Part 1: Mobile Trading w/Cingular IPAQ HW6515 Series PDA and IBFX MetaTrader 4 Mobile

The purpose of this paper is to share some information I gathered while trying to choose a Personal Digital Assistant / Cell Phone (PDA) for wireless trading with InterbankFX using the MetaTrader 4 Mobile Platform and the Cingular Wireless Network. These PDA’s phones are also known as Pocket PC Phones or SmartPhones. Some people use the term MDA, meaning Mobile Digital Assistant – which is the same thing as a PDA.

Wikipedia describes a SmartPhone as: A full-featured mobile phone with personal computer like functionality. When you see the term “Windows Mobile (SE)” it means Windows Mobile SmartPhone Edition. I found there to be a lot of gray area with regards to what constitutes a PDA Cell Phone and a SmartPhone.

According to this thread:
“Don't confuse the PDA's and the Smartphones. I have a Qtek 9000. It's a PocketPC phone. Both PocketPC and Symbian devices have real operating systems, while SmartPhones are just enhanced mobile phones with more advanced "operating systems" than the regular ones. Windows Mobile for PocketPC is not the same as Windows Mobile for SmartPhones. Due to this difference, it is very possible that Metatrader Mobile won't work on a SmartPhone.” – Bogdan http://www.metaquotes.net/forum/1606/ … Now of Course there is a MetaTrader SmartPhone edition available, but your broker needs to support it.

For the Record, InterbankFX only supplies the Compact Edition (CE) of Mobile Trader, aka MetaTrader 4 Mobile for the MT4 platform , and does not supply the SmartPhone Edition (SE), aka “MetaTrader 4 Mobile SE”. Also, currently the older Mobile MT3 Platform is not supported by InterbankFX. Please correct me if I am wrong. This paper does not cover the SmartPhone Edition features and issues.

Updates: According to an InterbankFX representative, when there is a Mobile Platform update available the updates are bundled with all the MT4 Platform updates to the Broker (at least that is what I was told). It seems more reasonable that any update will be made available as soon as it is released, but I have to assume the representative knew what he was talking about.

See http://www.metaquotes.net/downloads/ for download sizing information. Make sure to download from your Broker, not the MetaQuotes site, as the Broker will have resolved Server addressing issues for you when you download from them.

Forthrightly, I will unabashedly and unapologetically say that I like trading with InterbankFX and that is the focus of the information. That said, most of this information is usable with any Broker that provides the MetaTrader wireless / Mobile trading platform, however, IBFX is my Broker of preference, and this information is geared towards making IBFX work on a Mobile device.

Wireless Connectivity and the MetaTrader 4 Mobile Platform
In order to use the MetaTrader 4 Mobile platform you will need a PDA with wireless connectivity. If you are a PALM OS fanatic, please feel free to write your own paper on its usability, as this information is for IBFX and the Windows version they provide. The MicroSoft term “Windows Compact Edition (CE)”, often seems to be used interchangeably with ther term “Windows Mobile” operating system, so don’t be put off by it.

I chatted with InterbankFX concerning the Cingular Wireless Service and what devices they would recommend for their Mobile Traders. They recommended either the Cingular 8125 or the Cingular iPAQ hw6500 PDA phones.

Of these two choices, the focus of this paper is the iPAQ 6500 series, running an Intel 312 MHz processor. Hewlett Packard (HP) introduced the first iPAQ PDA Cell phone in 2004, aka the 6300 series. Now we are up to the model HW6900.


The Quick And Dirty, Low Down / Run Down Of The Metatrader 4 Mobile Platform As Of This Writing:

1. Reliable.

2. It cannot run any EA’s or a Custom Indicators - period. MetaQuotes has no intention of making Custom Indicators or EA’s available for the MT4 Mobile Platform. This is their quote: “About MQL4 support (ie Expert Advisors and Custom Indicators support): for now we are not planning to do it. At least not in MetaTrader 4 Platform. ~ Lenar

3. Great for emergency trade shutdowns or new trade placements.

4. A Trade placed on the Mobile Platform will show up on your Desktop Platform. However the Mobile platform will not activate a trailing Stop on the Desktop, even though it is active on the Mobile Platform: http://www.metaquotes.net/forum/2315/

5. Only runs the indicators that are provided with the program, for the charting.

6. Operating system requirement: MS Windows Mobile 2003 CE, or better.

7. Required: Screen size 176х220 or higher;

8. The distributive (the download) is 400 Kb, and unpacked to 1 Mb. It must also be noted that some additional memory will be needed to pump historical data. 5 Meg of Free Memory must be available.

