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What is a PDA? How to Compare PDA with other Mobile Devices.
Compare PDA to the Cell Phone: PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant. It is a small handheld device that is used as a type of mini portable computer. The most basic functions of a PDA are computing, internet, and networking capabilities. Today's PDA's also incorporate telephone and fax facility, although the early models were void of these features. Early PDA's used a pen as the input tool, but nowadays they can come with stylus, keyboard, and touch screen options. So a PDA is a handheld computer with telecommunication capability. But hang on, isn't that the same as a Smartphone?
Compare PDA to The Smartphone: Put simply, the Smartphone is a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities over a standard cellular phone. In other words, it has more electronic guts and features than a standard mobile, but less so than a fully functional PDA. It's the mobile device that bridges the gap between the 2. Some might call it a rich man's cell phone and others a poor man's PDA.
The Smartphone offers users a balance of features. It runs an operating system (OS for PDA program) and is useful for those who want some basic computing functionality integrated with their cellular phone, such as e-mail, Interne, and e-book reader capabilities. It has fewer bells and whistles than a purebred PDA and therefore limited in computer technology and resources. The Smartphone is a cell phone which operates the basics of a PDA, whereas a PDA is a mini computer that has cell phone functionality. The latter has an emphasis on computing, whereas the former's main focus is on the cellular phone.
It's important to note that there is no industry standard definition for PDA, Smartphone, and PDA Cell Phone. If your phone has a touch screen and or stylus input options, offers programs and features above and beyond making and receiving calls, sending and receiving text messages, and snapping a photo, then it can be considered a Smartphone. If you can run Office programs, have a fully functional QWERTY Keypad (physical or virtual), have internet, phone, and fax capability, then you have a PDA.
If you're looking to buy handheld PDA devices, then do your homework first. PDA price, features, and styles, can vary as much the plethora of cell phones out there. Don't forget too, that there is also plenty of PDA freeware available, but once again, before looking at PDA freeware options you need to sit down and ascertain whether or not you need the full functionality (and price tag) of a PDA, or whether you can get by quite happily with a trendy Smartphone?
This is where you need to identify your needs specifically. It is then, and only then, that you can compare PDA cell phones against the PDA Smartphone options with confidence thus helping you to make a better informed decision at the point of purchase. Finally, the always seems to be a PDA sale and promotion going on somewhere, so take your time, shop with patience, and you could save a packet.

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