The UIQ Evangelist

  

Our friend Dominik Strycharski, sent us this write-up. Describing his experience using these 2 UIQ 3 office applications on his SE P1i. And the entire review was also written on the P1i itself. At the end of the review, Dominik said “So, I just hope my little article will help you to choose and decide, and give you some insight into one of the most advanced apps on mobile devices. In my case, one of the most important ones!“… So guys, sit back, relax and read this excellent piece by Dominik! A million thanks to Dominik for sending it to us. Thanks Dom… you da man!

Recently the smartphones world has been developed in astonishing way. The amount and quality of the applications and utilities for the users is quite amazing,  on the way to a complete mobility.

The whole idea is simple - all you need right in your pocket. Isn’t it tempting? It is, at least for me, and well, definitely all of the developement of electronics goes in this direction - minimize size, maximize effect. Being on the road, on the go,  anywhere you are, on the pocket size, always accesible, just some 120 grams in your hand…

Ok, this is how it looks in general. But looking closer at the issue, here comes also a different impression, or rather a big question - what is actually going on with these apps??

What I’m talking about is the amount of COMPROMISE and LIMITATIONS one has to accept when using even advanced smartphone applications.

In fact, developers have to face some serious problems, concerning serious hardware limitations and device size too. It’s definately not an easy task to squeeze the application and make it usable and fully functional on a tiny computer, which in fact the smartphone is today. And on a device with a few times less powerful hardware than any “real” computer.

From the other hand, what’s interesting for users is usability and effectivity, not the problems the programist has to solve. The effect is crucial here, in my opinion.

Let me show it on the example: the release of Quickoffice 4.0 for UIQ 3, and DocumentsToGo 4.0 by DataViz, also for UIQ 3, one of the most advanced smartphone applications today.

1. Both applications itself give promise of another level of experience and superb possibilities regarding viewing/editing documents. Here I will concentrate on Word part which I use the most, possibly expanding it in the future with Excel.

So, being absolutely dependent on the Office applications on my mobile device, since I travel a lot, and I just love mobility by the way, I was very interested and didn’t hesitate to buy actually both apps. Basically I write a lot as well as I receive a lot of theatre plays and scenarios and other documents in Word, which often change through the long process of working on it, with a lot of reformatting and adding many comments too, so a decent and non-limiting word app is one of crucial needs for my usage. Yes, it costed some decent sum, but well, I don’t drink, so I still save some money…

If we take seriously the whole idea of mobility, such applications - letting you work on the phone like it was a PC - is crucial, at least for some users. It’s a very important feature on the “business” part of the device and I don’t think I’m a separated case here.

In fact, Quickoffice preinstalled on phones like P990 and P1, was a… crap. I mean - if the application cannot open 20 or even 15 pages document with “no memory” sentence, in what cathegory you’d place it? Here is the common trouble - you can use it, but only to some - sometimes small - extent. More, the previous Quickoffice on UIQ2 (like SE P910) was much more capable, at least in terms of opening larger documents. Actually, I will never stop wondering - what made the companies (SE?) to release something like that on a business devices??

(Note: Now, the situation has changed with SE G700/900 and probable future models, since they have QOffice 4 preinstalled.)

QuickOffice 4.0

To my surprise, the new QOffice 4.0 application gave very nice features, but again, great limitations too. (Note: although it looks like an upgrade to 3.0 version, it’s in fact a new purchase for all older UIQ users, in opposition to famous Pdf+ upgrade which was free.)

So, basically now the app lets you open any file you want. I mean, I didn’t try it with 1000 pages, but I was able to deal easily with like 50 - 100 or 200 pages docs, what is definately enough. So, from this basic point of view, app is fully sufficient. It also works as the ROM upgrade, which means the app replaces the old one and the same goes for the system icon, which is just replaced. You don’t see QO 3.0 anymore. Now, in File Manager all the documents show a new QO 4.0 icon and choosing doc to open automatically leads to the app.

And here is the first problem: although the programme supports .txt files, opening such file from task manager gives error! Why? I don’t know, the problem is confirmed by all other users. It also refers to .txt files sent by bluetooth: if you want to save it, it gives you error, you also can’t open it. Uuuups! And Aaaaarghhhh!

2. One of the greatest pluses of QO 4.0 is the ability of adding pictures to the file. Now you can create semi-presentations, with the ability of scaling added pictures too. Really welcomed feature and it works great.

Also, the writing speed is remarkably fast even in bigger texts.

