PDA Functions and Applications
PDAs are intended to perform a wide range of functions in support of personal and business use, hence the term Personal Digital Assistant. Current functions include handwriting recognition and handwriting-to-text conversion. These functions, coupled with limited data networking capabilities, offer excellent support for sales and delivery people. Federal Express and other delivery companies use such devices to great advantage.
Extending these functions a bit further, PDAs also can be used for email access, facsimile networking, and access to ISPs and then to the Internet. The information contained in the PDA, perhaps downloaded from the Internet or from a facsimile server, can be uploaded via an infrared link or hardwired line to a workstation, which may be LAN attached. The devices also typically provide calendaring and scheduling applications. They generally support the management of to-do lists, as well.
PDA Advantages and Disadvantages
The advantages of PDAs certainly are their inherent small size and weight, which translate to portability and mobility. The capability to recognize handwriting is of great value in sales and delivery applications. Even though their functionality is limited, they are multifunctional and serve well in niche applications.
On the negative side, the handwriting recognition capabilities generally are poor, typically recognizing only block printing. There is little third-party application support, as the market is so limited and sales have been so weak, the operating systems are proprietary and the horsepower (processing power) is limited. Additionally, the size and weight of the devices are not small enough for them to be considered truly portable in comparison to a pager or cellular phone. Given these factors, as well as their relatively low functionality and high cost, they are not seen as likely replacements for laptop computers, cellular phones, and other single function devices that can be used either alone or in combination.
PDA Futures: Gadgets in Search of a Market?
The future of the PDA is uncertain, at best. The market is ill-defined and the costs are high. Additionally, the functions are not of sufficient breadth or depth to replace other devices, such as laptops and cellular phones. While PDAs may continue to build niche markets for order-taking and other applications, it is highly unlikely that serious business professionals will cheerfully lug one more device around, almost regardless of the cost. However, BIS Strategic Decisions forecast that about 150,000 units would be purchased in 1995 [12-45]. Forrester Research was more optimistic, forecasting that 373,000 units would be sold in 1995 and that 1999 sales would reach 4.8 million units for revenue of $1.5 billion [12-46].
In the meantime and in a desperate attempt to bolster sales, the manufacturers have increased advertising and hired college students to play with the devices at computer stores. They also have lowered prices significantly since introduction. For example, the Motorolas Envoy has dropped from $1,695 to $1,000; Apples Newton MessagePad 120 from $1,000 to $599 and Sonys Magic Link from $995 to $499 [12-46] and [12-47]. Even these measures have not been enough. In August, 1995, Motorola Corp. (Envoy and Marco PDAs) announced the layoff of about 180 employees. AT&T stepped away from EO, Inc., a new company formed to develop PDA technology; EO subsequently ceased operations.
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