9. Having downloaded the MetaTrader 4 Mobile , you get:
- the full set of trade orders;
- symbol charts;
- Market Watch;
- history of trades;
- news in the real-time mode;
- alerts;
- mailing system.

10. How to Download Data: Just try to scroll back into history. When you reach the left side scroll more and the data will be downloaded.

11. You cannot stop an EA running on a Desktop from the Mobile Platform.

12. MetaTrader 4 Mobile Version for Meta Quotes. Source: http://www.metaquotes.net/mobile_terminals/

13. Screen Shots: http://www.metaquotes.net/mt4mobile_screens

14. Support of 30 technical indicators, among them are Alligator, Bollinger Bands, Ichimoku Kinko Hyo;

15. Sound alerts - there is no need anymore to watch PDA frequently, alerts will inform about changes in the market. Note: The Mobile Platform will not generate an Email Trade Alert – only a Sound Alert.

16. Trailing Stops are a technology that allows you to drag the current Stop Loss level (SL) of the order automatically following to the moves of the price in the direction of increasing the profit of the order;

17. VGA-mode the support of which allows to see much more information on the PDA display having 640x480 resolution. ?? I didn’t understand this.

18. Multi-language support allows to switch between the languages of the mobile terminal interface and work with all features of the terminal in the users native language.

19. “Access to News flow allows you to make reasonable decisions considering the latest events at the world financial markets. “ There are various complaints in the various Forums about News trading. Apparently news arrives too slowly sometimes.

20. There is some indication that if you are constantly using GPRS for the Mobile Platform, you will drain your batteries fast. You may want to invest in an extra battery. In one thread it was recommended to use a GPRS monitoring utility: http://www.metaquotes.net/forum/1606/ “GPRS gives you total freedom of movement. WiFi is a limited freedom. Works only in the hotspot.” And “Returning to the speed problem, GPRS should be good for MetaTrader Mobile. It doesn't uses too much (kind of 4 MB / 8 hrs).” Bogdan was a wealth of information. Thank You! You Da Man! Everyone ought to review this thread if you are planning on going mobile.

21. “Pocket Mechanic is a MUST. Internet explorer's cache grows. Also, MT4 Mobile creates some logs which consume the storage. These files have to be wiped out. (Two weeks ago, when MT4 wasn't at build 190), there were no news available, and my pocket RSS could not update the news when I needed. Friday I was at home, but I saw the payroll number 5 minutes after it was released (on www.dailyfx.com) - that may be too late)” – Bogdan.

22. One gets the impression that there may be more data lag via GPRS data delivery.

23. Data costs can wreck you. Make triple sure you are signed up with a data plan before turning loose the Mobile Platform, otherwise ….


The MetaTrader 4 Mobile Userguide can be downloaded at:
http://www.metaquotes.net/files/meta...4mobile_en.chm (CHM file, 586 Kb).
If you can’t read it follow this solution to unblock the file: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/9022...1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

MetaQuotes In-House Survey of Mobile Users: (Interesting)
http://articles.mql4.com/346/?source=mobile.poll.tsd

End Part 1 - Techguy
Link to Part 2:
http://www.forex-tsd.com/metatrader-...-4-mobile.html

Part 2: Mobile Trading w/Cingular IPAQ HW6515 Series PDA and IBFX MetaTrader 4 Mobile

Link Back to Part 1: Part 1: Mobile Trading w/Cingular IPAQ HW6515 Series PDA and IBFX MetaTrader 4 Mobile

Specifications of the iPAQ Hw6515A (no Idea what “A” stands for)

