Portable video is fast becoming the most popular secondary use for Pocket PCs, so making sure you have the right media player is now a priority for many PPC device owners. The Core Pocket Media Player is an open-source video and audio player compatible with all the most popular codecs and multimedia file types.

TCPMP is easy to use, very stable and loaded with a variety of features. The program’s main screen is reminiscent of similar programs on your desktop computer, with options to change aspect ratio, zoom and volume as well as more advanced controls such as video speed (10% - 200%), video driver, audio preamp and more.

One issue with playing video files on a Pocket PC, irrespective of which program you use to play them, is that there will be some lag or jumps from time to time. While some of the top end Pocket PCs now have processors and system memory that should be able to cope with playing quality video, the fact remains that the majority of devices, while technically capable of playing video, are not really designed for that purpose. Compare the playback quality on your Pocket PC with a purpose built portable media player and you’ll see the difference. TCPMP’s settings are therefore an essential feature of the program, allowing you to play around with different levels of quality and performance to help you guarantee the best possible multimedia experience.

In all, The Core Pocket Media Player is a free, open source multimedia player which I’d recommend to anyone who wants to watch video on their Pocket PC. That said, if portable video is your heart’s desire, it would definitely be worth investing in a device built specifically for video playback which will provide much better overall quality.

Download TCPMP 0.72 RC1 in Softonic

One of the pillars of the IM scene, Yahoo! Messenger is also available on Pocket PC as a simple application to chat with your friends and check your favourite news. The program offers a simple user interface and the different sections like News, Sports, Stock Prices and Weather are divided in tabs at the bottom of the screen. The messaging client has all the Yahoo! Emoticons and you can start chatting right away by using the keyboard in the Pocket PC touch screen.

Compared to other IM applications on Windows Mobile, we expected Yahoo! Messenger to be a bit better equipped. The preferences menu only allows you to configure the connection settings and lets you choose from only 4 different sound alerts. Your contact list can be updated but you can only change the name and nickname given to your friends.

Yahoo! Messenger has the bare necessities to get you started chatting on your Pocket PC. Thanks to its tabbed interface you’ll be able to follow up the news on the fly. However it lacks the advanced features and extended customization to fight off competition of excellent alternatives like IM+ or Agile Messenger.

Download Yahoo! Messenger for Pocket PC 1.0 in Softonic

The .NET Compact Framework is a collection of runtime libraries which allow you to run .NET Compact 3.5 applications and services on your Windows Mobile device.

This isn't the most rock'n'roll package to install on your Pocket PC or Smartphone, but it will unlock your device's capabilities to run the more interesting and demanding games and programs on the market.

While not exactly a mandatory install for Windows Mobile device owners, .NET Compact Framework is strongly recommended for all users looking to get the most out of their device by trying out the full range of software available.

Recommended download for all Windows Mobile device owners.

Download Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 3.5 in Softonic

The dream of being able to watch the latest movies on the bus has now become a reality thanks to advancements in mobile technology. As you probably know, DivX is one of the most popular digital video formats at the moment and, as the name suggests, DivX Player for Windows Mobile 5 lets you enjoy these movies wherever you go, on your Pocket PC.

The program lets you watch DivX, AVI or MPEG movies in the player window or in full-screen mode. Control elements such as Play, Pause, Stop, Fast Forward and Rewind, as well as the volume can be controlled easily via buttons or the stylus. The app can automatically scan your internal memory or expansion cards for compatible films.

DivX Player is great for organising your media, sorting files by name, file size, duration, and date last seen. There are plenty of settings too, letting you tweak stuff like the brightness, contrast, colour saturation and allows you to play around with the soundtracks.

The software proved very reliable in our tests and represents a great way to transform your Pocket PC into a portable cinema.

Download DivX Player Mobile 0.90 in Softonic

eMbedded Visual basic Runtime is a tool to help you run certain programs on your Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Mobile 2003 SE PDA. You should only install it if specifically required by an application.

As this technology is now being phased out by Microsoft, this application may not be installed under Windows for Smartphone, Windows Mobile 5.0 or any later versions.

Download eMbedded Visual Basic Runtime PPC 2003 in Softonic

Winamp has always been one of my favorite music players for Windows, and I still maintain that it is better than the bloated monster that is iTunes.

If you too are a fan of the player then you may wish to download WinamPAQ for your Pocket PC. The application replicates the original Windows version for your mobile, allowing you to play MP3s and other audio tracks (but not videos) on your device.

WinamPAQ's oh-so familiar interface consists of the player control window, EQ and playlist editor, all stacked on top of each other. If you want though you can choose to hide any (or all) if these windows to make space on your screen. One of the traditional complaints from anti-Winamp users is that the user interface is too small and fiddly, and this is only exacerbated by the size restrictions of the Pocket PC display. Touchscreen users can forget being able to quickly use the volume control, EQ sliders and many other functions simply because the buttons are too tiny.

