Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs) Presented by: Natalie T. Carter Spring 2006 ETEC 562

Purpose of the PDA keep track of your schedule business and personal contacts to-do list memos budgets create digital photo albums play games listen to music * use reference software * read eBooks *= with the use of an expansion card

Handheld Controls FRONT PANEL CONTROLS Screen—displays the applications and information on the handheld. Touch sensitive. Clock icon—displays time and date Input Area—allows you to enter information with Graffiti 2 Writing or open the onscreen keyboard Power Button—turns handheld on and off and activates keylock Display Icon—adjust brightness and contrast on display 5-Way Navigator—assists in moving around and selecting information to display on the screen Application Buttons—opens calendar and contacts applications http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/explorea.html

TOP PANEL CONTROLS IR Port—beams information between handhelds and other devices with an IR port (IR=infrared) Expansion card slot—place to insert expansion cards, which adds memory for listening to music, backing up information, applications, and accessories Headphone Jack—can connect a standard 3.5 mm stereo headset to handheld to listen to music and other audio applications http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/explorea.html

SIDE AND BACK PANEL CONTROLS Stylus—used to enter information into the handheld Reset Button—resets handheld if it stops responding Power Connector—connects handheld to the power adapter so it can be charged Mini-USB Connector—connects handheld to the computer, using HotSync cable, to synchronize Speaker—used to listen to alarms, game and system sounds, and music http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/explorea.html

The handheld has…… World Clock—tells time in your city and two other locations; alarm Calendar—manage schedule and color code by category Calculator—mathematical functions Contacts—basic phone book Note pad—write on screen for quick notes Memos—keep notes from meetings, recipes, etc. Tasks—prioritize to-do list, set alarms, etc. HotSync—synchronize info on handheld with info on computer Preferences—customize handheld’s sound levels, security, colors, etc. These are preinstalled onto the handheld. Open by pressing application buttons on front panel or icons on the home screen.

Installing and Removing Applications INSTALLATION install applications from the PalmOne CD install software from other places as long as there is an application on the handheld that can read the files REMOVAL remove applications from handheld or expansion card cannot remove applications that are part of the handheld operating system http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/manageappsd.html You can only remove add-on applications; see link

Opening Applications press application button to turn on handheld and to open application for that button (i.e. calendar, contacts) tap home button to see list of applications and tap on application to be used tap home button to switch between applications http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/appsa.html 2 ways to open applications; handheld automatically saves work on application

Expanding the Handheld handheld is compatible with SDIO, SD, and MultiMediaCard expansion cards SDIO (Secure Digital input/output)—helps to add accessories SD and MultiMediaCard—helps store information and applications

Expansion card is used for…. storing songs and listening to music viewing and storing photos (compatible expansion card required) and copying photos to handheld backing up and copying important information adding games and other software adding accessories, such as presentation module Explain and show where the expansion card is inserted and removed

Memos EDIT/VIEW CREATE select memos from home screen in memos list, select memo you want read or edit memo and press done CREATE select memos from home screen select new to create memo enter memo from onscreen keyboard

Working with Memos on Your Computer Use Memos on your computer to view and manage the memos you create on your handheld. You can: • View, copy, and delete memos • Edit memo details • Mark memos private • Show, mask, and hide private memos • Print memos • Change between the list and single memo views • Add a date and time stamp to a memo • Organize memos into categories • Sort memos • Share memos With use of the palm one cd

Note Pad CREATE select Note Pad from home screen use stylus to write note directly on handheld screen EDIT/VIEW select Note Pad from home screen open note and select done to display Note Pad list select note to view or edit

Working with Note Pad on Your Computer Use Note Pad on your computer to view and manage the handwritten notes you create on your handheld. You can: • Learn about the parts of the Note Pad window • View, copy, and delete notes • Edit note details and titles • Set an alarm for a note • Mark notes private • Show, mask, and hide private notes • Print notes • Change between the List and note Preview views • Sort notes • Share notes

Sharing Information beam from one handheld to another synchronize information from handheld to computer or vice versa copy information onto expansion card Expansion card is like a floppy disc…..

Beaming beam information from within an application to another PalmOS user select information you want to beam and open application open menu and select Beam menu point handheld’s IR port with another handheld IR port IR port=infrared port One way to share information

Synchronization connect HotSync cable to USB port with other end in mini-USB connector on handheld tap HotSync button on handheld to synchronize information into computer synchronize using infrared (IR) port Synchronizing means information that has been entered or updated in one place is automatically updated in the other. Sync daily to have and up to date copy of important information

Do’s and Don’ts DO’S use protective cover use stylus only to tap screen use only supplied power adapter keep battery charged keep screen free from dust DON’TS do not drop or bang handheld do not carry handheld in back pocket do not let handheld get wet or leave in damp locations do not expose handheld to very hot or cold temperatures

And in conclusion.... The handheld can be used in many different ways in education. It is easy to use because of its mobility and compactness. They are fairly inexpensive and user friendly. TPRI, learning disabilities, special needs students