Introduction to PDA

  How do handhelds and PDAs fit into the wireless Internet landscape? What's the
difference between handhelds and PDAs? Is anytime, anywhere computing actually a
reality with these types of computers? We'll get to these questions in a moment. But
first, let's first make sure we're all on the same page.

What's a handheld PC (H/PC)?

Handheld PCs (H/PCs) are small, slim and lightweight portable computers. They look
similar to a laptop computer. H/PCs come in a variety of forms and sizes with different
displays, peripherals and packaged software configurations. They are uniformly small,
lightweight, and easy to carry in your hand.

Currently, the two main operating systems (OSs) that are found in H/PCs are Windows
CE and EPOC. Needless to say, there's a battle between the two manufactures of these
companies (Microsoft and Symbian) over which software will lead H/PCs into the wireless
internet age. We'll look more at operating systems in a moment.

What's a PDA?

By definition, PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant. PDAs are pocket-sized electronic
organizers (if you've ever used a Franklin Planner or any similar kind of paper bound
organizer, you get the general idea). You'll also hear the names Pocket PC, Handheld
Organizer, or Palms. Pocket PCs are typically PDAs that use the Windows CE Operating
System. 'Palms' are PDAs that run on the Palm Operating System. Other PDAs use their
own proprietary OS, such as the RIM Blackberry.

Which is better, a H/PC or a PDA?

Depending on whom you ask, you're going to get different answers. I can tell you this:
PDAs far outsell H/PCs. There are a couple reasons for this.
Many people would rather use a laptop rather than an H/PC. True, laptops are a couple of
pounds heavier than H/PCs. But a laptop utilizes the full version of a Windows operating
system, rather than a scaled down version. Many people prefer to carry around a couple
of extra pounds rather than sacrifice a full working version of Windows.

A PDA on the other hand is something different that a laptop all together. PDAs contain
essentially anything one might need from a computer when on the move. They contain e-
mail functionality, fax functionality, and the ability to access special PDA formatted Web
channels, or to browse ordinary Web sites (more on these later in the article).

Plus, PDAs can also easily share information with Windows-based or Macintosh
computers. PDAs are not self-contained — they are designed to synchronize with a
desktop PC and keep information up to date on both sides. Thus, what you'll find is that
people usually carry a PDA and a laptop. This gives them more flexibility than just
carrying around a H/PC (which is essentially part laptop and part PDA).

The Palm Operating System

In 1996, a product called the PalmPilot was released by US Robotics. The Palm Pilot ran
on an operating system made especially for that device, called the Palm OS.

The Palm Operating System (Palm OS) is the current leader in the PDA market,
accounting for 70% of the market share. The Palm Pilot (now known as just Palm),
became one of the fastest growing computer platforms in history, reaching the million-
sold mark faster than the IBM PC or Apple's Macintosh.

Today, the Palm line has grown to include a variety of models. In addition, a number of
other companies such as IBM, Qualcomm, and Symbol Technologies released their own
Palm OS PDA models, with Sony's version hitting the market later this year.

The Windows CE Operating System

Although the Windows CE Operating System is the leader among H/PCs, it holds only
about 10% of the PDA market. Those numbers won't stay that low.

The latest version of Windows CE, now known as Windows CE for the PocketPC, is coming
back with a vengeance. Microsoft has a lot of muscle in its corner. They have
partnerships with some key companies in the industry (Casio, HP, and Compaq) -- all
manufactures of PocketPC devices.

But perhaps Microsoft's biggest ace in the hole is the coming onset of broadband
wireless. Most IT departments haven't yet needed to support PDAs. But PDAs are finding
a niche in the workplace. Eventually, IT will have to extend all desktop and laptop
support issues to pocket devices as well — this including network access, application and
data synchronization, security, and virus protection.

