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Over the next few weeks I will be doing double duty as a judge in the button enhancer category of Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazines and also presenting reviews of them here. So, you can get a better idea of the software programs in that category and how I will be judging and voting.

Here’s the full list of all the software reviews in the button enhancement category:

FantasticBytes’ Softkey Manager

Hundera’s HButton

Momidi’s BtnPlus

AE Button Plus

AE Keyboard Mapper

Today, I’ll be doing a review of Burr Oak Software’s HotButton Plus. This is different type of button enhancer program where you assign one button on your smartphone device that will enable you to launch a variety of programs instead of one app on each soft key. Depending on you preferences and your desired uses, you may prefer one or the other, or even both.

HotButton Plus, as I’ve mentioned already will allow you to press a specifically assigned button on your smartphone to bring up a list of your favorite apps, choose the one you wish to run and have it run. This is another program that enhances the one handed operation most smartphone users enjoy.

For those who want to skip over all the detailed review and just want a summary, you can jump to the review summary

The program is very easy to use and straightforward. First, decide on assigning one of your smartphone’s hardware buttons to launch HotButton Plus. It’s certainly not mandatory to do so, but if you wish to launch HotButton Plus, you’ll need to either set up a shortcut on your Today Screen, or manually launch the program in the launcher. That obviously takes a few more taps or take up a few extra seconds of your time. Most people would likely prefer to set up or assign a special hardware button to launch HotButton Plus. Again, it’s suggested but not mandatory although it will be much more useful to assign a hardware button to launch HotButton Plus rather than launch it from the screen.

Next, you should run the HotButton Setup program. It should be the first icon you see before the main program icon. Select the programs and tasks you wish to add to the list that will come up when you press and hold on your assigned HotButton. You can choose from amongst the “Built in” apps like Phone, Call Log (not supported for Treos),

Run the set up program to set up the apps you wish to have quick access to via the program. You will see the main screen of the program. Unfortunately for square screen devices (like my Treo 750), you will notice that you’ll need to scroll down to view the items at the bottom.

As you can see in the screenshots, you have the option of selecting from amongst the built-in apps like Phone, Call Log, etc., or launching Start Menu programs like Calendar, Contacts, etc., plus set up a phone number to be dialed. Think of this as another speed dial. Unfortuately, Phone, Call Log and some others are not supported on the Treo devices.

Video of HotButton Plus

Video at YouTube

Here are my observations:

I’m very impressed with this program not only for its ease of use and the beautiful graphics but I really like how I can assign one button to launch it. Most other similar programs require a button combination. I also like the voice recording capability of the program which is extremely useful when you are occupied with other tasks, to be able to know which app is up for launching in the list. My main disappointments with the program include the large file size (most likely due to the graphics), lack of support for square screens like the Treo 750 (see my video on the recording feature), that it does not support running applications on an expansion memory card, and the requirement to press the directional keys to scroll through the list of apps. Otherwise, this would be a perfect button enhancer program that would make most tasks one handed, but also accessible via the press of a finger!

Review Summary

Burr Oak Software’s HotButton Plus is a very impressive button enhancer program that is not only stunning to look at, but very functional as well. With the press of a hardware button, you can easily have access to many of your smartphone’s features and tasks including bluetooth, mute and much more. Aside from that, you can also launch a variety of programs installed on your smartphone. The very interesting feature of this program is that it can play back a voice recording attached to an app in the list so that while you’re busy doing something and can’t look at the screen, you can still be able to figure out which program is next on the list and launch that program. This is one feature that none of the other button enhancer programs (that I am aware of) has. Aside from some minor inconveniences of not supporting square screens on some parts of the program as well as a larger file size and some others mentioned previously, this is one button enhancer program you should give a serious look.

Check out Burr Oak Software’s HotButton Plus here.

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