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Handheld Computers
 What is a handheld computer?
Any small, mobile device that provides computing and information storage and
retrieval, and that can be easily carried and used, can be called a handheld computer.
Often such devices are referred to as
personal digital assistants or PDAs. Handheld computers are generally small enough to fit
into the palm of the hand and can be carried comfortably in a jacket pocket. Currently,
the majority of handheld computers on the market are tablet designs and are operated via
a stylus and touch screen, rather than a keyboard. Some handheld computers are
clamshell designs that include keyboards and resemble very small portable computers,
but there are far fewer of these on the market at present. Handheld computers vary
considerably in their specifications and performance. Currently, all are most
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commonly used as secondary devices to augment rather than replace primary computing
devices
such as portables and desktops. Handheld computers are generally connected to a
portable or
desktop computer via a cable and/or docking station to synchronise information such as
e-mails,
calendars and contacts lists between the two devices, allowing the user to carry this
information
around with them in a small, convenient device. The most basic handheld computers are
designed for personal information management (PIM) applications, enabling users to
keep calendars, task lists and addresses handy. More sophisticated devices offer
applications and tools such as word processors and spreadsheets. Some handheld
computers can provide access to e-mail and the Internet via a connection
to either a local area network or an internet service provider. Wireless technologies are
increasing the ways in which handheld computers can be used. Infrared connectivity is
now practically a standard feature on handhelds, and Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless
LAN connectivity are becoming increasingly common too. Multiple versions of some
devices are now available (for example, the Toshiba e740 Pocket PC is available in two
versions, one with Bluetooth and the other with 802.11b connectivity), whilst some
devices now offer more than one wireless connectivity option as standard. GSM and
GPRS connectivity
are increasingly being supported too. A number of handheld computers(such as 02’s
XDA, Handspring’s
Treo and Palm’s Tungsten W) offer phone functionality as well as email and internet
access, alongside conventional PDA features. At the same time, a number of mobile
phones offer some computing or data functionality, making the distinction between
phone- and datacentric handheld devices ever more difficult to draw. Two examples of
this type of device are the Orange SPV E100, which runs Microsoft’s Smartphone
operating system, and SonyEricsson’s P800, which runs the Symbian operating system.
These devices offer features and functionality over and above those typically offered by
mobile phones, such as diaries, to do lists, contacts managers and web browsing. Several
location-based systems now employ handheld computers in conjunction with small global
positioning system (GPS) receivers, often in the form of jackets that attach to the device.
The smallest portable computers (often called ultraportables) are now almost as small as
handheld computers.

For example:
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1. kits (including the GPS receiver, mapping software and mounting brackets) are
available for
a number of handhelds (both Palm OS and Pocket PC models) to enable them to be used
as in-car
navigation systems. , JVC’s MP-XP7230GB MiniNote PC includes a 933MHz Pentium
III-M processor,
256MB of RAM and a 30GB hard drive. It weighs around 1.2kg and measures
approximately
6” x 9” x 1” with a screen size of 8.9”.
2. A way to differentiate this class of device from handheld computers is on the basis
of operating
systems (OSs). Ultraportable computers run a full portable/desktop OS (such as Windows
XP) rather than OSs and applications designed specifically for handheld computers (such
as Pocket PC or Palm OS). Ultraportables are more similar in performance, specification
and price to portable than to handheld computers; indeed, the smallest and lightest
ultraportables are generally amongst the most expensive portable computers available.
For more information on portable computers, see the ICT Advice web site:
How to purchase a portable computerThis technical paper focuses on handheld computers
that have been primarily designed for computing purposes (such as Pocket PCs and Palm
devices), rather than phone-centric handheld and ultraportable computers

 Where and how can handheld computers be used in education?

Handheld computers allow immediate deployment – their instant start-up
provides less of an
interruption to the flow of learning and facilitates flexible distribution of computing
resources around a
school for routine computing tasks. Many handheld computers include applications such
as word processors and spreadsheets that can support a range of activities in a variety of
locations in and around the school. Their easy portability, instant start-up capability and
long battery life means they can be deployed quickly and easily within a class with
minimal disruption. Handheld computers can therefore be a useful and cost-effective
addition to ICT resources. In some instances, certain tasks may even be better suited to a
handheld computer than a portable or desktop.

 Examples of how handheld computers can be useful within an educational setting

include:
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1. recording and processing information during a lesson, where moving to a PC

would be
disruptive or is not possible or practical. Handheld computers can be used to provide a
large
number of pupils with easy access to computing.
2. inputting data and automated data gathering – for example, during a science
experiment,
regardless of where the work is taking place, indoors or outdoors. Datalogging equipment
developed specifically for use with handheld computers is available. GPS (Global
Positioning
System) peripherals and tools are also available for handheld computers.
3. manipulating and interpreting text and shared writing, where text files can be
moved easily
between handheld computers to allow children to work on the same piece of text.
Handheld
computers can also be passed between pupils easily.
4. working on individual pieces of work seated in a group around a table. Handheld
computers
support face-to-face interactions that would be interrupted by sitting in front of a desktop
computer.

 What are the advantages and disadvantages of handheld computers?

 Advantage:
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Handheld computers have a number of key advantages when used in an educational

environment:
1. They are all small and lightweight and can therefore be used anywhere inside
or outside the
school. They can easily be used on pupils' desks, taking up little desk space.
2. Unlike desktop and portable computers, handheld computers take seconds to
boot up
(‘instant on’). They save your work when you switch off and continue where you left off
the
next time you switch on.
3. They have a very long battery life, extending to a full school day of use. This
is not currently
possible with portable computers, which typically have a maximum battery life of 3-4
hours.
4. Many (but not all) handheld computers are significantly lower in cost than
desktops or
portables.
General (rather than specific to educational use) disadvantages of handheld computers
include:
5. Their functionality is limited compared with more powerful devices such as
portable and
desktop computers. Handheld computers are best used to augment rather than replace
portables or desktops. Small screen-size is a particular problem that limits usability.
6. They have limited potential for expansion and upgrade. The fast-moving
nature of the
handheld computer marketplace means that devices can date extremely quickly.
7. Connectivity and interoperability options for handheld devices are limited at
present. Also,
new forms of mobile connectivity (such as GPRS) can be prohibitively expensive,
although
costs are likely to decrease over time.
8. Connectivity and interoperability options for handheld devices are limited at
present. Also,
new forms of mobile connectivity (such as GPRS) can be prohibitively expensive,
although
costs are likely to decrease over time.
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9. A personal digital assistant ( PDA ) allows you to efficiently access, organize,

