Acer N50 User Manual

Manual for

Acer n50 Handheld

COPYRIGHT

Acer n50 Handheld Manual Original issue: November 2004

Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc.

Microsoft, ActiveSync, Outlook, Pocket Outlook, Windows, Windows NT, and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft products are licensed to OEMs by Microsoft Licensing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation.

Other company’s product names or trademarks are used herein for identification purpose only and belong to their respective companies.

Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this Manual or supplementary documents and publications.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Inc.

DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Acer and its subsidiaries makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Acer and its subsidiaries assume no responsibility for any damage or loss resulting from the use of this Acer n50 Handheld Manual.

NOTES

Record the serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in the space provided below. The serial number is recorded on the label affixed to your Acer n50. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial number, and purchase information.

Acer n50 Handheld

S/N: _______________________________________

Purchase Date: ____________________________

Place of Purchase: _________________________

About this Manual

Welcome to the Acer n50 Handheld Manual. This Manual is designed to help you get up and running quickly with your new Acer n50—a Windows 2004 handheld. It describes all you need to know about how to use your handheld as well as the application programs that come with it.

This Manual will discuss the following topics:

• A tour of the Acer n50 system

• Setup and maintenance procedures

• Viewing and entering data

• Using the application programs bundled with your handheld

• Taking advantage of your handheld’s expansion features

• Synchronising data between your handheld and your computer

• Connecting your handheld to a computer, a network, or the Internet

• Personalising your handheld with your own preference settings

This Manual introduces you to the many ways your Acer n50 can help you organise and manage both business and personal information to make your everyday activities a more productive and satisfying experience.

®

Powered Pocket PC

iii

About this Manual

iv

First things first

Your guides

First things first

We would like to thank you for making Acer n50 your choice for your handheld needs. Your new sleek Acer n50 is a multi-functional tool packed with user-friendly features and high-performance applications designed to make organising workrelated information and synchronising it with your personal activities a time-efficient task. We hope you enjoy using your Acer n50 as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.

Use your Acer n50 to effectively manage information related to both business and personal tasks.

• Software installation and new applications

®

• Use the Microsoft organising and computing tasks

• Synchronise the information on your computer with the information on your handheld using Microsoft

• Get connected to the Internet with the Microsoft® Pocket Internet Explorer

• Create an on-the-go backup file

• Expand your handheld’s capabilities using either the built-in SD/MMC slot or the CF slot

• Exchange information between devices that have Bluetooth®(optional) / WLAN(optional) capabilities.

• Beam information to another IR-enabled device

• Customise your handheld based on your personal requirements and preferences

Pocket PC 2003 second edition software to perform

®

ActiveSync

®

Your guides

To help you use your Acer n50, we have designed a set of guides:

For information on: Refer to:

Programs on your handheld This Manual. Bundled in the Acer n50 Handheld

Programs on your handheld Additional programs that can be installed on your handheld

Connecting to and synchronising with your computer

Companion CD, it provides online reference for using your Acer n50.

The Acer n50 Handheld Help. To view Help, tap and then Help.

The Acer n50 Handheld Companion CD.

The Acer n50 Handheld Quick Guide.

ActiveSync Help on your computer. To view Help, click Help and then Microsoft ActiveSync Help.

v

First things first

Package contents

For information on: Refer to:

Last-minute updates and detailed technical information

Up-to-date information regarding your handheld

Service Enquiries http://global.acer.com/support/index.htm

Package contents

Your Acer n50 comes packed in a cardboard box. Carefully unpack the box and remove the contents. If any of the following items are missing or damaged, contact your dealer immediately:

• Acer n50 handheld • Acer n50 Handheld Quick Guide

• Stylus • Acer n50 Handheld Companion

• Cradle (for n50 Premium) or Sync Cable ( USB Client, DC-in ) (for n50)

• AC Power Adapter • International Travellers Warranty

• Slip Case • Battery Pack

The Read Me files. Located in the Microsoft ActiveSync folder on your computer and on the Acer n50 Handheld Companion CD.

http://www.acer.com/

CD

• End User License Agreement

Maintaining your Acer n50

This section provides information on the following:

• Proper care and usage of your handheld

• Resetting your handheld

Proper care and usage of your Acer n50

Your Acer n50’s rugged and tough construction is designed to provide you with years of reliable and trouble-free service. Observing the following general maintenance procedures will help ensure this:

1 Take care not to scratch the screen of your handheld. Keep the screen clean. When

working with your handheld, use the supplied stylus or plastic-tipped pens intended for use with touch-sensitive screens. Never use an actual pen or pencil or other sharp object on the screen surface.

