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"Handheld" is the most recent name for PDA's (Personal Digital Assistant), devices which are converging with cell phone technology to become all-around communication devices. The Pocket PC is "a handheld device that enables users to store and retrieve e-mail, contacts, appointments, tasks, play multimedia files, games, exchange text messages, browse the Web, and more." Faster data services, Bluetooth connectivity, and new entertainment capabilities have led to a new generation of smart phones that combine phone, organizer, e-mail, Web, and multimedia functions. Technology has come a long way in a relative short time in handheld mobile devices. The technology and capabilities of these Handheld devices is also changing very rapidly. The names of these devices change as rapidly as the technology. If you own one a handheld devices, it may be called a; PDA, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile Device, Handheld Device, Palm, Smartphone, iPhone, IPod, or some other names. To the genealogist, these devices have opened a new method for supports data types such as images, events, facts, notes, sources, repositories, addresses, to-do lists, alternate names, LDS Ordinances and media. All you have to do is download your family history data directly from your laptop or desktop computer. Now, instead of carrying your laptop along with you for family research, you can literally have the same information in the palm of your hand. No more laptops or bulky notebooks! Several handheld genealogy programs work with GEDCOM files, which solve the compability problems between the Windows and MAC computers. Their are to many handheld devices on the market today that provide mobile genealogy software to list here. Instead, we'll look only at a few of the leading mobile software programs to provide some insight into what capabilites exist based on vendor information.
Pocket Genealogist Pocket
Genealogist is
the the award winning leader in genealogy software for Pocket "Northern Hills Software is pleased to announce the release of Pocket Genealogist Version 3.10. In a nutshell, this version includes usability changes, new screen sizes for Windows Mobile 6, and support for Smartphones (Windows Mobile devices without a touchscreen - called Windows Mobile Standard with Version 6.) "We're especially excited about the Smartphone support since those devices make up a significant portion of the current handheld device market," said Laura Phillips, vice president and business manager for Northern Hills Software. "We've supported the Windows Mobile Phone Edition since it first came out, but the old Smartphones with no touchscreen just weren't suitable for a sophisticated application like Pocket Genealogist. However, with the tremendous improvements we've seen recently in Smartphone screens and navigation, we're finally comfortable making the transition." This release also includes better support for the use of Pocket PCs without a stylus, better Windows Mobile 6 support, and many other improvements. It is a free upgrade for users who previously purchased Pocket Genealogist 3.x. About Northern
Hills Software
GedWise
7.3 for Pocket PC Released! When you are ready to get serious about your genealogy research, give GedWise a try. GedWise is the fastest and easiest way to carry your entire genealogy database with you on Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld devices. GedWise supports all GEDCOM 5.5 data types, including events, names, aliases, citations, sources, repositories and notes. The application also includes a number of useful tools, such as ancestor and descendant charts, a relationship calculator, and a sophisticated search function. Take GedWise with you on your next trip to the library or archives, and you will be surprised by how much research you can get done.
GedStar Basic V5.2 GedStar
Pro is the
premier product for viewing all of your genealogy data on your PalmOS™
handheld Version 3.1 of GedStar Pro introduced support for converting and displaying the photos in your genealogy database, making it possible to view them on your handheld as attachments to an individual or event, or as a slideshow. In the near future this program may also be available in smart phones and other communication gadgets: an innovation that would greatly improve mobile phone technology and telecommunications in general. Note: GedStar Pro has not been validated for Windows Vista except for the recent V3.2 update. What It Does
How It Works
Shrubs Compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch Shrubs
is an easy to use application making it possible to carry your family tree with
you at all times. It can import standard genealogy files (GEDCOM format) and
allows you to quickly navigate through your tree at the touch of a finger.
FamViewer
My Roots Windows Mobile (v4.02) and Palm OS® Handhelds My Roots lets you take your genealogy data with you wherever you go. It's perfect for taking to the library when doing research or to your next family reunion. A free conversion utility, for PC or Mac, lets you import data from or export data to standard GED files. My Roots can display ancestor and descendant trees for any person. It also offers searching, sorting, filtering, and many other features. What
is My Roots? How do
I get my data into My Roots? Once
my data is in My Roots, what can I do with it? What
are the system requirements for My Roots? How
can I get My Roots? To see what Windows
and Mac Genealogy Software will work with MyRoots
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PDA
or smartphone. It works with any genealogy program that runs on a Windows PC,
and is especially optimized to work directly with the most popular genealogy
products, including The Master Genealogist, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree
Maker, and Personal Ancestral File.