Personal Digital Assistants
 What is a Personal Digital Assistant/Smart-Phone?
PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are handheld computers that can synchronize information between a handheld and desktop computer or server. Most use touch, pen based interfaces or handwriting recognition technologies for data entry. Like most technology the PDA has quickly evolved to be very sophisticated devices. Basic applications on most PDAs include a schedule/calendar, address book, task list, memo pad and calculator. Modern PDA technologies have also merged with wireless and cellular phone technologies to include web, e-mail and networked applications in what are now described as Smart-Phones.
Devices
There are many competing device formats, e.g. the Pocket PC /Windows Mobile (Microsoft), the Palm (PalmOne), and also smart-phone formats such as the Apple iPhone, Blackberry (RIM), and Palm Pre. They all use different operating system (OS) software interfaces to access the functions of the PDA, but most operate very similarly. The Blackberry is more of an expansion of business digital Cell-phone technologies that provide additional data functions (such as e-mail and scheduling), but other applications are now available for the platform. The Apple iPhone is the market leader currently offering even more functionality. There are also some health specific programs (applications) that can run on these devices.
Palm devices now use both the Palm OS and the Windows Mobiles OS. Several other manufacturers such as Handspring, Sony, and TRG also use the Palm OS, and others their own (e.g. Nokia). Apple, Microsoft PocketPC/Windows Mobile based devices are generally becoming more dominant in the market, also those manufactured by Compaq/Hewlett-Packard and Casio.
For an introductory site especially helpful for the novice PDA user or those interested in becoming PDA/smart-phone user go to:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/pda.htm
Should I buy a PDA/Smart-Phone for my Program?
Many applications have been developed to help nurses and other health care professionals in practice and are valuable because of the enormous amount of reference information that can be made available at the point-of-care. Some of the particular uses include drug dose and medical calculations, and access to updates reference and clinical tools, and patient tracking.
The following website provides more information about various types and models of PDAs if you are planning to purchase or upgrade your PDA.
http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/
What comes with a PDA?
Some of the basic applications that come with a PDA are a calendar and date book, address book, memo pad and To Do list, expenses, email, calculator and built in security features such as passwords and information ‘locks’. Increasingly PDAs are integrating other technologies such as voice recording, MP3 players, wireless connectivity with wireless networking (WiFi) or cellular telephone technology (GPRS), and digital cameras. Basically, the more features and memory that these adaptable computing devices offer the higher the price.
An essential feature of PDAs is their ability to synchronise data with a PC or Apple Mac computer. All PDA devices come with synchronisation software and some sort of desktop Personal Information Manager (PIM) application. Palm OS machines will work with either Windows or Apple Macintosh systems, whereas PocketPC machines are designed to synchronise with Microsoft Windows based systems. Most can also use third-party PIMs such as Lotus Organiser with additional software purchases.
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More Information
For information especially helpful to the novice PDA user or for those interested in becoming a PDA owner, please visit:
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