Where have all the PDAs gone?: Ask the Editors

Q: I was browsing CNET, and noticed that PDAs have dropped off the map. It's been "the talk" for years that phones and PDAs were going to converge and neither would exist alone as we know them. Did it happen? Did I miss it? I've been an avid Palm user (even have programmed them for work), but of course Palm/PalmSource/Aspect is tanking with a couple Treos as the only remaining flotsam. The TX was great...but is going. Hewlett-Packard's iPaq is tragically bland. So, what's a PDA guy to do?

What would you recommend for keeping calendars, addresses, notes, possibly pictures and music, and Web browsing over Wi-Fi--that isn't also my phone? Or should I just suck it up and give in to the too-large-for-a-phone-but-too-small-for-a-PDA smartphone? I'm terrified of relying on Verizon, AT&T, or Apple for the portability of my data in the future--they can't even move a simple phone list. And the way they lock up and cripple their devices is stupendously...stupid! -- Chris C. via e-mail

Palm TX

(Credit: CNET Networks)

A: Hi Chris. Back in 2006, when Palm celebrated its 10-year anniversary, I was asked if PDAs would be around for another 10 years, and perhaps it's because I like to root for the underdog, but I said yes. Now, I'm having to reconsider my stance.

I still believe there is a market for handhelds. With all the advanced gadgets today and working in tech, it's sometimes easy to forget that there are a lot of people who still just want the basics, whether it be a cell phone that just makes calls; a simple point-and-shoot digital, or a standalone PDA for simple organization. When it comes to the latter, however, the market is small and dwindling.

As you probably know, Palm hasn't released a new model in years, and while HP continues to offer PDAs, they're very corporate-centric and sounds like you're not a fan of them anyway. So what is a guy (or gal) to do? Well, if you enjoyed the Palm TX, you could always get a replacement, since they're still available for sale. I'd also recommend taking a look at the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. It's not as compact as the TX and might have a bit of a learning curve, but you'll be able to organize your contacts and calendar, enjoy multimedia, and surf the Web via Wi-Fi. In addition, you get GPS, a full QWERTY keyboard, and there are numerous applications you can add to expand its capabilities.

I'd also encourage you take a look at the Palm Centro. It is a smartphone, but I think it would be a good transition device for you. You'll get the familiarity and benefits of the Palm OS and PIM (personal information management) tools, but you'll also get voice features and a full QWERTY keyboard in a device that is the size of a PDA. Plus, it's really a good value for your money. I'm not sure what carrier you have for cell phone service, but the Centro is available at all major service providers except T-Mobile. If you are a TMO customer, you can buy an unlocked version and insert your SIM card.

Readers, have any other suggestions for Chris?

[eriqc]

"...I'm terrified of relying on Verizon, AT&T, or Apple for the portability of my data in the future..."

An important thing to keep in mind is that even if you buy a smartphone through a carrier, you can simply turn the network communication off and leave Wi-Fi on independently. You're not forced to transfer data through the carriers network and you can transfer your data via local USB cable or Wi-Fi. There's no need to worry about relying on a carriers network to move data. There will always be an option to move data locally.

You can just buy a smartphone through your current carrier and not subscribe to any special data services. You won't need to upgrade your plan to support a smartphone either. if you're not going to use it check email or surf the web through the carrier's network, they won't force you to buy a plan for that reason.

I'll admit though that once you try using the carrier's network to surf the web or check email, you might convert. But again, you won't be forced to use the carriers network for that purpose.

PDA's are dead. Period. The (now) future of handheld devices will include communication features offered by phone carriers. My only gripe with the industry today is that I'm limited to the choices of smartphones based on the carriers selection. It'd be nice if I can buy a Blackberry Storm (offered by Verizon) and use it on T-Mobile's network for Internet access. Or buy a T-Mobile Wing and use it on Spint's network without the hassle of unlocking/hacking, etc.

[jmannewsie5]

unfortunately, i think the death of the PDA has already happened.
Plenty of phones already take care of the many operations that PDAs used to.
Personally, I am a Palm TX user (as in, currently) and I am in your boat, Chris.
I wish a phone came along that was a great PDA as well and that I wouldn't feel trapped by (name of your choice) cell company.
However, if my Palm died, there is no way I would buy another. For my own needs, I am finding more and more that blackberries are maturing to fit the description. I think the key is to ask actual users about particular needs you have, or programs you run and see which device would work best. Also, if you are used to using a TX, or other similar device, you might want wifi to be on the device you settle on. Note--- Verizon doesn't allow this on ANY device. Their greed is making me contemplate a switch in providers.