Needless to say, compatibility is going to be a major issue in the coming years. And with
the world already utilizing a number of Microsoft products, PocketPCs might just slide into
favor simply due to ease of compatibility.
 The EPOC Operating System

The third major player is EPOC, an operating system developed by London-based

software developer Symbian. EPOC has three device designs: one for mobile phones, one
for PDAs, and one for H/PCs.

EPOC does have some major advantages. It is an extremely power-efficient operating

system -- other operating systems require double to triple the size of a battery. Also,
EPOC has a small memory footprint and a compact code, which allows for customization.
This potential for customization is a huge advantage over Windows CE.

Recently, Symbian announced a deal with Sony whereby the Japanese giant will use the
EPOC platform and possibly a range of applications in its forthcoming line of devices,
such as mobile phones. This is in addition to deals already existing with companies such
as Ericsson, Motorola, and Psion.

With a good, flexible product and a support from key companies, EPOC has a lot of
potential to make it in mobile market

The main purpose of a personal digital assistant (PDA) is to act as an electronic organizer or day
planner that is portable, easy to use and capable of sharing information with your PC. It's
supposed to be an extension of the PC, not a replacement.

PDAs, also called handhelds or palmtops, have definitely evolved over the years. Not only can
they manage your personal information, such as contacts, appointments, and to-do lists, today's
devices can also connect to the Internet, act as global positioning system (GPS) devices, and run
multimedia software. What's more, manufacturers have combined PDAs with cell phones,
multimedia players and other electronic gadgetry.

As its capabilities continue to grow, the standard PDA device is changing. In this article, we take
a look at the PDA -- where it's been, how it is converging with other devices, and where it's
headed. We'll also examine how PDAs work and give you some pointers on how to select one.

The Birth of the PDA

Predecessors of the modern PDA include the Psion Organiser and the Sharp Wizard. These early
devices, which were intended to be portable computers, came out in the mid- to late 1980s. They
included small keyboards for input, a small display, and basic features such as an alarm clock,
calendar, telephone pad and calculator. Support for specialized software such as games and
spreadsheets was also included. The Psion Organiser II, released in 1986, was especially popular
and more than half a million were sold.

In 1993, Apple introduced the Newton MessagePad at a price of $700. It provided users with an
electronic notepad, to-do list, calendar, telephone log and address file applications. Some of the
Newton's innovations have become standard PDA features, including a pressure-sensitive display
with stylus, handwriting recognition capabilities, an infrared port and an expansion slot.
However, the Newton MessagePad was too big, expensive and complicated, and its handwriting
recognition program was poor. Apple discontinued the Newton in 1998.

The original PalmPilot was introduced in March of 1996 by Palm Computing (owned by U.S.
Robotics at the time). It cost less than $300, ran on its own Palm operating system, fit in a shirt
pocket and synchronized with consumers' PCs. The PalmPilot ran for weeks on AAA batteries,
was easy to use, and could store thousands of contacts, appointments and notes. Part of its small
size was due to the lack of a keyboard. Users used a stylus and the Graffiti language to input
data.

Not to be outdone, Microsoft had been working on various forms of portable computing,
including PenWindows and tablet computers. In November 1996, Microsoft released Windows
CE, its first operating system for mobile devices. A number of manufacturers, such as HP,
Compaq and Casio, adopted it for what was dubbed the Handheld PC -- the first Windows-based
competitor for the PalmPilot.

Types of PDAs
Traditional PDAs

Today's traditional PDAs are descendents of the original PalmPilot and Microsoft Handheld PC
devices. Palm devices run the Palm OS (operating system), and Microsoft Pocket PCs run
Windows Mobile. The differences between the two systems are fewer than in the past.

