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A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a handheld device designed to

facilitate organizational ability from a mobile platform. While the
original PDAs were somewhat limited to keeping address, phone,
calendar, and task lists, today͛s PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax,
provide Internet connectivity, and much more. There are many different
types of PDAs, but most models work with either Palmtop software or a
special version of Microsoft Windows called Windows Mobile. All models
can interface with a laptop or desktop system, Synchronization between
computer and PDA is one of the most popular features of this digital
device.

A PDA can even function like a mini -computer to make

those last minute changes while en-route to the office or to a client.
Windows Mobile runs a variety of mobile applications, including Excel
and Microsoft Word. If you have a few minutes, use your PDA to kick
back and listen to your favorite music, watch videos, or play games.

@ersonal igital
ssistant is a handheld computer for

managing contacts, appointments and tasks. It typically includes a name
and address database, calendar, to-do list and note taker, which are the
functions in a personal information manager(PIM) . Wireless PDAs may
also offer e-mail and Web browsing, and data are synchronized between
the PDA and desktop computer via USB or wireless. If the PDA includes a
phone, it falls into the smartphone category .
 

 

 


A PDA is a computer based handheld device that incorporates perso nal

organiser tools and has the ability to easily exchange information with a
desktop computer. PDAs were originally conceived of as electronic
equivalents of diaries and personal organisers, but most can now
perform a variety of functions. There are many hybrid devices that share
common characteristics with traditional PDAs in both form and function.
A smart phone is a combined phone and PDA.

The PDA should be considered as belonging in a different domain to a

Laptop. It is a different type of device for use in different ways. The size
of the display on the device forces a PDA to be a different. The interface
needs to be different not just a Windows interface on a small screen.
The typical use for a PDA is to use it to quickly look up or jot down some
information and so the device must respond quickly and reliably. When
a PDA is switched on it needs to be instantly ready with no "boot up
time" waiting for the device to start-up. One of the PDAs major
strengths is that unlike a Laptop or Tablet PC a PDA can be easily carried
at all times.

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The term @
was first used on January 7, 1992 by Apple Computer CEO
John Sculley at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada,
referring to the Apple NewtonIn 1996,

Nokia introduced the first mobile phone with full PDA functionality,
the 9000 Communicator, which grew to become the world's best-selling
PDA. PalmPilots, introduced a couple years after, popularized the
technology. When the BlackBerry offered synchronized e-mail in 1999,
the PDA was on its way to becoming a mobile office.The Communicator
spawned a new category of mobile phones: the smartphone. Today, the
vast majority of all PDAs are smartphones. Over 150 million
smartphones are sold each year, whil e "stand-alone" PDAs without
phone functionality sell only about 3 million units per year.

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 A PDA can even function like a mini -computer to
make those last minute changes while en-route to the office or to a
client. Windows Mobile runs a variety of mobile applications, including
Excel and Microsoft Word. If you have a few minutes, use your PDA to
kick back and listen to your favorite music, watch videos, or play games .

4
è  

@ 


A personal digital assistant (PDA), or handheld computer, is a small,

mobile, handheld device that provides computing and information
storage/retrieval capabilities.

The vast majority of PDAs have five basic functions:

* Contact management (names and addresses)

* Scheduling (calendar)Mobile phone functionality

* Mobile phone functionality * To do list

* Note-taking

Many PDA manufacturers now include additional functionality in their

products, such as:

* Access to the Internet

* The ability to play MP3 files

* The ability to read electronic books

* The ability to play games

* Bluetooth connectivity

A PDA can also be linked to a PC and data can be transferred readily

between the two.

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Aurthermore, information can be synchronised so that changes made on
one are reflectedon the other.

@


PDAs are not new to the realm of primary and post primary Irish
education, but the general

consensus is that they will play a niche role in our schools for both
teachers and students in

the future. Their winning attribute is their portability ʹ this allows them
to be used outside of

the classroom (e.g., at home or on field trips). All the data collected
during these times can

be transferred to a personal computer in the school at a later stage.