[rbz275]

Verizon does have wifi on the samsung i760 and the htc xv6800
and some other smartphones too.

But yes there are very few of them that do.

[zwolf4444]

I too, formerly owned a TX. Closest I could come to replacing it was an iPod Touch. It handles organization reasonably well, is exandable via new applications (for a proper to do list and notepad, for instance), has wifi and internet accessibility, and has a large enough screen to be a proper PDA (unlike a blackberry or centro). I decided not to just go ahead and get an iPhone because they're crappy as phones (my standalone phone is far better), have fantastically expensive service plans, only work as long as you are attached to ATT, and ATT's service is far worse than Verizon's in NYC. It takes some adjustment, but an iPod Touch is the closest thing to a new PDA.

[cm15]

I am also a TX owner resisting converting to Windows Mobile and/or a phone that consumes half of my screen space with keys too small to type on anyway. What REALLY annoys me is that Handspring gave me the phone and PDA in one (with an add-on module), and there is NO good reason I shouldn't be able to get the same combination of functions in a current model. There is just ONE reason--GREED--manufacturers make more money by selling me multiple devices (whether that means one PDA plus one phone; or just persuading me to buy a new phone every six months by adding a feature that OUGHT to have been on the previous model) (and we won't even "go there" on the subject of a separate MP3/music player).

I will "just say no" as long as my TX holds up--but whatever I say "yes" to will never be an iPod or iPhone.

[zupcsics]

The answer in the article says "I'd also recommend taking a look at the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. It's not as compact as the TX and might have a bit of a learning curve, but you'll be able to organize your contacts, calendar ..."

All of the reviews I've seen of the Nokia N800 series point out that there are NO PIM or PDA capabilities included out of the box, and I have not yet found any that reviews etc. that mention any decent PDA SW for the N810 and it's bretheren?

[Nathaniel Sanchez]

"What would you recommend for keeping calendars, addresses, notes, possibly pictures and music, and Web browsing over Wi-Fi -- that isn't also my phone?"

At the expense of sounding like a fan boy, these requirements are the exact reason I purchased an iPod Touch. The last thing I'm going to do to myself is converge both my phone & PDA together (especially if it's my iPod). It's one of the easiest, most user friendly PDAs around & does all the above features with an ease I have yet to see on any other OS.

[sting7k]

TBH I didn't even think Palm or HP were even making PDAs anymore. I figured they were dead long ago with all these smart phones running around now, which are basically a PDA/P. If you want something that isn't a phone you might want to check out the iPod Touch of all things. Apple isn't really marketing it the way I think they should. They are going about it as a "fun" ipod or media device. While it is both of those, it also has pretty much everything a traditional PDA has. Calender (sync with outlook), contacts (also syncs with outlook), and you can add note/task apps now from the app store. It has WiFi so you can get on the net when you need/want and it's an iPod of course. You could consolidate your PDA and mp3 player into one thing and then keep your cell phone since you want to keep it.

[gbelk08]

I've had the exact same experience of not wanting to be locked down to a network's $300 phone when i may switch carriers. Surprisingly, my PDA is now the iPod touch 2G. It really gets the job done exceptionally, being able to easily and quickly set up calendar sync (outlook only but there are apps to sync Google and others with Outlook. Quicktip on that), contact sync (Yahoo, Google, Outlook...), Notes, Wifi, 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB Solid State Memory. My 16GB version stores my entire music and photo collection, plus a few videos. Not to mention the app store makes it 10X more usable and customizable.

It may not be fore everyone because of its interface, but I definitely think it deserves consideration as the next PDA.

[swshop]

I miss my Palm PDA, but couldn't see replacing my PDA after the battery died for good. I've switched to Blackberry, but regret it now because of the monthly cost, despite the convenience of getting all my e-mail and having Outlook sync. I think Palm dug their own grave by not making batteries user replaceable on the later models. If I could have replaced the battery cheaply without sending it to the manufacturer, I'd have done it and probably upgraded at some point in time. Now I'm stuck with a Blackberry on a 2-year contract, and will look again at my options when that contract is up.

[leeshoredoc]

There is still a market for handheld "non-cellphone" devices, for those of us who collect georeferenced data sets. We use HP iPAQ handhelds for geological field work, as they are an input device for GIS software.