2 Your handheld is not waterproof and should not be exposed to rain or moisture.

Under extreme conditions, water may enter the circuitry through the front panel buttons or expansion slots. In general, treat your handheld as you would a pocket calculator or other small electronic device.

3 Take care not to drop your handheld or subject it to any strong impact. Do not place

your handheld in your back pocket; if you sit on it, you may damage it.

vi

First things first

Maintaining your Acer n50

4 Protect your handheld from temperature extremes. For example, do not leave your

handheld on the dashboard of a car on a hot day or on a day when temperatures are below the freezing point. Also, keep it away from heaters and other sources of heat.

5 Do not use or store your handheld in any location that is extremely dusty, damp or

wet. Always use the (included) SD dummy card to protect the connectors when not in use.

6 Use a soft, damp cloth to clean your handheld. If the surface of the screen becomes

soiled, clean it with a soft cloth moistened with diluted window-cleaning solution.

Resetting your Acer n50

You may have to perform a reset if your handheld no longer responds to the buttons on the screen.

Performing a soft reset

A soft reset allows your handheld to get a fresh start, similar to rebooting a computer. All records and entries are retained after a soft reset.

To perform a soft reset:

• Using the tip of your stylus, lightly press the reset button inside the hole on the buttom of your handheld.

Performing a hard reset

A hard reset will erase all records and entries stored in your handheld. Never perform a hard reset unless a soft reset does not correct your problem. When you perform your next ActiveSync operation, you can restore any data that you previously synchronised to your computer. To perform a hard reset:

1. Press and hold the Today and Messaging (a) buttons on your Handheld.

vii

First things first

Locking your Acer n50

2. While holding the Today and Messaging buttons, Using the tip of your stylus, lightly press the reset button inside the hole (b) on the left side of your handheld.

NOTE: When you perform a hard reset, formats, preferences, and other settings including date and time are restored to their factory default settings. All data, records, and entries,

except for those stored in the ROM storage, will be erased.

Locking your Acer n50

Your handheld is not just a financial investment but a wealthy source of personal information, some of which may be confidential so it is only logical to protect it from any unauthorized access. The security setting of your handheld gives you the option of assigning a lock password that will be required for access after a set period of inactivity.

To assign a password

1 Tap , Settings.

2 On the Personal tab, tap Password.

3 Select a password option.

• Simple 4 digit password

• Strong alphanumeric password

4 Define the period of inactivity before the password will be required for access.

5 Enter password then retype it to confirm.

viii

Installing Software on Your Acer n50

When installing software on your Acer n50, you may receive the message:

The program you have installed may not display properly because it was designed for a previous version of Microsoft

If you receive this message, perform the following steps:

1 Tap ok to continue installing the software.

2 Run the software in portrait mode. See "Changing Display to Portrait Screen

Orientations."

Changing Display to Portrait Screen Orientations

To change the display setting on your Handheld:

1 Tap , Settings.

2 On the System tab, tap Screen icon.

3 The Screen Orientation options are displayed.

4 Make your selection and press the OK button. Your display screen is now in the new

orientation.

®

Windows MobileTM software.

First things first

NOTE: Most applications will work with Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition when using portrait mode.

