Every once in awhile we here at WMExperts come across a truly remarkable piece of software: simple, elegant, useful and preferably free.

WiFi Remote Access by Julian Manici meets all of these criteria.

In short, you install the software on your Windows phone (with WiFi, ahem), pick a password and when ready, hit "Enable".

You'll now be shown your device's IP address which you simply type in your Web browser on your Desktop PC.  You are then prompted to enter a password, a pop-up notification on your phone appears and you're connected. 

Once that is done you can browse your pictures, documents, files, storage card, view and compose SMS messages, edit your registry, even listen to music. Best of all it's very fast and has a beautiful UI.

Heck, it now even features a "remote control" function whereby you can view and operate your phone via the web browser. Huzzah.

Of course, your connection is not encrypted (though password protected), so be aware of the security risks. But for home use, it should be of little concern.

What can we say? We're in love.

Give it a shot and let us know in comments your experience!

One of our favorite pocketpc freeware sites, Freeware for PocketPC, has released a pretty darn good marketplace app dubbed OpnMarket (hey, it's freeware, they evidently have to pay for extra "e"s).

In fact, dare we say, it's snazzier than Microsoft's own attempt?  Best analogy is it feels similar to the Netflix Mobile Manager application, with kinetic scrolling and tight graphics. Of course, it only works on touchscreen devices. Sorry WM Standard.

So do we recommend?  Heck, yeah!  For one, it showcases a lot of hobby developer software and number two, it's all freeware. The store itself works well enough, and did we mention free?

The application does require registration, which can be done on the device or on their website.  This will allow you to manage your programs via a "dashboard" interface as well as keep your software up to date.

Use MS Tag to download now and give it a go.  Read more on it here.

[Thanks, Veselin N., for the tip!]

One e-mail standard that Windows Mobile has been missing since day one is IMAP idle--an advanced form of the IMAP standard.  The idle version is essentially push e-mail and it's very popular (Gmail officially supports it) as it is quick and is pretty good with battery life.

Fixup over at XDA has taken the open-source IMAP Pusher Service and made a handy WinMo client--one that also supports multiple IMAP Idle accounts.  He points out some interesting drawbacks in using Exchange Gmail too:

1. Almost all mail servers now support IMAP idle, including Gmail, while AS only works with MS's proprietary Exchange server.
2. Gmail's AS push is still not reliable enough to be practically usable. It does not let you use your own domain as reply email address. When you delete a gmail message in AS, it goes into Achieve instead of Trash.
3. AS does not support multiple accounts. You can use both AS and xImapPusher at the same time on the same phone.

To setup, have your IMAP account setup already in Outlook; set it to check once daily.  Install the xImapPusher .cab to your device (soft-reset for good measure), run the 'Accounts Config' followed by running 'xImap Pusher' application.  You should then see your data-arrows activate and begin pushing your email.  You also need to have .NET CF 3.5 installed.

Downside is there is no scheduler, so you'll have to remember to turn it off (run 'xImap Pusher' again) if you don't want it checking.  Still, we've been using it for a few hours now it seems pretty solid and simple to us, so give it a shot.

I discovered Glympse by using the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile, which goes to show you just how powerful that piece of software is going to be.

In short, Glympse is a free, easy to use, no strings attached application that allows certain contacts you select to track your location/travels in timed increments.  Think of it this way: say you are taking a road trip to visit some friends and you think you'll be there by 4:30pm.  Well, with Glympse your friends can see exactly where you are on that trip without bothering you (i.e.getting that call while driving "How much longer do you think?").

I gave this app a quick spin and came away impressed.  It's both visually appealing, simple, effective and kind of fun to use. Best part is there is no signing up, enrolling or hoops to jump through.  All the other person needs is an email/sms account and access to the internet to click a hyperlink.

Take a look after the jump to see it in action and how it works.

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In our continuing series of reviews for Instant Messaging apps for Windows Mobile (see IM+ last week), we next take a look at Palringo, which has quickly become the darling of many WinMo users.

How does it stack up to IM+?  What features stand out and which need some work? 

Take a look after the jump for our review!

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Every once in awhile I come across some really neat freeware that I think you folks could benefit from.

PhoneLog is a freeware app from InfinityBall (click for more screenshots) that simply logs your call log directly to your calendar app.

This is all done instantly in the background with no noticeable performance issues--it just works seamlessly and efficiently which is the best kind of WM app.  After a call, in your calendar it will say "Talked to <insert contact>" with the start/end times and call duration.  The info shows up as a simple entry in your cal and you can even assign it a custom category.  

The app does require .NET compact framework 3.5 and has many configuration options such as log missed calls, all calls, run on startup and even log your text messages (!)  Very cool stuff.  Get it here.

So if you missed our popular Part I (Glossy Black Bars) of this week's two-parter, make sure to take a looksy as it's pretty sweet.

Today's tip is another great one if you don't have Resco Explorer. Heck, in fact it's not bad even if do have that app as this can perform some unique tricks.

We present: File Explorer Extension (2.03)

What's it you ungrammatically ask?

It's a freeware app by bnm7bnm which adds a ton of super cool features to your default File Explorer, which is quite lacking.

Read on to catch the features of this cool app and where to get it!

Specifically, File Explorer Extension will add these features:

• Resizable header for easy sorting by file name, date of last modification or size

• Tree view of folders; you can now jump easily from a location to any other on your device in one step

• Show extension option for those who ask themselves the same question I do: “What type of file is this?

• Icon view that enables the display of files as icons similar to your desktop computer

• Real time image preview; now you don’t have to open several files in order to send the one you desire

• Open with Program allows you easily select an application to open the specific file you select (useful in case you don’t have the correct file associations or when you want Album app to open your images instead of Windows default picture viewer.

• File property context menu for easy renaming and attribute changing

• Open all executables with Parameters in case you need a special parameter when launching an application

• Sending shortcut to Programs for instant shortcut creation of executables placed directly in Programs folder in Start Menu.:

At just 41kb, this tiny little guy adds a ton of functionality. My favorite (seen in the pic above) is the "thumbnail" preview of your pics as you scroll through them, just like on the desktop.

Jump to XDA to give it a shot or download the .cab in our software forums here.

Enjoy!

Welcome to this week's Software Wrangle! Get ready to lasso this week's new, updated and free software for WM Professional and WM Standard.

This week we are featuring new software for WM Standard, Smartphone PopUps Notification Windows and MemoryUp-Mobile RAM Booster v2.5 Updated software includes PhatNotes 5.3 and 1Touch Contacts. Freeware this week is Skype for Smartphone v2.2.0.44.

WM Professional new software is EasyHelper Information Hide v1.0 and PRPWallet - Digital Password Manager for Windows Mobile Pocket PC v1.0. Updated software includes IM+ All-in-One Messenger: AIM/ iChat, MSN/ Live Messenger, Yahoo!, ICQ, Jabber, GTalk and MySpace v5.3 and HandyMenu v3.7. Freeware is JB Piano v1.7.

Time to circle the wagons and dig in to the software!

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Jason Langridge points out a free little app for Windows Mobile that allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control for certain software on your desktop (like, WinAmp or Powerpoint). Looks like a neat (and free) alternative to the already popular Salling Clicker

This is home page of Bluetooth Remote Control for Windows Mobile, a Remote Control software using Native Bluetooth Transport without ActiveSync.

Read: Bluetooth Remote Control for Windows Mobile