[rickinwdstk]

Chris, I also was VERY happy with my T/X, but recently decided to "upgrade" to an iPod Touch. I'm very happy so far. It has the contacts/calendar/notes functionality I need from a personal organizer, as well as a great photo viewer and WiFi compatibility. The browser, the screen and of course the interface of the iPod leaves the T/X in the dust. The 16 GB Touch costs ~ $300, which is about what I paid for my T/X in 2006. Plus you get a top of the line mp3/video/podcast player which

There are some subtle differences - the built in iPod notes app doesn't have categories like the "memos" app on the T/X (I bought a $4 app called "notebook" to take care of that). There's no "Tasks" app (I downloaded the FREE Zenba app to take care of that). There are also more professional applications (at least in the medical field) currently available for the Palm platform than the iPod platform - but I feel confidant that this will be changing (in fact, possibly the MOST frequently used free med app is already available for iPod Touch - Epocrates).

The contact listing syncs up with Microsoft Outlook, and the calendar - well, I haven't quite figured but the calendar I THINK can sync up with something. "Syncing" is of course important in case you lose the device so you don't lose the data.

Anyway, I say go with the iPod Touch if (like me) you just can't get used to the idea of your phone & PDA being on the same device.

Then buy yourself a Blackberry.

- Rick

[planblove]

I used to have use the T/X also. I'm now on the blackberry curve, downloaded some extra business apps from the blackberry website and I have zero complaints thus far. I sort of think you really need to come to grips with the fact that cell phones and pda's have merged and just go and get yourself an iphone, blackberry or something similar.

[Renegade Knight]

Everone who said PDA's have died has missed the boat. They are alive and well. They have phones attached now. Or Phones have stripped down PDA's attached. Either way the job is getting done. Stand alone PDA's though are rare.

[big.mouth]

I believe PDAs will experience a resurgence when someone comes out with a steno-sized (i.e., three ipod touches) tablet. At that point, e-readers, tablets, and netbooks will converge on a single device the way smartphones combined PDA and phone functions.

[rossmccloud]

Hmm..

I also have the same dilemna - which I've solved by using the iTouch for just about everything.
With a few iTunes tweaks - the iTouch will sync EVERYTHING in outlook except for tasks, which I assign to Outlook calendar anyway. Here's how: (be sure the iTouch is hooked up and iTunes is running)
Set the iTouch to manually sync music.
Click on the Itouch
click on info
click on sync contacts with Outlook
click on sync calendars with Outlook

works just fine for me..

good luck
ross

[rossmccloud]

Hmm..

I also have the same dilemna - which I've solved by using the iTouch for just about everything.
With a few iTunes tweaks - the iTouch will sync EVERYTHING in outlook except for tasks, which I assign to Outlook calendar anyway. Here's how: (be sure the iTouch is hooked up and iTunes is running)
Set the iTouch to manually sync music.
Click on the Itouch
click on info
click on sync contacts with Outlook
click on sync calendars with Outlook

works just fine for me..

good luck
ross

[make_or_break]

Ah, the pains of convergence. As much as I liked my old HP 2215, once I migrated away from my old Nokia cell phone and onto a CrackBerry, the HP as the information management tool of choice was doomed. And although I didn't see the Touch as the next evolution of the PDA--though in hindsight it's plainly obvious--it seems that the Apple device really isn't the direction I would think that most people who have a need for such a device would choose to head in. If anything the iPhone (and other like-minded devices) makes more sense in that regard...only because it's that convergence thing again: the proverbial "one-stop shopping" for all of that information that we humans seem to rely on these days.

[Philip Hatfield]

I agree with the other comments. What you have basically just described to us is an iPod touch. I am very happy with mine! ;)

[Mp3mizer]

For those who really want an excellent PDA, look no further than the Nokia 800 or N810. The IPOD Touch cannot compete!! Most people only know of the functionality of the IPOD Touch because that is what their friends have and what is advertised up the Kazoo. If only people actually tried to think out of the box, and for themselves they will find that their other choices out their.

[Mp3mizer]

For those who really want an excellent PDA, look no further than the Nokia 800 or N810. The IPOD Touch cannot compete!! Most people only know of the functionality of the IPOD Touch because that is what their friends have and what is advertised up the Kazoo. If only people actually tried to think out of the box and for themselves, they would find that there are other choices out there.