Other educational uses

for PDAs include the following:

ͻ Students are enabled to continually reflect, edit and develop

individualised learning

resources

ͻ Teachers and students can exchange information by beaming it to each

other

ͻ Teachers can track and analyse student progress using appropriate

software

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ͻ They cater for students with learning difficulties in areas such as note-
taking, following

schedules, keeping track of homework and assignments

ͻ Make class presentations using appropriate mobile presentation

software, resolution

capable PDA with VGA cable adaptor for data projector.

ͻ Collection of field trip data and use of GP S for field trip work.

@

The future of the PDA product as we know it is under pressure from

small laptops, Ultra

Mobile PC (UMPC), portable media players and increasingly capable

mobile phones. The

future of PDAs as a technology lie in evolving and merging with existing

devices such as

the UMPC and mobile phone to provide an ͞all in one͟ device. However
you can still

purchase a basic electronic organiser for under Φ100. More expensive

models range from

Φ300 to Φ600. However, it is important to choose a PDA model that suits

individual teaching

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and/or learning needs. It is also worth noting that the greater the PDA
functionality, the

higher the price. There are a number of issues to consider when

purchasing a PDA, some

of which are outlined below.



The size and weight of PDAs can vary enormously ʹ some are the size of
a credit card,some fit in the palm of the hand and some are like UMPCs.
Basic PDAs are confined toBasic information organisation, while the
latest PDAs have many additional functions andcapabilities such as
Bluetooth, Wi-Ai, GPS and extra memory storage options.
Additionaloptions one should consider purchasing include an external
Bluetooth keyboard, an extrabattery, docking cradle, travel
synchronisation cable, extra stylus, case, USB/VGA cable foruse with a
data projector..

Broadly speaking, there are two types of PD A:

ͻ PDAs have a small keyboard and they open out rather like a
miniature

laptop. They may also feature touch-sensitive screens and a stylus

ͻ   PDAs do not have an integrated keyboard. Input occurs

using a stylus or

fold-away/portable keyboard and they tend to be palm -sized

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  !

Information can be entered and manipulated in a PDA in three ways:

ͻ   ʹ Some PDAs have built in keyboards, which vary in size

depending on themodel. Some use external Bluetooth keyboards.

ͻ  "  @ ʹ Data is inputted by selecting icons on a

touch-sensitive

screen with a pen or stylus

ͻ #$  ʹ Used in addition to a stylus, special

handwriting

recognition software allows handwriting to be converted into text

  

There are two, widely used handheld operating systems:

ͻ @  ʹ Used with tablet-type PDAs (those without integrated

keyboards). Many

applications have been developed for this operating system

ͻ !%& $ ! ʹ A miniature version of the full

Windows product

Cut-down (pocket) versions of MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and

Internet Explorer

are supported on both of these operating systems.

! 

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The memory of a PDA determines its information storage capabilities
and typically ranges

from 64MB upwards. The following points should be considered prior to

purchase:

ͻ 96MB is sufficient to support a scheduler, address book, note-taking,e-

mail and video.

ͻ Extra memory is required to support the storage of multimedia

applications such as video.

ͻ Most PDAs allow for significant memory expansion via different types
of storage cards.

 

Synchronization is useful for backing-up files and transferring

information, documents and

E-mails. There are a number of ways in which a PDA can be linked to a

PC in order to transfer information:

ͻ
  ʹ A specific type of cable that connects a PDA and a PC,
which facilitates speedier transfer of data between both devices

ͻ '(USB connection) ʹ A PDA is placed in a docking cradle

in order to

transfer data to/from the PC or to recharge a PDA͛s battery

ͻ %  (wireless) ʹinformation is ͚beamed͛ from one unit to

another without the

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use of wires

ͻ (Data is synchronised with the desktop PC via Bluetooth 

   

PDAs come with colour displays of varying resolution. The higher the
resolution the greater

the price.



