In the early days PDAs came with some variation on the set of familiar PIM applications, perhaps with a couple of games thrown in. The traditional PIM functionality has matured and grown in sophistication of the years, and continues to be present today. In addition to some form of … [Read more...]
Handheld Synchronization
Without the capability to transfer and synchronize data back to a desktop system, there's little benefit in having a word processor or similar feature on a PDA - particularly as relatively few devices support printing via a parallel printer port. Its no surpass then that this is a feature … [Read more...]
Handwriting Recognition
Where space is limited, as with a PDA keyboard, typing can be slow and frustrating. Writing data into the PDA would obviously be a much more sensible idea, but the complexity involved in making handwriting recognition work is immense. The problem is that vector, line-drawn shapes do not make … [Read more...]
Handheld Operating Systems
Although the choice of PDA device is increasing all the time, the struggle for dominance in the operating system space continues to be a battle between just three protagonists: Windows CE EPOC, and PalmOS. It was not only hardware companies that were prompted to enter the PDA market by … [Read more...]
Guide to UMPCs – Ultra Mobile Personal Computers
UMPC is an acronym for 'Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer'. A UMPC device is a small form factor personal computer that meets minimum specifications set down by a group of manufacturers including Intel and Microsoft. They are small enough to be carried in a briefcase, bag or even a pocket, and are … [Read more...]
Palm Pilot
In 1996 Palm Computing, Inc. - then a part of US Robotics - led the resurgence of handheld computing with the introduction of its Pilot 1000 and Pilot 5000 organizers. Designed as companion products to personal computers, the devices … [Read more...]
Handheld Evolution
Psion's success prompted other companies to start looking at the PDA market. Notable amongst these was Apple Computer, whose launch of its first Newton MessagePad device in mid-1993 was heralded as a major milestone of the information age. Apple was soon joined by several other handheld … [Read more...]
Handheld Organizer origins
The term handheld computer has been applied to a wide range of portable electronic devices over the years. Its origins can reasonably be traced back to the handheld electronic calculators which first emerged in the early 1970s. These were to lead to devices which boasted more than the usuals … [Read more...]