Table D-2 lists the different ways you should use to process a question or display information to the user, depending on whether you deploy your application to a Pocket PC or a Smartphone device. This information is provided in more detail in the Smartphone User Interface Guidelines topic of the Microsoft Smartphone 2003 SDK online Help.
Information type |
On the Pocket PC |
On the Smartphone |
|---|---|---|
Message boxes |
Use message balloons or partial-screen dialog boxes to prompt the user for information. Use full-screen message boxes primarily for system messages when the user must select an item from a list or enter data that is not selectable. |
Use full-screen message boxes to prompt the user for information or answers to application-specific questions. Message box options should typically be limited to two. |
Alert message boxes |
Include code to wake up a Pocket PC device and display a message balloon or play a sound. Time-sensitive information should also be displayed in a balloon. Information that is not time sensitive can be displayed on the Today screen or in the notification area. |
Use a full-screen alert message box only if the alert concerns time-sensitive information for a current activity or an activity running in the background. Information that is not time sensitive can be displayed on the Home screen or in the notification area. You cannot wake up a Smartphone device. It must be turned on by the user. |
Options |
Minimize the the number of controls in an Options dialog box. Do not use menus with the Options dialog box or the Settings control panel. Any tab content should not scroll, and all editable controls should be displayed above the expanded SIP area. |
Use one column only and one control per row. Each row should be a minimum of 22 pixels high. Avoid contact with the title bar and soft keys by adding a two-pixel buffer at the top and bottom of the Options dialog box. Use the right soft key as the Menu soft key and the left soft key as the Done soft key. |
