| The must-have features of PDAs in today's | | | | built-in batteries that can be recharged by placing |
| market. PDAs, or Personal Digital Assistants, have | | | | the unit in a specially- modified docking cradle, |
| quickly evolved in recent years from mere | | | | which is being sold together with the unit, or |
| handheld electronic organizers to gizmos with the | | | | simply by connecting the PDA by means of a |
| ability to manage emails, send instant messaging, | | | | syncing/ recharging cord. The battery's life is |
| and even play media files like mp3s and video. | | | | basically dependent on the PDAs screen size, |
| With the help of technological advances in | | | | resolution and its relative brightness. Other factors |
| electronics and mobile communication, PDAs these | | | | include certain applications being run, like a music/ |
| days have become smaller, lighter, and armed | | | | video player, or when utilising mobile connectivity |
| with more uses than your Swiss army knife. A | | | | devices, like Wi-Fi (Wireless Frequency) and/ or |
| vast majority of new model PDAs utilise one of | | | | Bluetooth. New models of PDAs are now equipped |
| two major OS (operating system) provided by | | | | with cameras like ones in camera phones. PDA |
| either Palm OS or Microsoft's ever popular | | | | cameras enable users to take photos of any |
| Windows Mobile OS. Other operating systems are | | | | object in moderate lighting. Picture resolution |
| also used, yet these two rule the OS market. | | | | ranges from 640 by 480 pixels (VGA) to 3 or |
| The users' needs actually determines which OS | | | | even 5 MP (Megapixels) in some newer units. |
| best fits their PDA. Palm OS offers a simpler | | | | Previous devices have built in LED flash in to light |
| approach, compared to MS Windows Mobile OS | | | | up the scene. But high end models these days are |
| which basically looks like an exponentially | | | | now equipped with Xenon Flash, making picture |
| compressed version of the desktop Windows OS. | | | | taking with PDAs battery - friendly. GPS (Global |
| Windows Mobile OS can run multiple programs | | | | Positioning System) also became popular with |
| simultaneously, although only one application can | | | | PDAs, as makers like HP (Hewlett - Packard), |
| be shown on the screen at one time. Bright color | | | | Pharos, and Garmin International started creating |
| screens have become a common sight in PDAs, | | | | models with built - in GPS receivers together with |
| even for low-end models. Even so, another | | | | navigation software designed to provide maps |
| attribute, screen resolution, has been used to | | | | and voice-based directions. PDA makers don't |
| differentiate one PDA from another. Windows | | | | normally provide models with both integrated GPS |
| Mobile displays has once claimed to have the | | | | and Wi-Fi, but more and more companies are |
| highest-resolution screens available in the market | | | | starting to put these two technologies together in |
| with a 320- by -240- pixel resolution, up until Palm | | | | a single unit together with Bluetooth and cell |
| OS- powered PDAs started offering 320- by -320 | | | | phone radios too. Going back to choosing the best |
| or even 320- by -480- pixel resolution screens. | | | | PDA, the best basis of selecting a PDA is how the |
| Both screen resolutions are still marked as good, | | | | buyer intends to use it. Everything will come down |
| compared to standard or old models showing only | | | | to the person's needs, the very reason why |
| 160- by -160. Whatever the resolution is in a PDA, | | | | numerous models of PDAs are created with a |
| it is still advisable to check the unit out, in person, | | | | wide variety of features to serve them better. |
| before considering buying one to make sure that | | | | For more information on PDA Reviews please |
| the PDA will show images that are as sharp and | | | | visit our website. |
| crisp as possible. Modern PDAs are now with | | | | |