PDA Computer
Modern life is only as effective as getting in sync with the computer, the phone and the Internet. Before, nobody thought mishmashes were plausible – until PDAs were born.
Known in common parlance as palm PDA, handhelds, palmtops or pocket computers, PDA is abbreviation for Personal Digital Assistant, a handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, Internet and networking functions. The working PDA phone should be able to deliver functions as a cellular phone, fax sender, Web browser and personal organizer. It then goes without saying PDA handhelds have integrated handwriting recognition technology. Some PDAs using voice recognition technologies can also react to voice input. Today, PDAs are available in keyboard versions, while widely available nevertheless are the pen-based throwbacks, using a stylus instead.
To best edit documents and write e-mails, the prospective consumer should get a PDA phone with a keyboard or a folding snap-on keyboard for the unit. Otherwise, a pen-based interface should be fine when reading takes precedent than inputting.
When paired up with a wireless headset, a best PDA can double as efficient phones since many phones now sync contacts and calendar with a PC. A combo device like the PalmOne Treo, Blackberry 7100t or HP iPaq h6315 flaunts both capabilities as mobile phones and e-mail devices.
More often than not, PDA handhelds are distinguished as being a palm top or a pocket PC, as each has inimitable features all its own. Either way, both Palm OS and Pocket PC will sync with a desktop computer, store personal information and read common document formats like Microsoft Word.
Palm PDA
In spite of the escalating figures of more innovative PDAs which have more complicated hardware features and operating systems, the Palm until now holds court for offering a quick, simple and accessible interface in the smallest package. Even so, more shareware programs as well as the most shareware sites in the market are tailored wholly to the palm’s software.
The standard Palm includes a calendar, notes, outline, calculator, mail and contacts programs which are launched by either pressing the appropriate hardware button or clicking on the program's on screen icon. Prevalent are models which include software to sync to MS Outlook and work with Excel and Word files on one’s Palm. The Palm also serves as a great alarm or reminder device for upcoming appointments. Most of the models can play MP3s. As of now, modems are only included in discontinued Palm models such as the wireless Palm VII, VIIx and i705.
The user can navigate the touch screen by stylus and finger input. Data entry on a Palm is made possible by the stylus and Graffiti, the device’s handwriting recognition technology. A small rectangular area at the bottom of the Palm's screen contains where one inputs characters as one would write on paper.
Pocket PC (PPC)
While Palms are known for their small size, the Pocket PC’s bulkier configuration is of note. However, the market has since released models as small as some Palm OS PDAs. Pocket PCs run on applications including the Pocket Outlook for mail, calendaring, contact and task management, a Notes Application, Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Word and Excel. The stylus and the on-screen keyboard facilitate input, hand in hand with the unit’s handwriting recognition programs. PPC navigation is pen-based, but a finger will do.
A PPC runs a slimmed-down counterpart to Windows, the Windows Mobile operating system, which is built on Windows CE and .NET. Both systems are pretty much similar except for many features. The corresponding screen is a fixed portrait oriented 240 x 320 pixels in all OS versions. Subsequently, Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition offers landscape and portrait orientations, plus support for VGA resolution.
The PPC has Palm functionality more or less, often with greater processing, memory and graphics capability than a number of Palm OS PDAs. The PPC operating system needs more processing power and memory compared to Palm OS PDAs.
All in all, Palm OS devices are recommended to those opting for a long battery life without compromising the advantages of a smaller size. This same size accommodates quick and easy contact management, calendaring and organizing features. But when compatibility with corporate IT systems and multimedia features like video players matters, the Pocket PC kills the competition. Moreover, the PPC can connect to Ethernet or Bluetooth networks.
In terms of optimum functions without the hassle of expense, one of the best PDAs by far is the Palm TX, reputed everywhere to be the cheapest PDA with built-in Wi-Fi. Palm TX can also access the Internet through Bluetooth phones. Its Blazer browser is more compatible than Microsoft's Mobile Internet Explorer on some Web pages. It also comes with good Mac support, along with limited multimedia advantages.
Other first rate models are the Palm Z22, Dell Axim X51v, palmOne Treo 650 (Cingular/GSM) and the Fossil Abacus Wrist PDA.
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