LandWare launches Pocket Quicken 2.5

- Gary Thayer, Editor

Oradell, NJ, May 2, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- LandWare today launched Pocket Quicken 2.5 software finance manager for Palm OS 3.5 or later. Version 2.5 is completely re-written, according to LandWare, and still enables direct synchronization with Quicken 2005.

Version 2.5 of Pocket Quicken presents a series of simple to answer profiling dialogs when the program is first run, so that the program can automatically configure itself to suit the user's needs. If the user intends to use Pocket Quicken to sync with his or her desktop, then the program will function as a traditional handheld companion. Once connected to their desktop via cable, cradle or wirelessly via Bluetooth, Quicken users HotSync to transfer to and from Quicken.

Pocket Quicken can also act as the user's primary finance application. Users can customize category and class lists by adding new ones, editing existing entries, or deleting the ones they know they will never use.

The new Quick Reports section can summarize transactions using any combination of amount, payee, category, class, memo, account and/or transaction attribute, with two taps of the stylus. A single tap allows the consumer to view/edit the original transaction; and then once the transaction is reviewed and closed, the report is back on screen.

Version 2.5 also adds features that aid users of Palm OS smartphones. These improvements include support of the palmOne Treo's standard 5-way navigation button and LandWare's ThumbNav application control. This design enlarges all primary controls - including pop-up menus - so they can be selected by navigation button, stylus or even a thumb, and positions the focus of the software automatically to the default selection.

The new version also adds row shading color and font size as a program preference setting in order to suit the user's device.

Using Pocket Quicken's quickfill and memorized payee list day-to-day transactions may be recorded with as little as two strokes of the stylus or taps on a built-in keyboard. In addition, transactions can now be split 30 ways with categories, classes and memos.

When Pocket Quicken is used as a stand alone financial manager, users can confirm that all entered transactions match up with bank records with the new fully featured reconciliation functionality.

Pocket Quicken budgets allows the user to track how much has been spent or earned on any given category. The software can even suggest a budget amount based on prior financial activity. In order to determine how a budget has been used, the new QuickZoom feature instantly displays the transactions that contribute to any given budget.

Version 2.5 also improves on its ability to display financial account details. One tap provides a new report that summarizes financial activity, including current and ending balance, credit limit, account number and the primary contact – who can be dialed directly if the software is running on a smartphone. As with the previous versions of the software, there is no limit to the number of accounts the consumer can track or the length of historical transactions they wish to keep on their organizer.

When using foreign currencies, the program allows the customer to record a hotel bill paid in Swiss Francs or gifts purchased in New Zealand dollars with an American credit card, while the program automatically takes care of the currency conversion. The program now allows the consumer to maintain an extensive editable list of currencies (including rates, symbols, shortcut keys, etc.) and a currency type can be set for each individual account.

Other additional improvements and features include:

• Automatic scheduling of payments/deposits. A pop-up reminder appears when a transaction comes due and the can choose to record the payment right away, skip the payment or defer the entry until the next time the user opens the application.
• The ability to optionally protect the financial information within by requiring a PIN code in order to open the application.
  
• Enhanced calculator that fills in the payment or deposit amount based on the calculation result.
  
• Full support for palmOne's Graffiti 2 engine provides customers with Tungsten and Zire handhelds with improved handwriting recognition.
  
• An integrated help system with operational guidelines, hints and tips.
  
• When a payment is entered that will put a balance total over the maximum as specified for that account, Pocket Quicken will display a yellow exclamation mark next to the account name; it’s the program way of sounding a silent alarm.

Pocket Quicken 2.5 for Palm OS retails for US $35, with discounted upgrading pricing for registered owners of Pocket Quicken 1.0 and 2.0. Those who have purchased Pocket Quicken 2.0 after January 1, 2005 qualify for a free upgrade to Pocket Quicken 2.5. Pocket Quicken 2.5 requires Palm OS 3.5 or later.

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