A very interesting item (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35488&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) has appeared on one of the best Pocket PC blogs out there (Pocket PC Thoughts (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/))....

Pocket PC Developer Darryl Burling received an interesting email from Handango recently that stated the following:

"Handango is preparing a special marketing program for applications that support the new square screen Pocket PC. Are your Pocket PC applications screen orientation aware? If so, please send a quick email to [deleted] with your company name and a list of your screen orientation aware Pocket PC applications."

This may be preparation for a new Pocket PC Treo. Or all kinds of new form factors. If you look at the thread comments you will find pretty unanimous sentiments that square screens are not very interesting if they are 240x240, but if they are at least 320x320 maybe it's worth a look. I would agree.

We should call Dell now and ask them when we can order the new "Dell Treo" running Windows Mobile 2003SE ;)

Actually, I was reading about the new screen resolutions on the web somewhere (can't ever find a link when you need it!) and the main reason for square screen support is manufacturers want to provide a smaller form factor with keyboards. The HP iPaq with integrated keyboard is very long, and with VGA-dimension screens (quarter, half, and full), the situation will never get better. So Microsoft does what it does best: it pinched the square screen idea from Palm. However, the Windows Mobile square screen resolutions don't match Palm OS's. Specifically, I don't believe there was 320x320 mode, although there were 120x120 and 240x240 modes. (Crap! Where's that link?)

Traecer, I think Windows Mobile 2003 SE supports any mode, including 320x320. At least I remember reading something somewhere supporting this statement.

Ah! Here we go! Actually, it was Brighthand's Overview of Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, available here:

http://www.brighthand.com/article/Overview_of_Windows_Mobile_2003_SE

Read the "VGA Screens" section. Brighthand mentions 240x240 and 480x480 (not 120x120, stupid me), but there is no mention of 320x320. Which makes sense, for the same reason Palm OS uses 320x320: legacy factors. All Pocket PC/WinCE apps to date have assumed a 240pixel-wide screen, just as all Palm apps assumed a 160pixel-wide screen until Sony's Palm OS 3.5. This is also why I would discount any rumors of a PalmOne Treo 650 running Windows Mobile. PalmOne cannot to reengineer the Treo with a different screen because it simply can't afford to. PalmOne only designs devices and sells them; it outsources manufacturing to third parties. It would cost them a lot of money and time to reengineer the 650 now, not to mention changing manufacturing contracts. Also not to mention the support headaches of having a device with 2 different screens, and 2 different OSes. I cannot believe this is PalmOne's strategy.

Ahh I was wrong. Good research!

Interesting article in Slate (http://slate.msn.com/id/2111084/fr/rss/) today urging people away from the overpriced Treo.