This
page is intended as a starting guide to the many different tasks a PDA
can accomplish. When one is deciding on which PDA to purchase,
it is often helpful to think of what you need it to do for you
beforehand. That is where this guide may help. Look through
this list below and perhaps there are things you want to do and didn't
think you could before seeing this. Also see my review pages for
PDA listings of what models are available.
PDA TASKS:
ORGANIZER:The
basic use of a PDA today is as a simple electronic organizer.
Nearly all PDAs purchased include programs similar to this: memo pad, address book, scheduler, calendar, and calculator. These allow
you to keep track of your daily activities, take notes,
schedule appointments, and plan for the future. They should
also include software to synchronize the PDA with your desktop computer.
This is important because you then have a backup of all your
data should your PDA run out of power. It also allows you to
keep information on both computers up to date easily. If you
make changes on one computer then those changes are made in
the other computer as well the next time you synchronize
them.
eBOOKS:
There
are electronic books available to download and install in most
PDA's for reading. Many of the older classics are available and free to
read. I
have a listing of websites on my eBook
page to find these and some of the more recently written
ones. Formats vary depending on what PDA you use: Microsoft
Reader format works well with Pocket PCs, and Palm users
can choose depending on what format they prefer.
AUDIOBOOKS:
If
you don't want to read an eBook on a PDA, you can listen to an
audiobook instead. Sites like Audible.com
allow you to download a book to your PDA for later
listening. Just as with eBooks there are many topics to choose
from. Not all PDA's can do this though, so check the help pages
at these sites for compatible models
before purchasing.
GPS: If
you travel, need directions, or go hiking and want to take
along a GPS unit, then there are PDA models and accessories to do this. Some PDAs today like the Pharos 535+ are already manufactured with GPS capabilities, while others can take advantage of accessories like Bluetooth GPS receivers. The
unit pictured is a Palm Centro using a GPS receiver powered by SiRFstarIII with Bluetooth wireless technology. GPS software can also include street-level
mapping for the
entire United States, and navigational software with a compass,
speedometer, and waypoint management too. Other Bluetooth units are
compatible with more Palm OS models like the Treo and certain Pocket PC's or Windows Mobile PDAs. It
is also possible to connect a PDA to certain standalone GPS
units via a connection cable to receive GPS data wirelessly. See my GPS section or GPS
page for more information or links to sites that offer more software, reviews, and
hardware of these GPS products.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
If
you want to snap a few pictures then you can do that too with certain PDA's. For example, the
Palm Centro
and Windows Mobile iPAQ 910
both have built-in digital cameras, so it is easy to take
pictures or even shoot videos. Other older PDA's may be converted to a camera like the
Palm IIIc, certain Pocket PC's, and other models. The small unit pictured at the right is the HP iPAQ Photosmart Mobile 1.3MP Digital Camera that fits into various iPAQ units.
MUSIC:
You
can listen to MP3's with your PDA just as you listen to them
with your PC. By adding more memory you can store your music and
take it along for later listening. Even with as little as a 128 MB
memory card you have enough space for a couple of hours of music play time, and today most memory cards like a 4GB microSD card are so large so you can have a few days worth of music at your fingertips. See my audio
page for links to music sites that offer MP3 downloads.
MOBILE
PHONE:If you want a PDA that can make phone calls, then that is available as well. Newer models like the Palm Treo, iPAQ Mobile Messengers and others allow a PDA to use the installed contact list to dial your calls on the go. They also may give you email access, SMS text messaging, web browsing, and connect ability to Bluetooth peripherals like headsets or keyboards depending on the model. See my telephony
page and wireless
page for related sites.
ONLINE
CONTENT:If
you want to read some headlines on your PDA and you don't
have wireless access, then services are available to do this
as well. One popular site is Avantgo.
Here you can subscribe to channels that will download daily
content to your PDA via your PC for later reading. There are
many subjects to choose from and new ones are added
regularly.
SOFTWARE:One
of the great things about a PDA is the ability to download
and install software just like you do with a PC. Depending
on your interests there are thousands of available programs
to try, in many different categories, and many of them are
free to use. See my software
pages for listings of sites that offer these shareware
and freeware programs.
