personal digital assistants. what is it? 4 small basic handheld programmable computer ~...
TRANSCRIPT
Personal Digital Assistants
What is it?
Small basic handheld programmable computer ~ 3x5x3/4" in size, light weight (4-8 oz), battery operated.
Screen resolution = 160x160 pixels, more on new models. Prices range from ~ $125 - $1000
OS includes Calendar (Date Book), Address Book, To-Do List,
Memo Pad & Calculator functions. Palm Pilot 1st really successful model. Came into it's own with the Palm III series. Thousands of programs available from mfgr's & 3rd parties
(usually cheap $5 - $30, specialized programs can be much more).
Why?
Small, convenient, easy to use, easy to update and
edit (using graffiti or a built-in keyboard).
More convenient than a “DayTimer” Notebook.
Internet Connection via Modem, Wireless or PC Conduit.
Who Uses One? Anybody who has a need for the basic apps.
Real estate agents, insurance agents, Dr's, nurses, med students, salesmen, military, engineers, students, teachers, administrators, IT professionals, travelers, writers, lawyers, law enforcement, etc.
Inventory, kitchen , e-books, sports.
In short, anyone who has a need to carry information in a convenient form that’s easy to use, small, lightweight and easy to update.
E-Books
Manufacturers
Palm Pilot 1000 - 1st really successful device (1996)
Palm III and clones - IBM, Symbol, QualComm, TRG (1998) Handspring - Licensed Palm OS and added “SpringBoard” slot.
(1999) HP/Compaq - Uses “Pocket PC” Windows OS Sharp - Uses LINUX OS (2002) Sony Toshiba RIM Others
Operating System
Palm OS - 3.x, 4.x, 5.x - Works well and efficiently with small handheld devices.
Pocket PC Windows CE - Resource and power hungry.
Embedded LINUX OS - Unix operating system.
Power
AAA Batteries - 2-6 weeks depending on usage.
Rechargeable Batteries - 1-3 weeks.
Cradle recharge for rechargeable models.
Battery Life - Palm 2-6 weeks, Windows <= 1 week.
Hot Syncing - PDA <=> PC
PC HotSync via: Serial cradle.
USB cradle (much faster)
IR
Beaming - PDA <=> PDA, can transfer programs and files over short distances.
Features
Gray Scale/Color. Memory (0.5, 1, 2, 8, 16, 64 MB). Resolution (160x160, 320x240 pixels). Programmable buttons Expansion - Memory/Accessories. Thumb boards - on some newer models.
Expansion Accessories
Memory/Backup Modules
Digital Camera GPS Cell Phone FAX Modem Games
Rechargers Sync cables Carrying Cases Stylus Keyboards
Standard Applications
Calendar (DateBook)
Address Book To-Do List Memo Notepad (4k
limit) Expenses Calculator
Graffiti Mail Preferences Security Sync CityTime Games
Freeware Applications
AvantGo - News & Info prog, requires internet connection
HandyShopper - DataBase BigClock - Clock/Timer EasyCalc - Programmable Calculator DateWheel - Date Calculator Currency - Currency Converter Progect - Outliner RiseSet - Sun/Moon Rise/Set Diddle - Sketching Program
Shareware Applications
CplxCalPro - Programmable graphing calculator FireViewer - Image Viewer Launch'em - File Organizer/Launcher Planetarium Mapopolis - Map Program SmartDoc - Doc Reader TealPaint - Paint Program PocketC - Programming Language HotPaw Basic - Programming Language
Commercial Applications
Backup Buddy - Backs up everything to PC WordSmith - Text Editor MiniCalc - SpreadSheet HanDBase - DataBase MobileDB - DataBase ThinkDB - DataBase TealInfo - DataBase
Hacks - OS Extensions
Xmaster/ HackMaster - Hack interface program, needed to manage and run hacks (OS Extensions)
AsciiHack SymbolHack MultiClipHack SwitchHack PopUpNames Phlegm Hack Many Others
Available
PC Desktop Palm Software
Desktop Software Does:
Calendar Address Book Memo NotePad To-Do Expenses
Some Palm apps have special “sync conduits”.
Palm OS Emulator runs on PC and allows you to try programs without first installing on your PDA.
Software Sources
Manufacturers - (Palm, Handspring, etc)
PalmGear - http://www.palmgear.com/ Handango - http://www.handango.com/ PalmOpenSource - http://www.palmopensource.com/ VersionTracker - http://www.versiontracker.com/palmos/ FreeWarePalm - http://www.freewarepalm.com/
Memoware - http://www.memoware.com/ - E-Books & Reference Material
Other Resources
Palm - http://www.palm.com/ Handspring - http://www.handspring.com/ Sharp - http://www.myzaurus.com/ PalmInfoCenter - http://www.palminfocenter.com/ PalmZone - http://www.palmzone.net/ PalmBoulevard - http://www.palmblvd.com/ PDAStreet - http://www.pdastreet.com/ PalmLoyal - http://www.palmloyal.com/ PalmTipSheet - http://www.palmtipsheet.com/
ZDNetShopper - http://zdnetshopper.cnet.com/shopping/0-11013-1410-0-0.html&cobrand=29 - Palm device comparison pages
What’s Next?
Always on, always connected, multipurpose palm size device that does palm-like apps, cell phone, pager, text messaging, e-mail, digital camera, gps, mp3 player, web browser, etc & costs <= $999.99.
