A PDA (personal digital assistant) is a mobile device that acts as a personal information manager.
The first PDA, known as the organizer II, was released in 1984 in by Psion. However, in 1993, the company released a more familiar PDA with a full keyboard.
In 1994, IBM created a the IDM Simon, a PDA that could also function as a full mobile phone. This new development launched an entirely type of electronic called the PDA phone. Branching off of this, Nokia began selling the 9000 Communicator which would become the world’s best selling PDA.
Through the years, the PDA has gone through many changes and upgrades due to the always evolving landscape of technology. However, nearly all PDAs have an electronic visual display, ability to connect to the internet, touchscreen tech, and a web browser. In addition to this, many PDS also included a portable media player and GPS navigation.
Because of their multiple abilities and uses, they were often popular amongst a wide variety of people. From business minded individuals to doctors to educator to scientists, the PDA served as a great tool for those constantly busy and on the move.
Of course, today the PDA has been reformulated and replaced by the smartphones. The PDA’s legacy will be remembered as the grandfather of sorts to the iPhone, iPad, Andriod phones and tablets.
Popular PDA systems
Abacus PDA Watch
Acer N Series
AlphaSmart
Apple iPad
Amida Simputer
BlackBerry
Fujitsu Siemens Computers Pocket LOOX
HP iPAQ
Huawei series
HTC (Dopod, Qtek)’s series of Windows Mobile PDA/phones
I-mate
iPod touch, which also plays music, video, and games
Palm, Inc. smartphones under Palm OS and under the successor WebOS (Pre, andPixi).
PocketMail (email PDA with built-in acoustic coupler)
Royal
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