General Built-in devices: Camera, Antenna, Display, Speaker
Dimensions (W x D x H) 2.8 in x 0.8 in x 4.6 in
Weight 5.8 oz
Included expansion base(s) Docking cradle + battery charger
Packaged contents Carrying case, Hands-free headset
Localization English: United States
Vibrating Alert Yes
Combined with digital camera
Operating System / Software OS provided Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC Phone Ed. 2003 SE
Software included Clock, Inbox, Notes, Tasks, Memory, Calendar, Contacts, Pictures, Self Test, Solitaire, Calculator, IPAQ Audio, Jawbreaker, VPN Client, HP Profiles, IPAQ Backup, Pocket Word, Align Screen, Pocket Excel, Power Status, File Explorer, IPAQ Wireless, Voice Recorder, Volume Control, ClearType Tuner, IPAQ File Store, Infrared Beaming, Bluetooth Manager, HP Image Transfer, HP Photosmart camera, Microsoft Pocket Word, Microsoft Pocket Excel, Westtek ClearVue Suite, Windows Media Player 10, Microsoft Pocket Outlook, Pocket Internet Explorer, Terminal Services Client, Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer
Memory Installed RAM 64 MB
RAM technology SDRAM
Installed ROM 64 MB ROM
Phone Call features: Call hold, Call barring, Call waiting, Call forwarding
Processor Intel 312 MHz Xscale
Input Device Input device type Stylus, Keyboard, Touch-screen, 5-way joystick
Digital Camera Still image resolution 1280 x 1024
Audio Digital audio standards supported MP3
Audio input type Microphone
Audio output type Speaker(s)
Voice recording capability Yes
Miscellaneous compliant standards CE, UL, CUL, NOM, FCC Class B certified
Display type 3 in TFT active matrix
Color support 16-bit (64K colors)
Max resolution 240 x 240
Power Battery installed ( max ) 1 Lithium ion
Max supported batteries 1
Power supply device: Power adapter
Power device type: Power adapter
Expansion / Connectivity Wireless / IrDA (infra-red connectivity), Bluetooth
Port / Connector Type: Interface 1HeadphonesOutput, 1USB
Connector Provided Sub-mini phone stereo 2.5 mm
Expansion slot(s) total (free) 1 SD Memory Card, 1 Mini SD
Warranty Service / Support Details 1 year Limited warranty Parts and labor
Service & support type 1 year warranty
GPSGPS System / GPS Navigation GPS receiver

Tidbits from CNET User Reviews of the 6515A
Pro’s
1. Sound quality on calls is excellent.
2. Ability to synch with multiple computers is close to flawless.
3. Screen protection, device weight and available 'free' applications good.
4. Hand writing recognition.
5. GPS w/ Pocket Streets, and syncing with a desktop computer, etc. The embedded GPS (not an external receiver) has been invaluable when traveling to unfamiliar cities.
6. The unit can act as a modem w/ laptop if I'm outside of 802.11 coverage.

Cons
1. Only 64 MB of built in Memory.
2. Bulky to talk on.
3. No built in WiFi – but external WiFi connectivity is available for the device.
4. Short battery life when running gps or wifi applications.
5. PDA’s tend to have horrible deaths when confronted with concrete slabs.

Even though the MetaTrader Mobile platform will run on either the Palm Operating System or the Windows Mobile Operating System, I prefer the Windows Mobile operating platform for several personal reasons and beliefs:

1. There is more horsepower behind the support of the platform.
2. Personal preference for Microsoft products.
3. More third party applications are available for Windows.
4. You can use Microsoft Office Mobile, MSN Mobile Internet, and Outlook Mobile for eMail on this platform..

Here is a link to the MicroSoft Windows Mobile Edition specifications:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/default.mspx

Windows Mobile 6.0 is out, but the Metatrader 4 Mobile platform only requires 3.0. The 6500 series comes with Windows Mobile 3.0. A full Widows Mobile 5.0 How To tutorial can be found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobi...c/default.mspx

Accessories You Ought To Get With The Model 6515:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/can/compu...znf!2086423768

Try Pricegrabber.Com When You Figure Out What Accessories You Need Or Want.
Extended SD Mini Memory: 2Gig
Bluetooth Noise cancellation earpiece.
Bluetooth Stereo Headphones if you are going to listen to music.
Holster.
WiFi Adaptor.
Expansion Batteries.


Important Ideas, Terms, and Concepts:

• Flip Open Phones vs Non- Flip: Flip open won’t fly for trading – not a big enough screen.
• Slide out keyboards are reported to be a pain in the ass and clumsy.
• Touch Screen with Stylus: Easier to trade with!
• Full QWERTY Keyboard: Easier to peck out a word or sentence, but still difficult to press the keys without suffering from fat finger syndrome.

