Does anyone still use PDAs any more? I've been searching and it seems Palm just makes phones now, the usual places seem not to even have a PDA category... just phones and iPods.
I used a Newton MP2100 for a few years, then for the past 4 years I've been using an HP 200LX (handheld computer) but I'm ready to try and join the modern world again, and would like to see if I can find something that's compatible with OS X 10.5 so I can sync address and calendar. It is also important for me to be able to build some simple databases, as I use my 200LX quite a bit for simple database use.
I'm not interested in a pumped-up phone, I have nice cellphone that does what I want.
Any suggestions? Thanks!
-Stephanie
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If you do not have an iPod then I would suggest an iPod Touch, as it can function as an excellent PDA as well as a photo viewer,mp3 player, contact organizer/scheduler plus what ever apps you would like to use from the iTunes apps store (they are almost endless)
Cheers
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I know this doesn't answer your question directly but i think your research should lead you to the conclusion that there really isn't a market for PDA's anymore because it's been swallowed up by the Smartphone market. So rather than get something that's cutting edge 5 years ago and won't be cheap, I'd say it's worth paying a little more and looking into the Smartphone world. Even if you already have a capable cell phone it's quite a bit more convenient to have a single device for both purposes and you don't need to activate data services for the phone if you don't want to (sparing yourself that added expense). And if that makes sense the #1 choice has to be the iPhone. If you qualify for the $200 entry price it's a hell of a deal. Not only is it a phone and PDA, but it syncs effortlessly with a mac's calendar and address book (via cable, to get 'push' sync you'll need to subscribe to mobileme) and you also have a fully functional web browser, iPod, photo viewer... as well as the option to use thousands of custom applications in the iPhone app store in iTunes... Good luck!
I tossed my Palm Pilot in a drawer when I got my iPod Touch and would never go back to just a PDA. I like my Motorola cell phone just fine. It's a phone and that is all I use it for. All other features are disabled on the phone except voice mail. The feature rich Touch kicks the butt of any current PDA and it suits my every need. And it doesn't ring when I'm in the middle of updating my Touch or checking my e-mail either.
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I have a like new Handspring Visor (Graphite) ready to go for $29 including expedited shipping anywhere in Canada. It's a versatile PDA which supports optional expansion modules for MP3 player, pager, modem, GPS, video games and more (eBay is your friend).
Included:
Retail Box, Printed Manual, USB HotSync Cradle, Stylus, Palm Desktop Software (Windows and Mac OS 8/9/Classic?)
Send me a private message if you or anyone else is interested.
Links:
Amazon Handspring Visor page
Handspring Visor User Community website
I used a blackberry for a while as a PDA (i.e. didn't have phone service on it) - RIM provides free software to sync it with all the most common mac software (mail/entourage/etc...)
Older models are also available on ebay fairly cheap.
Thanks for all the replies! I actually have a handspring visor gathering dust somewhere - it last saw use in 2001/2002 I think, when I was trying to do things to the hardware..
I had not thought about the iPod Touch. Is there a method to do data entry directly on it (h/w recognition, onscreen keyboard?) I'm not too keen on something that is merely for data playback, I like being able to easily enter data directly into the PDA as opposed to having to write it down on a post-it note then enter into the Mac to sync it back onto the PDA. (Have been that route with a REX many years ago.)
Edited to add: One more question - you can tell I'm out of the loop with iPod stuff - can we write our own apps for the iPod Touch, or is the development stuff closed? I vaguely remember somewhere that apps would work similar to the dock widget things?
Thanks again, and Cheers!
-Stephanie
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She who laughs last -- probably made a back-up.
Last edited by Stephanie; Feb 23rd, 2009 at 06:57 PM.
Two things: on-screen keyboard, and app store. Developers welcome. Really, you should check a demo model out at your nearest Apple dealer. You won't be disappointed (except maybe by the lack of cut and paste).
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