vBar is based on the excellent Task Manager WIS Bar version 1.0.4, originally by WIS at http://www.walkers.ne.jp/.

My initial intention is to create something that works with Pocket PC 2002 specific feature such as notification. But somehow it turns out like this. I feel that vBar is quite useful as the way it is right now. After everything that is unnecessary is squeezed out, vBar turns out to be the smallest in the world! Wow! In fact, because it consumes so little resource, vBar is also the fastest! So I decided to share it on the web, of course, for free.

vBar certainly has a different flavor than the original WIS Bar. If you need Close and Task Switching in Pocket PC 2002 and still want to keep all of the original Pocket PC 2002 capabilities such as Notification, etc without suffering any performance slowdown, then vBar is for you.

Update Description:
v2.2:
- With yet another major contribution from Jonathan Misurda, vBar now supports Windows Mobile 5 QVGA & VGA icons automatically.
- Fix task list overlapping in Windows Mobile 5 QVGA.
- Provide Tap & Hold option for CLOSE. The default behavior is still CLOSE, not MINIMIZE.
- Battery indicator now looks a bit like battery for easier recognization.

v2.1:
- Include VGA icon for Close.

v2.0:
- Added VGA and Dynamic Landscape Support. This is made possible by Jonathan Misurda.
- Enable Pocket PC Phone Edition Phone application CLOSE support. vBar will minimize it.
- Enable Battery and Memory Indicator by default.
- Starting version 2.0, vBar will support ARM CPU only. All Pocket PC 2002 or later uses ARM processor. MIPS and SH3 support are included in the setup package but the version remains 1.7.

***** [Dec 20, 2006] by Mike using Audiovox ppc-6700
Excellent. This program actually closes the programs. It puts the running programs next to the start menu. Excellent.

** [Aug 2, 2006] by Trident using PPC6700 [WM5]
Almost immediately it locked up my 6700. Wouldn't close activesync. Wouldn't close itself. Buttons were on top of each other (almost). And then wouldn't uninstall until I did it manually. Sorry, needs some work.

***** [Jul 7, 2006] by geebee using hx4700
This is seriously good! I have experienced two bugs; 1) the application must be closed down before I can successfully complete a backup. 2) sometimes when switching to landscape the icon remains the same pixel distance from the left side of the screen, can't workout how to reliably repeat this bug. Despite these bugs though, I think it is excellent.

** [Jun 26, 2006] by Chorks using WM5
Ack, this program is so close to doing just what I need in WM5, except for two things: 1) The icons cram together in an ugly way; 2) The close button disappears entirely when in any of the program or settings menus!

*** [Jun 23, 2006] by Malik using O2 XDA Exec
Addd it on XDA, XDAII, VPX and was extreamly good. Really liked this and would love to use it but had problems on my new PDA (WM5) so have left it alone this time. Would like to know if anyone else used it on the same model and ahd issues.

***** [Apr 28, 2006] by Homer_S using T-Mobile MDA
This is a great tool. Simple and to the point. Works great with my WM5. T-Mobile MDA. I like the battery and memory indicator as the icon. I can't think of any better.

***** [Mar 1, 2006] by Joost Siebeling using MDA Vario
Just perfect, and all that i have been looking for!!

***** [Feb 24, 2006] by Harry using SPV M500
Absolutly AMAZING to put it short:D Closing and managing my programs that are open hasn't been anymore easier! And the memory meter is handy 10 out of 10.

**** [Sep 2, 2005] by Manu using O2 XDA 2
Good and simple utility but indicators (icons) are small.

**** [Aug 19, 2005] by Tim Wallace using O2 XDA IIs
Good program but there are a few bugs on it. One the phone app cannot be closed on vBar. Two the ActiveSync app seems to randomly appear for no apparent reason. Three when I try to access Settings with Vbar open it cannot be closed by the close button or Vbar and remains open. I have found though that by exiting Vbar and then tapping the close button on settings seems to close it? However this has happened with all task switchers I have tried. Other these minor bugs it's a great program and I'll continue to use it. If you ever decide to release an updated version I'd be glad if you could fix some of these minor bugs.

***** [Aug 1, 2005] by Vikas using Axim x50v
Thanks for adding the VGA support ahnd dynamic rotation. Your's is the best task switcher.

***** [Jul 27, 2005] by Patty Adams using 02 mini
Fantastic programme. Previously used magic button but I then couldn't see if I got missed calls. This works great and works on Pocket PC 2003 SE.

**** [Jul 6, 2005] by yathin using ppc
good prg.but screwed up when in landscape mode.

***** [Apr 25, 2005] by Malik using Vodafone Vpx (like XDAIII)
1.7 still good and works just as well. Small memory size is always good for PDAs. It does the job very well, don't bother with the rest!