collect, store, and process various kinds of information, and work with it on
the run. It is small in size, like a pocket calculator or a pocket address book.
Being a hand-held electronic device, it is designed to fit your palm as easily as
your pocket. Unlike an ordinary computer,.
10.Yet, a handheld PDA is much smarter than most pocket electronic devices and
time management tools. It is a computer with a powerful processor and quite a
large chunk of memory, like 8-128 Mb. A PDA allows you to run any of
thousands of various kinds of software applications currently available for it.
11.You can easily communicate with a PDA via its oversized interactive screen
area, its special pen (the stylus) for touching that screen, and support of a few
extra buttons at its bottom. A PDA often can recognize your hand writing.
12. Basic functionality of a PDA is to store and retrieve phone numbers and
addresses, maintain a to do list and a calendar. It is also a memo pad for taking
notes at meetings, as well as for capturing ideas, observations, and personal
comments.
13.There are two main features that put a hand-held PDA much above a basic
personal organizer. One is its ability to be connected and communicate with
many other electronic devices, like a PC or digital camera. The other is the
extensive abilities of the pda software. Together with the third, the "always
with you" feature, all this combines into a powerful and versatile personal
assistant.
14.So, the first important point is that you can connect a PDA to other electronic
devices, though sometimes it may require additional PDA accessories. That
allows you to work with a larger variety of data, much beyond of what you
can just type in into a basic personal organizer. In particular, many PDAs can
be connected to your PC for a data or file exchange. You can add the
information you've collected with a PDA to some central database or to a
report that you do on your PC. You can also get more information into your
PDA from your PC, for example, from internet downloads (e-books or
newspaper files) or other files. Another common situation is to get into your
PDA images from your digital camera.
15.It is also important that two PDAs can talk directly to each other via infrared
signals ("beaming"), which allows an easy exchange of information, for
example, exchange of business cards, without typing anything in. This is
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particularly convenient when working in a team. For example, if one of the

team members has collected certain important data and made updates for
himself or herself, those updates can be distributed among all team members
via beaming. This is one of the reasons why many business owners buy PDAs
for their employees.
16. As for PDA software applications, they include word processing,
spreadsheets, games, money management, weight or fitness monitoring,
electronic book reading programs, street map PDA software, bible software, a
Power Point presenter and many more. Some for general users, some for more
specialized professional groups, like car salespeople, real estate agents,
medical doctors, or lawyers. Some PDAs allow e-mail and internet access,
while on many others you can prepare e-mails on a PDA but send them later,
when you connect to your PC. Some of that software may already be installed
on your PDA when you by it. Often you need to buy or download it from the
internet, sometimes for free.
17.Note that, in combination, all those possibilities of exchanging information
and keeping electronic files and software on your PDA greatly reduce the
amount of paper (document and reference printouts, various notes) you need
to shuffle and carry around.
18.What about security concerns? With a PDA you can do a regular backup of
your PDA held data onto your PC. So, security-wise, a PDA still beats paper
systems.

Disadvantage:
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-:Disadvantages:-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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1. cluncky, difficult to carry or put in pocket.

2. need to constantly recharge - must travel with recharging cord or cradle.

3. most PDAs have incompatable formats for transferring information between unlike
brands.

4. easily broken if dropped.

5. screens easily scratched if used a lot.

6. limited video playback capability - no Flash support.

7. cameras don't zoom or have flash.

8. be addicitive (i've checked my blackberry 3 times since starting this list).

9. multi-tasking can cause accidents - texting while driving or walking or biking!

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Typical features
Currently, a typical PDA has a touch screen for entering data, a memory card slot for data
storage and at least one of the following for connectivity: IrDA, Bluetooth and/or WiFi.
However, many PDAs (typically those used primarily as telephones) may not have a
touch screen, using soft keys, a directional pad and either the numeric keypad or a thumb
keyboard for input.

Software typically required to be a PDA includes an appointment calendar, a to-do list, an

address book for contacts and some sort of note program. Connected PDAs also typically
include E-mail and Web support.

Touch screen
Many original PDAs, such as the Apple Newton and the Palm Pilot,
featured touch screens for user interaction, having only a few buttons
usually reserved for shortcuts to often used programs. Touch screen
PDAs, including Windows Pocket PC devices, usually have a detachable
stylus that can be used on the touch screen. Interaction is then done by
tapping the screen to activate buttons or menu choices, and dragging the
stylus to, for example, highlight. Text input is usually done in one of two
ways:

I. Using a virtual keyboard, where a keyboard is shown on the touch screen.

Input is done by tapping the letters.
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II. Using letter or word recognition, where letters or words are written on the
touch screen, and then "translated" to letters in the currently activated text
field. Despite rigorous research and development projects, end-users
experience mixed results with this input method, with some finding it
frustrating and inaccurate, while others are satisfied with the quality.[1]
Recognition and computation of handwritten horizontal and vertical
formulas such as "1 + 2 =" was also under development.

PDAs for business use, including the BlackBerry and Treo, have full keyboards
and scroll wheels or thumb wheels to facilitate data entry and navigation, in
addition to supporting touch-screen input. There are also full-size foldable
keyboards available that plug directly, or use wireless technology to interface
with the PDA and allow for normal typing. BlackBerry also has additional
functionality as push based email and applications.

Newer PDAs, such as the Apple iPhone include new user interfaces using other
means of input. The iPhone uses a technology called Multi-touch.

Memory cards
 Although many early PDAs did not have memory card slots, now most have either
an SD (Secure Digital) and/or a Compact Flash slot. Although originally designed
for memory, SDIO and Compact Flash cards are available for such things as Wi-Fi
and Webcams. Some PDAs also have a USB port, mainly for USB flash drives.

As more PDAs include telephone support, to keep the size down, many now offer
miniSD or microSD slots instead of full-sized SD slots.

Wired connectivity
 While many earlier PDAs connected via serial ports or other proprietary format,
many today connect via USB cable. This served primarily to connect to a
computer, and few, if any PDAs were able to connect to each other out of the box
using cables, as USB requires one machine to act as a host - functionality which
was not often planned. Some PDAs were able to connect to the internet, either by
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means of one of these cables, or by using an extension card with an Ethernet

port/RJ-45 adaptor.

Wireless connectivity
 Most modern PDAs have Bluetooth wireless connectivity, an increasingly popular
tool for mobile devices. It can be used to connect keyboards, headsets, GPS and
many other accessories, as well as sending files between PDAs. Many mid-range
and superior PDAs have Wi-Fi/WLAN/802.11-connectivity, used for connecting to
Wi-Fi hotspots or wireless networks. Older PDAs predominantly have an IrDA
(infrared) port; however fewer current models have the technology, as it is slowly
being phased out due to support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. IrDA allows
communication between two PDAs: a PDA and any device with an IrDA port or
adapter. Most universal PDA keyboards use infrared technology because many
older PDAs have it, and infrared technology is low-cost.