What is important, the system icons are big and let you control them even with fingers. More, you can remove the toolbar and set a fullscreen view without any “interruptions”. I must say that the new QO 4.0 UI is great, looks nice and pleasant, and it’s comfortable to use. Much better than other solutions.

  

A little functional “horror” started when I received quite long text in .doc format (approx. 60 or 80 pages) with the huge tablet inside. Precisely, whole text was inserted in one, 2 column, loooong tablet.

First of all, the application does not support horizontal scroll bar, allowing scrolling through the tablet! So, instead of using touch screen, you have to use arrow keys and wait until it - slowly - scrolls through the document, to the right side of it, since this end is invisible in the beginning.

  

Even more “horrifying” behaviour is with editing such a file: you can point the stylus to any chosen part of the file on screen, but again, some of the right part of the tablet is invisible, so you have to use arrows to scroll again! So, if you want to edit the end of the tablet, you have to press the arrow and WAIT until it scrolls to an end. That’s really annoying, especially when you have a touch screen device! With some extensive work it terribly slows down the whole process, and starts to be a serious problem. And the writing speed goes remarkably down once the tablet is filled or gets bigger.

There’s more: complications also start with some advanced editing, like copying fragments of text, cutting and rearranging. I mean, these operations itself are easy and quite flawless. But after these, some files suddenly start to be very slow in writing! The whole “magic” effect is gone.

The annoying “record” has been made with one small, just a few pages .doc which was just some text copied from the Web browser. It was small but for some reason QOffice had a big problem with it since writing one letter was taking like 3 seconds! Yes, you read it correctly - about 3 seconds for the app to react for the pressed letter button, or any other. I know, it may have some hidden website formatting, but… Well, any work on it was just impossible. I have no idea what caused such a big problem. Again, hardly acceptable. Addictionally, DocsToGo 4.0 (quickly reviewed below) had no single problem with it.

You cannot edit house styles when you create the document, however when you receive the .doc, the choice of styles appear, but always according to what was used in the original document (created in MOffice Word for instance). It is shown in screenshots, the more was used in the original  file - more you can choose from.

  

Also, the other behaviour which is “transferred”  from the previous version of QO: refreshing of files list/file manager after every editing/reading and closing the file. It behaves exactly like messaging app and although it’s not a big deal, after working on many files and seeing flashing screen after every “exit” starts to be little frustrating….

From the other hand one can be impressed by the page layout function, which simply shows how the page looks in real in micro scale, actually similarly to what Opera Mini 4 does with websites. You just press an assigned icon and here we go with the layout view.

But again, the whole thing starts to behave strange once you have a tablet inserted in the file. I must say this tablet flaw is a very annoying one! It’s one of the basic things which should be improved over upgrades.

You have to also remember that while writing/editing, the QO does not show the chosen font but works in some generic, default font style. The chosen font is apparently visible on page layout view though. Personally, the general look and feel of QOffice is great, very “warm” and better than DocsToGo, honestly. To add some positives, the Zoom function is great and gives a huge variety of zooming levels.

The first conclusion is that it’s still a bit far from the imagined all-round “computer” in your pocket. I seriously doubt that most of users will ever choose to work on such applications, if they don’t offer a great balance and quality right from the start. The most annoying fact is that some amazing possibilities and functions are placed “next to” some massive limitations. Clearly: some, one would think, basic or at least obvious actions are very difficult.

DocsToGo 4.0

This application was also highly awaited, especially by some powerusers (including me). The last version for UIQ was introduced something like 2 years ago.

I must say, DocsToGo 3 was my main work tool on my P990i for most of time, having one major flaw: speed on  some big files.

New application - in opposition to QOffice upgrade - looks identically the same as the previous one. The same icons, which are still quite small but functional. Nothing changed, what can be seen as advantage, since there’s no accomodation time needed. Note: DocsToGo still offers more functional icons (see screenshot) than QuickOffice, what significantly  speeds up some work.

    

But the first surprise, and sorry it’s not positive - no onscreen keyboard support! Precisely, Docs is designed to support it, but maybe because of some mistake, when you enter text on the displayed keyboard, although it is finally written in the original text you don’t see anything in the edit window, so you don’t have a clue what you write before you check it! That’s a main lack when you use landscape mode. I think it’s an easy to repair bug, so this hopefully will be done soon!

The rest abut the app is rather great. DataViz also made a big step forward. Finally, it seems the writing speed is held on a fast, functional level, no matter how big or complex the file is. This is one of the biggest advantages of this product, and also - one of the main requirements of an effective office tool! I definitely see it as a must, not an extraordinary feature.

