handhelds

Home =Handhelds= by: Christine Bulot and Brittany Boyle
 * PDA**
 * The main purpose of a personal digital assistant (PDA) is to act as an electronic organizer or day planner that is portable, easy to use and capable of sharing information with your PC.
 * It's supposed to be an extension of the PC, not a replacement
 * Not only can they manage your personal information, such as contacts, appointments, and to-do lists, today's devices can also connect to the Internet, act as global positioning system (GPS) devices, and run multimedia software

> These early devices, which were intended to be portable computers, came out in the mid- to late 1980s
 * Birth of the PDA**
 * Predecessors of the modern PDA include the Psion Organiser and the Sharp Wizard.


 * Psion Organiser and the Sharp Wizard**
 * They included small keyboards for input, a small display, and basic features such as an alarm clock, calendar, telephone pad and calculator.
 * The Psion Organiser II, released in 1986, was especially popular and more than half a million were sold


 * The Palmpilot**
 * The original PalmPilot was introduced in March of 1996 by Palm Computing. It cost less than $300, ran on its own Palm operating system, fit in a shirt pocket and synchronized with consumers' PCs. The PalmPilot ran for weeks on AAA batteries, was easy to use, and could store thousands of contacts, appointments and notes.


 * Basic Functions**
 * Store contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses)
 * Make to-do lists
 * Take notes
 * Track appointments (date book, calendar)
 * Remind you of appointments (clock, alarm functions)
 * Perform calculations

•**Advantages**- Helps organize ones life by keeping notes and calendar dates for upcoming events. You are able to access the internet and connect to your PC to upload information onto it. •**Disadvantages**- Viruses are able to get onto the PDA, especially if you download something from the internet onto it.


 * GPS**

A standard GPS receiver will not only place you on a map at any particular location, but will also trace your path across a map as you move. If you leave your receiver on, it can stay in constant communication with GPS satellites to see how your location is changing. With this information and its built-in clock, the receiver can give you several pieces of valuable information.


 * GPS Functions**
 * How far you've traveled (odometer)
 * How long you've been traveling
 * Your current speed (speedometer)
 * Your average speed
 * A "bread crumb" trail showing you exactly where you have traveled on the map
 * The estimated time of arrival at your destination if you maintain your current speed


 * GPS Function**

You are also able to locate the closest store by its title and give directions on how to arrive their. Directions are said aloud telling your when to turn left or right and what exit to get off the freeway.

•**Advantages**- Get clear directions to unfamiliar locations and locates the closest business's. •**Disadvantages**- Must be updated every year for new streets and freeways

Cites that describe these handhelds: http://www.experiencenavigon.com/?utm_source=yahoo&utm_campaign=GPS_Terms|GPS&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=gps&OVRAW=gps&OVKEY=gps&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=17580033511&OVKWID=139149367011 http://www.thegpsstore.com/?ref=yssp http://www.gpsworld.com/ Learning Modules http://www.mightygps.com/gpsarticles.htm http://www.gpstrackingdevice.net/more_gps_articles.html http://www.magportal.com/c/comp/pda/ http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=255&trv=1