Synchronization
A. An important function of PDAs is synchronizing data with a PC. This allows up-
to-date contact information stored on software such as Microsoft Outlook or ACT!
to update the database on the PDA. The data synchronization ensures that the PDA
has an accurate list of contacts, appointments and e-mail, allowing users to access
the same information on the PDA as the host computer.
B. The synchronizing also prevents the loss of information stored on the device in
case it is lost, stolen, or destroyed. Another advantage is that data input is usually a
lot quicker on a PC, since text input via a touch screen is still not quite optimal.
Transferring data to a PDA via the computer is therefore a lot quicker than having
to manually input all data on the handheld device.
C. Most PDAs come with the ability to synchronize to a PC. This is done through
synchronization software provided with the handheld, such as HotSync Manager,
which comes with Palm OS handhelds, Microsoft ActiveSync for older versions of
Windows or Windows Mobile Device Center on Windows Vista, which comes
with Windows Mobile handhelds.
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D. These programs allow the PDA to be synchronized with a Personal information

manager. This personal information manager may be an outside program or a
proprietary program. For example, the BlackBerry PDA comes with the Desktop
Manager 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 Palms such as the
Treo 650 has the built-in ability to sync to Palm Desktop and/or Microsoft
Outlook, while Microsoft's ActiveSync and Windows Mobile Device Center only
synchronize with Microsoft Outlook or a Microsoft Exchange server.
E. Third-party synchronization software is also available for many PDAs from
companies like Intellisync and Companion Link. This software synchronizes these
handhelds to other personal information managers which are not supported by the
PDA manufacturers, such as GoldMine and Lotus Notes.

Customization
 As with personal computers, it is possible to install additional software on most
PDAs. Software can be bought or downloaded from the Internet, allowing users to
personalize their PDAs to their liking. An example of this would be the display
theme for the PDA. Almost all PDAs also allow for adding some form of
hardware. The most common is a memory card slot, which allows the users to get
additional and exchangeable storage space on their handheld devices. There are
also miniature keyboards that can be connected to most mainstream PDAs for
quicker text input. PDAs with Bluetooth use Bluetooth-enabled devices like
headsets, mice and (possibly foldable) keyboards.

 What types of handheld computer are there?

 There is a variety of sizes and shapes of handheld computer on the market
designed for different
kinds of use. Handheld computers are most usefully categorised in two ways:
I. By appearance/form factor
II. By operating system (OS) and functionality.
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1. Appearance/form factor:
2. Tablet designs:
3. Clamshell designs:
4. Different input mechanisms:
5. Handwriting recognition:
6. Processors:
7. Memory:
8. Wireless connectivity:
9. Expansion slots:
10.Battery types:
11.Displays:
12.Cameras:
13.Operating systems (OSs) and functionality Palm OS:
14.Windows Mobile:

Appearance/form factor:
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Handheld devices vary significantly in physical appearance or form factor. The most
obvious division
is between tablet and clamshell designs.

Tablet designs:
Tablets, also sometimes referred to as slates, tend to be small in size. They are based
around a small
screen that fits into the palm of the hand, generally with no integral keyboard. Some
tablet design
handhelds (such as Palm’s Tungsten C, Sony’s PEGTG50 Clié and RIM’s Blackberry
7230) include
integral mini-keyboards. The displays of tablet devices are touch-sensitive and the user
selects icons
and enters text using a stylus. Text is entered either using a handwriting recognition
system, an
integral mini-keyboard or a ‘soft keyboard’ that can be called up on the device’s screen.
Users select
characters from this with the stylus in the same way as they would type on a conventional
keyboard.
Fold-away or portable keyboards (from accessory manufacturers such as Targus) that can
be
attached to tablet devices to make it easier to input text are available for many models.
NB: Tablet design handheld computers should not be confused with Tablet PCs. These
are much
larger devices (around A4 size) and offer the performance and specification of a portable
computer in
a tablet form factor. They are intended to provide a more natural way of interacting with
a computer
akin to using a pen and paper and employ Microsoft’s Windows XP Tablet PC Edition as
the OS.

Clamshell designs:
Clamshell devices fold open and shut and usually include miniature versions of
conventional
keyboards and screens. In the past clamshell design handhelds have ranged in size from
pocketsized
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devices to sub-notebook designs that more closely resembled portable PCs, but at the
time of
writing (August 2003) there are very few clamshell design handhelds on the market.

Different input mechanisms:

The need for small size and portability necessitates alternative, less bulky data-entry
devices and
methods. Different devices employ different input mechanisms (such as a stylus,
keyboard or phone
keypad). These strongly influence the ways in which the device can be used. With a
tablet device,
accessing and browsing data using a stylus is quite convenient, but text and data entry
(content
creation) is not. A keyboard is the most practical mechanism to enter larger amounts of
text, but
obviously has implications on device size and portability. Integral mini-keyboards
provide a
compromise between size and convenience, but are still best suited to entering shorter
amounts of
text.

Handwriting recognition:
Handwriting recognition software enables users to enter text by ‘writing’ on the device
instead of using
a keyboard. The user writes on the pressure-sensitive screen of the device using a stylus
and the
software recognises characters from the pen strokes. Palm-based organisers use Graffiti, a
shorthand
alphabet that is relatively easy to use but takes time to learn. Other handheld devices use
similar
systems or attempt to recognise users’ natural handwriting.

Processors:
Handheld device processors are designed to provide high performance and long battery
life within the
constraints of a small device. Palm OS devices generally include slower processors than
Pocket PCs.
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However, it should not be inferred from this that Palm OS devices offer inferior
performance than
Pocket PCs, as Palm OS requires less processing power to run than the Pocket PC OS. At
the time of
writing (August 2003), many new Pocket PCs running Pocket PC 2003 feature Intel’s
400MHz XScale
PXA255 processor. Devices running Palm OS (such as Sony’s Clié range and Palm’s
own range of
handhelds) currently employ a variety of different processors, including (in increasing
order of price
and speed) Motorola DragonBall, Texas Instrument OMAP and Intel XScale processors.
Sony’s
forthcoming UX-40 and UX-50 clamshell design Cliés are expected to feature Sony’s
own processor.

Memory:
Handheld devices include a small amount of read-only memory (ROM) where critical
programs such
as the OS are stored. The amount of ROM on a handheld PC is measured in megabytes
(MB). Some
handheld devices, but not all, have upgradeable ROM, enabling users to upgrade to new
versions of
the OS as they become available. Handheld computers also have varying amounts of
RAM, which
affects the amount of data and applications that can be stored on the device. Pocket PC
devices tend
to include larger amounts of RAM than Palm OS devices, but this is in part due to the
fact that Pocket
PC applications tend to require more memory to run.

Wireless connectivity:
An increasing number of handheld devices are available with one or more wireless
connectivity
options, typically infrared, Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN. HP’s H5450 and
H5550 iPAQ
Pocket PCs feature all three. Infrared connectivity is short range, requires line of sight
and is included
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on the majority of handheld computers. It is typically used to exchange business cards

between
handheld PCs or to connect to a mobile phone. Bluetooth is also short range and can be
used for
similar purposes but does not require line of sight, while 802.11b allows handhelds to be
connected to
wireless LANs such as corporate networks or public hotspots.

Expansion slots:
Some handheld devices have expansion slots that can accept certain types of card such as
CompactFlash, MMC (MultiMedia Card) or Sony's Memory Stick. Depending on the
type, these slots
may be used for additional storage or to attach peripherals such as modems, wired and
wireless
network adapters or GPS devices. Some devices have no slots built into the body of the
device but
expansion jackets that include them are available as accessories.