PDAs use one of the following battery types:

ͻ Permanent rechargeable batteries fixed into the PDA

ͻ Rechargeable batteries that can be replaced

ͻ Standard alkaline batteries that need to be replaced regularly

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Î ) 
*+!,

A typical PDA has a touchscreen for entering data, a memory card slot
for data storage, and IrDA, Bluetooth and/or Wi -Fi. However, some
PDAs may not have a touch screen, using soft keys, a directional pad, and
a numeric keypad or a thumb keyboard for input; this is typically seen on
telephones that are incidentally PDAs.

In order to have the functions expected of a PDA, a device's software

typically includes an appointment calendar, a to -do list, an address book
for contacts, and some sort of memo (or "note") program . PDAs with
wireless data connections also typically include an email client and a
Web browser.

the PDA was originally intended to act as a replacement for personal

organisers, developers have produced a rich variety of other innovative
solutions.

Some PDA uses:

ͻ Touchscreen

ͻ Diary/Address book

ͻ Note Taking

ͻ Read eBooks/eMagazines/eNews

ͻ Read/Edit ͚Office͛ Documents

ͻ Reading PDA Documents

ͻ Send/Receive Email

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ͻ Download Web pages

ͻ A specialised Calculator

ͻ Self assessment, etc.

ͻGPS

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¢
 

Although many early PDAs did not have memory card slots, now most
have either some form of Secure Digital (SD) slot or a CompactFlash
slot. Although originally designed for memory, Secure Digital
Input/Output (SDIO) and CompactFlash cards are available that provide
accessories like Wi-Fi or digital cameras, if the device can support them.
Some PDAs also have a USB port, mainly for USB flash drives. Some
PDAs use microSD cards, which are electronically compatible with SD
cards, but have a much smaller physical size.

    

While early PDAs connected to a user's personal computer via serial ports
or another proprietary connection,many today connect via a USB cable.
PDAs are not typically able to connect to each other via USB, as USB
requires one machine to act as a "host," which isn't a typical PDA
function.

     

Most modern PDAs have Bluetooth a popular wireless protocol for

mobile devices. Bluetooth can be used to connect keyboards, h eadsets,
GPS receivers, and other nearby accessories. It's also possible to transfer
files between PDAs that have Bluetooth.

Many modern PDAs have Wi-Fi wireless network connectivity, and can
connect to Wi-Fi hotspots.

All smartphones, and some other moder n PDAs like the Apple iPod
touch, can connect to Wireless Wide Area Networks, such as those
provided by cellular telecommunications companies.

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Older PDAs typically had an IrDA (infrared) port allowing short-range,
line-of-sight wireless communication. Few current models use this
technology, as it has been supplanted by Bluetooth and Wi -Fi. IrDA
allows communication between two PDAs, or between a PDA and any
device with an IrDA port or adapter. Some printers have IrDA
receivers,allowing IrDA-equipped PDAs to print to them, if the PDA's
operating system supports it. Most universal PDA keyboards use infrared
technology because many older PDAs have it. Infrared technology is low-
cost and has the advantage of being allowed aboard aircraft.

 

Most PDAs can synchronize their data with applications on a user's

personal computer. This allows the user to update contact, schedule, or
other information on their computer, using software such as Microsoft
Outlook and have that same data transferred to PDA ²or transfer updated
information from the PDA back to the computer. This eliminates the need
for the user to update their data in two places.

Synchronization also prevents the loss of information stored on the device

if it is lost, stolen, or destroyed. When the PDA is repaired or replaced, it
can be "re-synced" with the computer, restoring the user's data.

Some users find that data input is quicker on their computer than on their
PDA, since text input via a touchscreen or small -scale keyboard is slower
than a full-size keyboard. Transferring data to a PDA via the computer is
therefore a lot quicker than having to manually input all data on the
handheld device.