NOTE: The Acer n50 has the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition operating system installed. Most PDA software packages currently available were designed for previous versions of the Windows Mobile operating system. If you need technical assistance with the software you are trying to install, contact the software manufacturer. Acer does not provide support for third-party electronics and accessories. Support for all third-party electronics and accessories is provided by the original manufacturer of the product.

ix

First things first

Installing Software on Your Acer n50

x

Contents

About this Manual iii

First things first v

Your guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Maintaining your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Proper care and usage of your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Resetting your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii

Locking your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii

Installing Software on Your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

1 Getting started 1

System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Features summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Proprietary 26-pin I/O connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Connectivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Design and ergonomics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Acer n50 tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Front view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Left view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Top view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Bottom view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Preparing to use your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Installing the Microsoft® ActiveSync® software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Connecting the computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Charging your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Setting up your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Performing the first synchronisation process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Command interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Handheld buttons and the stylus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Today screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Command bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Pop-up menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

2 Entering data in your Acer n50 19

Using the input panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

To type with the soft keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

To use Letter Recognizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

To use Block Recognizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

To use Transcriber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Writing on the screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

1

To write on the screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Drawing on the screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

To create a drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Recording a message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

To create a recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

To play a recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Using My Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

To insert a My Text message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3 Managing applications and information 29

Opening an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Switching between applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Finding and organising information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

To use Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

To use File Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

4 Managing Microsoft® Pocket Outlook applications 33

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Scheduling an appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Creating a meeting request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Creating a contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Finding a contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Creating a task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Creating a note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Synchronising email messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Connecting directly to an email server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Using the Message list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Composing a message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Managing email messages and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

5 Managing Microsoft® Pocket PC 2003 companion programs 45

Pocket Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

To create a new file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

To use the Pocket Word file list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

To enter information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Pocket Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Creating a new workbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

To create a Pocket Excel file list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

®

MSN

Messenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Setting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Working with contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Chatting with contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Microsoft

2

®

Windows Media™ Player for Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Contents

®

Microsoft

6 Backup and restore data 59

7 Using expansion features 65

Using an SD/CF card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Using an USB thumb drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Reader for Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Using the Guidebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Getting books on your Acer n50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Using the Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Opening a book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Reading a book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Using Reader features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Removing a book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Backup function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

AutoBackup function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Restore function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Inserting an SD/CF card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Removing an SD/CF card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Inserting an USB thumb drive - Connecting the Cradle . . . . . . . . . . .66

Removing an USB thumb drive - Connecting the Cradle . . . . . . . . . . .66

Inserting an USB thumb drive - Connecting the Sync cable. . . . . . . . . .67

Removing an USB thumb drive - Connecting the Sync cable . . . . . . . . .67

8 Exchanging and updating data using ActiveSync®.69

Using ActiveSync®.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

9 Getting connected 71

Transferring items using infrared or Bluetooth®(optional) . . . . . . . . . . .71

To send information via infrared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

To create a modem connection to an ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

To create a connection to an ISP over Bluetooth® . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

To create a wireless Ethernet connection to an ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Connecting to a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

To create a modem connection to a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

To create a wireless Ethernet connection to a network . . . . . . . . . . .75

To create a connection to a network over Bluetooth® . . . . . . . . . . .75

Get help on connecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

10 Using Microsoft® Pocket Internet Explorer 77

Mobile Favorites folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Favorite links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Mobile favorites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Using Pocket Internet Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

To view mobile favorites and channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

To browse the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

3

11 Customising your handheld 81

Adjusting handheld settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Adding and removing programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Adding programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Removing programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Appendix A: Exchanging and updating data using Bluetooth® Utility (optional) 85

Bluetooth® Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Bluetooth® Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Bluetooth® Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Bluetooth® Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Remote Device Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Appendix B: Regulation & safety notices 91

Energy Star Guidelines Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

FCC notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Notice: Shielded cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Notice: Peripheral devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Operation conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Notice: Canadian users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Remarque à l’intention des utilisateurs canadiens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Declaration of Conformity for EU countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Important safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

LCD pixel statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Macrovision® copyright protection notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Radio Device Regulatory Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

European Union (EU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

List of Applicable Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

The FCC RF safety requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Canada - Low power license-exempt radio communication devices (RSS-210) . . . 95

Exposure of humans to RF fields (RSS-102) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Appendix C: Wireless communication 97

Tray Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Activating the wireless feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Configuring the wireless settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Main configuration of utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Status Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

When use click a 'Configure' button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

When use click a 'More' button (DHCP IP case) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

When use click a 'More' button (Static IP case) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

SiteSurvey Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Version Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

4

1 Getting started

This chapter will discuss the following topics:

• Basic requirements

• Feature highlights of your Acer n50

• Acer n50 system tour

• Step-by-step procedures on how to prepare your handheld for use

• Basic concepts in using your handheld

System requirements

In order to install the Microsoft® ActiveSync® software and use your new Acer n50 with a computer at work or at home, be sure the system(s) meet the following minimum system and program requirements.