Secondly the tablets handling is also “normal” and there is no problem with editing and scrolling through it. Compressed view is supported (both sides are visible on screen) as well as expanded view with scrollbars. DocsToGo go supports also .txt files and - finally - Office 2007, what is also a great advantage.

  

From the other hand, it’s such a pity DataViz removed a great feature - displaying comments inserted in the text. It was present on Docs 3, now not supported! Great, great pity - I used this feature often, and now the place with the comments is pointed with the question mark, leading to the “unsupported feature” message…

  What I also like about Docs 4:

1.    Opening on the last .doc was edited (but it may be also seen as disadvanatge, since you don’t see a nice file view anymore)
2.    Copying text when in view mode
3.    Better margins control, especially making both margins aligned
4.    Inserting bookmark, hyperlink, Page break
5.    Seeing pictures in the file
6.    Very stable behaviour
7.    Great Zoom levels
8.    Very useful line/page scroll

Second conclusion: again, to make it all really full user experience and extended usability, I need to have two applications in the end.

I must say that one can live with just one of them, since both are quite capable and support most needs requiring office docs editing/viewing. Nice advantage of both is creating Powerpoint presentations, which is quite surprising.  This an option I didn’t really try in full, since I don’t use it al all, so this field waits for futher exploration….

I also think both progammes will see further upgrades, since both have this “upgrade” in menus. And I really hope for that, since both have some big lacks, essentially: tablets handling in Quickoffice sucks, as well as virtual keyboard support in DocsWord too!

And here’s a comparative tablet:

3. So, the winner is - with about 20% advantage - DocsToGo. With one great plus - it seems to be faster especially in bigger OR more complex documents, what can be crucial in some cases. I think DataViz made some serious work on it. To be honest, I didn’t a find a document which would slow down the editing process on DocsWord. However it was not a case on QOffice, and actually I would not be able to finnish this article on this programme since it slowed down miserably after some editing and adding the above tablet to it. Pity, since the app feels and looks great. It also has a much better file management.

The “verdict” is very subjective though and based on some individual preferences and this win is definitely not clear. There are some fields where QO leads, like the interface or some specific features, but this can be equally said about Docs.

As you can see, both applications offer something the other is missing. But it must be also pointed that some features are removed from the previous version, especially in DocsToGo, what is hard to understand and keeps my bittersweet impression on smartphone’s developement and it’s current applications functionality. It looks like it’s so hard to just improve and add features to it!

Is the market of such apps still to small? Is such a small number of people using these advanced applications in a really power-user way, that it’s not easy to find out what is necessary or on demand? I remember Quickoffice leading a survey - good idea indeed - on office tools usage on smartphones, just few months ago, so that may be the case… But it does not justify some serious flaws I mentioned.

One thing is for sure - more people will use it, more pressure and demand will be put on makers, pushing them to develop finished and effective products, without fundamental  lacks. Just like it was in case of home computer’s early days, and now laptops. They went through the whole evolution and now great hardware and software capabilities are packed in the - relatively - small and light form. And that’s what I’m looking for in the smarties world. But this “bright” future is yet to be revealed. Look how many years it takes makers to implement a flash content support as standard feature in browsers, for instance. I’m convinced that effective and strong bug/problems report is very important, what is perfectly examplified in case of OperaMini. Of course, no other company offers such a supportive forum as they do, but others definitely give the opportunity to contact and find support. Of course, it’s not a perfect remedy for all the problems, but, we need to push….

One more thing: in DocsToGo, when you don’t save a file you worked on and you close the programme by the system/task manager, you receive an KernExec, so remember about it.

Also, in DocsToGo Slide (Powerpoint) opening the default page (it’s like a new presentation to be prepared) and closing it  the same way gives an error as well. Very inconvenient solution and behaviour. I mean, it would be better to start this app with list of files maybe instead of a new unfiled document…

So, I just hope my little article will help you to choose and decide, and give you some insight into one of the most advanced apps on mobile devices. In my case, one of the most important ones!

P.S. This article was written in  full just on DocsToGo Word 4.0 and Quickoffice 4.0. The device used was SonyEricsson P1i.

P.S. 2. Regarding Quickoffice 4.0: although all the UIQ 3.0 devices are listed as supported, in fact the app has some problems on SE P990, it is confirmed by myself and some other users on My-Symbian forums.

These problem does not occur on SE P1.

Enjoy!

Dominik Strycharski

Categories: Apps, Comments
Tags: Apps, Review, UIQ 3