This video is a followup to our original post on the NES for the Shadow. If you prefer Super Nintendo check out our video on SNES.

If you have ever wanted to set your Shortcut Key to a different program than what is provided in the default list then keep reading. This Tip has been floating around the forums and I decided to let everyone else in on this handy secret. Keep reading for the full how-to… Read Full Entry

Viewing PDFs on the Shadow smarpthone is simple with Adobe Reader LE already included. To get started go to Start > Applications > Adobe Reader LE or just open a PDF from File Explorer.

Here are some handy shortcuts. While viewing a PDF press the number on your keypad to achieve the corresponding result:

1. Zoom In
2. Fit Screen (Entire Page on Screen)
3. Zoom Out
4. Previous Page
5. (unused)
6. Next Page
7. Find
8. Rotate Counter-Clockwise
9. Rotate Clockwise

Viewing preferences change depending on the file. For example; I like to view the Survival, Evasion, And Recovery Field Manual in landscape and zoomed in just enough to view the full width of the page. I found the text to be readable and if there was more detailed text I can zoom in and out quickly. Very handy in case I get lost on my way to the store…

I have started a thread in the forums as a place for AllShadow Community members to add free public domain eBooks they have. If you want to add to the collection please upload in Zip format. Please no Pirated Works.

We’re curious and want to know how you heard about this site. Let us know below!

Today we are excited to announce the launch of a new site that we’ve created, AllTouchSite.com. This new site will take on a similar format to AllShadow, but for the HTC Touch Pro and Touch Diamond phones, plus future HTC Touch devices.

So what are our plans for the new site? Well, because the Touch Pro and Diamond are not yet sold in the US, we’re going to keep the main site in low profile mode for a few weeks until we can get a hold of USA-versions of both devices. The forums will be open for business starting today - and, as we see the need, we’ll expand the number of topics. We realize that you probably don’t have a Diamond or Touch Pro yet, but if and when you do get one, we’ll be ready for you.

Here’s the beauty of the forums at AllTouchSite.com: it shares the same user database as the forum at AllShadow, meaning that you don’t have to re-register on the new site. Your post count, login/password, and PM mailbox all are synchronized. =D

Wait a sec, are we abandoning the Shadow? No, not even close. In fact, with the Shadow II just around the corner, and more and more themes/hacks/mods coming out for the original Shadow, we have a lot of really interesting content coming up here on the main site, and of course, the Shadow forums continue to be an excellent resource.

All that said, go take a peek at the AllTouchSite forums and start chattin’. If you see any bugs or issues, please post them here.

And hey - we’re hiring, both for AllShadow and AllTouchSite. It’s a paying position (we’re not going to make you rich, but it could be a decent part time income). If you’re interested and have a good amount of free time, fantastic writing ability, and a strong knowledge of the Windows Mobile platform, send us a resume at brandon(at)alltouchsite.com, with subject “Apply.”

Not every site we like to visit is optimized for mobiles. That’s why we have brilliant browsers like Opera Mini and Skyfire. However, we are seeing more and more mobile sites becoming more useful than their full screened counterparts. Whether it be simplicity of design or just great results there are some mobile sites that serve their function well. On the other hand, there are also apps that serve up certain information faster than using any browser would (i.e. Google Maps for directions, or Live Search for directions, movies or events).

Sometimes we depend on our mobile favorites to serve up frequently used sites in a mobile format, like AllShadow.com for instance, it’s mobile friendly! Other times, mobile sites help us discover something new. What are your frequented mobile sites? What sites do you have to have a bookmark for because they are that useful? What are some sites you wish were mobile friendly?

Some of my bookmarks I have (in A to Z order):

• pda.accuweather.com – I don’t use it every day but it still comes in handy when planning a trip.
• store.allshadow.com – for new software
• m.ask.com – for when Google, Live or Yahoo aren’t getting the job done
• mobile.earthcomber.com – Great for discovering something new!
• m.ebay.com – whenever I’m watching or bidding on an auction
• m.facebook.com – for an occasional status update or to check on a friend
• mobile.flightstats.com – when I’m traveling or picking someone up at the airport
• google.com – for a quick search
• reader.google.com – to check RSS feeds and kill some time. I really like the Star feature as my starred items show up on the desktop browser if I want to see something on the big screen
• mail2web.com/pda – usually I have my email accounts, but sometimes a friend needs to check email for an address, number etc
• sphere.mobicosm.com – it’s like a mobile directory of mobile sites, not the greatest look but handy for exploring the mobile web
• dslreports.com/mspeed – for testing the speed of an internet connection (like at a coffee shop or library)
• mobipocket.com/mobile – find a book on a subject
• mobile.spaces.msn.com – MSN version of MySpace and Facebook
• mobile.myspace.com – got friends?
• mycast.orb.com – access my media on my home computer, you can do it too!
• m.scanr.com – if I really need to scan, fax or have a copy of something
• thestreamcenter.com/pda – mobile radio streams
• wapipedia.com – had this since before I discovered vTap
• mobile.live.com – the newest version of the Live Search app has Web search built in now
• m.yahoo.com – I usually go straight to email from here

If you have any great mobile sites that aren’t listed here (not being a full directory) I’m sure the rest of the AllShadow Community would love to hear about them. So post them in the comments, be sure to tell us what you find useful about them. If you have any sites that you wish were mobile friendly let us know!