For all the Nitty Gritty details regarding older iPAQ’s try this site:
http://www.ipaq.net/
IPAQ Comparison Guide: http://www.ipaq.net/statics/product_compare.aspx
IPAQ Model Number Mystery: http://www.ipaq.net/Articles/getTip.aspx?articleID=87 Why the different Model Numbers?


Extended Memory: Check your models requirements before you buy. Call HP if you have any questions.

Locked vs Unlocked Cell Phones: Read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock

Cingular Edge Network and the 3G Network:
http://business.cingular.com/busines...s-coverage.jsp

GSM: Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_...communications
The Global System for Mobile communications (GSM: originally from Groupe Spécial Mobile) is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world. GSM service is used by over 2 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories.[1][2] The ubiquity of the GSM standard makes international roaming very common between mobile phone operators, enabling subscribers to use their phones in many parts of the world. GSM differs significantly from its predecessors in that both signaling and speech channels are Digital call quality, which means that it is considered a second generation (2G) mobile phone system.

GPRS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPRS
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a Mobile Data Service available to users of GSM and IS-136 mobile phones. GPRS data transfer is typically charged per megabyte of transferred data, while data communication via traditional circuit switching is billed per minute of connection time, independent of whether the user has actually transferred data or has been in an idle state. GPRS can be utilized for services such as WAP access, SMS and MMS, but also for Internet communication services such as email and web access.

EDGE Network: See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhance..._GSM_Evolution
• Cingular’s EDGE network is the largest national high-speed wireless data network in the U.S.
• Coverage in over 13,000 cities and along almost 40,000 miles of U.S. highways covering over 250 million people
• Average download speeds of 70-135 kilobits per second
• Unlimited data access plan with no domestic data roaming charges coast to coast—expanding coverage to 270 million people in the U.S.

BroadbandConnect Network (aka 3G Network):
• Cingular’s BroadbandConnect network provides broadband speeds in select metropolitan areas
• BroadbandConnect is built on the global standard for 3G wireless with more than 140 carriers implementing across the globe
• Supported by Cingular Communication Manager
• Cingular BroadBand Connect is available in most major metropolitan areas
• BroadbandConnect is the only 3G technology supporting simultaneous voice and data
• BroadbandConnect provides average download throughput of 400-700 kbps on compatible devices*
• The combination of Broadband Connect and EDGE gives Cingular a premier wireless data network. Cingular is committed to providing Broadband Connect compatible devices that are backward compatible with EDGE.

WiFi: This means you don’t have to always be connected to your phone carriers system. You can use your wireless system at home. Mini SD WiFi Adaptor information:
http://mobilitytoday.com/news.php?n=...00_minisd_wifi

End Part 2
Techguy

Link to Part 3:
http://www.forex-tsd.com/metatrader-...-4-mobile.html

Part 3: Mobile Trading w/Cingular IPAQ HW6515 Series PDA and IBFX MetaTrader 4 Mobile

Link Back to Part 1: Part 1: Mobile Trading w/Cingular IPAQ HW6515 Series PDA and IBFX MetaTrader 4 Mobile

Cost of Wireless Connectivity:
My plan, stacked on top of my existing cell phone minutes plan, gets me unlimited data transfer and 200 Text messages a month for about $20, however it ranges as high as $40. My son uses his MySpace to send text messages for free via the MySpace Internet WebSite, so if you are a text message fanatic, you could consider that as an alternative to save yourself a few bucks a month.

The Wireless Trading Platform:
Here is a link to the Interbank FX Wireless Trading Platform. You really, really, really need to read through this tutorial. http://www.interbankfx.com/wireless_trading.php . It is short and there are not too many surprises in it if you are already familiar with the main platform.

Various Tidbits Concerning the Mobile Platform from Various Forums:
FOREX-TSD (Trading System Development)
Mobile Trading/Technical Requirements/Automated Trading Championship

1. Custom Indicators and EA’s cannot be used. This is a very big negative for Most people.
2. Q. By “edge-t”. This is a dumb question, but I was just wondering. Suppose you are using the same account on both MT4 and MT4 mobile, but you left your computer on running MT4 then you leave to go outside for a walk or dinner.
You decide to check your mobile for the status and decides to close the position. Is it possible to close it while the MT4 on your computer is still on?
Another thing. After setting your SL, TP and trailing stop, you shut down MT4, will the SL, TP and trailing stop still be activated upon hitting your target on the broker's server?

