Handheld Operating Systems

Quite a few options are available in choosing handheld devices to use for mobile applications. Knowing the details of the devices you are using is essential to ensure you install the correct software versions that are compatible with the hardware.

Chipset

This refers to the processor architecture used by the device. The vast majority of handheld devices use the ARM chipset, which includes the Intel XScale processors. Some older devices may have MIPS, SH3, or SH4 chips.

Windows CE Kernel

Many core system applications (such as the .NET compact framework and SQL Server Mobile) have different installers depending on the underlying kernel version of the device. This will be either 4.x, 5.x, or 6.x and can be found by running the Settings applet under the System tab in the Control Panel.

Graphical Shell

The graphical interface can be confusing to determine, since many different names have been used over the last few years to refer to the same shell.

Windows Mobile

This used to be called Pocket PC, and is the most commonly used shell for handhelds. The shell is highly optimized for the small form factor of devices, having the menu and toolbar at the bottom of the screen (which is easier to reach with the stylus).

Windows CE

This is often referred to as Handheld PC. This shell is more similar to desktop windows than Pocket PC, with a task bar at the bottom of the screen and toolbars and menus at the top. This shell is often more difficult to use than Pocket PC, but it has the advantage of supporting displays larger than the typical 240x320 for factor.

Windows Mobile (Pocket PC)		Windows CE (Handheld PC)

We strongly recommend using the Windows Mobile operating system whenever possible. In practice, it is much easier for users to operate than the Windows CE.NET interface.

Installing DataSplice on Handheld Devices

The first step is to connect the handheld to a computer using ActiveSync. This will create a Mobile Device entry under My Computer in Windows Explorer.

Launching Cab File Installs

Most applications are distributed as CAB files that install a package on the device.

1. Copy the desired cab file to any location on the handheld (\Temp\ works well) using Windows Explorer on the desktop.
2. From the handheld, run File Explorer and navigate to the location used above and tap on the cab file.
3. If storage cards are available this will prompt for the desired location to install the files.
   
• Install system prerequisites into <Device> and DataSplice packages on the storage card.
  

Installing DataSplice

• Install prerequisites. Depending on the device, these packages may come pre-installed as part of the firmware:
• The necessary cab files to install the prerequisites are grouped in folders based on the target platform. The first step is to determine the platform being used, then you will typically install all the available cab files within the target folder:
• Mobile\CabFiles\PPC5\ - Windows Mobile version 5 and later
• Mobile\CabFiles\PPC4\ - Windows Mobile/Pocket PC version 4
• Mobile\CabFiles\CE5\ - Windows CE.NET version 5 and later
• For each platform the following prerequisites need to be installed:
• Microsoft Compact Framework 3.5 - Installs or updates the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework on the device. Install NETCF3.5.<platform>.cab
  
• Microsoft SQL Server Mobile - Provides Mobile SQL Server to support offline installations. Install sqlce.<platform>.cab and sqlce.repl.<platform>.cab
• Cab file Installation - This is the quickest and easiest way to install DataSplice. This cab file supports all platforms and mobile operating systems.
  
• Install Mobile\CabFiles\RemoteClient-ARM_PPC.cab
  
• Manual Installation - This supports installing to custom locations, multiple installations, or other modifications to the distribution files if desired:
  
• Create the target folder on the handheld for the application
• Copy the contents of the <DataSpliceRoot\Clients\Mobile\Binaries\ folder to the target
• You will need to manually create shortcuts and place them in \Windows\Start Menu\Programs\ if desired