| Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a much used | | | | Wizard. These were developed in the late 80s and |
| instrument which plays the role of both the | | | | were intended to be portable computers. They |
| organizer as well as a phone. The main advantage | | | | featured a small keyboard, a rather small display |
| of the this device is that it can be used while on | | | | and some of the basic features like the alarm |
| the move, is portable and can store a | | | | clock, calendar, telephone pad and the calculator. |
| considerably large amount of data. PDAs are | | | | The Psion II which was introduced in 1986 was a |
| supposed to be an extension and complimentary | | | | huge hit and nearly half a million pieces of this |
| to the PC, rather than being a replacement. | | | | device were sold. |
| In other words, PDA denotes a small hand held | | | | The original Palm Pilot or the PDA as we see |
| device which is capable of computing, storing | | | | today was introduced in March of 1996 by Palm |
| information and retrieving the same as per the | | | | Computing. This gadget ran on its own Palm |
| need or requirement. The term handheld is | | | | Operating System, was the size of the shirt |
| synonymous to the one of the more popular | | | | pocket and could be synchronized with the user's |
| products called the Palmtop by Hewlett-Packard. | | | | PC. The battery life of the instrument was longer |
| The term PDA was first introduced on January7, | | | | and it could store thousands of contacts and |
| by the CEO of Apple Computers, John Sculley | | | | other details. The lack of keyboard in the |
| who brought out the instrument by referring to it | | | | instrument contributed to its small size. The users |
| as Apple Newton. It was not a Personal Computer | | | | had to use the Graffiti language and a stylus to |
| but a personal digital assistant. It could be best | | | | access any information. |
| described as a useful handheld device and a | | | | With such products making the rounds in the |
| communication assistant with a touch screen and | | | | market, Microsoft too jumped in the fray with its |
| a pen-stylus which makes for easier handling of | | | | Windows CE, its first operating system for the |
| data and information. | | | | mobile instruments. It was adopted by a wide |
| The Newton included applications like the Notes, | | | | range of manufacturers to bring out their versions |
| Names and Dates and simpler tools like the | | | | of the hand held personal computer. |
| Calculator, Time Zone Maps etc. One of the | | | | Then in 1996, Nokia introduced the first mobile |
| significant features of the Newton was the | | | | phone which contained all the features of the |
| handwriting recognition capability which made it | | | | digital organizer and it was called the 9000 |
| one of the most advanced gadgets in the | | | | Communicator. This developed into a huge |
| industry. But the device was way too heavy, | | | | successful category of cell phones which are |
| expensive and the handwriting recognition | | | | known as the smart phones in today's parlance. |
| software not too accurate. So it was discontinued | | | | These days it has become an integral part of a |
| in 1998, six years after its inception. | | | | person's professional paraphernalia and is |
| Prior to the Newton, there were two kinds of | | | | frequently used by such people who are on the |
| organizers available in the markets which were | | | | move frequently. |
| known as the Psion Organizer and the Sharp | | | | |