Types

PDAs can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the definition of "personal digital assistant" is so broad that devices such as iPhones or smartphones fall under it. Generally speaking, a PDA is a computer that will fit in your hand.

History

One of the first benefits of the PDA truly fit the "assistant" part of the acronym. The first PDA, built in 1993, had the ability to automatically create calendar appointments based on notes that were written on the screen, as well as doing other simple tasks that one traditionally had an assistant perform.

Identification

A PDA is reasonably easy to identify because most portable electronic gadgets are a PDA in some form or another. Generally speaking, PDAs are long, thin, rectangular devices with a central screen, and one or more buttons on the device.

Benefits

PDAs offer users the ability to have a simple "assistant" in the form of a calendar, notepad, phone book and (in modern PDAs) a Web browser. This allows the user to concentrate his scheduling and other needs in one location.

Potential

As PDAs continue to mature and grow in features, they might eventually replace personal computers for many functions other than just scheduling and keeping a list of contacts, although it will take some time for technology to reach that point.

Source:

The First PDA

What is a PDA