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Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Binesh Kutty
Multiple platforms out there, which one to opt for?
One of the most important decisions. Quite simply, Palm OS is the easiest to use and understand. Windows Mobile OS (the latest being Windows Mobile 5.0) is strikingly similar to Windows OS made for desktop. Blackberry OS is specifically designed to deliver e-mail.
Symbian OS is a decent platform too. Linux is used in a couple of phones from Motorola like the A780 and dA1200. However, point to note here is that Linux OS may have many third party add-ons available, as compared to other three platforms.
What functions and features should I expect out of my PDA?
Choose what all would you need from the following list: Desktop Synchronization, Emails, Schedule, Contacts, Tasks, Alarms, Memos, Music, Video, Photos, Games, GPS service, Camera, Bluetooth connectivity, Wireless connectivity etc. Ensure that the PDA you pick has the features that you would need.
Memory will matter obviously. What should I look at?
Low-cost devices come with an internal memory (RAM) of 32MB or less. At the other end of the price spectrum, it goes up to 256MB of RAM and ROM (non-volatile), respectively. For someone looking at the most basic organizer functions (contacts, schedules, tasks, alarms, and memos), 32MB should suffice. However, if one is inclined to get the most out of his device (say music, videos, photos, etc), it is advisable to go for a high-end or a mid-range PDA. Depending upon how much data (such as music, video, photos, etc) one would want to carry, a memory expansion slot will be useful.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS
PDAs
Palm LifeDrive
Palm Z22
Palm TX
PDA Phone Hybrids
Palm Treo 650
Sony Ericsson P990i
Sony Ericsson M600i
Sony Ericsson W950i
Motorola A1200
Motorola A780
HP iPAQ hw6965
I-Mate K JAM
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And what about ways to feed in data?
There is the stylus, which you can use in conjunction with handwriting recognition software on the PDA. Then there is the virtual keyboard. QWERTY keypads are particularly helpful in entering text.
Any tips concerning the screen?
The screen size of a PDA typically has a minimum of 160 x 160 pixels resolution, and goes up to 640 x 480 pixels. It is advisable to check out the device screen yourself to make sure that it is sharp and crisp enough to suit your eyes.
Someone mentioned there are many connectivity options ...
Depending upon the usage, there are numerous connectivity options to consider. Bluetooth connectivity is essential for connecting to the Internet via a Bluetooth enabled cellphone. Some PDAs, today, are wireless enabled as well (b/g standards). For a wired solution, most come with mini-USB ports.
Does it cover your entertainment needs?
Do you need to watch videos or movies? Listen to music? View/share your photos? Need to surf the net at good speeds? Make sure that the device fulfils all the requirements first.
A PDA-phone? Or a PDA in addition to my phone?
If convergence is your thing, look no further than any of the newer PDA-phone hybrids out there. They'll be able to handle all your communication, entertainment and business needs all at once.
If you already have a phone that you'd rather not give up, go in for a Windows PDA with a good screen and WLAN built in to complete the 'package'.
Source: Living Digital
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