Battery types:
Some handheld devices use standard, disposable alkaline batteries while others have
built-in
rechargeable batteries that are recharged either using the docking cradle or directly with
an AC
adapter. Battery life can have a major impact on the usefulness of a handheld device.

Displays:
Pocket PCs feature colour displays. Some Palm devices employ greyscale displays while
others are
colour. Colour displays tend to add to the cost of devices and can also have an impact on
battery life.

Cameras:
 The inclusion of a camera in handheld devices is becoming increasingly common,
particularly in
mobile phones, where image capture and exchange is seen as a key driver for
take-up of 3G
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mobileservices. In the handheld computer arena, Palm’s Zire 71 and a number of

Sony’s Clié
models include integral digital cameras. The camera included with Sony’s
PEGNZ90 provides a
resolution of2 megapixels, comparable with entry level digital still cameras.

Operating systems (OSs) and functionality:

 Another way to categorise handheld devices is through the different operating
systems they
employ the functionality they offer. While handheld OSs perform similar functions
to the
and OSs of their larger desktop and portable counterparts, handheld devices have
a very
different set of requirements. Handheld OSs must be compact so as not to take up
valuable
memory and must consume as little power as possible to preserve battery life, but
ideally, they
should still provide a rich set of functionality. They must also be able to
synchronise with other
devices (normally desktop computers) in order to share and update personal
information
management data such as contacts and task lists. There is also an increasing need
for them to
support new types of voice and data communications, including emerging
wireless standards.
A wide variety of applications are available for handheld devices. Most are
supplied with ‘lite’
versions of desktop applications, such as word processors and spreadsheets,
which offer
compatibility with and conversion between office applications. Numerous third-
party software
and conversion between office applications. Numerous third-party software and
applications
are also available, ranging from utilities and communications to games and
reference resources.
Web browsing and e-mail are also possible using handheld devices. For example,
Pocket PCs are
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supplied with Pocket Internet Explorer. The two most widely used OSs for
handheld devices are
Palm OS and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile suite of OSs.

Palm OS:
I. Palm OS was designed specifically for use with tablet-design handheld devices.
The current release is version 5. Palm OS’s built-in software suite includes a
calendar, address book, alarm clock, memo pad, calculator and email tools, and
includes software to read and edit Microsoft Office files.
II. GSM, 802.11b and Bluetooth wireless network connectivity are all supported. Both
Palm’s Tungsten W and Handspring’s Treo run Palm OS and include phone
functionality. There are lots of third-party developed applications available for
Palm OS devices, including many applications beyond personal information
management (PIM) tools. Palm OS devices tend to be less costly than Windows
Mobile based devices such as Pocket PCs. However, high-end Palm OS devices
are
comparable with Pocket PCs in price. Devices running Palm OS include Palm’s
own range of
devices, Acer’s S60 handheld and Sony’s Clié range.

Windows Mobile:
I. Windows Mobile is the new name for Microsoft’s suite of OSs for small form-factor
mobile devices.
Windows Mobile is currently available in three versions optimised for three different
classes of device:
I. Pocket PC 2003, Pocket PC Phone Edition and Smartphone.
II. Pocket PC 2003 has a look and feel (icons, menus) similar to its full OS
counterparts and includes
scaled-down versions of Microsoft Office applications such as Pocket Word and
Pocket Excel, as well as calendar, email, contacts and task managing applications
that can be synchronised with
information held on PCs. It also includes a version of Internet Explorer optimised
for handheld
computers.
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III. Pocket PC 2003 offers a number of improvements over previous versions,

particularly in the areas of wireless connectivity and multimedia. It offers “zero
configuration” WLAN connectivity, in that a suitably equipped device running
Pocket PC 2003 will automatically detect and link to a wireless network. Bluetooth
support is also improved. Pocket PC 2003 also includes Windows Media Player9
and a digital imaging and editing application called Pictures. There are also a
number of features aimed at business users, such as support for the latest wireless
LAN security standards and the inclusion of a virtual private network (VPN) client
to allow secure connections to corporate networks.
IV. Pocket PC Phone Edition is used on Pocket PCs that include phone functionality,
such as 02’s XDA,
which includes GSM and GPRS connectivity for voice and data, as well as
standard Pocket PC
functionality. Pocket PC Phone Edition should not be confused with Microsoft’s
Smartphone OS,
which is for use with devices that are designed primarily as mobile phones but
which also offer
additional functionality such as web browsing and email facilities. It is optimised
for one-handed
navigation and the smaller displays available on such devices, and includes a diary,
to do list
manager, contact book, a version of Internet Explorer, inbox (which integrates
email and SMS
messages), voice notes manager, Windows Media Player, and a calculator. At the
time of writing
(August 2003) the only device available in the UK running Microsoft’s
Smartphone OS is Orange’s
SPV E100.

 What are the standards issues relating to handheld computers?

Aside from the different operating systems described above, there are no major standards
issues to
be aware of in relation to handheld computers. Two factors to consider are the type of
removable
media/expansion cards that devices employ and the proliferation of wireless standards
relating to
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handheld devices. Purchasers should be aware that some removable media (such as
CompactFlash cards) are used by a variety of manufacturers in a wide range of devices
such as cameras and MP3
players as well as handheld computers. If you are already using devices that use a
particular type of memory or expansion card, you may wish to ensure that the handheld
devices you purchase employ the same type. Also, note that some types of removable
memory cards are proprietary and are used across a
single manufacturer’s product range. An example is Sony’s Memory Stick, which is used
in its Clié
range of handhelds as well as its Vaio range of desktop and laptop computers and digital
still and
video cameras. Removable memory cards can be expensive (especially larger capacity
cards offering
128Mb and above), but recently prices have dropped considerably. Two forms of wireless
connectivity that are particularly relevant to handhelds are Bluetooth and802.11 wireless
LAN. Bluetooth is primarily used as a wireless replacement for a cable to connect a
handheld, mobile phone, MP3 player, printer, keyboard, mouse or digital camera to a PC
or to each other, while IEEE 802.11 supports greater distances (typically up to 100 metres
depending on the local environment) and is typically used to connect devices to a
building’s wireless LAN. Bluetooth offers speeds of up to 780 Kbps; considerably slower
than the various 802.11 standards, however Bluetooth chips are considerably cheaper and
have lower power requirements. Bluetooth and wireless LAN expansion cards are
available for handhelds, and an increasing number of devices include at least one wireless
connectivity option as standard.

 What issues should I consider when buying handheld computers?

1. What do you want to use it for? Be realistic about the capabilities of current
handhelds.
Remember that in most instances handhelds are used as adjuncts to rather than
replacements for desktop and portable computers.
2. Does it run the applications you want to use? Does it support versions of
standard
22

applications with which you’re already familiar or new ones that you’ll have to learn
how to
use?
3. How big and readable is the screen?
4. What data input technology does it use? Is it appropriate for your needs? Will it
support easy
entry of lengthy amounts of text? How useable is the handwriting recognition
software? Is
there a suitable portable keyboard available for the model you are considering?
5. Are sufficient levels of processor power, memory storage and battery life
included?
6. Is connecting and synchronising with a desktop computer or other device
straightforward?
7. Does the device provide the connectivity you require, either to your
desktop/portable
computer, to your local area network or directly to the Internet?
8. Is the device small and light enough to carry easily?
9. Is the cost within your budget? Currently, Palm devices (including Palm’s
own range,
Handspring’s Visors and Sony’s Cliés) range in price from around £100 to £400. In
comparison, Pocket PCs range from around £200 to £600, depending on
specification.