Palm PDAs
Most Palm devices are made by palmOne, which offers the Zire and Tungsten product lines. The
company formed in 2003 when Palm Computing acquired Handspring, Inc. Sony, which
produced the Palm-based CLIE, stopped producing PDAs in 2005.
 Photo courtesy HowStuffWorks Shopper
palmOne Tungsten T5 Handheld

Known for their ease of use, Palm OS PDAs have:

 A vast library of third-party applications (more than 20,000) that you can add to the
system (most devices come bundled with e-mail, productivity and multimedia software)
 An updated version of the Graffiti handwriting-recognition application
 Synchronization with both Windows and Macintosh computers using the Palm Desktop
 Smaller displays than Pocket PCs to accommodate a dedicated Graffiti area on the device
(Some higher-end Palm devices now incorporate a virtual Graffiti area in the display,
resulting in a larger display area.)

Pocket PCs
Pocket PC is the generic name for Windows Mobile PDAs. Their standard features include:

 Pocket versions of Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
(note that some formatting is lost between Pocket and standard versions of documents)
 Synchronization with Microsoft Outlook on a Windows PC (synchronization with e-mail
systems other than Outlook or with Macintosh computers requires additional software)
 Three handwriting-recognition applications: Transcriber, Letter Recognizer (similar to
the new version of Graffiti), and Block Recognizer (similar to the original Graffiti)
 A virtual writing area, which maximizes the display size
 Windows Media Player for multimedia content

Smartphones
A smartphone is either a cell phone with PDA capabilities or a
traditional PDA with added cell phone capabilities, depending
on the form factor (style) and manufacturer. Characteristics of
these devices include:

 A cellular service provider to handle phone service (As

with cell phones, you typically purchase a cellular plan
and smart phone from the service provider.)
 Internet access through cellular data networks
 Various combinations of cell phone and PDA features,
depending on the device (for example, not all smart
phones offer handwriting-recognition capabilities)
 A number of different operating systems, including
Photo courtesy HowStuffWorks Shopper
Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition, the Palm palmOne Treo 650 Handheld
OS, the Blackberry OS for Blackberry smart phones, and
the Symbian OS for smart phones from Panasonic, Nokia, Samsung and others.

Well, it doesn't look like a PDA...

Related devices include ultraportable computers, smart watches and multimedia players.
Ultraportable computers range in weight from less than a pound to about three pounds, come
with a full desktop operating system (such as Windows XP), and include a small keyboard.
Smart watches offer some PDA functions in a wristwatch form factor. Microsoft's SPOT (Smart
Personal Objects Technology)-based watches, for example, can receive MSN Direct information
such as weather and news. They can also receive calendar information and personal messages.
Some multimedia players can combine the functions of a PDA with multimedia features, such as
a digital camera, an MP3 player and a video player.

In the next section, we'll look at what PDAs do and how they do it.

PDA Features
Even the most basic PDAs handle standard personal information management (PIM) functions,
run application software and synchronize with PCs. Here are some additional details about these
basic features.

Handle Standard PIM Functions

All PDAs come with some kind of personal information management (PIM) software that
typically handles the following tasks to keep you organized:

 Store contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses)

 Make to-do lists
 Take notes
 Track appointments (date book, calendar)
 Remind you of appointments (clock, alarm functions)
 Perform calculations
Run Application Software
PDAs can run specialized software applications:

 Windows Mobile devices come with Pocket versions of Word, Excel, Internet Explorer
and Outlook (includes e-mail and PIM functions), along with Windows Media Player and
voice memo recording.
 Most Palm OS devices include applications such as DataViz Documents to Go
(compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), palmOne Media (for photos
and video), VersaMail e-mail software and web-browsing software.
 All types of devices can run other kinds of software including games, multimedia,
expense, diet and exercise, travel, medical, time and billing, and reference.

Synchronize With PCs

Because PDAs are designed to complement your PC, they need to work with the same
information in both places. If you make an appointment on your desktop computer, you need to
transfer it to your PDA; if you jot down a phone number on your PDA, you should upload it later
to your PC.

Synchronization software on the PDA works with companion software that you install on your
PC. Microsoft Pocket PC devices use ActiveSync and Palm OS devices use HotSync
synchronization software. On your computer, you also need an application like Microsoft
Outlook or the Palm Desktop that holds PIM information on the PC side.

