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threestain · Nov 21, 2003, 08:02 AM

I've been wanting to get a new PDA for a while now (my old Revo having kicked the bucket), and was wondering whether Apple might bring one out - it could go hand in hand with the Ipod, and surely utilise some of the former's tech?

What do you guys reckon?

scaught · Nov 21, 2003, 10:26 AM

no.

Krypton · Nov 21, 2003, 01:02 PM

Apple won't ever release a PDA (again).

1. Too much competition.
2. Existing products are good anyway - no opportunity for re-designing a la iPod.
3. Would immediately carry burden of the Newton reputation.

tracheopterix · Nov 21, 2003, 01:48 PM

I think saying they will never release a pda is going too far. I would counter that they definatly will, if they stay in buisiness that long. Computers are getting smaller and smaller, eventually everything will be a 'pda'.

Many people think the next gen iPod will have more pda functionality, I'm among them.

arnette · Nov 21, 2003, 01:49 PM

since we're predicting the future...

when am I gonna die?

tracheopterix · Nov 21, 2003, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by arnette:
since we're predicting the future...

when am I gonna die?

you will never die.

Casper Crane · Nov 21, 2003, 04:26 PM

The iPod already is a PDA, of sorts.

Although PIM features are secondary to the primary function of the device, it has a calendar and contacts.

That said, most phones have better PIM features and make better use of them too.

Apple will not make a PDA until they make a PDA OS. I cannot see them making a Palm OS device, and certainly not a Windows device, so what software will be available for the Newtoy?

I guess that's how OS X was at first, and that worked.

I hope so. I live and work in the world of handheld devices, and Palm and Symbian are pretty good, but I bet Apple could do a nicer job. What it really comes down to is money. There's no money in it unless you are Palm. I believe Sony is losing money in this sector and Handspring has been reabsorbed.

Why would Apple fight for another niche market?

Krypton · Nov 21, 2003, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by Casper Crane:
The iPod already is a PDA, of sorts.

Although PIM features are secondary to the primary function of the device, it has a calendar and contacts.

That said, most phones have better PIM features and make better use of them too.

Apple will not make a PDA until they make a PDA OS. I cannot see them making a Palm OS device, and certainly not a Windows device, so what software will be available for the Newtoy?

I guess that's how OS X was at first, and that worked.

I hope so. I live and work in the world of handheld devices, and Palm and Symbian are pretty good, but I bet Apple could do a nicer job. What it really comes down to is money. There's no money in it unless you are Palm. I believe Sony is losing money in this sector and Handspring has been reabsorbed.

Why would Apple fight for another niche market?

The iPod uses a Java OS made by Pixo - I would imagine an Apple PDA (if it happens) would use an established OS such as Palm OS.

slider · Nov 22, 2003, 07:21 PM

I don't know what Apple could offer to make a better PDA. I mean if they use the Palm OS that is. I just don't see it. Didn't Jobs basically make a statement about this last year? If Apple makes an OS for a PDA, is there even a market for it?

anaphora68 · Nov 23, 2003, 10:44 PM

I don't see a market share that justifies Apple creating a PDA. At this point Palm has that market cornered for mac users, and I don't think Apple would be able to manufacture a PDA at a good enough price point to get people to buy it or post a profit.