•Intel

• 64 MB RAM

• 120 MB disk space

•CD-ROM drive

• USB port or Infrared port

• SVGA (or compatible) graphics card supporting 256 colours

• Microsoft® Windows XP, 2000, ME or 98SE

• Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.01

®

Pentium® processor (minimum 233 MHz)

1 Getting started

System requirements

Features summary

Performance

•Intel® PXA27X Application Processor with Intel XScale technology

• System memory: – 64 MB SDRAM for application storage – 64 MB / 128 MB Flash ROM for operating system

• Microsoft

Display

• 3.5" Transflective TFT LCD

• 240 x 320 resolution

• 65536 colour support

• Microsoft

®

Windows MobileTM 2003 Second Edition with Outlook® 2002

®

ClearType technology for clearer, crisper font display

1

1 Getting started

Features summary

Audio

• Embedded AC '97 CODEC with CD-quality stereo output

• Built-in industry standard 2.5 mm stereo earphone jack , 4 ring type

• Built-in mono primary speaker

• Built-in mono auxiliary speaker

Proprietary 26-pin I/O connector

• USB Host (female)

• USB Client(male)

•Serial

• DC power in

Connectivity

• SIR (Serial Infrared) capability

• Bluetooth® 1.2(optional)

• IEEE 802.11b WLAN (optional)

Expansion

• SD/MMC slot (SDIO compatible) and CF slot

• USB Host1.1

Battery

• Rechargeable 1040 mAH Lithium iron battery

• 8 hours operation time for normal usage (when backlight is inactive)

NOTE: Length of battery operation will depend on power consumption which is based on system resource use. For example, constantly using the backlight or using power-demanding applications will shorten battery life between charges.

• 3 hour charging time from empty to full capacity

Design and ergonomics

• Stylish, light and thin design

Specifications Dimensions

Height 120 mm

Width 70 mm

Depth 17.4 mm

Weight 150 g (including stylus)

• User-friendly navigation features

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1 Getting started

Features summary

– 5-way directional pad for one-hand operation – Quick buttons for easy launch of commonly-used applications

– Start button for one-tap access to all available applications

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1 Getting started

Acer n50 tour

Front view

No. Component Description

Power LED indicator.

1 Power / Bluetooth

802.11b WLAN LED indicator

® /

- status description:

• Flashing green - Charging

• Steady green - Charging complete

• Flashing red - Alarm indicator, email receiving

Bluetooth / 802.11b WLAN LED indicator.

- status description:

• Flashing blue - Bluetooth / 802.11b WLAN is on

2 Microphone Inputs audio into your handheld.

3 Quick button for

Today

4 Quick button for

Calendar

5 Directional pad Enables 5 direction scrolling in various menus and applica-

Displays the Today screen. For more information on this screen, refer to page 15.

Activates the Calendar program. For more information on this program, refer to page 33.

tions. Press the center of the pad on to simulate the function of the Enter key.

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No. Component Description

1 Getting started

Acer n50 tour

6 Quick button for

Contacts

7 Quick button for

Messaging

NOTE: If your handheld is turned off, pressing any Quick button turns on the handheld and opens the program assigned to that button.

Activates the Contacts program. For more information on this program, refer to page 37.

Activates the Messaging program. For more information on this program, refer to page 42.

Left view

No. Label Description

1 Soft Reset Using the tip of your stylus, lightly press the reset button in-

side the hole on the buttom of your handheld.

2 Power button Press to turn on your handheld on (power LED lights up

green) if it is off and returns to the last screen that was displayed and off if it is on.

3 Hold switch Slide to lock all buttons from being accidentally pressed when

handheld is placed in pocket or bag. A red dot is visible on the hold switch when in hold state.

Using the backlight

If lighting conditions make it difficult for you to see the information on your handheld, use the backlight to illuminate your screen.

