| PDAs are not yet hand-held PCs, but have been used | | | | the numerical computer keyboard or a thumb |
| by many people over the years. PDAs are | | | | keyboard for idata nput. |
| better-known as pocket pc's or palmtop organizers. | | | | In order to meet the PDA definition, standard software |
| PDAs have many uses including: mathematics, use as | | | | should include an appointment calendar, a task list, an |
| a timekeeper with calendar subroutines, browsing | | | | address book for business and personal contacts and |
| cyberspace, sending and receiving e-mail, video, | | | | some kind of notes program. Internet connected PDAs |
| typewriting and word processing, name and address | | | | also usually include E-mail and Web support.Most units |
| book functions, making and compiling spreadsheets, | | | | also include memo recording software for audio notes. |
| reading bar codes, receiving radio broadcasts or | | | | Very handy for remembering important details. |
| stereo listening, playing computer games, entering poll | | | | Not Quite A Laptop Replacement...Yet |
| results, and GPS. More modern PDAs also have color | | | | Possibly, to a higher degree than any other computer |
| screens, MP3 music and telephony capabilities, allowing | | | | device, the personal digital assistant lacks the raw |
| them to be employed as cellphones (smartphones), | | | | computing horsepower and Wireless Broadband |
| web browsers, and portable media players. Several | | | | capabilities of a desktop or notebook computer. |
| now also include cameras that can photograph scenes | | | | Presently, costs of laptop computers are coming |
| which can then be uploaded to Flickr and mySpace | | | | down. Although a good deal bigger in size, laptop |
| accounts. Virtually all newer PDAs can surf the Net, | | | | computers have more full-size screens and keyboards |
| intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide-Area | | | | and are have greater computing power. |
| Networks just about all PDA's utilize touch screen | | | | However, the OQO Model 2 has been brought out in |
| displays leaving out Smartphones which depend upon | | | | recent times as a fully desktop PC compatible PDA |
| menu systems attributable to their tinier display | | | | with a USB port so that people can use their normal |
| screens. | | | | work and business software or play computer games |
| PDA's Past | | | | compatible with ubiquitous operating systems such as |
| The term "personal data assistant" was first used on | | | | Windows XP. It can also connect to regular PC |
| Jan 7th, 1992 by then Apple Computer Chief Executive | | | | peripherals. Costs still have a way to fall prior to mass |
| Officer John Sculley at the Consumer Electronics | | | | adoption takes place in the market but OQO is no |
| Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, concerning the | | | | longer the exclusive manufacturer of these types of |
| Apple Newton. | | | | units, so costs should fall possibly within the next few |
| PDAs are occasionally denoted as "Palms", "Palm | | | | years. |
| Pilots" or "Palm Tops" so-named after an early | | | | Conclusion |
| personal digital assistant produced by USR and Palm | | | | The PDAs strength is that it is easy to transport and |
| Inc called the "Palm Pilot". Today however, the term is | | | | less bulky than full-sized computers.It slides easily into a |
| much more encompassing and includes a very diverse | | | | dress shirt or trousers pocket. The additional features |
| range of products developed by a host of many | | | | like cameras, Global Positioning System, telephony and |
| manufacturers including HP, Dell, Blackberry and Sharp | | | | MP3 player make it flexible unlike any other type of |
| to name a few. | | | | computers in the market. |
| .Characteristic capabilities | | | | Many people do not require full desktop capabilities |
| Presently, a regular PDA has a touch screen for data | | | | while on the go. As long as they can access their |
| entry, a memory card slot for data storage and at the | | | | information and sync their data to a full-sized computer |
| least one of the following for device-todevice | | | | when they arrive at their homes and offices, that's |
| communication: IrDA, Bluetooth and/or WiFi. All the | | | | really all they need and want to do. So at least in the |
| same, many PDAs (normally those used primarily as | | | | short run, the PDA will most likely remain as a portable |
| cellular phones) may not have a touch screen, | | | | helper for millions of users for years to come. |
| alternatively using softkeys, a directional pad and either | | | | |