Purchasing a smart phone or PDA may seem like a luxury, but for many they are essential tools of productivity. For those pressed for time, or who are frequently away from a home or work computer they rely on heavily, these devices quickly pay for themselves in efficiency.
Features of PDAs and Smart Phones
Personal Digital Assistants offer many of the same tools and toys of a PC in a handheld size. (If they also function as a mobile phone, they're called smart phones.) Usually sporting a Microsoft Windows or Palm operating system, most of them support:
• Reading email
• Address books / contact managers
• Instant messaging
• Listening to music
• Shopping on the Web
• Editing spreadsheets
• Writing documents and letters
• Reading ebooks
• Creating presentations
• Shooting and viewing quality photos and videos
• Playing computer games
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless technologies
• Global Positioning (GPS) software
• Synchronization with MAC or PC
• Voice-activated dialing
Keep in Mind
• Size and quality of the screen are very important - especially for those with limited visual acuity. Larger screens mean a larger price tag.
• Touch screens are convenient for those who struggle with small keyboards, but require more concentration and dexterity to use accurately. They must be reset frequently for proper alignment. Many handheld games still must be played using keys rather than a stylus.
• Smart phones are heavier than cell phones, and those with larger screens tend to be heavier. The extra weight often requires the use of a headset and carrying case.
• Keyboards tend to be either very small, sometimes with a unique key layout, or larger with the standard QWERTY layout.
• A faster documented processor speed doesn't always mean faster real-time speeds. Be sure to test and compare devices.
• 3G technology offers broadband speeds for surfing the web.
• Storage space on PDAs is usually minimal, but expansion slots allow for removable storage. Storage cards can offer as much storage as you need at additional cost.
• Cameras should be at least 1.3 megapixels for reasonable quality, and being able to zoom makes a big difference.
• A PDA with integrated phone, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS keeps the number of necessary devices and wires to a minimum and maximizes mobility.
• GPS may cost extra to use.
• Removable lithium cell batteries are easy to replace without having to go to a service center.
• Most cell phone companies require that smart phone owners have a PDA package at additional cost - the device cannot just be used as a phone at a lower rate.
• Many websites are not yet able to display properly on PDAs and smart phones.
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