To activate the backlight:

• Press the power button and hold it down for about two seconds. Release the

button when the backlight turns on.

• To turn off the backlight, press the power button and hold it down for two

seconds. Release the button when the backlight turns off.

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1 Getting started

Acer n50 tour

Top view

No. Label Description

1 IR port Uses infrared techbology to transmit and receive data from

other IR-enabled devices.

2 Stylus holder Secures the stylus to your handheld. To use the stylus, remove

from its holder and hold it as you would hold a pen or pencil.

3SD/CF slot Accepts a Secure Digital or MultiMedia Card, allowing you to

add more memory, install add-on applications or use audio or text files stored on it with internal applications. You can also use expansion cards to back up data from your handheld.

4 Dummy CF-

card

5 Earphone jack Connects to audio line-out devices (earphones/headphones).

Use this to protect the CF connector when no card is installed.

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Bottom view

No. Label Description

1 Getting started

Preparing to use your Acer n50

1 Proprietary

26-pin I/O connector

2 Battery re-

lease latch

3 Battery bay Houses the computer’s battery pack.

Connects your handheld to a portable or desktop computer and DC power supply to an AC wall outlet to charge the battery.

- USB Host

- USB Client

- Serial

- DC power in

Unlatches the battery to remove the battery pack.

Preparing to use your Acer n50

Perform the following easy installation tasks to begin using your handheld:

®

• Install the Microsoft

• Connecting the computer

• Charge your handheld

• Set up your handheld

• Perform the first ActiveSync operation

ActiveSync® software in your computer

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1 Getting started

Preparing to use your Acer n50

Installing the Microsoft® ActiveSync® software

The main function of the Microsoft® ActiveSync® software is to synchronise the information on your computer with the information on your handheld. Synchronisation compares the data on your handheld with your computer and updates the information on both locations. This will then served as a backup data in case something happens to your handheld.

The following instructions tells you how to install the ActiveSync

Important installation notes

• Before installing ActiveSync, make sure that your handheld cradle is not yet connected to your computer. Connect the cradle only after you have finished installing ActiveSync.

• If you don’t have Microsoft Microsoft

installed, you are encouraged to upgrade to Outlook 2002.

• It is recommended that users install Outlook 2002 from this CD before installing ActiveSync.

• Do not copy the ActiveSync files to your computer’s hard disk. You must use the Acer n50 Handheld Companion CD to place the files in their proper locations and to decompress the files.

®

software.

®

Outlook® 2002 now. Even if you have Outlook 98 or Outlook 2000

Outlook® 98 or later installed, please install

To install the Microsoft® ActiveSync® software

1 Exit any open programs, including those that run at startup, and disable any virus-

scanning software.

2 Insert the Acer n50 Handheld Companion CD into the computer’s CD-ROM drive.

The CD’s welcome page appears.

3 Click the animated forward icon to go to the next screen.

4 Click the Start Here tab on the right side of the screen.

5 Read the instructions and installation notes indicated on the Start Here screen.

6 Click the buttons on the left pane to install each of the individual applications.

• Outlook 2002 (recommended)

®

•ActiveSync

After installation, the ActiveSync icon will appear on your computer’s system tray (on the lower right-hand corner of the screen).

Refer to the ActiveSync software. If at any time, you would like to restart this setup program, simply re-insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive.

3.7.1

software online Help for information on how to use the

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1 Getting started

Preparing to use your Acer n50

Connecting the computer

The sync cable that comes with your handheld enables you to synchronise the information on your handheld with the data in your computer using ActiveSync technology.

NOTE: If you are using the 3-in-one sync cable (an optional accessory), please do not plug the USB host into the USB client.

To connect the computer

Connecting the Sync cable

1 Plug the sync cable into the 26-pin I/O connector on the bottom of your handheld.

2 Plug the AC adapter into any AC current outlet.

3 Plug the USB client connector into an available USB port on your computer.

Connecting the Cradle

1 Connect the AC adapter cord to the power socket at the back of the cradle.

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1 Getting started

Preparing to use your Acer n50

2 Plug the AC adapter into any AC current outlet.

3 Plug the USB client connector into an available USB port on your computer.

Charging your Acer n50

For initial use, you need to charge your handheld for three hours. After that, you can charge it for a few minutes each day to recharge the battery to full capacity. Normally, you can use your handheld for 8 straight hours of operation (backlight inactive) before you need to recharge the battery.

