Windows Phone Thoughts: Innobec SideWindow Review

Options
SideWindow doesn't have any real frills when it comes to options. The product does what it does, but doesn't add anything unnecessary. A landscape option exists, and you can reduce the depth of color per pixel to speed up rendering. However, in my tests, I did not need to reduce the color depth to get excellent performance. You can also choose to run the client on connection, and keep the backlight on continuously on the device. Nice and simple - nothing too complex here!


Figure 6: SideWindow settings.

Windows Mobile 5 Compatibility
Innobec's website does not list Windows Mobile 5 as a compatible operating system (much less Windows Mobile 6!). However, in testing (with my I-mate JasJar), I found the only hiccup came with leaving the device in landscape mode. Once I switched to Portrait mode, the software ran without a hitch. The lesson to take from this is, be sure to test this software before you buy it. While Innobec doesn't state they won't support WM 5 support requests, it probably isn't realistic to expect them to. Buyer beware!

Conclusions
Overall I'm extremely happy with the performance of SideWindow. It works as advertised and has the potential to add a lot more functionality to your desktop without requiring too much more in the way of price or desktop real estate. Innovative idea, and I hope to see Innobec continue development to WM 5 and WM 6.

Jon Westfall is an enigma of social influences and norms. Check out JonWestfall.Com for more than you want to know about him.