1. Personal Digital Assistants

2. 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).

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. E-Books

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Power Battery Life - Palm 2-6 weeks, Windows <= 1 week.
AAA Batteries weeks depending on usage.
Rechargeable Batteries weeks.
Cradle recharge for rechargeable models.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Expansion Accessories
Memory/Backup Modules
Digital Camera
GPS
Cell Phone
FAX
Modem
Games
Rechargers
Sync cables
Carrying Cases
Stylus
Keyboards

12. Standard Applications
Calendar (DateBook)
Address Book
To-Do List
Memo Notepad (4k limit)
Expenses
Calculator
Graffiti
Mail
Preferences
Security
Sync
CityTime
Games

14. 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

15. 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

16. Commercial Applications
Backup Buddy - Backs up everything to PC
WordSmith - Text Editor
MiniCalc - SpreadSheet
HanDBase - DataBase
MobileDB - DataBase
ThinkDB - DataBase
TealInfo - DataBase

17. Hacks - OS Extensions SymbolHack MultiClipHack SwitchHack PopUpNames
Xmaster/ HackMaster - Hack interface program, needed to manage and run hacks (OS Extensions)
AsciiHack
SymbolHack
MultiClipHack
SwitchHack
PopUpNames
Phlegm Hack
Many Others Available

18. 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.

19. Software Sources Manufacturers - (Palm, Handspring, etc)
PalmGear -
Handango -
PalmOpenSource -
VersionTracker -
FreeWarePalm -
Memoware E-Books & Reference Material

20. Other Resources Palm - http://www.palm.com/
Handspring -
Sharp -
PalmInfoCenter -
PalmZone -
PalmBoulevard -
PDAStreet -
PalmLoyal -
PalmTipSheet -
ZDNetShopper Palm device comparison pages

21. What’s Next?
Always on, always connected, multipurpose palm size device that does palm-like apps, cell phone, pager, text messaging, , digital camera, gps, mp3 player, web browser, etc & costs <= $

22. Personal Digital Assistants
Presented by Josh Cockey
August 8th, 2002