Improving outdoor visibility on Handheld app

[easymoney]

I am using VS 2005 to attempt to develop a mobile app.

Can anyone suggest video/graphics settings or custom buttons and colors (or lack of?) that may help improve visibilty on Handheld PDA App outdoors?

[Shaggy Hiker]

Overall, I think you're doomed. No graphics setting will overcome some of the limitations of mobiles. For one thing, many portables have a lower power setting for battery only operation, which means that the screen is less bright when you need it most.

The best you can do is go for high contrast bright colors, and large controls (which mostly means buttons). None of that will be completely sufficient in bright sun.

A few other things which might be options would be:

1) Don't wear polarized glasses.
2) There are hoods and shrouds on the market for some types of portables, which creates a local shade.
3) Some screens are considerably better than others for sun. As an example, the Compaq PDA screen was much brighter than the Toshiba screens, but it was also slightly smaller. You traded better visibility for slightly smaller size.

[easymoney]

Thanks. Some good advice. I have been on this quest for some time, just looking for some fresh ideas on an old problem. The app I am developing is primarily for outdoor use.

Currently, I have been playing with some custom controls I made (large high contrast buttons and text boxes, hehe, best I could come up with too). I am hoping they will be visibile enough in partly cloudy conditions and hopefully will responed to both finger taps as well as stylus taps. This seems to be working, the true test will be in the field.

At the moment I am using a Dell Axim for beta testing the apps, so sunlight is not yet a problem as only using it indoors.

Leaning towards rugged use here are a few options I have evaluated:

#1 - Convential PDA in a OtterBox works for causual outdoor use, but nothing for the glare or sunlight issues. Not meant for truely rugged use.

#2 - I test some special screen protectors (don't have Brand name at hand this moment), they offered some help with the glare, but still direct sunlight reduces visibility.

#3 - Now considering a true Rugged PDA. I was looking at the following model, but some say that sunlight will still be a problem. Hope I do not get in trouble, the links are not direct live links to other sites, just the site location.

hxxp://www.ruggednotebooks.com/detail/Recon.asp
hxxp://www.pdatoday.com/maximumpda_more/1414_0_2_0_C/

Anyhow, Just hate to fork over thousands to find out there was a better solution. My main goal is a rugged PDA with the best screen and built for use in almost any condition that runs Windows 2003 Mobile.

Time is running out, eventually I will have to dive head first and put my money where my mouth is.

Thanks

[petevick]

Hi,
I have 2 apps that are used outdoors. 1 app uses otterboxes, and they don't have a real problem with visibility, although we don't get massive amounts of sun in the UK. The device is an xdaii.

The other app uses Dell Axim XV50, with a 'stick on' screen protector, and that IS used in bright sunlight, for taking orders in restaurants. Again, they seem to have no visibility problems. The devices have a silicone jacket on, and attach to the waiters belt when not in use.

HTH

Pete

[easymoney]

Anyone here work with 2t.com's Jett ce or Jet XP model handhelds. I have heard that they have exceptional displays. Anyone?

[easymoney]

Anyone here work with 2t.com's Jett ce or Jet XP model handhelds. I have heard that they have exceptional displays. Anyone?

I will be testing this product this week. I will let you all know what happens.

[easymoney]

I have been working with the Jett XL. It has 512MB RAM and Windows CE 5.0. It is a ruggedized PDA, military specs, etc.

So far, Seem quite impressed with the sunlight readable display. The brightness is about the same in indoor and direct sunlight. The only problem is that is does have some glare, but disappears as long as you have the right viewing angle.

I would be willing to post some sample pics of the display with a data entry form made in VB .NET CF 20 if it is not against the rules.

Not sure....

[Shaggy Hiker]

Oh, that ought to be fine. You won't be violating anything here, as long as you aren't giving away trade secrets.