I can’t live without Lightwav, it’s definitely on my top 5 Treo apps. I’ve been using it since it was originally released, and really appreciate the way this application has matured. I attribute much of the maturity of the program to the responsiveness of its developer, Danny Wong, who is Toysoft. In addition to participating in the forums here on mytreo.net, Danny is eager to incorporate the ideas of his users.

Lightwav was originally designed to work on the Treo 600, and is currently the only ringtone manager that works consistently on the Treo 650. There are still a few minor differences in using LW on the Treo 600 and Treo 650. With the Treo 600 you will still need a 3rd party media player to play mp3’s (PocketTunes, or AeroPlayer), but not on the Treo 650. However, you can play wav files on both the Treo 600 and the 650 without a separate media application. So many of us have sd cards filled with music, and don’t need to add additional songs just for ringtone use. With LW, you no longer even need to cut down your favorite mp3 to use as a ringtone; it allows you to choose the point at which you want an mp3 to start playing. You love the song but would only like the chorus for your ring tone? No longer a problem.

I feel as though I’m shortchanging Lightwav by calling it a ringtone manager, because it does so much more. Not only will it allow you to use mp3 and wav sound files as ringtones, it allows you to set these files per contact. Most contacts in today’s busy life have multiple numbers, and LW will manage them all. You can set one ringtone for an individual, or you can set separate ringtones for each of his numbers. In other words, if you have a contact “John Doe�? with 3 numbers (home, cell, work), you can set one ring tone for home, one for his cell phone, and one for work. It is totally customizable.

You can also set separate ring tones for sms (text messages).

LW also gives you full screen incoming caller id images. You can use jpg, animated gif, the video taken with your Treo as well as video from Toysoft’s video app Live . Unlike the built-in feature, the images you get with LW are full screen, and not limited to your speed dial list. You have the option of where to place the caller id information, and how it appears. (I like the information in red.) LW also comes with a North American area code database, so when you get a call from an unknown caller, you have the option of seeing where that call originates.

The 4th screenshot shows all the options you have when you set up an individual contact. You can choose to block all calls from that person (and if you look back at the previous screenshot, you’ll notice you can also block sms from an individual as well), automatically answer calls, or even automatically call back. Of course, there’s also an option of pickup+hangup. This option is great when you have someone you don’t even want to hear from in a voice message!

Lightwav Pro introduced a feature that is indispensable to the business caller. Call Notes allow you to take notes on your Treo that are associated with that caller. (Obviously you only want to do this if you’re using an earpiece - wired or Bluetooth). Call Notes can be activated automatically on a call to/from your contact, or you can use a hotkey and call up the note at your convenience. You also have the option of bringing up the most recent note for a caller. Your Call Notes can be saved to your sd card, and exported. If you are in sales, this feature alone makes LW a must-have! Naturally, LW logs all your incoming calls as well, and allows you to return a call from the call log. My only complaint about the call log is that it only shows the numbers, and even when it’s someone in your contacts, it doesn’t show the name. However, Danny has assured me he will be adding that in to a future release.

All in all, I cannot sing the praises of Lightwav loudly enough. It may take some tweaking to get everything set up the way you want, but it’s well worth it.

Related Links

Download Lightwav from MTDN

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Filed under: Software reviews