| The PDA has been on the market for several | | | | touch screen, instead using softkeys, a |
| years now. Has it come to the point where it | | | | directional pad (d-pad) and either the |
| can now replace a notebook or desktop | | | | numeric keypad or a thumb operated keyboard |
| computer. Find out in this article. | | | | for idata nput. |
| | | | |
| Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are | | | | In order to meet the PDA definition, standard |
| hand-held microcomputers, but have become | | | | software should include an appointment |
| much more than that over the years. PDAs are | | | | calendar, a task list, an address book for |
| also known as pocket pc's or palmtop | | | | business and personal contacts and some kind |
| computers. PDAs have numerous uses including: | | | | of notes program. Internet connected PDAs |
| calculating, use as a timer and time piece | | | | also usually include E-mail and Web |
| with calendar functions, surfing the | | | | support.Most units also include memo |
| Internet, sending and receiving electronic | | | | recording software for audio notes. Very |
| mail, video recording, typing and word | | | | handy for remembering important details. |
| processing, address book uses, making and | | | | |
| composing spreadsheets, bar code scanning, | | | | Not Quite A Laptop Replacement...Yet |
| use as a radio receiver or stereo, playing | | | | |
| video games, entering survey results, and | | | | Possibly, to a higher degree than any other |
| Global Positioning System (GPS). More recent | | | | computer device, the personal digital |
| PDAs also have color screens and complete | | | | assistant lacks the raw computing horsepower |
| audio and telephony features, allowing them | | | | and Wireless Broadband capabilities of a |
| to be employed as mobile phones | | | | desktop or notebook computer. Presently, |
| (smartphones), Internet browsers, and | | | | costs of laptop computers are coming down. |
| portable media players. Many now also include | | | | Although a lot greater in size, laptops have |
| cameras that can snap photos which can then | | | | larger screens and keyboards and are much |
| be automatically uploaded to Flickr and | | | | more powerful. |
| mySpace accounts. Most newer PDAs can access | | | | |
| the Internet, intranets or extranets via | | | | However, the OQO Model 2 has been brought out |
| Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide-Area Networks | | | | in recent times as a fully desktop PC |
| (WWANs). Almost all PDA's employ touch screen | | | | compatible PDA with a USB port so that people |
| technology except for Smartphones which rely | | | | can use their normal work and business |
| on menu driven systems due to their smaller | | | | software or play computer games compatible |
| display screens. | | | | with ubiquitous operating systems such as |
| | | | Windows XP. It can also connect to regular |
| PDA's Past | | | | PC peripherals. Costs still have a way to |
| | | | fall prior to mass adoption takes place in |
| The term "personal data assistant" was first | | | | the market but OQO is no longer the exclusive |
| used on Jan 7th, 1992 by then Apple Computer | | | | manufacturer of these types of units, so |
| Chief Executive Officer John Sculley at the | | | | costs should fall possibly within the next |
| Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, | | | | few years. |
| Nevada, concerning the Apple Newton. | | | | |
| | | | Conclusion |
| PDAs are occasionally denoted as "Palms", | | | | |
| "Palm Pilots" or "Palm Tops" so-named after | | | | The PDAs strength is that it is easy to |
| an early personal digital assistant produced | | | | transport and less bulky than full-sized |
| by USR and Palm Inc called the "Palm Pilot". | | | | computers.It slides easily into a dress shirt |
| Today however, the term is much more | | | | or trousers pocket. The additional features |
| encompassing and includes a very diverse | | | | like cameras, Global Positioning System, |
| range of products developed by a host of many | | | | telephony and MP3 player make it flexible |
| manufacturers including HP, Dell, Blackberry | | | | unlike any other type of computers in the |
| and Sharp to name a few. | | | | market. |
| | | | |
| .Characteristic capabilities | | | | Many people do not require full desktop |
| | | | capabilities while on the go. As long as they |
| Presently, a regular PDA has a touch screen | | | | can access their information and sync their |
| for data entry, a memory card slot for data | | | | data to a full-sized computer when they |
| storage and at the least one of the following | | | | arrive at their homes and offices, that's |
| for device-todevice communication: IrDA, | | | | really all they need and want to do. So at |
| Bluetooth and/or WiFi. Even so, many personal | | | | least in the short run, the PDA will most |
| digital assistants (commonly those used | | | | likely remain as a portable helper for |
| chiefly as cell phones) may not possess a | | | | millions of users for years to come. |