As you continue to bury yourself in planning your marketing budgets and activities for 2010, it’s important to not only take a step back and look at how you can improve your department’s efficiency but your own as well. The platform that started the true, portable PC continues on in the form of Windows Mobile 6.5. While the mobile operating system maybe growing a bit long in the tooth for mainstream consumers, it remains the only platform able to take full advantage of the advanced features and functionality inherent in Microsoft Exchange. That being said, there’s always room for a little improvement and these productivity apps aim to do just that. Luckily, the new Windows Marketplace makes it easy for you to find these gems.
Using BlackBerry or iPhone? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered too. Check out our BlackBerry and iPhone posts.

1. Microsoft My Phone – This app comes with the WM 6.5 update, but 6.0 and 6.1 users can also get it off of the marketplace. While it’s not going to enhance your productivity directly, it will keep you from losing all of your stored information. It basically creates a backup of all of your contacts, photos, text messages and other critical information automatically and lets you view all that information online if you’re not at your phone or the battery is dead. Even better, the online interface will use GPS to help you find your phone in the event that you lose it. iPhone users typically have to pay $100 a year for a MobileME account with similar functionality, but you lucky Windows Mobile users can get it for free!

 

2. Office Mobile 2010 Beta – Available for a limited time, Microsoft is giving you the opportunity to play around with its newest version of Office Mobile for free! The newest version of Office Mobile opens up enhanced PowerPoint presentation controls via your mobile phone and new Sharepoint Workspace functionality to keep you connected to work at all times. Additionally, you’ll have easier access to your Microsoft Office documents that you’re storing online via the Microsoft Office Live add-ins and future Web portal with the full version of Microsoft Office 2010 when it launches for PCs next year. If you’re not already using the Live add-ins for Microsoft Office 2007, this is a great reason to start! Better hurry, the Beta program ends on April 15 and this app will cease to work after that.

 

3. Task 1001 – If you’re using your Outlook Tasks pretty often, then you need this app. While Pocket Outlook will already sync your tasks from Outlook straight to your phone and came probably came preloaded on your smartphone, it didn’t quite get the universal finger-friendly makeover that Windows Mobile 6.5 introduced, so it can be somewhat difficult managing everything or getting where you want to go. Task 1001 makes everything much easier to manage, adds a few features missing from Pocket Outlook and does all of this via a finger-friendly interface so you don’t have to pull out your stylus.

4. SPB Mobile Shell – After you get over the initial sticker shock and look into this app a little more, you’ll see it’s completely worth it. SPB Mobile Shell is a complete user interface overhaul for Windows Mobile. It does away with all the small text and buttons and brings in an entirely new, fully customizable interface with unparalleled flexibility. The ability to customize two completely different homepages for work and personal needs is a godsend for anyone looking to manage all aspects of their life from their mobile phone and the plethora of widgets and mods available ensures that you can completely customize the interface to ensure maximum productivity for your individual needs. 

Some of the mods and widgets do require a little advanced smartphone usage, but it’s not too bad. This app is best used when you don’t have an HTC phone with TouchFlo installed on it.

5. Privus Mobile – This app has made it on each of our productivity lists this year due to the fact that it really has the potential to impact any user’s everyday life. Privus Mobile enables real-time Caller ID on Window Mobile smartphones as well as the ability to save the information it finds straight to your contacts list. Unlike the iPhone version, Privus’ Windows Mobile app can display the calling information for unknown callers as the call is coming in thanks to background processing and simultaneous data/voice. You can then instantly save the caller’s data straight to your contacts list. Thanks to a recent update, you can even conduct caller name lookup searches straight from your phone in the event you get a call on your house or office phone line that isn’t recognized.