Luckily, there is a Scale feature that lets you zoom in by up to 200 percent, although if you do this you'll have to scroll around the interface rather than viewing it all at once. Another way around the problem could be to take advantage of the programmable hardware button support afford by WinamPAQ, which lets you assign common controls (Play, Pause, Back, Forward, Open, etc.) to individual keys on your PPC.

Like its Windows-based relation, WinamPAQ manages to pack in lots of cool MP3 playing features inside. You can repeat tracks, shuffle them, organize them into playlists and manipulating playback sound all through the main interface. The Preferences menu lets you make further customizations to the player, though sadly this version of the program only comes with one skin.

Die-hard Winamp fans will enjoy using WinamPAQ for sure, while others will probably get frustrated by the overly intricate interface.

Download WinamPAQ 1.0 in Softonic

Now that all my friends are harping on about how good their iPhones are, I'm starting to feel a little bit inferior when I walk around with my humble Pocket PC.

That's until I remember that next year (or possibly the year after) the new Windows Mobile operating system is likely to blow Apple's solution right out of the water. Windows Mobile 7 is designed to look and feel much better than existing devices, and from the leaked reports I've seen so far, it's going to be a real cracker.

One of the features of the new OS will be a completely redesigned user interface that will be in keeping with the dark and futuristic visuals of Windows Vista. This theme for devices running the current Windows Mobile OS is designed to make your screen look and feel like WM7.

Unfortunately we don't know for sure exactly what the new OS will look like, which has evidently restricted this theme's developer in terms of design. In fact, the theme doesn't change your device much at all, merely adding a darker Today screen background. Although they're included a transparent Start menu, there's little else to excite in here, as all the other menus, command bars and nav bars remain unaltered.

It furnishes you with a pretty stylish background image, but aside from that gives you no idea about what Windows Mobile 7 might look like.

Download Windows Mobile 7 Theme in Softonic

Whatever you think about Flash, there's no doubt that it's a very rich and immersive way of enjoying Web content. Adobe Flash Lite equips your Windows Mobile device with a player for Flash movies and animation in both frame and window mode. Via a familar file explorer, Flash Lite can access SWF data in both the internal memory and in external cards. All of the common player functions such as Play, Stop, Pause, and Rewind are available from a menu at the side of the screen.

Adobe Flash Lite provides you with ability to watch Flash movies without any additional software on your Pocket PC. My only criticism would be that the poor user interface could have been given a little more attention in order to make it a little more user-friendly.

Download Adobe Flash Lite 2.1 in Softonic

If you don't know what Google Maps is by now then you've either been on a different planet or you've been getting very lost on this one. Google Maps has been transforming the way I, for one, find my way round strange cities or locate great bars and restaurants. One of the problems though is that I have needed a PC to use it, which is not so good when I'm walking down roads I don't recognise. Well problem solved, or so it seems. Because now Google Maps is accessible by PDA.

This version lets you do all the things you should be used to and unable to live without by now. You can locate streets, companies and other points of interest like hotels and restaurants; fly round the world viewing satellite imagery from every country on Earth with some incredible footage of different landscapes and wild animals. And, more usefully, Google Maps is one of the best route finders available allowing you to generate directions from any two points on the globe. Or virtually any two anyway.

Download Google Maps 2.2.0.19 in Softonic

If you own a Windows Mobile device then the chances are you've used ActiveSync to connect your PC to your mobile before. If you haven't then it's about time you did.

Not only does this utility allow you to transfers files from your PC to the Windows Mobile platform, but it opens up a gateway to synchronizing data from your phone with your desktop computer.

Once you've got ActiveSync installed on your device, you'll need to dock your phone either using the cradle or remotely to connect. Running the program should (although not always) detect your device and you'll be connected automatically. An extra icon will then appear in Windows Explorer My Computer that gives you access to all the files on your computer.

The application can also be used to share contacts between your mobile and PC using Outlook and it supports synchronization with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, so you can keep your contact information updated wirelessly if you're away.

An essential download for Pocket PC and Smartphone users.

Download ActiveSync 4.2 in Softonic

Macromedia Flash Player is an Internet Explorer plug-in that will enable your device to play all types of FLASH files. In this way, you will be able to view graphic animations and compositions created with a Macromedia standard.

Play Macromedia Flash movies from your PPC.

Download Macromedia Flash Player 7.0 in Softonic

It is perhaps both a curse and a blessing that Windows Mobile is fast becoming the number one mobile operating system. Most of us use Windows at home and in the office so the interface, applications and settings on a Pocket PC are familiar. Unfortunately, so are some of the problems we encounter.

