Pushes The New PhatNotes To The Limit… 

Here’s something to catch your attention; the new PhatNotes from Phatware…you’re probably wondering why this sublime software is so special, I did too. But a closer look reveals all.

PhatWare’s new PhatNotes Professional Edition is an application that was created as a replacement of the rather limited Notes application from Microsoft. My first opinion of PhatNotes was quite indifferent as I noticed a striking similarity between it and Microsoft’s Notes. I didn’t like the feel of the program as it was really dull and quite boring. Even so as I got to explore the application a little more I noticed that “the cover certainly did not do justice to the book”. The functionality of PhatNotes was quite impressive.

As shown in the screenshot above, it is possible to import your contacts, appointments and tasks into a note file. This allows you to make what I would call “real notes”; for example if you wrote a note reading; “call Sally and organize the meeting” you will probably need to insert Sally’s phone number into the note as well.

Although PhatNotes is quite a useful application, my first grievance arises in the aspect of formatting a note file. I feel that in this aspect PhatNotes falls short; for example the screenshot shows that you only have an ability to choose from an unsatisfying 4 colors.

[correction:  The 5 (not 4, but 5) colors listed in the menu are not font colors, but note colors (equivalent to Outlook note background colors and are limited to 5 only because there are 5 colors in Outlook and PhatNotes synchronizes with Outlook). There are actually 16 font colors that can be selected using the Font Format dialog box (see screenshot). -- Ed.]

The user is limited to the simple, Bold, Bullet Points, Alignment and Paragraph formats. This is comparable to the default Microsoft Word Mobile application which in many respects does not fully utilize the power of the pocket pc. Even so we still have to remember that we are reviewing a “notes” application rather than a word processing application therefore in this respect PhatNotes leads in this league; but despite all this I still feel that PhatWare could have pushed PhatNotes to a greater standard than currently achieved.

The screenshot above demonstrates PhatNotes’ ability to insert a date into a document for you. I have had a lot of trouble remembering the date when I am writing a “reminder note” for myself; I then proceed to copy the date on the pocket pc clock which I sometimes I transcribe incorrectly. PhatNotes provides a fast, easy and comprehensive solution to this problem as it is possible to insert a date in up to 6 different formats as shown above.

The most impressive addition of PhatNotes would be the ability to password protect a document. This makes it possible for one to place all his passwords and other important information in one note file which can then be password protected. This is an idea which I feel puts a whole new standard to pocket pc note taking.

With PhatNotes comes the ability to make voice notes as well. There is nothing special about this feature; it is as simple as the Microsoft default recorder.

It is also possible to create a reminder with a notes document. This reminder is capable of bringing the pocket pc out of “off mode” thence it works in a very similar way to the default windows reminder. I feel that this feature is a great addition to the software as it yet again sets a new standard for pocket pc note taking.

A neat feature which is becoming common with Phatware software is the ability to customize your toolbar. This feature allows for the user to choose the features they use the most to be displayed in the toolbar thence increasing productivity for those who are take their office on the go.

The most stunning of all features is the ability to spell-check your notes. This feature is only available after you purchase the Phatware spelling checker which is also available on their website. This feature is quite powerful and is a welcome innovation to the pocket pc mobile office software market.

Conclusion

All in all, PhatNotes is a powerful application and is a worthy replacement of the default Windows Notes software. Even so my main complaint would be that PhatWare could have taken this software further in terms of features than it has. Therefore for usability I would rate it as 10/10, features 6/10.

PhatNotes 4.7.2 is currently available from phatware.com for $29.95