The beauty of synchronization is that you always have a backup copy of your data, which can be
a lifesaver if your PDA is broken, stolen, or completely out of power.

To synchronize (also called sync) a PDA:

 Connect your PDA to a PC with a cable or cradle/cable

combination, normally through USB ports or serial ports
located on the PDA and your PC. Some devices also
support synchronization and data transfer through wireless
connections such as Bluetooth.
 Push the sync button (on the device or cradle) to start the
synchronization process.
 Wait as the process compares the files and information
between the PDA and PC, and then copies the most
current versions of the files to both the PDA and the PC.

Common PDA Functions

Today, most PDAs incorporate wireless and multimedia functions of some type. Functions found
on most (but not necessarily all) devices include:
  Short-range wireless connectivity using Infrared (IR) or
Bluetooth technology, IR is found on most PDAs and
requires a clear line of sight. It's commonly used to sync
with a notebook computer that has an IR port. Bluetooth
wirelessly connects (it's a radio frequency technology
that doesn't require a clear line of sight) to other
Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a headset or a printer.
 Internet and corporate network connectivity through Wi-
Fi and wireless access points
 Support for Wireless WAN (Wide Area Networks); the
cellular data networks that provide Internet connectivity
for smart phone devices
 A memory card slot that accepts flash media such as
CompactFlash, MultiMediaCard, and Secure Digital
cards (Media cards act as additional storage for files and
applications.)
 Audio support for MP3 files and a microphone, speaker
Photo courtesy HowStuffWorks Shopper
jack and headphone jack SanDisk 256 MB Secure
Digital Card
Bells & Whistles
High-end PDAs offer multimedia, security and add-on features
not found on less expensive devices:

 A Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) card slot for add-on peripherals contained in an
SDIO card, for example, a Bluetooth card, a Wi-Fi card, or a GPS (global positioning
system) card
 Built-in GPS capabilities

 The PDA Computer

 Microprocessors and Memory
 Like standard desktop and laptop computers, PDAs are powered by microprocessors. The
microprocessor is the brain of the PDA, and it coordinates all of the functions according
to programmed instructions. Unlike desktop PCs and laptops, PDAs use smaller, cheaper
microprocessors. Although these microprocessors tend to be slower than their PC
counterparts, they're adequate for the tasks that PDAs perform. The benefits of small size
and price outweigh the cost of slow speeds.
 The parts that can make up a PDA

 A PDA doesn't have a hard disk. It stores basic programs (address book, calendar, memo
pad and operating system) in a read-only memory (ROM) chip, which remains intact
even when the machine shuts down. Your data and any programs you add later are stored
in the device's random-access memory (RAM). Information in RAM is only available
when the device is on. Due to their design, PDAs keep data in RAM safe because they
continue to draw a small amount of power from the batteries even when you turn the
device off.
 Less powerful PDAs have lower amounts of RAM. However, many application programs
take up significant memory space, so most models have more memory. Also, Pocket PC
devices generally require more resources and have even more RAM. To provide
additional memory, many PDAs accept removable flash media add-on cards. These are
handy for storing large files or multimedia content, such as digital photos.
 Some newer PDAs, such as the Palm Tungsten E2, use flash memory instead of RAM.
Flash memory is non-volatile, which means it preserves the data and applications it stores
-- even when all battery power is depleted.
 Operating Systems
 The operating system contains the pre-programmed instructions that tell the
microprocessor what to do. The operating systems used by PDAs are not as complex as
those used by PCs. They have fewer instructions, which require less memory.
 Here's an inside view of a PDA. The circuit board folds away
from the screen. In the middle of the single-layer circuit board
is the microprocessor, and to the left and above are the
memory chips.

 PDAs and smartphones typically have one of two types of operating systems: Palm OS or
Windows Mobile. However, RIM makes a specific OS for its BlackBerry devices, and
the Symbian OS operates some smartphones.
 In the next section, we'll look at the other parts that make up a PDA.

