PDA

Google your mobile

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:01:37 -0400

Google wants your phone. Maybe not your PDA, but definitely your phone. That's the word of a Google exec when he tells a mobile phone and data conference that Google tools for mobile devices are coming sooner, rather than later. Google has already announced some services, but Deep Nishar says that ads and pay-based services are on the way from the large search-engine provider. The exact form that Google's foray into the wireless realm takes may be up in the air, but there's no doubt that the biggest search engine is coming to the smallest devices. Get ready.

For more on Google mobile:
- read the news story at NetworkWorld

Samsung's ultra-mobile Vista PC

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 20:01:37 -0400

If you could carry a full-featured workstation in the palm of your hand, would you still need a PDA? How about a smartphone? Samsung would like to think its new Q1P ultra-mobile PC can help you answer these questions, and many others about having it all and taking it with you--from a PC perspective. The new device, which puts an Intel Pentium processor, 1 GB of RAM and a 60 GB hard disk in a 1.7 pound package is one of the first UMPCs to be certified for Vista. At $1,299 it's not cheap, but if it helps prevent backstrain from carrying that big workstation, it could be worth the price.

For more on the new Samsung UMPC:
- read the article at Mobile Tech Today

New GPS service increases smartphone productivity

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 19:01:37 -0500

With the advent of yet another Palm Treo device, it's not hard to believe analysts when they predict that one quarter of all wireless handsets will be either PDA or smartphone devices in just five years. The Treo 680, which will be available through Cingular, is a quad-band phone with a very inexpensive price tag--just under $200. In addition to supporting Good Mobile Messaging, users are provided access to the $10 per month TeleNav GPS Navigator service that offers turn-by-turn voice and on-screen driving directions. The software package also includes other directional aids for the mobile warrior such as full-color maps and the latest prices on fuel. Article

How to help users avoid device-related ailments

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 19:01:37 -0500

It may seem a bit silly, but the increasing use of handheld mobile devices, such as BlackBerrys and other PDAs, could prove a liability and workman compensation headache for enterprises who don't pay attention to physical ailments that PDA overuse can cause. The repetitive nature of emailing and scrolling on small devices can have a detrimental impact and tech leaders would be smart to implement proper use policies to avoid legal issues. Medical experts say extended use is causing thumb injuries as well as hand damage. According to experts, good company insight on how best to hold the devices and encouraging users to send shorter emails and take breaks from PDA use are best practices that should be implemented. Article

Editor's Corner

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 19:01:39 -0500

Wave goodbye to the PDA
There's a great industry perspective piece over at Computerworld on why the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, or aka Palm Pilot) will fall to being a niche mobile device as smart phones take charge in the enterprise. It's an amazing trend outlook, especially for anyone who was around in 1993 when Apples' Newton launched into orbit as the first PDA. The device let users manage tasks, appointments and contacts. Today's versions include great features such as email, phone calls and Web browsing. Then came the ubiquitous PalmPilot, and of course the BlackBerry, way back in 1999, which gave workers a virtual office environment to work from. But now it seems, due to price and the impact of cellular service providers, the future will be the smart phone. Find out why, and how this trend will hit home in your enterprise just as hard as the PDA revolution did. -Judy

Also: As you may have noticed, the IT-Wireless website now features a comment link for each article. To promote this new feature and increase reader participation we are holding a cell phone giveaway contest every week in November called Let Your Voice Be Heard. This week, one lucky participant will receive a Sony Ericsson W810i in a random drawing--and all you have to do is post a relevant comment on any of the stories on the site!

The latest in mobile phone security

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 19:01:37 -0500

Security is a growing concern with anything wireless or mobile these days, as handhelds have gone far beyond serving as pure messaging devices. Mobile devices now house confidential data, and are starting to connect to internal applications for business use. So the idea of incorporating strong security technology into the phone or PDA is a good one. The latest approach is currently a handheld mobile phone device from NTT DoCoMo called P903i. Currently deployed in Japan, the phone features facial recognition to avoid unauthorized users from using or accessing the device, and it automatically locks if the user moves too far away from it. If lost, it can be found quickly through satellite navigation. Article

For text needs, Sidekick 3 is hard to beat

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 20:01:37 -0400

If your users are heavy emailers and note takers, one device you might want to check out is the Sidekick 3. Danger's new PDA and phone boasts both a trackball and a comfortable keyboard, along with an MP3 player. The one drawback is that the device, which retails for about $300, doesn't have terrific phone capabilities. You have to do a lot of flipping to make a call--initially swiveling and flipping the display up to access the phone keyboard and then flipping the screen shut to actually talk. Yet the voice quality tested well and there are a bunch of nice add-ons for communication needs such as a calendar, an address book and the ability to save photos. Review

Determine the right PDA for your users

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 20:01:38 -0400

Everyone's been clamoring that they need a personal device assistant (PDA), but perhaps your IT organization has been holding off on deploying such tools because you're not sure what your users need, what the current wireless network can support and what features are necessary. The best approach is to get familiar with the evolving list of products coming to market and what each offers your mobile user base. Some devices feature Bluetooth, which is a good fit for those using Bluetooth phone sets, and others depend on WiFi or several other types of wireless connectivity. The PDAs in play also come on various platforms such as Palm's system or the Windows mobile system. Then you need to consider memory and speed requirements as there is a wide range of options with every device. Once you've got your requirements mapped out then it's time to look at the various options to choose from. This is where functionality and ease of use issues will come into play as devices provide various types of screens and graphic user interfaces. Article

Sidekick 3 long on messaging, short on phone

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 20:01:37 -0400

As today's "how to" item explains, choosing the right PDA for your user base involves investigating a lot of issues and features to make the right choice. If your mobile workforce needs to communicate via text, instant messaging and email and needs photo capabilities for field work, you might want to take a good look at the latest Sidekick 3, which boasts great email and text and Web capabilities as well as image functionality. The latest device from Danger does fall a bit short, though, if device use is primarily phone driven. And the biggest drawback is with third-party application integration as it's extremely limited compared to other PDA offerings such as Palm and Windows mobile OS-supported devices. Yet as one reviewer notes, if messaging capability is your road warrior's top need, this is a device worth considering. Article

How to pick the right device out of a crowded field

Sun, 20 Nov 2005 19:01:37 -0500

There's some announcement every day about a new mobile device, whether it's a revamped PDA, new phone or other handheld sprouting lots of user functionality. So choosing the right device is only going to get harder if you don't start determining what your users need and what the devices offer in terms of features. For example, when it comes to smart phones--a dominant device at this point--you need to consider the connectivity issues, platform capabilities and memory needs. Then, of course, are the management issues involved. Right now, RIM is the only vendor providing a substantial management system for its device fleet. While it may seem a small aspect, the modem and WWAN cards that are put in place have a big impact for users. Some provide both model and wireless connectivity, some don't.

For more on making the right device choice:
- read this Network Computing article