 What are the implementation issues for handheld computers?

It is important to be clear and realistic about the tasks and types of use for
which handheld computers are appropriate and those for which they are not. As
discussed earlier, some tasks may in fact be better suited to a handheld rather than a
portable or desktop. However, while handheld computers offer many advantages, they
are likely to continue to be used as adjuncts to primary computing devices (such as a
portable or desktop computers) rather than as primary computing devices in their own
right for some time yet.
Many analysts predict that wireless connectivity for handheld devices will
flourish, however
developments may be impeded by several factors, including the fragmentation of
wireless data
services around competing technologies, low speed of existing networks compared to
wired data
23

connections, and the cost of new wireless services. It should be remembered that
wireless
connectivity for handheld devices is still in its infancy and many people’s
expectations for both
devices and services, especially in relation to web browsing, are far ahead of the
current reality. That
said, this is an extremely dynamic and fast-moving area, and new technologies such as
3G are
bringing exciting new possibilities.
The most important implementation issue for handheld devices is recognising the
different
connectivity options they offer. Handheld devices used in isolation are limited in
scope; when
connected to additional devices, networks or services they become much more
powerful.
There are three different connectivity options for handheld devices:

1. Synchronising with a desktop or portable computer:

This will most likely be the user’s primary computing device, probably connected
to a local area
network. Rather than being used in isolation, the handheld device forms an adjunct to this
machine,
allowing the user to synchronise and carry important information with them. Handhelds
are normally
supplied with synchronisation software (ActiveSync in the case of Pocket PCs, HotSync
in the case of
Palm devices). Services such as AvantGo and mobile favourites enable the
synchronisation of web
content. Specified web pages and content (‘channels’ in the case of AvantGo) are
accessed via the
primary computer’s internet connection and downloaded to the handheld for viewing on
the move.
They are updated each time the user synchronises the handheld with his or her computer.

This type of connectivity can be achieved via:

• Interfaces:
All handheld devices have at least one of two types of interfaces for making a
physical connection with a host PC to synchronise data and upload programs: serial or
Universal Serial Bus (USB). Serial connection is an older, slower standard. USB is more
24

recent and supports faster transfer of files and applications, and is now much more
common
than serial connections.
• Docking cradles:
Some handheld devices include a cradle into which the device is inserted
to synchronise data and upload programs from the host PC and/or recharge the batteries.
The cradle remains connected to the host PC when the device is removed. More basic
models only include a data cable, not a full cradle.
• Infrared connectivity:
Many handheld devices include an infrared port (often called an IrDA
port) that can also be used to synchronise data with a host PC or to exchange data with
other
devices. Devices must be within a few feet of each other with a clear line of sight
between
them for this to work.
• Wireless:
A number handhelds (including both Pocket PC and Palm OS models) now
include
built-in wireless connectivity via IEEE 802.11b or Bluetooth technology.

Connecting to a local area network (LAN):

In this instance, the handheld device is connected to a local area network as a client
in its own right,
allowing access to networked resources and facilities. (Note that ways of achieving this
vary and not
all devices currently support this kind of connectivity.) For example, Pocket PC 2003
includes
Terminal Services Client, allowing Pocket PCs to be used as thin clients when connected
to Microsoft
server products over both wired and wireless LANs and dial-up connections. Handheld
devices tend
not to support LAN connectivity in their own right, however CompactFlash and
PCMCIA (PC) network
interface cards (NICs) for wireless and wired local area networks are available that can
be used with
some handheld devices. If this kind of networking is a priority, make sure that suitable
cards and
25

accessories are available for the handheld devices you want to network. It is also worth
noting here
that such cards can take a heavy toll on the battery life of devices.

Connecting directly to the Internet:

Here the device connects directly to the Internet using a conventional modem and
telephone line, or
alternatively a wireless connection such as that provided by a GSM mobile phone or
GPRS
connection. CompactFlash and PCMCIA card modems are available for handheld
devices, alongside
devices for particular brands of handheld. Some handheld devices use cables or infrared
ports to
connect a mobile phone for a dial-up connection – note that currently this will only
provide a 9.6Kbps
connection, which is much slower than that possible via a 56K modem. Higher mobile
data rates (up
to 28.8kbps) are available via HSCSD (high speed circuit switched data) services but at
additional
cost. Data rates for GPRS connections are higher, comparable with those achievable via a
wired
56Kbps modem connection. Again, make sure that devices either directly offer the kind
of connectivity
you require or that appropriate accessories and peripherals are available.

Wireless connectivity:
Wireless connectivity is beginning to support mobile e-mail and web access from
handheld devices.
As illustrated in the previous section, it is important to distinguish between wireless
connectivity that
links a mobile device to a local- or wide-area network, and mobile connectivity on a
regional or
national scale similar to that available for mobile phones that provides connectivity
directly to a mobile
handheld device. Handheld devices offering built-in GPRS connectivity (such as the 02’s
XDA and
Palm’s Tungsten W) are available. GPRS offers always-on internet connectivity that is
billed on the
26

basis of the amount of data downloaded (usually by the megabyte), rather than on a call
duration
basis. Initial devices and services are expensive and are aimed predominantly at the
business user
rather than the consumer, but this may change over time.
Most modern PDAs have Bluetooth wireless
connectivity, an increasingly popular tool for mobile
devices. It can be used to connect keyboards, headsets,
GPS and many other accessories, as well as sending
files between PDAs. Many mid-range and superior
PDAs have Wi-Fi/WLAN/802.11-connectivity, used for
connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots or wireless networks.
Older PDAs predominantly have an IrDA (infrared)
port; however fewer current models have the
technology, as it is slowly being phased out due to
support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. IrDA allows
communication between two PDAs: a PDA and any
device with an IrDA port or adapter. Most universal
PDA keyboards use infrared technology because many
older PDAs have it, and infrared technology is low-cost.

 Have you always wanted to know more about the night sky and you
didn't know where to start?
1. Amateur astronomy

You can stop thinking about buying that pretty expensive big software guided
telescope right now. The best way to make your first steps into amateur
27

astronomy is through a PDA and optionally a pair of cheap binoculars. After a

few nights out with these and you'll be able to distinguish constellations, stars
and maybe even a galaxy with just your naked eyes. Plus you won't ever have to
say "I wish I had my pretty expensive big software guided telescope with me
right now" whenever you find a clear sky view away from the city lights.

Best PDA: Any PDA

Best software: PocketPC StarMap (free) or AstroNavigator II
(commercial)

2.Dictionary

A PDA with additional software can easily double as a pocket sized dictionary.
It can translate words to hundreds of languages and can even speak those
foreign words for you so you can learn how they are pronounced.

