of iced tea, sit back and join me as we look at how Photo Manager 7 may quickly become an essential app on your Windows Mobile device.

Installation

Resco Photo Manager 7 can be installed via CAB to either internal storage or an external card without issue. It seems to work fine in both locations, with neither taking a hit on performance. You will also note that after installation, Resco’s screenshot utility is installed and available to you via Start Menu / Programs. The size of the installation weighs in a little under 2 megabytes, which is very respectable for a program of this quality.

General Usage

Launching Photo Manager 7 presents the user with a touch oriented interface, large finger friendly icons and kinetic scrolling included. The traditional Windows Mobile task bar is hidden from the user. The major portion of the screen is dedicated to shortcuts to your device’s images. These shortcuts are set up to take you directly to your My Documents folder, the images from your device’s camera, photos that you have set as “favorites” and My Albums, a shortcut into your defined albums.

Resco Photo Manager 7 for Windows Mobile Main UI Screen

The bottom of the screen is populated with buttons to program menus and a shortcut to the camera.

As you dive further into the program, pressing one of the shortcuts with your finger, you are taken to a display of image thumbnails. Easily scrolling vertically with the flick of a finger, users can stop with the press of a finger. A second press and your taken into a full screen display of the image. Here you have the option of simply viewing the image or performing some basic edits using Resco’s nicely integrated controls.

Resco Photo Manager 7 for Windows Mobile Thumbnails

Resco Photo Manager 7 for Windows Mobile Edit Controls

Resco has wisely included support for uploading of images to some of the more common social networks, including Flickr, Facebook, Picasa and Twitter. A present day photo viewing application also wouldn’t be considered as highly without the ability to tag images with GPS positions.

Strengths

User interface all the way, here, guys and gals. Resco has thoughtfully planned and materialized on a touch driven photo viewing experience.

Suggestions for Improvement

My main gripe is also one of the features of Photo Manager 7 – the full screen display. The traditional Windows Mobile task bar needs to be able to be toggled via a preference… at least that is my preference. Without it, the multi-tasking that is capable with Windows Mobile is dimished somewhat.

Final Comments

I recommend giving Resco Photo Manager 7 a home on your Windows Mobile device, especially if your device is a newer touch optimized phone. The user interface is intuitive. The feature set is impressive, with the editing tools, GPS and social network support allowing you get the most out of your handheld computing experience.

Details

• Current Version: 7.03
• Trial Limit: 7 Days
• Price: $24.95
• Company: Resco
• Product Info: http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/photomanager/

Every once in a while, we all get bogged down with the day to day details of life.  During the holiday season, this sometimes is more so the case than others.  For this reason, I wanted to take a moment to let you know that while things seem a bit slow at the moment, some great reviews are in the works.  They should start rolling out this week, as students are finishing up for the semester and I finally have some time for myself again!

Please note that the order I mention the items here doesn’t necessarily indicate the order they will appear

With iLium Software’s recent eWallet 7 release, I decided it was time to revisit how my confidential information was stored (in my head).  We’re going to take a look at eWallet on the Windows Mobile, Windows Vista, Mac OS X and iPhone operating systems, looking to see how each platform addresses the task.

Next, we’re going to take a look at Resco’s recently released SMS Widget for Windows 7 and Vista.

We’re then going to take a look at another new Resco release, Photo Manager 7 for Windows Mobile.  The new update is completely optimized for a finger friendly experience, which I’m sure will please some of you.

Finally, we are going to take a look at several of the different clock softwares for Windows Mobile, including the recently released SPB Time 3 and ageye’s G-Alarm.

Hope you find something in the list to look forward to.  Stay tuned and an early Happy Holidays.

Resco has just introduced version 7 of their image viewing program for Windows Mobile, Resco Photo Viewer.  The updated program provides enhanced support for the ever more finger friendly user interface, as can be seen in the screenshot above.  The buttons are larger and spaced to allow for large fingers!  The finger friendly UI has also been enhanced with gestures.

