Software

The HTC P4350 comes with Windows Mobile 5 preinstalled; as such you get the usual host of applications including Windows Media Player, Adobe Reader, Calculator, Camera application, Download Agent, Excel Mobile, File Explorer, Help, MIDlet Manager, Notes, Pictures and Videos application, PowerPoint Mobile, Search, SIM Manager, Tasks, Terminal Services, Voice Recorder, Voice Speed Dial, Word Mobile, ZIP application and the two games we've all grown to love - Bubble Breaker and Solitaire. The HTC P4350 also features a few applications that it's predecessors do not, all of which aim to address previous shortcomings of the Windows Mobile operating system, they are as follows:

HTC Herald - Task Manager

Task Manager - HTC have seen it fit to provide their own form of task manager in the simplest way possible. Simply choose whether you would like the close button at the top right of your applications (the X) to actually close the application entirely or whether you would prefer a press and hold to close and a tap to simply suspend the application. Once again it is possible to disable this function in the settings menu should you wish to however most users have longed for an implementation of such a task management mechanism from Microsoft themselves for some time so to see HTC delivering such a solution is great news and bodes well for future HTC devices too.

HTC Herald - Audio Manager

Audio Manager - The Windows Mobile platform has the ability to provide multimedia playback through Windows Media Player, the user interface has always been somewhat lacking though, the ability to browse your audio files and build/manage playlists for example, has never been intuitive; step in Audio Manager which provides exactly that, an easy way to build and manage audio playlists. This is a great addition to the library of software that comes bundled on HTC Pocket PCs and will be welcomed with open arms by users, if only the HTC P4350 had a 3.5mm jack for your aftermarket headphones...

HTC Herald - Bluetooth Explorer

Bluetooth Explorer - With the trend for sharing multimedia files via Bluetooth growing, the Windows Mobile platform finds itself offering such a solution but in a rather long-winded manner. Bluetooth Explorer is a solution to this; no longer do you have to turn on your Bluetooth, then find the file that you wish to send, then select 'Beam' and hope that your device finds the intended recipient. Now you simply start Bluetooth Explorer where, if Bluetooth is not already enabled, you will be asked if you would wish to do so, the application then searches for devices in your proximity and offers a file explorer, all from the same application. This is yet another example of an application on the HTC P4350 that looks to improve the user's experience and succeeds. The user can also set up a dedicated folder and allow fellow Bluetooth enabled devices FTP-style browsing/access to these files.

HTC Herald - Internet Sharing

Internet Sharing - this is an application that aims to ease the sharing of your mobile device's data connections with your PC.

HTC Herald - Pocket MSN

Pocket MSN - think Hotmail and Messenger behind a single sign-in and you'll appreciate Pocket MSN.

HTC Herald - SAP Settings

SAP Settings - in the words of the application itself "enabling this option allows Remote SIM Access over Bluetooth".

HTC Herald - Sprite Backup

Sprite Backup - For those of you not familiar with this application, it allows you to take a backup of your device's current state and restore the backup in the future should you wish to do so. The user can select which data they wish to backup and the resulting file can be saved to the storage card.

HTC Herald - Streaming Media

Streaming Media - this application provides a simplified media player dedicated to the playback of streaming media, one worth looking at if you have a reasonable data tariff or access to a wireless hotspot.

HTC Herald - Sliding Keyboard Sound

Sliding Keyboard Sound - found in the settings menu this application allows the user to set a custom tone to the action of opening and closing the slide-out keyboard. This tone can differ based on whether the device is being opened or closed and can also be disabled.