Best PDA: Any PDA

Best software: SlovoEd (commercial)

3. Games

You can play any kind of game genre (even some mmorpgs got released) with
your PDA. Some are better suited for the controls than others. There are
hundreds of games developed specifically for PDAs that are quite good but
28

usually they're not as "polished" as the similar ones for the portable game
consoles. Don't worry because a huge amount of emulators and ports are
available for free: Mame, Gameboy, Gameboy advanced, NES, SNES, Amstrad
CPC, Genesis, Playstation and many more. My best pick is scummvm which
lets you play the old legendary adventure games (lucasarts mostly) using your
pen to "point and click".

Best PDA: Dell Axim X51v fast, 3d graphics card,

VGA, big screen, fast!!
Best software: scummvm (free)

4. eBooks

"Hey honey, turn the lights off so I can sleep". You won't hear that phrase again if you
get accustomed to reading ebooks on your PDA. You can fit thousands of ebooks (around
500kb each) in a single 1gb memory module so you'll always have a book that matches
your current mood. Although most books can be read fine on a PDA screen, the technical
ones are messy. For example a programming book with source code and screenshots is
quite hard to read on a 3 inch screen because of all the tedious horizontal scrolling you'll
need to do.

Best PDA: Any

Best software: uBook (shareware with a nag screen every 10 pages)

5. Navigation
29

A PDA is very useful for finding your way in unknown or forgotten territory, with or
without a GPS device. Many navigation software suites are available with a vast variety
of maps to choose from. If you don't have a GPS device you can easily replace all your
maps with one of these. But if you need something more than just plain maps, you'll need
a GPS unit. With it you'll be able to calculate distances, speed and location.

Best PDA: Fujitsu-Siemens Loox N560 good gps, big screen, VGA
Best software: TomTom

6. Encyclopedia

You can download the entire wikipedia from the internet and copy it to your memory
module. There are various versions of wikipedia available. Some include pictures, others
include partial content and a few are snapshots of older versions. The version you'll get
will mostly depend on the size of your memory module.

Best PDA: Any PDA

Best software: Tomeraider (commercial) More ways to view wikipedia

7. Universal Remote Control

If you've seen the movie "click" with adam sandler you know what a universal remote
control can (almost) do. What you don't know is that you don't need one if you have a
PDA. There are software suites that can emulate all the functions of a URC using your
PDA's touch screen and buttons. You can even create advanced macros for your various
devices. For example I've mapped my OK button to:
30

 turn off the tv

 turn on the projector
 turn on the hifi
 set hifi input to optical
 set 5.1 speaker mode on windows
 switch nvidia display output to dvi
 open mediaportal on my PC.

All these with a single button!

Best PDA: Any PDA with many hardware buttons, good battery and good
infrared transmitter
Best software: NoviiRemote (commercial)

8. Music

Most mobile devices support some kind of music playback. A pda though has some
advanced features that you can't find in every mobile phone or mp3 player out there.
These include advanced library view, a voice recorder, equalizers, advanced visualization
and sound manipulation. The size of a PDA may be a bit larger compared to mobile
phones and compact mp3 players but all the extra features make up for it.

Best PDA: Any small sized PDA

Best software: GSPlayer

9. Movies
31

There are many portable movie players out there. Most of them have a 7" screen and a
dvd reader. They can play most movie formats and have outputs for TVs and speakers.
Some PDAs can do all those and fit in your pocket. The most important features a
movie-player-PDA should have are 1.screen resolution 2.screen size. A vga PDA with
quite a large screen beats all other compact movie playing gadgets like ipods and mobile
phones. You don't even have to convert your movies to a special format in order to view
them on the PDA. Just copy them to your memory module and enjoy!

Best PDA: O2 XDA Flame TV-Out, VGA, big 3.6" screen, huge
memory
Best Software: TCPMP (free) or Coreplayer (commercial)

10. Internet

The best use of a PDA hands down. A laptop is better you say?
Would you be comfortable doing these with a laptop?

 Surfing amazon.com for a book price to compare when you're in a book shop.
32

 Check imdb rating while browsing your neighborhood's movie rental store.
 Surf for sexy babes while taking part in a boring discussion about earrings.
 Check your digg.com story status while taking a dump.
 Read your emails while waiting for the bus.

and the list goes on.

If you are an internet addict, a PDA is the best gadget for you.

Best PDA: Any PDA with integrated phone

Best software: Opera mobile

How-To: Use a Pocket PC PDA as a WiFiphone

This week's How-To is a handy one for the folks out there who use the Vonage Voice
Over IP (VOIP) service and happen to have a Pocket PC device with WiFi. We're going
to show you how to turn just about any Pocket PC PDA device in to a real telephone with
a working telephone number. At the end of this, we're also going to post our phone
number so you can test it out (it might be a long distance call for you).

1.Ingredients for this How-To:

 Pocket PC with WiFi (we're using an iPAQ h6315 and h4100 Pocket PCs for
testing)
33

 Vonage account with SoftPhone

 WiFi
2.Pocket PCs with WiFi
We recently started using the new HP Ipaq h6315 Pocket PC Phone which sports WiFi,
GSM/GPRS and Bluetooth. This triad of connectivity allows many forms of
communication, including voice, SMS, instant messaging, and IRC.

Late last week we spotted a post on MobileWhack about Vonage on Pocket PCs and
shared it with a few of our Pocket PC-owning, Vonage-using friends, but they needed a
little help getting it going so we decided we’d write a how to on turning a Pocket PC in to
a telephone with a working phone number. If you travel a lot it’s worth the $200 you’ll
pay on eBay for a WiFi-enabled Pocket PC and a $10 monthly Vonage account. After
just a few weeks on the road and they should pay for themselves

3.What is Vonage?
Basically, Vonage allows you to use your broadband connection (DSL, Cable modem) to
place calls from the corded or cordless phone you already have through a special free
adaptar you receive when you sign up. Voicemail, call forwarding, call logs, caller ID,
are all included. We've been using it for awhile, and we'll never use a "regular" phone
line again.

You get a a real phone number in an area code of your choice, even if it's out of state,
with plans starting as low as $30 a month for unlimited calling in the USA and Canada.
This also means you could use your phone anywhere in the world if it was connected to
the web (one of the reasons we like this). But for that, you'll need to add a feature to your
account, a SoftPhone account.

4.What is a SoftPhone account?

A SoftPhone account is $10 extra per month and includes unlimited calling in the USA.
This account allows you to use software on your PC/Mac/Linux computer to make phone
calls just like you would at home, and you get an additional phone number (calls can be
made to and from your PC) so you have full-functioning telephone at all times. Just like
your other account you have Caller ID, Call Forwarding, and more.

If you have a Vonage account, just click “Features” in the top menu of your
dashboard.Now that we’ve got that going, it’s time to put all the Voice over IP goodness
to task on a Pocket PC.
34

For our tests we used iPAQ h6315 and h4100 Pocket PCs, both worked well—the Pocket
PC which also doubles a real phone, though of the two the h6315, of course, had better
mic pickup as it was designed to be a phone.