PDA Battery
So far, we've looked at the PDA's microprocessor, memory and operating system. Now let's look
at the other parts of a PDA.

Batteries
PDAs are powered by batteries. Some models use alkaline (AAA) batteries, while others use
rechargeable batteries (lithium, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride). The battery life
depends on what kind of PDA you have and how you use it. Here are some of the things that can
drain batteries:

 Operating system (PocketPC requires more power by virtue of its increased memory
requirements)
 More memory
 Wireless connections, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
 Backlighting on the display

Battery life can vary from hours to months, depending upon the PDA model and its features.
Most PDAs have power management systems in place to extend the battery life. Even if the
batteries are so low that you can no longer turn the machine on (it will give you plenty of
warning before this happens), there's usually enough power to keep the RAM refreshed.

Here are the parts of the PDA -- the case, the LCD screen and
the circuit board. This model comes in basic black, but you
can buy interchangeable covers in various colors.

If the batteries do run completely out of juice or if you remove them, most devices have an
internal backup battery that provides short-term power (typically 30 minutes or less) until you
install a replacement. If all power sources are depleted, PDAs lose all of the data in RAM. This
makes backing up or synchronizing your PDA extremely important.

In addition to battery power, many PDAs come with AC adapters to run off household electric
currents. A car adapter is also generally available as an accessory.

LCD Display
PDAs use an LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen. Unlike the LCD screens for desktop or laptop
computers, which are used solely as output devices, PDAs use their screens for output and input.
The LCD screens of PDAs are smaller than laptop screens, but vary in size. Almost all PDAs
now offer color displays.

PDA displays have the following features:

 Transflective TFT (thin-film transistor) LCD for indoor and outdoor use
 Different pixel resolutions with higher resolutions for better quality
 Color screen
 Backlighting for reading in low light

Input Methods
PDAs vary in how you input data and commands. Some devices use a stylus and touch screen
exclusively in combination with a handwriting recognition program. Using a plastic stylus, you
draw characters on the device's display or dedicated writing area. Software inside the PDA
converts the characters to letters and numbers. On Palm devices, the software that recognizes
these letters is called Graffiti. Graffiti requires that each letter be recorded in a certain way, and
you must use a specialized alphabet. For example, to write the letter "A," you draw an upside-
down V. The letter "F" looks like an inverted L. To help Graffiti make more accurate guesses,
you must draw letters on one part of the screen and numbers in another part.

Pocket PC PDAs offer three handwriting-recognition applications: Transcriber, Letter

Recognizer and Block Recognizer. Letter Recognizer and Block Recognizer are similar to
Graffiti and require specialized alphabets. By contrast, Transcriber recognizes your "regular"
handwriting, as long as you write legibly. It is similar to the handwriting recognition capabilities
found on Tablet PCs.

If you can't get the hang of PDA handwriting, you can use a miniature onscreen keyboard. It
looks just like a regular keyboard, except you tap on the letters with the stylus. In addition, many
devices now include a small (and usually cramped) QWERTY keyboard. Some of these require
you to use your thumbs to type. And you can use a full-size keyboard by connecting it to the
PDA via Bluetooth or a USB port. Each model also has a few buttons and navigation dials to
bring up applications and scroll through files.

 PDA Display and Input

LCD Display
PDAs use an LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen. Unlike the LCD screens for desktop or laptop
computers, which are used solely as output devices, PDAs use their screens for output and input.
The LCD screens of PDAs are smaller than laptop screens, but vary in size. Almost all PDAs
now offer color displays.

PDA displays have the following features:

 Transflective TFT (thin-film transistor) LCD for indoor and outdoor use
 Different pixel resolutions with higher resolutions for better quality
  Color screen
 Backlighting for reading in low light

©2007 HowStuffWorks
This BlackBerry has a large LCD
display screen.

