Personal digital assistant

Close wing posture of Amblypodia anita (Hewitson, 1862) - Purple Leaf Blue (Male) gathering nutrients from bird dropping WLB

Mobile device that functions as a personal information manager

A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a handheld PC, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. PDAs were largely discontinued in the early 2010s after the widespread adoption of smartphones.

History

The first PDAs were introduced in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The term "PDA" was first used by Apple Inc. CEO John Sculley in 1992, referring to the Apple Newton. Other early PDAs included the Psion Organiser and the PalmPilot.

Features

PDAs typically include features such as:

• Calendar
• Address book
• Task manager
• Note-taking
• Email
• Web browser

Many PDAs also offer wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for internet access and data synchronization with other devices.

Input and Output

PDAs usually feature a touchscreen for input, often with a stylus. Some models also include a keyboard or support for handwriting recognition. The display is typically an LCD or OLED screen.

Operating Systems

Common operating systems for PDAs include:

• Palm OS
• Windows Mobile
• Symbian OS
• BlackBerry OS

Decline and Legacy

The popularity of PDAs declined with the advent of smartphones, which integrated PDA functionality with mobile phone capabilities. Modern smartphones and tablet computers have largely replaced the need for standalone PDAs.

See also

• Smartphone
• Tablet computer
• Mobile operating system
• Handheld game console

References

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