5.SJphone
SJphone is a VOIP softphone that allows you to speak with any Phone, PC, PDA, stand-
alone and IP-phone with your Vonage account. You can download the installer or cab
files here.

Once it is installed, we'll need to add your Vonage SoftPhone settings to the Pocket PC.

6.Setting up the Phone

35

Open the app by tapping Start > Programs SJPhone.

Tap Menu > Options > Tap the right arrow > Tap Profiles. Tap "New" to create a new
profile. We named ours Vonage SoftPhone.

Initization settings (we left these default).

Tap the SIP Proxy tab. In Proxy Domain enter: 216.115.25.198. After the : which is the port, enter 5061.
36

For User domain set it to: sphone.vopr.vonage.com

1.SIP is left default. Redirection and STUN are also left default.

2.When you click the OK button at the upper right, it will ask for your account and
password. Your account is your Vonage SoftPhone phone number. The password is what
you set it to on your SoftPhone account.

3.If you entered everything in correctly, you now have a working US phone, with a real
phone number that can be used anywhere in the world with a net (WiFi) connection. In
Japan? In Europe? Someone can call your USA number and it will ring right there on
your Pocket PC.
37

That's it!

Stepping back, and looking at the device we're using we can use GSM to make regular
phone calls through our provider, or we use our SoftPhone account any time we have
Wifi and make unlimited calls. Depending where you live there tends to be a lot of
friendly WiFi spots.

We think as phones get WiFi this should be built in, of course this is a really complicated
business thing to figure out, but it has a lot of consumer appeal.

Call us...
Okay, if you didn't already notice here's our SoftPhone number.

1-360-243-0739

Call us for some hot gadget action.

38

10 million use a PDA or mobile phone to go online

IE Team / Asia
Some 10 million Internet surfing adults in the US use a personal digital assistant (PDA) or mobile
phone to access the Internet, reported comScore Networks, a company that looks at Internet
behavioural measurement.

This analysis, which includes US persons aged 18 and above who used the Internet from a PC in the
first quarter of 2002, determined that among the 19.1 million users owning a PDA, five million access
the Internet with those devices.

Among the 67.2 million online users that own a mobile phone, 5.8 million access the Internet with
those devices. (Duplication among users that access the Internet with both a PDA and a cell phone has
been removed from the total of 9.9 million.)

“Although wireless Internet usage is still in its relative infancy, these data prove there already is a
significant wireless Web audience,” said Peter Daboll, division president of comScore Media Metrix.

“While there are more Internet users with mobile phones, a much higher proportion of PDA owners
report using those devices to go online. These usage rates warrant careful monitoring, both by
manufacturers, as they develop new devices, and by publishers and marketers, as they evaluate
wireless strategies,” he added.
39

What are the uses of handheld computer?

 Uses

 PDAs are used to store information that can be accessed at any time and
any where.

1. Automobile navigation
I. Many PDAs are used in car kits and are fitted with differential Global Positioning
System (GPS) receivers to provide real-time automobile navigation. PDAs are
increasingly being fitted as standard on new cars.
II. Many systems can also display traffic conditions, dynamic routing and roadside
mobile radar guns. This information is usually downloaded from the Internet prior
to travel, or can be downloaded on the fly with PDAs equipped with Internet
access capability.
III. Popular software in Europe for this functionality is Tom-Tom software showing
road conditions and 3D environments.

2.Rugged zed PDAs

40

For many years businesses and government organizations have relied upon rugged PDAs
for mobile data applications. Typical applications include supply chain management in
warehouses, package delivery, route accounting, medical treatment and record keeping in
hospitals, facilities maintenance and management, parking enforcement, access control
and security, capital asset maintenance, meter reading by utilities, and "wireless waitress"
applications in restaurants and hospitality venues. There are even PDAs designed to take
significant amounts of punishment, probably meant for military use. Unfortunately, these
devices often lack the features of other PDAs, and come with a steep price tag.[1]

3.Medical and scientific uses

I. In medicine, PDAs have been shown to aid diagnosis and drug selection and some
studies have concluded that their use by patients to record symptoms improves the
effectiveness of communication with hospitals during follow-up. The first
landmark study in testing the effectiveness of PDAs in a medical setting was
conducted at the Brigham & Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General
Hospitals in affiliation with Harvard Medical School. Led by the team of Steven
Lab off, MD and Sandeep Shah, the Constellation project used Apple's Newton
(first PDA in the market) to cater to the demands of the medical professionals.

II. Constellation's objective was to test how clinicians in various medical

environments (wired vs. UN wired) would use medical reference books on a hand-
held device. The study validated the hypothesis that PDAs with medical content
would be used to a greater degree (>40% more often) in unwired environments.
III. Today, the company evolved from the effort Skyscape offers a wide range of
resources including drug information, treatment options, guidelines, and evidence
based information and journal summaries including the drug & safety alerts. Other
entrants include Epocrates and ABX guide, which supply drug databases, treatment
information and relevant news in formats specific to mobile devices and services
such as AvantGo translate medical journals into readable formats and provide
updates from journals. WardWatch organizes medical records to remind doctors
making ward rounds of information such as the treatment regimens of patients and
programs. Finally, Pendragon and Syware provide tools for conducting research
41

with mobile devices, and connecting to a central server allowing the user to enter
data into a centralized database using their PDA. Additionally, Microsoft Visual
Studio and Sun Java provide programming tools for developing survey instruments
on the handheld. These development tools allow for integration with SQL
databases that are stored on the handheld and can be synchronized with a
desktop/server based database.

IV. Recently the development of Sensor Web technology has led to discussion of using
wearable bodily sensors to monitor ongoing conditions like diabetes and epilepsy
and alerting medical staff or the patient themselves to the treatment required via
communication between the web and PDAs.

4.Educational uses
1. As mobile technology has become almost a necessity, it is no surprise that personal
computing has become a vital learning tool by this time. Educational institutes
have commenced a trend of integrating PDAs into their teaching practices (mobile
learning). With the capabilities of PDAs, teachers are now able to provide a
collaborative learning experience for their students. They are also preparing their
students for possible practical uses of mobile computing upon their graduation.
2. PDAs and handheld devices have recently allowed for digital note taking. This has
increased student’s productivity by allowing individuals to quickly spell-check,
modify, and amend their class notes or e-notes. Educators are currently able to
distribute course material through the use of the internet connectivity or infrared
file sharing functions of the PDA. With concerns to class material, textbook
publishers have begun to release e-books, electronic textbooks, which can be
uploaded directly to a PDA. This eliminates the exhausting effort of carrying
multiple textbooks at one time.
3. To meet the instructive needs sought by educational institutes, software companies
have developed programs with the learning aspects in mind. Simple programs such
as dictionaries, thesauri, and word processing software are important to the digital
note taking process. In addition to these simple programs, encyclopedias and
digital planning lessons have created added functionality for users.
4. With the increase in mobility of PDAs, school boards and educational institutes
have now encountered issues with these devices. School boards are now concerned
with students utilizing the internet connectivity to share test answers or to gossip
42

during class time, which creates disruptions. Many school boards have modernized
their computer policies to address these new concerns. Software companies such as
Scantron Corp. have now created a program for distributing digital quizzes. The
quiz software disables the infrared function on PDAs, which eliminates the
element of information sharing among individuals during the examination

5.Sporting uses
PDAs are used by glider pilots for pre-flight planning and to assist navigation in cross-
country competitions. They are linked to a GPS to produce moving-map displays
showing the tracks to turn-points, airspace hazards and other tactical information.
43

Technical details

 Architecture
Many PDAs run using a variation of the ARM architecture (usually denoted by the Intel
XScale trademark). This encompasses a class of RISC microprocessors that are widely
used in mobile devices and embedded systems, and its design was influenced strongly by
a popular 1970s/1980s CPU, the MOS Technology 6502.