Additionally, Resco Photo Viewer 7 adds support for using GPS to tag images, a redesigned image browser that focuses on sorting images into albums and the ability to upload images to popular social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

A 7 day trial can be downloaded here, while the full version is available for $24.95.

Please watch for the upcoming full review of Resco Photo Viewer 7 as I try it out on my HTC Touch Pro, while in the meantime you can see the full press release below:

Resco Photo Manager 7.00 Released — Far Beyond Standards

Bratislava, Slovakia (December 2, 2009), Resco, a supplier of Windows Phone applications and one of the a leading mobile software developers officially announced the release of Resco Photo Manager 7.00, follower of a popular image viewing application with brand new graphic solutions, overall concept and handling options.

Resco Photo Manager is a favorite photo viewing program with features far beyond standards of the classic built-in viewer. Users gain functions of complete image management in a modern looking and easy to handle application. Intuitive way of work, outrageous effects and many slideshow and edit features move other image viewing programs to the second line.

“With Photo Manager 7, Resco made a fantastic and completely new user experience for showing and managing photos on a Windows Phone. The developers focus on easy finger-friendly controls and iPhone-like interface will fit all needs on the go to provide best user experience.” said David Kaiser from Pocketland.de. “If you want to have photos on the Windows Phone you will need to install Resco Photo viewer.”

Since the last version, the application has undergone lots of graphical and functional changes. The old fashioned appearance has been replaced by modern looking graphics and the overall concept has been modified to make work with the program even more intuitive and effective. Support for the most popular social networks was added.

Some of new features in version 7.00

• Touch optimized user interfaces with handy gestures
  Users operate in 3 main interfaces; Browser, Viewer and Slideshow. Zoom, rotation and move gestures make image handling very comfortable.

• Quick image access
  Browser’s home screen offers 4 main image databases; My Documents, Camera Roll, Favorites and My Albums.

• Footprint support for devices with GPS Module
  Enables adding GPS position to any of the images and make diary of a trip. Such geo-tagged image can be, afterwards, located on a map (using Google Maps).

• Upload to the social networks: Flickr, Facebook, Picassa and Twitter
  Along with Flickr, the biggest internet image database, users can choose among other three popular social networks (Facebook, Picassa or Twitter) to upload their photos to.

Screenshots

Resco has recently released their first gadget for Windows 7 (it also runs on Vista).  The gadget ships as a part of the Windows Mobile Resco Contact Manager, 2nd Edition, software and supports sending a SMS to contacts via the your desktop computer.

Overall, the premise of this gadget sounds wonderful.  Thinking about all of the times that I need to get in contact with someone but don’t have the time to call or even turn away from the computer, sending a SMS quickly from my laptop should only boost productivity, right!?

See below for the full press release from Resco:

Bratislava, Slovakia (November 26, 2009) —Resco, a supplier of Windows phone applications, releases today Resco Send SMS gadget, a desktop extension of Resco Contact Manager 2nd Edition supported by Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

This simple application allows you to easily send SMS via desktop computer while having your mobile device connected to the PC. Handling is easy and comfortable. After the gadget installation, it is embedded in the desktop’s gadget bar. Then, by connecting a device to the PC, all contacts are loaded via “refresh” button. The SMS sending is as simple as picking up one or more recipients, typing the text and pressing „Send SMS“.

“Microsoft is pleased with the seamless integration of Resco Send SMS gadget with the Microsoft Windows 7 interface,” said Peter Jirsák, Windows Client business group lead. “One of the most used function of Windows phone — text messaging — is now easily accessible directly from the Windows 7 powered PC.”

Resco Send SMS gadget is a valuable addition in communication between your device and desktop, which can save you much time. Besides the fact that typing on the PC is much faster than typing on the mobile device, pasting texts from clipboard can be very helpful when sending important texts stored on the desktop via SMS.

Screenshots

Availability

Resco Send SMS gadget is available only as part of the Resco Contact Manager 2^nd Edition. When installing Resco Contact Manager, select the Resco Send SMS gadget installation.

http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/contactmanager/gadget.asp