Handheld Computers
Handheld devices are great for retrieving and storing information on the go. Natural group of users for these devices are mobile professionals, such as salespeople, but the devices have uses in everyday lives of most other people as well. These devices are handheld, meaning that they nicely fit into standard pockets and into your life. Some of the uses for these devices include managing your calendar, browsing contact information, and keeping to-do lists in digital format. Some handhelds have voice recorders and note takers. Plus, some allow you to read e-mail and information downloaded to the device. Handheld Computers - Features Some of the major features that you should take into account when choosing a handheld device include: size of the handheld device dislay type and size memory capacity text entry method power management (batteries) additional features (such as possibility to download e-mail to the device) Size is major concern for any mobile device. For handhelds, there are as small as credit card sized devices out there, but these devices usually offer only the very basic features, plus text entry becomes a bit of a problem with these smaller handhelds. Larger handheld computers bigger screens that come handy when using handwriting recognition data entry with a touch-pad stylus pen. The dislays are pretty similar, although simplified to what you see in laptops. Options range from buying a monochrome display (cheaper) to full color active-matrix displays (pricier). Depending on what you'll be using your handheld for, memory can become a major concern. If the handheld is used for day-to-day personal information management functions (a basic feature), the memory requirements are low. For more advanced handheld software that require a lot more processing power (such as some handheld spreadsheet programs) require more memory capacity. Text entry methods range from keyboard-based text-entry to touch-screen information input with a stylus pen. The handwriting recognition system takes a bit of getting used to before you can be efficient with the device. Power management is another major portable problem. Most of the handhelds have alkaline battery power, plus some have internal backup batteries to keep the core data in case you run out of battery power. Many handhelds have options to manage the power consumption, such as keeping the backlight of the handheld computer unlit when not needed. As for additional features, many handhelds have the option to download your e-mail and other data from your desktop PC to the handheld. Some even have internal modems, allowing for direct sending and receiving of e-mail and other content. Handheld Computer Manufacturers There are several manufacturers competing in the handheld sector of computing. These companies include: Handspring (Visor Handhelds, a Palm company) Palm Compaq (now a HP company) HP (iPaq) IBM (WorkPad) TRG Psion Casio (Cassiopeia) VTech (Helio) RIM (Blackberry) Dell Major companies from these include the combined Palm/Handspring (about 38.9% market share), HP (18.1%), and Dell (6.5%). Dell is the latecomer in this field, having started the manufacture of handheld computers only in the fourth quarter of 2002.
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