| PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant, a | | | | synchronize data with a PC or home computer. |
| handheld device (small and light enough to be | | | | They may also be integrated with cell phones to |
| operated while it is held in the hands) that is | | | | provide mobile communication and be used for |
| typically used as a personal organizer. It has | | | | accessing the Internet through technologies such |
| evolved into a more complicated computer-like | | | | as Wi-Fi, Wide-Area Networks (WANs), and |
| gadget capable of performing a multiplicity of | | | | Bluetooth.Most PDA devices are not equipped with |
| functions, such as serving as wireless | | | | a keyboard like palmtop computers. Instead, they |
| communicators for sending and receiving data, | | | | are pen based and rely on special hardware that |
| faxes, and electronic-mail messages. The PDA | | | | recognizes handwritten inputs to tap selections on |
| concept was first introduced by Apple's | | | | menus and enter printed characters. Some |
| MessagePad in 1993, and was later revolutionized | | | | devices may also include an on-screen keyboard |
| by the PalmPilot in 1996, created by Palm, Inc. | | | | for better accessibility.PDAs now depend largely |
| The overall market for PDAs has now grown by | | | | on a number of Operating Systems to function. |
| 20.7% in the third quarter of 2005, compared to | | | | Some of the most widely used PDA Operating |
| the third quarter of 2004.A basic PDA features a | | | | Systems include Palm OS (Palm, Inc); Windows |
| date book, address book, task list, memo pad, | | | | Mobile (Microsoft); Blackberry (Research in Motion); |
| clock, and calculator software. Today, PDAs are | | | | Symbian OS; and those based on the Linux kernel |
| widely used as notepads, word processors, | | | | available for free such as GPE, and OPIE/Qtopia. |
| spreadsheets, and appointment schedulers and to | | | | |