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