Comments on: Where have all the PDAs gone?: Ask the Editors

CNET editors answer a reader's question about the state of PDAs and offers buying advice on current models and alternatives.

[BruceGil]

I'm still hanging in with my Dell Axim X51v. The list of things I do with it is too long to include here, but it's more things than I could do with a smartphone or an iTouch/iPhone. The iTouch screen size does match my Axim, and the larger screen is one reason why I have stayed with it. I could probably move many of my programs to a smartphone, but the smaller screen sizes don't appeal to me. I realize that the next pocket-sized 'PDA' I get will likely be a phone, but it will need to be Windows-based so I can continue to use the many programs I use on a regular basis..

[davidhill]

I am a proud user and owner of the Palm T/X and the Palm Treo 700p Smartphone. On either of these, when the Pocket Tunes product is upgraded to the 4.x version, you get a nice Media Player built in to an Outstanding PDA. The Wireless features allow similar use as the iPod Touch, and it works well with synchronizing Outlook, Office Documents, photos, and video. The Treo added a nice bluetooth enabled phone, but the display gets smaller to support a built-in QWERTY keyboard.

I have owned numerous PDAs. I started with a Palm Vx and added the Documents to Go software for using office applications on the go. I bought a Sony S320 with a memory stick expansion slot for my son since he liked to play some of the games I had loaded on the handheld. Both of these devices ran the Palm OS 3.x version. I later used a Palm m500 for work (with a Seiko ThumbBoard) that provided SD card expansion. I traded up to a Palm m505 with a color display and migrated to the Palm 4.x platform that I still use. My first Pocket PC was an HP iPAQ h1910 using Windows Pocket PC 2002 OS, provided office document compatibility, a crisp color display, an SD card expansion, and a handheld mp3 player. I upgraded to a Sony SJ-33 that provided a crisp color display, memory stick expansion, and a handheld video/mp3 player on the Palm OS 4.x platform. I also still use a refurbished HP iPAQ h4155 (HP micro Thumb board, and Stowaway IR Keyboard) Pocket PC that upgraded to PocketPC/Windows Mobile 2003 OS, added memory and processor power to a small handheld that includes video/mp3 player, security encryption, and built-in blue-tooth/802.11b wireless. I bought an iPAQ hx2755 PocketPC/Windows Mobile 2003 SE OS adding memory and processor power, dual SD and CF slots, and biometric security features that is great for work and travel.

Is the PDA Dead?

Searching the Internet on the subject, when Sony got out of the market for manufacturing PDAs in June 2004, it was a real concern that the PDA market would be replaced by Smart Phones. Similarly, Pocket PC manufacturers have been reducing both new product development and product lines for traditional PDAs. Smart handhelds like the RIM Blackberry and Palm Treo models that include cellular phone features with online wireless connection to internet and e-mail services have risen in popularity. But is the Treo a phone or a PDA? These Palm-branded Smart handhelds sales have soared, but are that because the PDA market is gone? No, it is because the Smart Handhelds can deliver services to mobile customers that are in addition to those normally provided to PDA users. New development of PDAs has improved security and connectivity. They can encrypt files on the device so loss does not allow disclosure. The can provide access to wireless and blue tooth networks, just like a full-feature computer.

My real concern is over new the Windows Mobile (WM) 5 ?issues? that forced me to settle for an older product (iPAQ 2755) in order to delay upgrading my Pocket PC from Windows Mobile 2003. You can read about this in the HP iPAQ Forum from users who have upgraded their PDAs to WM 5. It seems this Pocket PC operating system does not run well on the older PDAs without a bunch of tweaking. Even then, there appears to be some degradation in performance. WM 5 seems to run much better on newer devices that come from the factory with it already installed (even though these newer devices have also had their share of problems with WM 5). Most of this has been addressed in WM 6.

[Koovo]

OK, seriously. I am not even going to read the other comments. Consumers need to look beyond the mainstream and into the wonderful world of the hidden indie market. There is one device that may fit all of Chris' needs.

The Pandora is a device that was built with the tech community in mind and is supported by a very strong community. It is about the size of the original Nintendo DS, but incorporates the screen size of the Sony PSP and boasts a 43 button QWERTY and numeric keypad, TWO analog nubs, and runs Linux. It was designed with gaming in mind, but its full potential has yet to be unleashed. My small and somewhat vague description does not do the Pandora justice. For more information, please check this web site, you will not be disappointed: http://www.openpandora.org.

I hope Bonnie Cha actually reads these comments, I promise this is one she will regret overlooking.

[willows_red]

okay, so all this being said, can onyone recommend something worthwhile - meaning 2 things, college student inexpensive, and last for the next few yearswhile finishing college - that is less bulky than a laptop, but still has as much functionality? I had a dell axiom a couple years ago, but it got wet inside, and it hasn't been replaced cause it was almost as expensive to just have it looked at as to buy a new one. I have my studenty type things - testbooks on my laptop right now, record via a digital recorder to the laptop, and some notes are also done with it, not to mention viewing powerpoint demonstrations, in class presentations, so a portable keyboard interface (usb, ir, bt, wifi) would be good, solid surfing, music, pictures, several e-mail accounts (including outlook), ms office, games (but only between semesters, so not so much) - sorry typing bable. hey, thanks for any input :). WR

[AnnetteP06]

7 months later ..... take a look at the Palm Pre from Sprint - will this signal the possible comeback of the Palm?

[bsorli]

Chris and Bonnie,

I agree completely about not wanting to change too much and stick with Verizon (who had no smartphones I was interested in) or move to ATT (who provides terrible service in our area).

Thankfully, I can report that I'm very happy moving to the Palm Pre that replaced my Treo 650 (w/Verizon) and Palm TX used as WIFI backup when my laptop and desktops were not convenient. Please note, the Palm Pre isn't perfect, but it is pretty close. I looked at the iPhone/ATT option long and hard and I have a big problem using a device that gets cell service less then 50% of the time in Florida. Yikes, I have no clue what iPhone users do with their phones when they have no WIFI or 3G service...I'm guessing they enjoy listening to music and playing Fly Casting downloaded previously???

I used to use my Treo 650 to log my miles for business, but haven't migrated my old applications (smartlist to go) or put much faith in Classic for Emulation. One clear advantage of the Palm Pre is remote access to Google Docs and other Web applications via Sprint 3G or WIFI. I plan to migrate my miles log databases over to online apps and simply remove the need for Smartlist to Go. Classic emulation from MotionApps - http://www.motionapps.com/classic/ may help your transition and provides me some options since I still have a bunch of Palm OS applications that I would love access too. For now, I'm waiting for MotionApps Classic to bring fullscreen interfacing (move the controls to the touch screen edges) and simplify how things work on the Palm Pre.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions, Sorli...