**** [Feb 4, 2005] by Philip using Dell Axim X50v
Excellent task switcher. Simplest and smallest I have used. Only problem I have found is that it doesn't seem to support landscape well on the Axim X50v. It "Scrunches" the task bar to the left and leaves it the same size as the bar when it's in portrait mode. Other than this small flaw, works great. Wish this was fixed though.

**** [Feb 4, 2005] by limesparks using Audiovox PPC6601/Win2003SE
So, on my phone, I realized that although vBar will not close the phone function, all i have to do is hit the dedicated "call end" hardware button, and that closes the phone. So this is not a major problem with vBar anymore.

**** [Jan 31, 2005] by limesparks using Audiovox PPC6601
Does great things. But I have to close it before doing active sync or else active sync never connects. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but it could be my setup, I have my sync cradle hooked up to a usb 2.0 port on the back of my ibm docking station for my thinkpad, but my thinkpad's built in usb ports are usb 1.0, so maybe that has something to do with it. The other problems I have are that the screen does not refresh properly if vBar is running and I switch to landscape mode; a minor annoyance as i just exit vBar, switch modes and launch vBar again. I also have the problem with not being able to close the "Phone" screen once I use the phone function. I have to exit vBar, close the phone function, and then relaunch vBar. O well, i do like this program, the battery meter is a nice touch and I'll be looking for the next version! Thanks!

***** [Jan 19, 2005] by Bruce using Dell Axim X50
Nice piece of work! Fast, neat and simple. The only thing I would add is a menu shortcut to the Today Screen - perhaps it could appear at the top of the menu always? Well done. It will replace the other task switchers I have used.

***** [Jan 5, 2005] by Jacqueline using O2 XDA IIs
It is a simple yet so effective feature. I have some slight problems though and hope that they can be fixed by the next enhancement. The phone function cannot be closed once activated. The ActiveSync function keeps opening by itself even after I have closed the PPC and unplugged it from the PC.

**** [Dec 24, 2004] by Wolfgang using MDA 2
A fine program. THAT's what a MDA owner realy needs.

***** [Dec 20, 2004] by Mark Smedley using HP Ipaq 4700X
Superb piece of software that surpassed the paid for type of task closer I had on my PPC to the extent that I kept just this version. Nice work no negatives whatsoever and I'm fussy!!!

**** [Oct 27, 2004] by Edwin Tay using ipaq 1940
Fantastic!

**** [Sep 15, 2004] by Adam using Ipaq 1935
Great software but it crashed my 1935. Had the numeric password set and it would freeze on the last digit. Tried soft reset and acitve sync to get into my device to no avail. I had to hard reset to fix the problem. Had my contacts backed up at least so did not loose them. Would give the software five stars but for this bug.

***** [Aug 23, 2004] by Mike using Samsung i1700
Awesome application... after many failed attempts, I am very satisfied with this application which allows my signal strength bar to exist with the application. GREAT app.

***** [May 19, 2004] by Malik using XDA 2
Works very well, like the size! Was using WisBar Advance, which looks very nice but this is alot faster and stable.

***** [Jan 25, 2004] by Santiago using IPAQ 1930
Excellent tiny software, does exactly what you need, only 21K.

***** [Dec 26, 2003] by Philip Gust using Siemens SX56 PocketPC 2000 Phone
This is an extremely well done piece of software. It's small, fast, and does its thing extremely well. The battery/memory guage is a nice touch that, thankfully, does not get in the way. Highly recommended.

***** [Dec 12, 2003] by PPCnewbie using iPAQ 1935
Can't believe how good this is. Small yet essential. This tiny program really satisfied my urge to keep programs organized by closing them when I'm done. The battery and memory indicator is also a big bonus.

***** [Nov 5, 2003] by Jason Carmichael using Toshiba e310
Should have just been part of Pocket PC OS!

***** [Oct 15, 2003] by Jordan using iPAQ 3870
What a great utility! Unlike others, it fits seemlessly into the task bar, and consumes so little memory. I also like the option to change the icon to "Battery and Memory" status as well. Great Job!!

***** [Oct 6, 2003] by w.h. using Viewsonic V37
Very useful. I don't even think about it being there, it just works and provides functionality that Microsoft *should* have put in from the beginning. It doesn't take up much resources itself, to boot.

***** [Aug 1, 2003] by Mitran Traian using Pocket PC Phone
Amazing how handy, useful and modest on resources this utility can be!

***** [Jul 9, 2003] by Frank using HP H5450
Do you also have the problem, that many open applications slow down your device? With this excellent small tool you keep the overview and can switch easyly between applications using your stylus.