PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant, a handheld device (small and light enough to be operated while it is held in the hands) that is typically used as a personal organizer. It has evolved into a more complicated computer-like gadget capable of performing a multiplicity of functions, such as serving as wireless communicators for sending and receiving data, faxes, and electronic-mail messages. The PDA concept was first introduced by Apple's MessagePad in 1993, and was later revolutionized by the PalmPilot in 1996, created by Palm, Inc. The overall market for PDAs has now grown by 20.7% in the third quarter of 2005, compared to the third quarter of 2004.

A basic PDA features a date book, address book, task list, memo pad, clock, and calculator software. Today, PDAs are widely used as notepads, word processors, spreadsheets, and appointment schedulers and to synchronize data with a PC or home computer. They may also be integrated with cell phones to provide mobile communication and be used for accessing the Internet through technologies such as Wi-Fi, Wide-Area Networks (WANs), and Bluetooth.

Most PDA devices are not equipped with a keyboard like palmtop computers. Instead, they are pen based and rely on special hardware that recognizes handwritten inputs to tap selections on menus and enter printed characters. Some devices may also include an on-screen keyboard for better accessibility.

PDAs now depend largely on a number of Operating Systems to function. Some of the most widely used PDA Operating Systems include Palm OS (Palm, Inc); Windows Mobile (Microsoft); Blackberry (Research in Motion); Symbian OS; and those based on the Linux kernel available for free such as GPE, and OPIE/Qtopia.

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A lot has been said about the iPAQ and it's various models. In this article I'd like to talk about a specific model, the iPAQ H6315 PDA, and what has been the experience of people with this model. Please note that this device is a PDA - phone combination, also known as "smart phone". This increasingly popular option gives you more added value because you don't need to carry your cell phone around in addition to the PDA.

Let's begin with going over the features of this device:

1.The H6315 is an integrated PDA + cell phone. In the US, this device works perfectly along with the T-Mobile and Cingular networks. What does this mean for you? Well, you can forget about carrying around two devices (PDA and cell phone) and replace them with one device.

2.This device has the ability to connect to a GPS system. You can actually find your way to any destination in the country using the GPS system along with a suitable map software. Make sure you install the voice software so your iPAQ can give you sound directions while you are driving.

3.Full Internet and email capability. This is a standard feature among PDA's today, but it's worth mentioning. The ability to connect to the Internet makes this device especially useful. Imagine you are driving your car to a new client, using the directions the PGS system gives you. At some point, the client calls your phone. You can take the call with your iPAQ while still driving and talk to the customer. Let's say he want to send you a PDF file. No problem. He send it to your regular email account, and it's being forwarded to your iPAQ. You now can access the PDF file through your email and PDF software that are installed on your iPAQ. If you need to see more data from the Internet maybe - again - no problem - you can use the browser on your iPAQ.

4.Calendar and reminder. Let's say you are out of your office all day. Your iPAQ calendar can be updated automatically with all your appointments while you are on the go.

5.You get all these capabilities for less that $500. This is a lower price than the competing machines and you get great value for the price.

Ok, so we've gone through the good stuff, let's look at a few disadvantages of this device, as were reported by actual users on websites such as Amazon.com:

1.The device requires quite a few "soft resets" while operating. Now this is not so unusual, as many of us experience this with our PC's. To eliminate this problem as much as possible make sure you upgrade your ROM to the maximum possible. This will enable you to use all the PDA's abilities with lower chance of resets.

2.Sound of voice on the phone is a bit weak. But this can be addressed with the proper software that enhances the voice level.

Hopefully this review helped you make a better decision about your future iPAQ. The HP iPAQ H6315 PDA gives good value for money option, and is a worthy option in today's PDA market.

Many people regard the Treo phone to be a smart device that combines the color Palm OS PDA with a mobile phone of normal size and with such integration, users are able to dial directly from their bulky contact lists and also shoot photographs while even being able to send emails as well. And, that’s not all, as there is also five-way navigation button as well as a favorites screen that makes it much easier to get to all of the different functions of any smart Treo phone. It is a device well suited for multi-tasking and with great amount of storage and a speakerphone provides more than basic functionality and features to the customer.

Polyphonic Ringtones

Your Treo phone is well suited for downloads of or use of polyphonic ringtones rather than monophonic ringtones and this device makes it very easy to download even a free MP3 player as well as many tunes from a number of different portals directly and the Treo 600 makes use of MIDI files for ringtones.

With a Palm Treo 650, you get a hybrid PDA and/or cell phone which is why buyers expect much from it and also the many other Treo phones. In fact, this model has aroused a great deal of anticipation from customers and is touted as being the next big thing in Palm OS smartphones and it is a worthy successor to the earlier Treo phone, the Treo 600. With the Treo 650, there are many more new enhancements that make it ideal for a road warrior and it is also a step up from the technology used earlier.

When you are considering buying a Treo phone, look out for this new Treo 650 that is, as mentioned, a cell phone and also a fully featured Palm OS PDA, and it runs on its own CDMA networks in the US when using the Sprint version, and it also provides for PCS Vision, and one of the notable advantages to this Treo phone is that it does not make any concessions as far as phone ergonomics is concerned as is the case with many other full feature PDAs. With your Treo phone, you can be assured of comfort and it is easy to use with just one hand and having every feature that you will find in current generation PDAs, is a good device indeed.

The Treo phone has integrated thumb keyboard which makes it ideally suited for emailing and even though the Treo 650 is somewhat bigger than some feature cell phones, it is still convenient enough to carry in the pocket and quite small as compared with the competition.