Home | Clinical Café Archive | September 2003

Understanding the ABCs of PDAs
by Guest Author, Rob Altmann, Associate Director, Product Development

PDAs—You may have heard of them. You may have seen one. You may even know someone who has one. But what are PDAs? What can they do for you?

PDA: Personal Digital Assistant

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are computer devices that you can carry in the palm of your hand. Often referred to as "Palms" or "Palm Pilots," these devices have been increasingly adopted by individuals from a number of professions worldwide. First introduced in 1997 as an overpriced electronic date book, software for these devices has exploded into the marketplace. The functionality of these devices is quickly approaching the power and sophistication level most people have come to expect from laptop computers. The extraordinary market success of PDAs has been fueled by decreasing production and software costs, which has made these devices more accessible to a much wider range of end users.

PDAs are commonly used in conjunction with a desktop computer (although they do not have to be). They allow users to access information and software applications that are typically found on desktop computers. Users have the flexibility to enter information on the PDA or desktop computer and then to exchange this information between platforms. This exchange is known as syncing (synchronizing) the PDA, and keeps current the information shared between a desktop computer and PDA.

Perhaps the most commonly used application on the PDA is the calendar software that comes preinstalled. Such programs display scheduled meetings and provide friendly auditory and/or visual reminders about upcoming daily events. While some software comes preinstalled on most PDAs (e.g., address/contact book, calculator, e-mail inbox, expense tracker), many additional software programs can be purchased for PDA use. The number of programs available is too large to list here, but links to Web sites selling such products can be found at the end of this article.

Palm vs. Pocket PC

Similar to desktop computer operating systems (e.g., Windows OS® and Macintosh OS®), two main operating systems, Palm OS® and Pocket PC OS, have been developed for the PDA. Palm was first to enter the market and, as such, currently holds the largest market share (51 percent, say some industry analysts) of PDA devices. Palm OS devices can work with both Windows and Macintosh desktop computers. While originally made with monochromatic displays, Palm OS devices with color displays are becoming increasingly popular (although devices with the less-expensive monochromatic displays are still being made). A number of manufacturers offer Palm OS devices, including Palm (now called palmOne), Handspring (recently acquired by Palm), and Sony. Current prices for these devices range from about $100-$600+. Lower-priced units typically provide the user with a smaller amount of memory, a lower resolution display, and less capacity for hardware expansion. Higher-end devices commonly offer a higher-resolution color display, wireless capability (including fee-based phone, e-mail, and Internet service), and increased capacity for hardware expansion.

Pocket PC devices entered the PDA market a couple of years after the Palm devices, and are not yet as established as their Palm OS counterparts. Pocket PC was developed by Microsoft® and thus is primarily used with Windows-based computers (although use with Macintosh is possible via third-party software applications). The relationship with Windows is clear when using the Pocket PC (e.g., the use of a Start button to view the applications installed on the device). There are several Pocket PC manufacturers, including HP, Compaq (recently acquired by HP), and Dell. Pocket PCs typically cost a bit more than Palm OS devices, ranging from $200-$700+. All Pocket PC devices come with a color display, and most come with a higher screen resolution and with built-in sound and recording capability. Higher-end models feature components similar to those listed under the Palm OS devices.

Which device is right for you?

You really didn't expect a definitive answer here, did you? Of course, it depends on what you plan on doing with your device. Many users swear by the Palm OS; many others strongly prefer the Pocket PC OS. A number of comparisons that have been made can be found on the Internet (see links at the end of the article). Some potential users may want to consider the amount of software that is available for each OS. As a rule of thumb, more applications probably exist for the Palm OS than for the Pocket PC OS, mainly because the Palm OS has been around longer. Over the last couple of years, the gap has narrowed, a trend which will probably continue. As a PDA user who started with a monochrome-display device and who now has a color-display device, I really like the color display. Do I absolutely need color? Probably not, but I am becoming more convinced of the benefit of color each day I use my device. Memory considerations are always an issue, and the ability to add portable memory (with a small disc commonly used in digital cameras) should be a serious consideration. Such an enhancement makes your storage capacity seemingly endless.

Are PDAs right for school SLPs other education professionals?

Again, no definitive answer here, because it depends on your individual circumstances. To the extent that any job requires a person to travel to different locations, be organized, and maintain a busy work schedule, a PDA may become an important tool for professional success. Specific to school SLPs' needs, a number of recent applications have been developed for PDAs, including behavioral observation programs, "pocket" norm tables for standardized tests, chronological age calculators, and a DSM-IV-TR reference guide. Several, more generic applications may also be relevant, such as calendar/date book, address book/contacts, expense reporting, Pocket Word applications, Pocket Excel applications, PowerPoint® application (and the ability to connect the PDA to an overhead projector), a digital camera attachment, and a variety of electronic reference books. As school SLPs and other education professionals increasingly use PDAs in their work, applications specifically for such uses will continue to be developed.

How can I learn more about PDAs?

A large amount of information about PDAs is available on the Internet. Below are a number of links that I have found helpful. These may be good starting places for those interested in learning more about PDAs and/or the software that is available for them.

1. www.palmOne.com: This is the main Web site for Palm^TM handheld devices. Listed here is helpful information on the latest Palm devices and ways to upgrade your Palm device.
2. www.microsoft.com: This is the main Microsoft Web site, although general PDA information can also be found here (look under "Mobile Devices"). While Microsoft does not sell product from their site, they do offer a lot of basic information about the Pocket PC environment.
3. www.freewarepalm.com and www.freewareppc.com: These locations offer free software for the Palm OS and Pocket PC OS, respectively. They are basically the equivalent of www.shareware.com for desktop applications.
4. www.handango.com: Palm OS and Pocket PC OS software is available for purchase at this Web address. Hundreds of programs are offered, and most can be downloaded after purchase.
5. www.handheldmed.com: Primarily devoted to medical applications, this site also lists products that many psychologists may find useful (e.g., the DSM-IV-TR). A feature also included is programs offered for physicians, who seem to have widely adopted the use of PDAs in their practice.
6. www.pdabuzz.com: This site provides a variety of Palm and Pocket PC information. Software and services may be purchased here, and informational content is also available (e.g., reviews of various Palm and Pocket PC devices).
7. www.palminfocenter.com: In addition to a variety of Palm information, this site includes product listings and informational content.

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