Most PDAs come with the ability to synchronize to a computer. This is

done through à

 

à  provided with the handheld, or

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sometime with the computer's operating system. Examples of
synchronization software include:

˜? # !, for Palm OS PDAs

˜? !%
- , used by Windows XP and older Windows

operating Memory cardssystems to synchronize with Windows
Mobile, Pocket PC, and Windows CE PDAs, as well as PDAs running
iOS, Palm OS, and Symbian

˜? !% $ ! -  for Windows Vista,
which supports Microsoft Windows Mobile and Pocket PC devices.

˜?
 , used on Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows to sync

iOS devices (such as the iPhone and iPod touch)

˜?  , included with Mac OS X, can synchronize many SyncML -

enabled PDAs

˜? '  ' %$, used to sync BlackBerry devices

These programs allow the PDA to be synchronized with a personal

information manager, which may be part of the computer's operating
system, provided with the PDA, or sold separately by a third party. For
example, the RIM BlackBerry comes with RIM's á à 

 
program, which can synchronize to both Microsoft Outlook and ACT!.

Other PDAs come only with their own proprietary software. For example,
some early Palm OS PDAs came only with Palm Desktop, while later
Palm PDAs²such as the Treo 650²have the ability to sync to Palm
Desktop aor Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft's ActiveSync an d Windows

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Mobile Device Center only synchronize with Microsoft Outlook or a
Microsoft Exchange server.

Third-party synchronization software is also available for some PDAs

from companies like CommonTime and CompanionLink. Third -party
software can be used to synchronize PDAs to other personal information
managers that are not supported by the PDA manufacturers (for example,
GoldMine and IBM Lotus Notes)

Some early PDAs were able to connect to the Internet indirectly by means
off an external modem connected v ia the PDA's serial port or "sync"
connector,or directly by using an expansion card that provided an
Ethernet port.

Wireless synchronization

Some PDAs can synchronize some or all of their data using their wireless
networking capabilities, rather than havin g to be directly connected to a
personal computer via a cable.

Apple iOS devices, like the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, can use
Apple's Mobile Me subscription service to synchronize calendar, address
book, mail account, Internet bookmark, and other data w ith one or more
Macintosh or Windows computers using Wi-Fi or cellular data
connections.

Palm's webOS smartphones primarily sync with the cloud. For example,
if Gmail is used, information in contacts, email, and calendar can be
synchronized between the phone and Google's servers.

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 RIM sells BlackBerry Enterprise Server to
corporations so that corporate BlackBerry users can wirelessly
synchronize their PDAs with the company's Microsoft Exchange Server,
IBM Lotus Domino, or Novell GroupWise servers. Email, calendar
entries, contacts, tasks, and memos kept on the company's server are
automatically synchronized with the BlackBerry.

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Some PDAs include Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers; this is

particularly true of smartphones. Other PDAs are compatible with
external GPS-receiver add-ons that use the PDA's processor and screen to
display location information.

PDAs with GPS functionality can be used for automotive navigat ion.
PDAs are increasingly being fitted as standard on new cars.

PDA-based GPS can also display traffic conditions, perform dynamic

routing, and show known locations of roadside mobile radar guns.
TomTom, Garmin, and iGO offer GPS navigation software for PDAs.

Newer PDAs, such as the Apple iPhone, Apple iPod Touch, HTC HD2,
and Palm Pre, Palm Pre Plus, Palm Pixi, Palm Pixi Plus, include more
advanced forms of touchscreen that can register multiple touches
simultaneously. These "multi-touch" displays allow for more
sophisticated interfaces using various gestures entered with one or more
fingers.

  

Many of the original PDAs, such as the Apple Newton and Palm Pilot,
featured a touch screen for user interaction, having only a few buttons ²
usually reserved for shortcuts to often-used programs. Touchscreen
PDAs, including Windows Mobile devices, may have a detachable stylus
to facilitate making selections. The user interacts with the device by

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tapping the screen to select buttons or issue commands, or by dragging a
finger or the stylus on the screen to make selections or scroll.

Typical methods of entering text on touch screen PDAs include:

˜? A - ' , where a keyboard is shown on the touch

screen. Text is entered by tapping the on-screen keyboard with a
finger or stylus.