Here are a few tips that may save you time while using your Shadow. I’m sure some of them you know already, but you may find one or two to be new:

1. Holding down the 1 key will dial your voicemail.
2. You can quickly toggle through multiple numbers of your contacts (like home, work, mobile) instead of having to open their full contact information and scroll around. To do this for “James,” for example, type James from your Home screen, highlight James’ name, and use the right/left buttons to flip through m-h-w-txt, etc.
3. You can speed dial a program. This lets you tap and hold a number on your keypad to launch a program, rather than digging through the start menu. Go into the Start menu, highlight the program you want, then click the Menu soft key, and click Add Speed Dial.
4. Search through Outlook mobile mail just by typing in your Inbox. The Shadow will filter matches by both subject and sender.
5. Change your profile quickly by holding down the Home button.

For your next phone, what are you thinking?  Here’s a quick elaboration of the poll choices to help you decide.

iPhone 3G: Buying an unlocked iPhone 3G and using it on T-Mobile probably won’t be possible now that Apple is requiring in-store activations, unlike the first iPhone.  If you’re going iPhone, you’ll have to jump to AT&T, and the price is $199-$299, plus a required $30 per month for unlimited data.

Shadow II: What you’ve heard is true, and we’ve confirmed this with at least two highly reliable sources.  The Shadow II is a refresh of the existing Shadow, which will add Windows Mobile 6.1, UMA (for using HotSpot@Home), a faster processor (260MHz versus 201MHz), bigger battery, and redesigned exterior (with the same SureType keyboard).  No 3G.  We’re 90% sure on these details.  It’s likely to sell for $150-$250 with a new contract.

Touch Diamond/Touch Pro: There’s a chance that we may see one of these devices on T-Mobile sometime in the second half of this year as the Shadow III, or another name.  The Diamond is being sold now unlocked for about $850, and the Touch Pro will go on sale soon unlocked for around $1000.  Ouch, pricey.  Even if you buy either device now, they won’t work on T-Mobile’s 3G network (which isn’t widely deployed yet, anyway) or AT&T’s existing 3G network, because it has European bands. You will be able to get EDGE speeds on T-Mobile, though.

BlackBerry Thunder: Little is known about the first touchscreen BlackBerry, but we do know that it will be exclusive to Verizon indefinitely.  With a new contract it’s likely to run $300-$400.

No clue/other: Is there something else that you’ve got your eye on, or are you just going to wait on the sidelines for a bit?  Tell us in the comments!

To learn more about Opera Mini 4.1… Read Full Entry

One of our most popular featured downloads was found in the Tired of Neo? Download HTC Home post made last month.

Well, we now have an updated version of HTC Home that grabs some visual elements from the newly released HTC Touch Diamond.  It features a analogue-style clock, an application launcher strip, plus larger icons for Home, Weather and Favorite People.  Click here to download.  And, if you want to customize this plugin, there’s a thread in the forums that describes how to add RAM, Battery, and cellular service indicators to the screen, among others.

Update: Thanks to ShadowMike for pointing this out.  In order for this Diamond visual update to work, you must first download the original HTC Home plugin found in this post.

There are many methods for converting DVDs and just as many premium applications. This video walks you through my preferred free method for converting DVDs so I can watch them on my Shadow or any Windows Mobile device. When transferring the converted files, using the settings in the video, Windows tells me that it won’t work, don’t believe that, the videos will play on Windows Media Player Mobile.

The two applications I used in the video are:

Super - you can get it from www.erightsoft.com You will have to look hard for the download link as it isn’t well defined. Don’t download this from another site, this is the original site and updates are released frequently.

DVD Decrypter -This is an older freeware, the original site has gone missing so I’m hosting a copy here. It works fast and well. When you exit DVD Decrypter you might get an error message, just ignore it and press Ok enough times to get rid of it.

If you don’t mind the extra work and files then this is the way to go.

Good News:

The image above is the Shadow II with a possible form diluting band around its belly. Either that or the image suggests that we might get more color choices for our Shadows in the form of colored bands. One can only hope it is removable.

Also, the Shadow II will have fully functional, highly tested, money saving HotSpot@Home hardware and software. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one and start saving minutes. Just imagine…

Bad News:

Brace yourselves…no 3G.

Other confirmations have yet to surface so stay tuned.

Thought this would be an interesting question to ask =).

This video is a short introduction to syncing music with Windows Media Player. If you are new to Windows Mobile devices then this video is must as it takes you through the basics of taking your music with you.

If you get tired of the Neo Home screen, you’re in luck - there are a plethora of other Home screens you can load onto your Shadow, and heck, we even have a Themes Forum that puts them all under one place.

I recently found a Home screen that I thought to be particularly good-looking: the HTC tabbed Home screen.  If you’ve seen HTC devices like the TyTN II or Touch, you know that they come with HTC Home out of the box.  Good thing we have a version that works on the Shadow - download the CAB here.

To get it going, transfer the CAB to your device and run it.  Then, go into Settings, Home Screen, and choose “HTC” … be sure to set Color scheme and Background image to “default.” Also, in order to get weather updates, you’ll need to be on a data plan or on a WiFi network.

Thanks to ShadowMike for posting this in the forums.