Long Live The Handheld Computer
I recently realized that my handheld, a Handspring Visor Deluxe, was rapidly approaching its sixth birthday. With its grayscale screen, AAA batteries, and Springboard expansion slot, it had weathered the ups and downs of the Palm company. Sure, I own and use more gadgets than the average user does. However, when something works, and I didn’t need it to do anything else than just phone numbers, addresses, and a datebook, I truly saw no need to upgrade with its attendant hassle and expense and hung on to my PDA (personal digital assistant).
So, I started to look into the segment, and quickly realized that the once flourishing market segment of handhelds has since evolved into the smart phone segment. Every card carrying geek wants the “digital Swiss army knife” that can do all of the important functions. Only Dell, HP and Palm are left making non-GPS handheld computers.
After some research, and pondering, I ordered an iPaq 1955. It is a traditional handheld, with no phone capability. I want to explain why I’m bucking the market trend, and why you should consider a handheld too.
First, I don’t want my PDA and phone in the same device. Over the last three years, I have been with three different cellular service carriers. First there was ATT, this was followed by Verizon, and now I am with Cingular. Was there any problem? No, like up to a third of cellular phone customers each year, I wanted to upgrade my phone, and get a better plan. If I had spent serious dough on the smart phone, I wouldn’t have the freedom to roam around every year.
Secondly, there are times when I want to be able to use my PDA without concerns of the phone radio signal. On occasion, such as in a hospital or an airport, the use of a cell phone is prohibited. We’ve all seen the signs, and if it is for someone’s safety (especially mine), I’m happy to oblige. Having my PDA as a separate device allows me to use it without a concern of violating a “no cell phone use” rule. Also, on the weekend, I want my phone with me, but I have no use for my PDA with its business info. It’s more of a break for me to leave it home and not worry about working when I’m off.
Then, there is the issue of removable flash storage card access. Most PDA’s can interface with Secure Digital or Compact Flash cards. Many of the better ones can handle both. This way, I can write a Word file on my PDA, and transfer it to my desktop when I get back to my office via a flash card reader. Unfortunately, to save space and weight, most smart phones can’t handle the cards. They are little more than better address books built into the phone than true handheld computers.
The last shortcoming is the most serious in my mind. These smart phones do not interface with WiFi networks. Most of the current crop of handheld computers do. This is because the smart phone companies want to sell you their internet access, across their cellular network. The smart phones do have Bluetooth built in, but when was the last time you saw an open “Bluetooth Internet Hot Spot.” I never have; they simply don’t exist. On the other hand, WiFi is everywhere, and a handheld that can access it becomes a great travel companion. I don’t want to have to lug my notebook on my next vacation, but I certainly could justify a handheld that fits in any pocket. Most better hotel properties have some type of WiFi available at this point; many have it for free in the lobby.
So, I’m waiting for my iPaq 1955 to ship from Amazon. It’s almost the same price I paid for my Visor Deluxe back in May of 2000 at $265 (with free super saver shipping). Now I will upgrade to a handheld with a color screen, WiFi access, support for SD cards, and the pocket version of Microsoft Office. As an additional bonus, I can stop buying AAA batteries as the iPaq has a lithium ion cell built in. Will the handheld live on, and keep evolving, or be totally replaced by the smart phone? It’s starting to look like the handheld is on the threatened for extinction list, but that’s a shame as some of us just want a PDA, without a phone. While it may be wishful thinking, I hope that the handheld remains as a separate device, apart from the smartphone.
Anyone looking for a slightly used Visor Deluxe?
So, I started to look into the segment, and quickly realized that the once flourishing market segment of handhelds has since evolved into the smart phone segment. Every card carrying geek wants the “digital Swiss army knife” that can do all of the important functions. Only Dell, HP and Palm are left making non-GPS handheld computers.
After some research, and pondering, I ordered an iPaq 1955. It is a traditional handheld, with no phone capability. I want to explain why I’m bucking the market trend, and why you should consider a handheld too.
First, I don’t want my PDA and phone in the same device. Over the last three years, I have been with three different cellular service carriers. First there was ATT, this was followed by Verizon, and now I am with Cingular. Was there any problem? No, like up to a third of cellular phone customers each year, I wanted to upgrade my phone, and get a better plan. If I had spent serious dough on the smart phone, I wouldn’t have the freedom to roam around every year.
Secondly, there are times when I want to be able to use my PDA without concerns of the phone radio signal. On occasion, such as in a hospital or an airport, the use of a cell phone is prohibited. We’ve all seen the signs, and if it is for someone’s safety (especially mine), I’m happy to oblige. Having my PDA as a separate device allows me to use it without a concern of violating a “no cell phone use” rule. Also, on the weekend, I want my phone with me, but I have no use for my PDA with its business info. It’s more of a break for me to leave it home and not worry about working when I’m off.
Then, there is the issue of removable flash storage card access. Most PDA’s can interface with Secure Digital or Compact Flash cards. Many of the better ones can handle both. This way, I can write a Word file on my PDA, and transfer it to my desktop when I get back to my office via a flash card reader. Unfortunately, to save space and weight, most smart phones can’t handle the cards. They are little more than better address books built into the phone than true handheld computers.
The last shortcoming is the most serious in my mind. These smart phones do not interface with WiFi networks. Most of the current crop of handheld computers do. This is because the smart phone companies want to sell you their internet access, across their cellular network. The smart phones do have Bluetooth built in, but when was the last time you saw an open “Bluetooth Internet Hot Spot.” I never have; they simply don’t exist. On the other hand, WiFi is everywhere, and a handheld that can access it becomes a great travel companion. I don’t want to have to lug my notebook on my next vacation, but I certainly could justify a handheld that fits in any pocket. Most better hotel properties have some type of WiFi available at this point; many have it for free in the lobby.
So, I’m waiting for my iPaq 1955 to ship from Amazon. It’s almost the same price I paid for my Visor Deluxe back in May of 2000 at $265 (with free super saver shipping). Now I will upgrade to a handheld with a color screen, WiFi access, support for SD cards, and the pocket version of Microsoft Office. As an additional bonus, I can stop buying AAA batteries as the iPaq has a lithium ion cell built in. Will the handheld live on, and keep evolving, or be totally replaced by the smart phone? It’s starting to look like the handheld is on the threatened for extinction list, but that’s a shame as some of us just want a PDA, without a phone. While it may be wishful thinking, I hope that the handheld remains as a separate device, apart from the smartphone.
Anyone looking for a slightly used Visor Deluxe?
posted by digitaldoc at 11:31 AM
2 Comments:
I could not agree with your assessment more. My only issue with carrying a seperate PDA is just that - it is something else to carry.
Between my cell phone, a PDA and my company text pager (they refuse to just text me on my cell phone), I have been accused of looking like Al Gore or an uber-geek.
So I have a very low-end cell phone that handles most contact, file and note taking chores. That way I can leave the old PDA behind in most cases.
I wouldn't want to look like "wooden" Gore either...
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