r/OldHandhelds

I've been reviving my old Windows Mobile PDAs and got tired of how little of the modern web they can actually load — expired root certs block almost every HTTPS site, and Pocket IE chokes on anything past ~2008.

So I built WM-WebDeploy: an online app builder that takes a URL or your own HTML/CSS and compiles it into a native full-screen .exe you can run on the device. Think of it like the "website → app" wrappers on Android, but for Pocket PC 2003, Windows Mobile 5, 6.1 and 6.5.

It's powered by MacSurf, a fork of the C-written NetSurf engine, cross-compiled for these old ARM devices. What surprised me is how capable it actually is:

Real adaptive layout — media queries work against the device's actual screen width, so one page adapts across 240×320, 320×240, 480×640, etc.

CSS Grid, Flexbox, custom properties (variables), border-radius, box-shadow — all actually rendered, not stubbed

Fixed HTTPS/TLS — every build ships with an up-to-date cert bundle, so it connects to modern secure sites the stock devices can't reach anymore

It's honestly not a modern browser though — roughly IE6-level HTML/CSS 2.1 plus a big chunk of CSS3. JavaScript is ES5-only (no AJAX/fetch, no canvas), so it's best for static pages, dashboards, or wrapping your own lightweight sites. The builder has a live preview + a linter that warns you about unsupported stuff before you build.

How it works: enter an app name, paste HTML or a URL, hit build, download a ZIP with the .exe + cacert.pem, drop both in the same folder on your device, and launch. Full-screen, just a thin title bar with the app name and a close button.

The screenshot below shows a test application I developed and ran on an emulated PPC2003 device.

Would love for people to dust off their old pockets and try it — curious what works and what breaks on hardware I don't have. Feedback very welcome.

GitHub

So I finally got a working windows CE laptop (I had a wm8650 netbook before but it powers on and shows nothing on the screen, if anyone knows how to fix that lmk).

However it has a password on it and is stuck on the screen. There is a bios menu that lets you erase 3 storage options (NAND, Flash2 and XIP) but I don't want to brick it. Tried looking for a firmware and this manufacturer doesn't offer downloads for some reason.

Anyone have an idea on how to remove/bypass the password?

The model is a Disgo Netbrowser 3000 running Windows CE 5 and has the AK7802 processor

Found a Nokia X7-00 RM-707 prototype marked “Property of Nokia / Not for sale”.
It boots into Symbian lock screen and exposes USB ID 0421:0106 “Nokia USB ROM” briefly before disconnecting.
It has prototype markings and unusual behavior compared to retail X7-00 units.
Looking for information on prototype firmware, service tools, or preservation.
No best since needs dongle

Got this one with CDs for $10 from a yard sale.Now a loading dock and hopefully an old laptop with a serial port.

Just have to replace the batteries

I am thinking whether to open or leave it there. It cost me 20€.