To charge your Acer n50

Insert the battery pack into the battery bay (a), then slide the battery release switch to the locked position (b)..

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1 Getting started

Preparing to use your Acer n50

NOTE: To take the battery pack out, first slide the battery release switch to the unlocked position, then pull the battery pack out of the bay.

Connecting the Sync cable

1 Plug the sync cable into the 26-pin I/O connector on the bottom of your handheld.

2 Plug the AC adapter into any AC current outlet and charge the device for at least 4

hours.

Connecting the Cradle

1 Connect the AC adapter cord to the power socket at the back of the cradle.

2 Plug the AC adapter into any AC current outlet and charge the device for at least 4

hours.

Power LED status during charging:

• Charging - LED indicator flashes green

• Charging complete - LED indicator steady green

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1 Getting started

Preparing to use your Acer n50

If the battery level becomes low in the course of normal use, a status icon appears on the handheld screen indicating low or very low battery status. Perform an ActiveSync operation to back up your data; then recharge the battery.

If your handheld shuts down (i.e., battery is competely drained out) you have about 72 hours (3 days) to recharge the battery before you lose all data on your handheld’s internal memory.

Setting up your Acer n50

After you have initially charged your handheld for three hours, you can now set it up. Refer to the instructions below.

To set up your Acer n50

1 Turn on your handheld by pressing the power button on the left side.See "Left view"

on page 5, for the location of the power button.

2 Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your handheld.

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1 Getting started

Preparing to use your Acer n50

Performing the first synchronisation process

After completing the setup procedures you can now perform the first ActiveSync operation with the help of the 'New Partnership' setup wizard.

This wizard will help you:

• Set up a partnership so you can synchronise information between your handheld and your computer

• Customise your synchronisation settings

To perform the first synchronisation process

1 Connect the sync cable to your handheld.

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1 Getting started

Preparing to use your Acer n50

2 Plug the USB client connector into a USB port on your computer.

The 'New Partnership' setup wizard will automatically start on your computer screen.

NOTE: If the wizard does not automatically appear, launch ActiveSync on your computer by clicking on its icon from Start>Programs.

3 Follow the onscreen instructions.

The first synchronisation process will automatically begin when you finish using the wizard.

After your first synchronisation, take a look at Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks on your handheld. You'll notice that information you've stored in Microsoft Outlook on your computer has been copied to your handheld, and you didn't have to type a word. Disconnect your handheld from your computer and you're ready to go!

Once you have set up ActiveSync and completed the first synchronisation process, you can initiate synchronisation from your handheld. To switch to ActiveSync on your handheld, tap , and then tap ActiveSync.

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Command interface

Handheld buttons and the stylus

Your handheld has hardware buttons that control actions and scroll functions, and a stylus for selecting items and entering information.

On your handheld, the stylus replaces the mouse.

• Tap. Touch the screen once with the stylus to open items and select options.

• Drag. Hold the stylus on the screen and drag across the screen to select text and images. Drag in a list to select multiple items.

• Tap and hold. Tap and hold the stylus on an item to see a list of actions available for that item. On the pop-up menu that appears, tap the action you want to perform.

Today screen

The center of the Today screen provides, at a glance, information that you need for the day. Tap an item to view or edit details.

At the top to the screen are status icons. Tap an icon to view details or change options. These icons appear at the top of every screen on your handheld device, not just the Today screen.

When you turn on your handheld device for the first time each day, or after hours of inactivity, the Today screen is displayed.

You can also display it by tapping and then Today.

1 Getting started

Command interface

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1 Getting started

Command interface

Start menu

From the Start menu, you can select programs, settings and Help topics. To display the Start menu, from the top of any screen tap .

Command bar

At the bottom of the screen is the command bar. You can use its menus and buttons to perform tasks in programs. Depending upon which program you are using, the buttons may vary from those depicted below.

• To create a new item in the current program, tap New.

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