˜? An  '  connected via USB, Infrared, or Bluetooth.

Some users may choose a chorded keyboard for one -handed use.

˜? #$ , where letters or words are written on

the touchscreen, and the PDA converts the input to text.
Recognition and computation of handwritten horizontal and
vertical formulas, such as "1 + 2 =", may also be a feature.

˜? '  allows the user to make a predefined set of
strokes on the touchscreen, sometimes in a special input are a,
representing the various characters to be input. The strokes are
often simplified character shapes, making them easier for the
device to recognize. One widely-known stroke recognition system
is Palm's Graffiti).

Despite rigorous research and development projects, end-users experience

mixed results with handwriting recognition systems. Some find it
frustrating and inaccurate, while others are satisfied with the quality of
the recognition.

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Touchscreen PDAs intended for business use, such as the BlackBerry and
Palm Treo, usually also full keyboards and scroll wheels or thumbwheels
to facilitate data entry and navigation.

Many touchscreen PDAs support some form of external keyboard as well.

Specialized folding keyboards, which offer a full -sized keyboard but
collapse into a compact size for transport, are available for many models.
External keyboards may attach to the PDA directly, using a cable, or may
use wireless technology such as infrared or Bluetooth to connect to the
pda.

   

Some businesses and government organizations rely upon rugged PDAs,

sometimes known as enterprise digital assistants (EDAs), for mobile data
applications. EDAs often have extra features for data capture, such as

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barcode readers, radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers, magnetic
stripe card readers, or smart card readers.

Typical applications include:

˜? supply chain management in warehouses

˜? package delivery

˜? route accounting

˜? medical treatment and recordkeeping in hospitals

˜? facilities maintenance and manag ement

˜? parking enforcement

˜? access control and security

˜? capital asset maintenance

˜? meter reading by utilities

˜? "wireless waitress" applications in restaurants and hospitality

venues

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[ .

@

A  



A long time ago before smartphones were the norm many geeks carried
around a PDA and if you really wanted to type on the thing you got
yourself a folding keyboard too. The folding laptop concept at Yanko
Design reminds me of the keyboard I had for my Palm PDA.

The concept is festooned with all sorts of logos that it really has no right
to wear like Transformers, Windows Mobile, FCC, and several others.
Ripped off logos aside, the thing is cool with a screen that folds and a
keyboard that folds up as well.

The keyboard unfolds to a large QWERTY unit with a track nub like an
older ThinkPad. I could actually see this design being well received as a
smartbook.

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It¶s very easy to say the word concept and then dream up a gadget that is
impossible to make, but it¶s much better when we see concept gadgets
that can be made or at least developed within the next few years.

This is just what the concept PDA you see in the images on this page is
all about, a concept laptop/PDA that we all would love and is very
possible to make.

You would be able to use this portable device as a mobile phone when
it¶s folded up, also because of the flexible screen and rubber hinges the
device will be waterproof and then more idea for outdoor applications (I
have lost many mobile phones thanks to water, so this is most welcomed).

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This concept PDA/laptop is the most advanced foldable laptop we have
seen and because it can go from a tablet pc to palm size device and be
used as a mobile phone, I get goose bumps just thinking about owning
one of these.

Concept Foldable PDA/Laptop User Benefit:

˜? USB
˜? Stereo headphone socket
˜? Mobile phone
˜? Aoldout QWERTY keypad
˜? Aold away large screen using so called e-paper
˜? Benefits of PDA and Tablet PC
˜? Envy of all your friends










25

 
/
 


 personal digital assistant (PDA), lightweight, hand-held

computer designed for use as a personal organizer with
communications capabilities; also called a handheld. A typical PDA
has no keyboard, relying instead on special hardware and pen -based
computer software to enable the recognition of handwritten input,
which is entered on the surface of a liquid crystal display screen. In
addition to including such applications as a word processor,
spreadsheet, calendar, and address book, PDAs are used as notepads,
appointment schedulers, and wireless communicators for sending
and receiving data, faxes, and electronic-mail messages..


















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