Convert Foreign Currencies The Easy Way With CurrencyConv [Windows Mobile]

Jul. 3rd, 2009 By Karl L. Gechlik

It’s summer in the northern hemisphere and lots of people are taking their summer vacations and are off to travel around the world. Have you ever found yourself in a foreign country and you weren’t 100% sure of the currency conversion rates?

The last time I was in France, I had an approximate conversion rate in my head for French Francs to the United States Dollar. When I got back to the office and handed in my expense reports, I realized I was very wrong about my conversions. It turned out the rate I was using was wrong. So, every calculation I did was also wrong.

To make a long story short, I wound up spending more than I was supposed. I won’t say how much but someone was not happy writing that cheque! If I had this fancy smancy currency converter called CurrencyConv installed, I would have known that the cab driver was charging me way more than he should have!

If you have a Windows Mobile phone, you can download the application using the link above. It works on Windows Mobile 6, 6.1 and 6.5. The best part about the application is that it retrieves the rate information when you start the program! It also has what looks like every currency imaginable. So, the next time you are in Sri Lanka or Nicaragua, CurrencyConv will have you covered!

The small 38.4KB cab file needs to be downloaded to or copied to your Windows Mobile device. Then, you install it by clicking on the installer file like so:

It will ask you if you want to install the application on your device’s memory or on your storage card. The choice is yours and it really does not matter. Once the application is installed, you will find a new icon on your Start Menu like so:

Click on it to get started. By default, there are some wacky currencies that I have never encountered before. But don’t let that discourage you – it only means that the program has every possible option you will ever need! And it converts 3 currencies at at time!

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Simply pull down the drop down menus to select 3 currencies. Next, enter a value in any one of the three fields at the top. The program will then automatically convert that into the other two currencies. I was VERY impressed!

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So now, I know 1000 French Francs is about $225, not $125 :) Maybe this will help some one (or lots of people) out there have a much better trip!

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If you are on your computer, XE.com is the leading currency converter. Aibek wrote about it a long time ago, you should check it out.

Do you have a similar app you are using on your mobile device? Well if you are you should definitely share with us in the comments!

(By) Karl Gechlik is a superhero of the IT industry. His days are spent monitoring and maintaining systems on Wall Street. He helps people with their technical issues for free over at AskTheAdmin.com.

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3 Comments Add Comment
2009-07-03 14:23:22
Mike Phillips

HOW long ago were you in France?
They converted to the Euro YEARS ago.

2009-07-03 15:56:22
2009-07-03 18:04:57
Jackson Chung

For the iPhone, there’s Currency. Can’t live without it! http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284220417&mt=8

If you are willing to part with $2, Currency Converter Pro works much better http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=290527470&mt=8

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