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Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are handheld devices that were originally designed as personal organizers, but became much more versatile over the years. A basic PDA usually includes a clock, date book, address book, task list, memo pad and a simple calculator. One major advantage of using PDAs is their ability to synchronize data with desktop, notebook and desknote computers.1 Overview
The term "personal digital assistant" was coined on 7 January 1992 by John Sculley at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, referring to the Apple Newton. Earlier devices like the Psion and Sharp Wizard have the functionality to be considered PDAs, however.
The currently major PDA operating systems are
PalmSource'sPalmSource, Inc. is the company responsible for the development of Palm OS. It became independent after the split of Palm, Inc. into software and hardware divisions. The company is being traded under the ticker symbol PSRC. See also Palm OS Palm, Inc. Palm OSPalm OS is an operating system made by PalmSource, Inc. for personal digital assistants (PDAs) manufactured by various licensees. History Palm OS was originally developed by Jeff Hawkins for use on the original Pilot PDA by US Robotics. 0 was present on t,
Pocket PCA Pocket PC is a computer in a handheld size that runs a variation of the operating system Windows CE. It has many capabilities of modern desktop PCs. Currently there are thousands of applications for Pocket PC, many free. Some of these devices, running M ( Windows CEWindows CE (sometimes abbreviated WinCE is a variation of Microsoft's Windows operating system for minimalistic computers and embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinctly different kernel, rather than a 'trimmed down' version of desktop Windows. It is sup) from MicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation , headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, is the world's largest software company (with over 50,000 employees in various countries, as of May 2004). Microsoft develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a wide range of software,
BlackBerryThis article is about the wireless e-mail device. For other meanings, see blackberry (disambiguation). The BlackBerry is a handheld wireless device providing e-mail, telephone, text messaging and world wide web browsing services. Hardware The devices are from Research In MotionResearch In Motion Limited RIM is a Canadian wireless device company. It is best known as the developer of the BlackBerry handheld communication device. RIM is headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, and are sponsors of RIM Park in the north of the city.,
LinuxThis article is about Linux-based operating systems, GNU/Linux, and related topics. See Linux kernel for the kernel itself. See Linux (washing powder) for the Swiss brand of washing powder. Tux, a plump penguin, is the official Linux mascot Linux is the n,
and
Symbian OS (formerly EPOC)
According to a Gartner market study, the overall market has shrunk by 5% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2004, compared to Q1 2003, and the shares are:
- Palm OS - 40.7% (stable)
- Pocket PC - 40.2% (slightly increasing)
- BlackBerry - 14.8% (strongly increasing)
- Linux - 1.9% (stable)
- Other - 2.4% (strongly decreasing)
The usually cited reason for this decline are the growing capabilities of communicator s — mobile phones with PDA-like communication functions.