This is the reason that Mobile Registry Editor is a great tool. As you’re most likely aware, a huge number of problems with your Windows desktop machine can be fixed via changes to the registry. Similarly, the registry may well need ‘cleaning’ or at least some sort of inspection from time to time as a way of making sure it doesn’t contain redundant or malicious entries. The same applies to your Windows Mobile device. Mobile Registry Editor allows you to explore the complete registry database, make changes and add or delete keys as required. Its interface is pretty much identical to that of RegEdit, with just the addition of some minor extra features, ‘favorites’ being the most useful.

While Mobile Registry Editor doesn’t contain any automated tools (such as ‘clean registry’ for example), it is still a potentially very useful utility for advanced users. It should be stressed, however, that less experienced users should exercise caution using tools of this type – both on their desktop computers and Windows Mobile devices – to avoid causing damage to their operating system.

In all, Mobile Registry Editor is a simple and well designed tool for managing your Pocket PC’s registry, but it is not recommended to beginner-level users.

Download Mobile Registry Editor 1.11 in Softonic

So it's not the most exciting new application you'll find on Softonic but it could save you a lot of money and embarrassment. Similar to Apple's iPhone locking tool S2U2 gives you the power to block your PDA's keyboard and screen by means of a sliding bar. That's pretty much all there is to it. Oh and it's also a screensaver when your mobile's not in use. I knew there was something else.

Download S2U2 1.22 in Softonic

If you've got a YouTube dependency and find it a struggle to tear yourself away from the video site for more than a few minutes then perhaps it's time you started logging on from your mobile.

Youtubeplay is a Pocket PC app that allows you to do just that, giving you the facility to search and play clips from the website very quickly. It does this through a very minimalist interface where you can enter a keyword, view the results, then select a video and play it using the built-in video player.

There's nothing too fancy about this program, and you won't be able to access the full compliment of features that you'll find on the site itself. The only real player features you have are the ability to play, pause, rewind and forward through vids, along with a fullscreen mode.

It would've been nice to see some kind of feature for ripping clips to your phone and saving them in other formats, but I guess these kind of goodies would only serve to slow down what is, in essence, a fast and lightweight solution for playing online video.

If you're addicted to YouTube and want to access the service from your Windows Mobile device, youtubeplay represents a fast and easy-to-operate way of doing so.

Download Youtubeplay 1.0.0.7 in Softonic

If you want an iPhone but have to settle for your Pocket PC for financial reasons, then get a load of this iPhone Theme for Windows Mobile.

The iPhone Theme is based around the fish background wallpaper that ships as standard with the Apple device. It's a decent quality image, and the white Today screen text shows up perfectly, so there are no readability issues.

It's not just the background that changes in this iPhone theme, but also the menu and toolbar colors, which turn to an iPhone-style gray color.

The only trouble with the iPhone Theme is that its purely cosmetic and doesn't actually give you any iPhone-style functionality on your device.

Nevertheless, you might be able to pretend to yourself that you have an Apple mobile for a few minutes with this iPhone Theme.

Download iPhone Theme in Softonic

The Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center enables you to set up new partnerships, synchronize content and manage music, pictures and video with Windows Mobile powered devices (Windows Mobile 2003 or later). The Windows Mobile Device Center is only supported on Windows Vista.

The Windows Mobile Device Center combines an efficient business-data synchronization platform with a compelling user experience. Windows Mobile Device Center helps you to quickly set up new partnerships, synchronize business-critical information such as e-mail, contacts and calendar appointments, easily manage your synchronization settings, and transfer business documents between your device and PC.

The Windows Mobile Device Center simplifies managing media between your Windows Mobile powered device and your PC. With the picture acquisition wizard, you can easily tag and transfer all of the pictures from your Windows Mobile powered device to your PC’s Windows Photo Gallery.

Windows Mobile Device Center Features Include:

Streamlined setup

A simplified new partnership wizard and improved partnership management

Robust synchronization

Synchronization of business-critical data such as e-mail, calendars, contacts, tasks, favorites, and files

Enhanced user interface

A simple and compelling user interface helps you to quickly access critical tasks and configure your device

File browsing

A new device browsing experience enables you more quickly browse files and folders and open documents on your device directly from your PC

Photo management

Picture management helps you detect new photos on your Windows Mobile powered device, tag and import them to the Windows Vista Photo Gallery

Media synchronization

Use Microsoft Windows Media Player to synchronize and shuffle music files on your device

Download Windows Mobile Device Center 6.0 in Softonic

Having heard lots of juicy gossip and seen pictures of the new Windows Mobile 7 OS, I'm itching to have a play with it. Unfortunately for me (and everyone else) it's not due out until 2009. Until then, why not give your OS an overhaul by revamping the interface?

