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 accessories to do this. The unit pictured is a Magellan GPS Companion module that attaches to the back of a Palm m500 series PDA. The software included has street-level mapping for the entire United States, and navigational software with a compass, speedometer, and waypoint management too. Other units are available for more Palm OS models and certain Pocket PC's.  It is also possible to connect a PDA to certain standalone GPS units via a connection cable or to use Bluetooth compatible models to receive GPS data wirelessly. See my GPS page for links to sites that offer 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 SONY NZ90 and Zire 71 both have built-in digital cameras, so it is easy to take pictures. Other PDA's may be converted to a camera like the Handspring Visor, certain Pocket PC's, and other models. The small unit pictured at the right is the Kodak PalmPix Digital Camera that snaps onto various Palm 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 a 64 MB memory module you have enough space for over one hour of music play time, and some PDAs can have a hard drive added to  allow even more storage space. 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. New models like the Handspring Treo, Samsung I300 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, and web browsing 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. 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, FM radio, dictionary, translator and a scientific calculator too.

 

OTHER AREAS:  Perhaps you are more interested in using a PDA for your employment and need advice in other areas. I also have listings of sites related to Astronomy, Aviation, Education, Finance, Law, Medicine, Real Estate, and Religion.

 

OTHER FACTORS:  Here are a few other points to consider in a PDA: rechargeable vs. disposable batteries, color vs. grayscale screen, 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.