Input Methods
PDAs vary in how you input data and commands. Some devices use a stylus and touch screen
exclusively in combination with a handwriting recognition program. Using a plastic stylus, you
draw characters on the device's display or dedicated writing area. Software inside the PDA
converts the characters to letters and numbers. On Palm devices, the software that recognizes
these letters is called Graffiti. Graffiti requires that each letter be recorded in a certain way, and
you must use a specialized alphabet. For example, to write the letter "A," you draw an upside-
down V. The letter "F" looks like an inverted L. To help Graffiti make more accurate guesses,
you must draw letters on one part of the screen and numbers in another part.

Pocket PC PDAs offer three handwriting-recognition applications: Transcriber, Letter

Recognizer and Block Recognizer. Letter Recognizer and Block Recognizer are similar to
Graffiti and require specialized alphabets. By contrast, Transcriber recognizes your "regular"
handwriting, as long as you write legibly. It is similar to the handwriting recognition capabilities
found on Tablet PCs.

If you can't get the hang of PDA handwriting, you can use a miniature onscreen keyboard. It
looks just like a regular keyboard, except you tap on the letters with the stylus. In addition, many
devices now include a small (and usually cramped) QWERTY keyboard. Some of these require
you to use your thumbs to type. And you can use a full-size keyboard by connecting it to the
PDA via Bluetooth or a USB port. Each model also has a few buttons and navigation dials to
bring up applications and scroll through files
The Future of PDAs
Traditional PDAs appear to be less popular than they have been in the past. Several
manufacturers have exited the PDA market, including Sony and Toshiba. Sales of traditional
PDAs have declined in recent years, according to IDC's Worldwide Handheld QView press
release dated February 2, 2005.

For the future, PDAs need to continue to add to their core PIM functions in order to survive. The
emergence and gaining popularity of smart phones and devices that combine other features such
as wireless Internet, GPS and multimedia capabilities seem to back this trend.

PDA Software
Most PDAs come with a sync program that synchronizes and updates information on both your
computer and your PDA. Microsoft Pocket PCs use software called ActiveSync; Palm OS
products use HotSync; and BlackBerry has Desktop Software.
 © Photographer: Elena Elisseesa | Agency: Dreamstime
PDA software programs let professionals
in a number of industries work remotely.

For all PDAs, the process of downloading and installing new software is more or less the same:

1. Download the software file onto your computer's desktop.

2. Connect your PDA to your computer, either through a cradle or directly into a USB port.
3. Run your sync software: press a button on your PDA, a button on the cradle, or open the
sync program on your computer.
4. On your desktop, double click on the downloaded file you want to install on your PDA.
5. The software will open an installation wizard that'll walk you through the process.
PDAs have always been an essential tool for the busy executive. Today's PDA software allows
professionals to say organized as well as connected. They can work no matter where they are.

Most PDAs come standard with an office application suite (word processor, spreadsheet, etc.), a
Web browser and an e-mail program. Traveling executives can open e-mail attachments with
their PDA, edit documents and send them back to associates while on the road.

Now that most PDAs have Internet connectivity, PDA software applications allow access to real-
time online data.

Some of the professionals using PDA software applications are:

 Travelers
 Shipping managers
 Salesmen and real estate agents
 Doctors and nurses
 Lawyers
 Police officers databases

But PDAs aren't used just for business. The same software can be used to download and play
games like chess, Sudoku and backgammon.

There's also PDA software that allows you to record DVDs for playback on your handheld
device, and other programs that turn your PDA into a portable photo album, MP3 player or
eBook read So, if you use your PDA for business or pleasure, just remember that there's software
working behind the scenes to make it all possible.

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conclusion
Advances in hardware and software have made PDAs capable of storing, accessing, retrieving, and
sharing data, and their use is becoming increasingly evident in the health care field. Recent articles show
radiology users are using PDAs not only as their walking library but also as a portable tool for patient
data and image management [1-4]. In this article, I describe a use for the PDA that will further increase
its value and efficiency in daily academic and teaching activities.