A. from Project1972:
Yes it work(s) fine

I have several laptops running some EA all the time on live accounts, when I go out I bring my 8125 (windows mobile 5) and I can check all accounts from there, even I can close, open orders, modify and set TS from my mobile

You don't need to have the mobile on, to make TS work, it appear to be server side.

You can setup different brokers, but you will need an additional software to close the MT to start another MT broker because windows mobile don't close any software, it only put it in background and you can't have two MT running on mobile at the same time.

Windows Mobile did a real change in my life, to me, is like the invention of the cellular phone, I love it.
Synthesized answer: If you set SL, TP etc and shut down your MT4, the orders will work. However, for the Trailing Stop you need to keep your MetaTrader on. For everything else, you don't, since its kept on the broker side (on the server). It is not in the server, but in MT4! Be careful.

Where To Find Low Prices For Gear:

PriceGrabber.com or eBay. I would recommend you do a price search on Pricegrabber.com for extra connection cables, SD Memory Cards, PDA’s, extra Software, etc..

For example: I needed a cable to tether my Motorola Razor 3Vxx Cell Phone to my Laptop for Internet Connectivity. I was able to find both the cable and the Motorola Phone Tools Software for a grand total of $8.64 from a PriceGrabber storefront, instead of the $55 price tag from Best Buy. Watch the shipping costs carefully during checkout!

Off Topic: Motorola Phone Tools:
“This application enables you to share the information contained in your mobile phone with your computer. Once your mobile phone is connected to your computer, the following operations can be easily processed: place and receive calls; send and receive e-mails and SMS; synchronize your phonebooks and calendars; load, create and modify ring tones for your mobile phone; launch a GPRS session, etc.”

Extra Information:

Here is a review of the up and coming HP6900 series with built in Global Positioning System (GPS): http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/...&autoplay=true . Approximate cost of the 6900 series, $599. Includes Bluetooth, WiFi, Push email, Edge, and GPRS (see description below).

Another 6515 Review: http://www.mobile-review.com/pda/rev...w6515-en.shtml

A MetaTrader 3 Mobile Tidbit: http://www.metaquotes.net/forum/1976/. See the Last Post.

Email not working to the Cell Phone from the MT4 Desktop Platform: http://www.metaquotes.net/forum/236/



CNET Tips and Tricks
by John.Wilkinson- 6/29/06 5:48 PM
1.) According to HP you must download your free copy of Microsoft Pocket Streets, or choose your own mapping software, in order to utilize the GPS option. Check the original documentation for a URL or instructions on where to download the software from...it's normally $25 from Microsoft.

2.) You cannot access the internet on the iPaq hw6515a without using the cellular network because it does not have integrated WiFi. This would be possible, however, if you purchased a WiFi-enabled SD memory card. (Note: The instructions would come with the card.) You could then connect whenever you are within range of a wireless hotspot. - John

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End of Part 3 – The End.


Techguy

Anybody here using a moblie device to trade? I'm looking for any ideas for using a Netbbok or smaller type device when not at home.

thanks

I used to trade with samsung omnia, but now there is such as nice devices as htc touch hd or samsung omnia hd

I bought an Omnia w/ the intentions of doing mobile trading. However, two hurdles prevented me from doing so:

1. Have to pay to do so, and w/ an MT4 broker @ that.

2. Can't use my custom indicators


So my revised plan calls for a netbook w/ an SSD so that I won't damage my storage unit from having the device turned on while on the move AND the boot-up time is unparalleled. 10.1 inch screen, Windows XP, great battery life..... AND I figured out how to tether my Omnia for no additional charge from my wireless provider so that I have broadband speeds on anywhere on the network.

Now I just have to actually by the Netbook.....

__________________
"A successful speculator bases no moves on what supposedly will happen but reacts instead to what does happen."

Max Gunther

Samsung Blackjack II and MT mobile to just check the market.

I don't like touch screens.

It's enough small for my pocket and sometimes I chat meanwhile walking

__________________

Thanks for the replies and thanks for moving this Q to the appropriate thread.

Greeting.
I am a newbie here and willing to get valuable suggestion from geeks here.

is there anyone who knows how to set up the remote control from PDA(win mobile 6.1) to home computer(window vista home ed) which is running the mt4 with EA?

welcome all suggestion/advice.
thanks very much.

How can I setup my new blackberry to open and close trades?
Thank you,