WHAT'S
HOT
Not only is it possible to map buttons when they
are pressed or held, it's also possible to create macros and map stylus
actions to buttons, even for specific programs.
SETUP
There's nothing elaborate or mysterious about
setting up ButtonMapper. The only thing to look out for is where it's
located. I assumed it would be located under SETTINGS | BUTTONS. Vito
installs to PROGRAMS and makes its own folder there. Once it's registered
you'll never have to locate it again, from then on it's accessed from
SETTINGS | BUTTONS.
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PROGRAM
FEATURES
Perhaps the most innovative feature of ButtonMapper
is the ability to map stylus input and macros to button actions. The
possibilities are endless when it comes to the complexity of actions
that can be accomplished with the macros or stylus taps.
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Not only is it possible to map buttons for launching applications, it's possible to assign button presses to specific programs. In the example below I'm mapping button presses that will only function in the video poker game, Tropical Nights. I select 'Configuration' to tell ButtonMapper which program this set of button presses will be used for.
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Now I'm going to map Buttons 1 & 2 as a stylus tap, for the Draw and Cash Out buttons. It's a very intuitive and powerful feature. My example is simple, just imagine the complex commands that can be assigned to all of your applications.
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By now it should be apparent that ButtonMapper is a powerful utility. Aside from mapping applications to the buttons, it's possible to map system applets to buttons too. I have my Button 4 (Hold), mapped to control my Backlight settings.
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Last but not least, it's possible to import and export ButtonMapper settings for backup puropses, or to share with other users. The crew at Vito has thought of everything, imagine the frustration of getting everything setup like you want only to lose it if your Pocket PC hard resets! The guys at Vito have covered all bases with ButtonMapper.
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HELP
SUPPORT
Vito has excellent support, they are very
responsive and open to suggestions for improvements. The helpfile is
also very informative. Not only does it fully explain how to operate
ButtonMapper, it also gives practical examples on how to utilize ButtonMapper's
features. I wish more developers would start giving real world examples
of how their program's features are beneficial. Vito's website
is also full of information, FAQ's and a forum for ButtonMapper.
Here's an example given in the manual:
2. Reading e-books
Lack of jog dial can be bypassed by assigning <Scroll Down> to the single press of Record button, while press-n-hold of this button is assigned to <Scroll Up>. These settings of Record button will be active only for e-book applications (like MS Reader, HaaliReader), and all other time Record button will keep starting recording.
SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS
Vito ButtonMapper supports MIPS, ARM or
XScale based PocketPC. The install is a sleek 139k, not bad since it
should be installed to your main memory for best performance.
BUGS
AND WISHES
I didn't encounter any bugs with ButtonMapper.
I did notice a refresh problem on my HP2210 though. If I had one of
the input methods open before I launched the ButtonMapper, the screen
wouldn't draw where the keyboard was. Simple solution was to not do
it, I did submit it to Vito though.
The only wish I
had was the ability to map functions to the D-Pad
PURCHASING
ButtonMapper can be purchased at either
Handango
or PocketGear,
for a very reasonable $9.99. It's a steal at under $10.
PROS
- Makes it possible to operate a Pocket PC with one hand
Support for launching System Applets
Infinite customization
Small install size
CONS
It's easy to loose track of which commands are assigned to applications
Can't map the D-Pad
OVERALL
IMPRESSION
ButtonMapper really utilizes the application buttons
to the fullest. I've used programs that assign tasks to buttons with
varying degrees of success. ButtonMapper is right on with its response
time, I didn't encounter one mis-fire after a solid week of use. The
macro and stylus tap recording may seem like overkill, but they are
implemented so well it will becomes second nature to configure your
own. ButtonMapper is a must have utility, the only problem is that you
may not realize it until you actually use it. So follow my directions
and download the trial of ButtonMapper!