Poorlyduck's Vista Suit allows you to skin your Windows Mobile operating system to make it look like its bigger brother, Vista. The customisations come in the form of a Zip file with a series of folders that contain new skins for different areas of the OS. The enhancements include a Vista Action screen, Commanger, Calculator, Audio manager, Cube, Today theme, and more.

Installing everything onto your device takes a while and is a little complicated because you need to make sure that the files and folders are copied into the correct directories in Windows Mobile. There are text files with instructions inside each of the enhancement folders though, and the details are pretty clear.

Once you've got everything installed at setup the new skins are pretty impressive and while they don't replicate Vista exactly, they certainly provide a flavour of the latest Windows desktop OS. Particular favourites of mine are the dialer, which adorns your on-screen keypad with shiny Vistaness; the Vista Audio Manager, which makes it much easier to organise your music; and the gorgeous Windows Media Player skin.

If you've got the patience and know-how to configure it, Poorlyduck Vista Suit is the perfect way to make your Pocket PC look like a new desktop PC!

Download Poorlyduck Vista Suit in Softonic

Since the introduction of the iPhone into popular culture, it seems today that if you haven't got a decent music player on your mobile, you're a bit of a dork.

That's bad news for anyone with a Windows Mobile device, because the built-in version of Windows Media Player is looking a bit long-in-the-tooth now. Fear not though, because with the PocketMusic Player Bundle, you can replace the default audio player with something altogether cooler.

The software provides an amazing environment in which to enjoy digital music. Once installed via the PC set-up, it lodges itself in its own section on the Today screen, giving you instant access to basic playback controls, plus options such as Load, Shuffle, Repeat and an alarm clock.

That's not even half the story though, because by tapping on this section you'll open the full PocketMusic Player, where a bounty of treasures awaits you. The default interface boasts large, shiny buttons that facilitate touchscreen control of your music. Alternatively, you can apply a Winamp skin to the player, giving you a raft a cool features within a familiar GUI. Features such as a graphic equalizer, playlists, file information, sorting, preamp, and more.

Delve into the menu system and you'll find even more treats. You can create bookmarks, toggle fullscreen mode, map shortcut keys, alter the fast forward/rewind step interval and organise playlists. All this, my friends, before you've even opened the 'Player Options' menu. Once you've done so, you can tinker with settings from crossfading effects to sleep timers.

For me this is, without question, the most fully-featured audio player for Windows Mobile. I would have given it five stars were it not for the fact it lacks an adequate Help section, something, I think is needed in an app of this magnitude.

Nevertheless, if you want to turn your Pocket PC into a all-singing, all-dancing MP3 player, I can't recommend PocketMusic highly enough.

Download PocketMusic Player Bundle 5.1 in Softonic

One of the main problems in my life at the moment is that I keep seeing more and more people on the street listening to their iPod Touch or iPhone. That in itself is not the problem, of course. The problem is I don't have one. And I want one.

Luckily though, I stumbled across this Pocket PC app that allows you to replicate the iPhone/iPod Touch audio player on your Windows Mobile device. Although the design of the app isn't completely the same, the interface is very similar and as such it provides you with a novel way of listening to music on your mobile - without the stylus.

On booting up S2P you'll probably notice that it doesn't auto-detect your MP3s, which is a little irritating, but quickly solved by ensuring that all of your music is organised well into folders, allowing you to navigate this way, rather than through a list.

Other than that, the program handles like a dream, with large buttons that can be easily tapped with a finger, and a scrolling menu system that animates smoothly. S2P can handle album art too, and if it doesn't detect any it's very simple to import. Playback is just as intuitive as navigation and again the buttons are very large.

You'll need a fair amount of system memory on your device because it is pretty RAM-hungry, but if your unit is up to it it's a great way of experiencing iPod Touch functionality without actually buying one.

Download S2P 0.50 in Softonic

Operating system interfaces seem to be getting more and more gorgeous of late. Systems such as Windows Vista, OS X Leopard and the iPhone have really raised the bar in interface design and as a result, older OSs like Windows Mobile are beginning to look a little dated.

Fear not though because there are plenty of screen plug-ins that you can use to transform the way your Pocket PC looks and feels. Take, for instance, Gsmart Touch, which adds a finger-friendly touchscreen interface to your device.

With a design based around rich green and black colors and large, transparent icons, Gsmart really is a thing of beauty. Once installed, it offers you a completely new window to your PDA, giving a better organized way of accessing common tasks and applications such as Programs, Messages and Tasks.

It runs superbly on Windows Mobile 6 devices, but when I tested it on my WM 5 handset it seemed to break up a little and left me without the ability to access the Start menu from the Windows icon, or to cancel out of screens. I'm sure these bugs will be ironed out in future releases of the plug-in though.

If you're craving a sleek new look for your Pocket PC, then go no further than Gsmart Touch.

Download Gsmart Touch 1.0 in Softonic