 OS
The currently major PDA operating systems are:

 Palm OS - owned by PalmSource

 Windows Mobile Professional and Classic for use on Pocket PCs, (based on the
Windows CE kernel) - owned by Microsoft
 BlackBerry OS - owned by Research In Motion
 Many operating systems based on the Linux kernel - free (not owned by any
company) These include

o Familiar (comes in three flavours: GPE, Opie and barebone)

o OpenZaurus (for Zaurus PDAs)
o Intimate (for PDAs with an exceedingly large amount of memory)
o Symbian OS (formerly EPOC) owned by Motorola, Panasonic, Nokia, Samsung,
Siemens and Sony Ericsson

 Decreasing popularity?
PDA sales fell 43.5% from 2006 to 2007. Approximately 4 million PDAs are sold per
year, while smartphone sales are approximately 60 million per year.

According to a Gartner market study, the overall market for PDAs grew by 20.7% in the
third quarter (Q3) of 2005, compared to Q3 2004, with market share resolving as follows
(by operating system):
44

 Palm OS for Palm, Inc. PDAs and some other licensees- 14.9% (declining)
 Windows Mobile for PDAs that comply with the Microsoft's Pocket PC
specifications - 49.2% (increasing)
 RIM BlackBerry for BlackBerry PDA (produced by Research In Motion) - 25.0%
(increasing)
 Symbian OS - 5.8% (increasing)
 Various operating systems based on the Linux kernel for various special designed
PDAs (many other supported) - 0.7% (stable)
 Other - 4.4% (stable)

 Shortcomings
Perhaps, more than any other computer devices, the PDA lacks the fully-blown
infrastructure of a Wireless Broadband network. This could be offered in future by
WiMax. Nowadays prices of laptops are coming down. Though somewhat bigger in size,
laptops have better visibility and are more powerful. However, the OQO Model 2 has
been released as an IBM-PC compatible PDA with a USB port so that people can play
computer games from ubiquitous operating systems such as Windows XP and connect
typical PC peripherals.

 Popular consumer PDAs

 HP iPAQ
 Psion
 Abacus PDA Watch
 Acer N Series
 AlphaSmart
 Amida Simputer
 BlackBerry
 Casio Pocket Viewer
 Dell Axim
 Fujitsu Siemens Loox
 GMate Yopy
 High Tech Computer Corporation's series of Windows Mobile PDA/phones
 Palm, Inc. (Tungsten E2, TX, Treo and Zire)
 OQO Model 2; one of the few IBM PC compatible devices in the form factor of a
PDA.
45

 PocketMail (email PDA with inbuilt acoustic coupler)

 Sharp Wizard and Sharp Zaurus

 Discontinued

 hp Jornada Pocket PC (phased out/merged with iPAQ line in 2002)

 Sony CLIÉ
 Tapwave Zodiac
 Life Drive
 Apple Newton
 Dell Axim
 NEC MobilePro

 Rugged PDAs for business, government and military applications

 Hand Held Products (HHP)

 Intermec
 Psion Teklogix
 Symbol Technologies
46

How might handhelds develop in future?

 It is not yet clear whether the much-predicted convergence between handheld
computers and
mobile phones will become a reality. At present, there are relatively few such integrated
devices on the market, with many people using a mobile phone alongside a
handheld.However, a number of analysts have reported that sales of handhelds have
declined in recent months, predicting that in future smartphones will occupy a much
larger space in the handhelds marketplace. In early 2003, European analyst firm Canalys
predicted that shipments of smartphones would exceed those of handhelds in the Europe,
Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region for the first time in 2003. Gartner and IDC offer a
similar analysis, predicting that increasing competition from inexpensive notebook/tablet
PCs, smartphones and enhanced mobile phones will limit handheld growth and that
worldwide PDA shipments will continue to decline in 2003. Gartner believe that
handhelds will remain with users who have considerable mobile data needs,popular and
that the growth of wireless LAN"hot spots" will stimulate demand for wireless
handhelds. IDC report that converged mobiledevices are becoming increasingly
accessible to the mainstream consumer and, like Canalys, expect them to ship in greater
numbers than traditional handheld devices for the first time in 2003.
 New manufacturers are continuing to enter the handheld marketplace. Dell
launched its
first Pocket PC, the Axim X5, in early 2003. The Axim was particularly notable for being
significantly less
expensive than other Pocket PC models. Handheld products (particularly tablet-design
Pocket PCs)
are becoming less diverse and more akin to other products based on standard
architectures and form
factors, such as portable computers. The factors limiting the usefulness of handhelds,
such as screen
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size and battery life, are unlikely to be solved in the short to medium term. Wireless
connectivity is likely to become a more common feature of handhelds, with devices
increasingly offering a range of built-in wireless connectivity options (such as Bluetooth,
IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN, GPRS and 3G). This will enable users to connect to and
roam between whatever wireless networks are available to them, wherever they are. For
example, a pupil might use a Bluetooth connection to transfer data between a handheld
and desktop computer in the home, surf the Internet via a GPRS connection on the way to
school and then, once in school, connect the handheld to the school’s wireless LAN via
IEEE 802.11b.
 Three (previously Hutchison 3G) launched the first 3G service in the UK in March
2003. At the
time of writing, the geographic coverage of the service is limited and only a few models
of handset are
available. New services available via Three include video calling, messaging and
download (such as
movie trailers, weather reports, football clips, news reports etc). Full internet access is not
offered at
the time of writing (August 2003).
 There has been much debate over whether the roll out of public access wireless
LAN technology
(which offers high bandwidths but within a very localised area, such as a café, conference
facility,
airport departures lounge or railway station waiting room) will impact on takeup of 3G
services, which
at present offer lower bandwidths but much greater geographical coverage once networks
are fully
established. If sufficient public wireless LANs were to become established, users could
potentially
roam seamlessly between them, maintaining connectivity as they do so. This is a long
way from
reality at present, as numerous issues (both technical and financial) remain to be resolved,
but such
networks could offer serious competition to 3G services, particularly as wireless LANs
are relatively
cheap and straightforward to set up.
As 3G services continue to roll out and wireless LANs become more and more
commonplace,
handheld computers are likely to offer much greater and more cost-effective mobile data
capacity,
allowing users to access the Internet and send email from anywhere
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