MOVIES:If
you are a movie buff then there are movies to purchase and
install on a PDA for your viewing pleasure. As memory prices
have dropped you can now see a full-length movie from start to
finish without interruption. There are also TV shows to
watch, movie trailers to see, and other video content. This
is generally downloaded to your PC and then transferred onto
your PDA just like music is, or it can also be downloaded wirelessly. See my video
page for listings of sites.
OTHER
THINGS: There are ways to turn your
PDA into a pager, remote control, mirror, recorder, alarm, television,
FM radio, dictionary, timer, translator and a scientific calculator too.
OTHER
FACTORS:Here are a few other
points to consider in a PDA: WiFi capabilities, Bluetooth abilities, rechargeable battery life, color screen types, screen size,
installed operating system, RAM memory, ROM memory, keyboard
vs. graffiti text entry, size of PDA unit, and its weight.
These factors are what makes the prices of PDAs higher and
lower to purchase, so there is a give and take in all of
this. You may want to hold a few of these in your hand
before you buy as well, and stores like Circuit City or
Staples often have ten or more models available to look at
and play with before you decide.
Well,
I hope this guide has been helpful. For more reading on PDAs be
sure to check out my pages on Handheld
news and articles
on PDAs and other gadgets. These have the latest news and
thoughts, with some more reviews thrown in as well. There is
also a PDA
glossary to help you with some of the terms used in this discussion. And last but not least, thanks for visiting my site!
The
basic use of a PDA today is as a simple electronic organizer.
Nearly all PDAs purchased include programs similar to this: memo pad, address book, scheduler, calendar, and calculator. These allow
you to keep track of your daily activities, take notes,
schedule appointments, and plan for the future. They should
also include software to synchronize the PDA with your desktop computer.
This is important because you then have a backup of all your
data should your PDA run out of power. It also allows you to
keep information on both computers up to date easily. If you
make changes on one computer then those changes are made in
the other computer as well the next time you synchronize
them. 
There
are electronic books available to download and install in most
PDA's for reading. Many of the older classics are available and free to
read. I
have a listing of websites on my 
If
you don't want to read an eBook on a PDA, you can listen to an
audiobook instead. Sites like 
You
can listen to MP3's with your PDA just as you listen to them
with your PC. By adding more memory you can store your music and
take it along for later listening. Even with as little as a 128 MB
memory card you have enough space for a couple of hours of music play time, and today most memory cards like a 4GB microSD card are so large so you can have a few days worth of music at your fingertips. See my 
If you want a PDA that can make phone calls, then that is available as well. Newer models like the Palm Treo, iPAQ Mobile Messengers and others allow a PDA to use the installed contact list to dial your calls on the go. They also may give you email access, SMS text messaging, web browsing, and connect ability to Bluetooth peripherals like headsets or keyboards depending on the model. See my 
If
you want to read some headlines on your PDA and you don't
have wireless access, then services are available to do this
as well. One popular site is 
One
of the great things about a PDA is the ability to download
and install software just like you do with a PC. Depending
on your interests there are thousands of available programs
to try, in many different categories, and many of them are
free to use. See my 
If
you are a movie buff then there are movies to purchase and
install on a PDA for your viewing pleasure. As memory prices
have dropped you can now see a full-length movie from start to
finish without interruption. There are also TV shows to
watch, movie trailers to see, and other video content. This
is generally downloaded to your PC and then transferred onto
your PDA just like music is, or it can also be downloaded wirelessly. See my 
Here are a few other
points to consider in a PDA: WiFi capabilities, Bluetooth abilities, rechargeable battery life, color screen types, screen size,
installed operating system, RAM memory, ROM memory, keyboard
vs. graffiti text entry, size of PDA unit, and its weight.
These factors are what makes the prices of PDAs higher and
lower to purchase, so there is a give and take in all of
this. You may want to hold a few of these in your hand
before you buy as well, and stores like Circuit City or
Staples often have ten or more models available to look at
and play with before you decide.