[AppleJockey]

Not sure what forum I could have put this in but...
Why has apple not come out with a RECENT PDA(yes im ignoring Newton)
or even a mobile phone(and yes im ignoring the rokr sp?)

one that runs off of a mini os X version

With the succcess of iPod I would not be surprised that one isnt in the works..........

[Grrr]

[production_coordinator]

Why Apple Doesn't Make a PDA:
1) They have the iPod... it does 50% of the useful things a PDA did (if not more IMHO)
2) Cell phones can now do even more than the iPod (SMS, surf, calendar, address book, games...)
3) People figured out $1.50 Sticky Notes work nearly as well as $600 PDAs for many tasks.

ALSO: In 1998, when I picked up my PDA, my only other portable option was a $2,799 PowerBook (no wireless, no USB or FireWire). Somewhat short battery (as compared to now).

Today I can pick up a VERY portable 12" iBook for $999 which has wireless, bluetooth, nice screen, etc. etc. etc.

That being said, I wouldn't hate an iBook nano (10" wide screen, thinner, perhaps even no optical drive) The perfect "on the go companion" to an PowerMac or iMac.

http://www.sonystyle.com/intershopro...50/TX610PB.jpg

[SuvsareRetarded]

Originally Posted by production_coordinator

Why Apple Doesn't Make a PDA:
1) They have the iPod... it does 50% of the useful things a PDA did (if not more IMHO)

Uh... what?! I have an ipod and a PDA, and I find it annoying that they're two seperate devices. You can't enter ANY information into an iPod, you can't under any phone numbers, you can't take notes, you can't do **** except listen to music and look at information that was already on your mac at home.

I find your statement quite ludicrous.

[jasonsRX7]

I use my Treo so much it's like an extension of my soul. My iPod hasn't been unhooked from the glove box in about 2 months, and I pretty much only use the Shuffle at the gym.

That's not to say I don't enjoy using my iPod. I haven't listened to the radio in my car in years.

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by Grrr

LOL, this is so funny! But my sig is better.


And I think there will be an Apple PDA eventually, but I wouldn't count on it in the next year or more. Devices will merge further, and Apple sure will want to participate in this market. But as I said, that's in years to come, IMHO.

[production_coordinator]

Originally Posted by SuvsareRetarded

Uh... what?! I have an ipod and a PDA, and I find it annoying that they're two seperate devices. You can't enter ANY information into an iPod, you can't under any phone numbers, you can't take notes, you can't do **** except listen to music and look at information that was already on your mac at home.

I find your statement quite ludicrous.

As I said... the iPod does 50% of the useful things a PDA did (if not more IMHO). Did you see the 50% part?

I spent most of my time looking up phone numbers and reviewing my schedule. Both of those things can be done on the iPod or my cell phone.

I replaced my $300 PDA with a $1 notepad. I never considered myself an advanced PDA user, but until there is a device that's a ~$400 cell phone that includes a GPS system, blackberry like keyboard, a digital camera, good sized screen, long battery life, a few gigs of HD space, MP3 playback and is the size of my iPod (ALL of which need to be solid performers)... I just don't see a rebirth of the PDA.

I WOULD love to see an iBook mini (no optical drive, slightly smaller keyboard, 10" screen... and $600.

[OldManMac]

This question gets asked here about once a year, and the reasons are always the same.

1. The PDA market is already saturated. If Apple were to produce one, it would be one of many.

2. If Apple were to introduce one, in order to make any money on it, they would have to convince almost every Mac user there is to buy one, because of reason #1 above, and that isn't going to happen, as many Mac users already use Palms, Sonys, etc., and aren't going to switch just because it has an Apple logo on it.

3. Perhaps most importantly of all, PDA sales are declining big time, because of reason #1, and because of devices like the new phones that also have many PDA functions built in.

The PDA is a thing of the past, and the fine folks at Apple are well aware that they would be banging their collective heads against the wall if they brought one out. Sony stopped making them, Palm is scrambling to keep their head above water, and there is no demand for them, so why would Apple jump into boiling water?

[JoshuaZ]

The PDA is soooo 1990's. Its getting its butt kicked by smart phones and laptops.

Fact, 97% of new students at my old college brought computers this year, and 74% were laptops.

When I was a freshman, 4.5 years ago, only 82% brought their own, and below 50% were laptops.

[SuvsareRetarded]

I'm a student. I have a laptop, but laptops don't fit into pockets. I use my PDA EVERYDAY for keeping track of my schedule, assignments, and contact information, which updates my address book in OSX every time I sync it. I also use it's note taking abilities and task management system, daily. If I lost it I'd be freakin' clueless.

[production_coordinator]

Originally Posted by SuvsareRetarded

I'm a student. I have a laptop, but laptops don't fit into pockets. I use my PDA EVERYDAY for keeping track of my schedule, assignments, and contact information, which updates my address book in OSX every time I sync it. I also use it's note taking abilities and task management system, daily. If I lost it I'd be freakin' clueless.

Note taking and task management?

Has handwriting recognition advanced that much? I could bairly get 30 words per minute... and that's after I had the thing for a year. At 30 WPM, there is no way I could use my PDA as a solid note taking instrument... especially in classes that weren't text heavy (chemistry, mathmatics, art, etc. etc.)

NOTE: My motorla cell phone will let me add calendar events, add phone numbers and send notes to my Mac while I'm away.

[dpaanlka]

I have a Tungsten E. I like it, it's cool, but I barely use it. I bet I would use it more if it was the Wireless version, but it isn't, so I don't do much with it except as a calculator or assignment book.

IMO, a student taking notes on a PDA has to be a joke. I honestly cannot believe you do this, unless it's to show off your PDA in class. I'm a super faster, but typing or handwriting on this thing is out of the question.

[SuvsareRetarded]

Originally Posted by production_coordinator

Note taking and task management?

Has handwriting recognition advanced that much? I could bairly get 30 words per minute...

I'd say yes. With auto complete words (suggests words I guess), I can type decently...but if I need to type really fast, I don't bother with recognition and just 'write' on the screen and save it as something kinda like a bitmap.

[SuvsareRetarded]

Originally Posted by dpaanlka

I have a Tungsten E. I like it, it's cool, but I barely use it. I bet I would use it more if it was the Wireless version, but it isn't, so I don't do much with it except as a calculator or assignment book.

IMO, a student taking notes on a PDA has to be a joke. I honestly cannot believe you do this, unless it's to show off your PDA in class. I'm a super faster, but typing or handwriting on this thing is out of the question.

I have a toshiba e740. It has wifi and a SD and CF slot. Yeah, I jot down notes. Not a replacement for a notebook, but if I hear of an author I need to check out, a gallery opening up, or something important with a few details I throw it in the PDA.

PS: What is a super faster?

[Andy8]

I love my Treo 650 - i use MissingSync to sync with Entourage's Calender. I do not use it for email. It is very handy for sending sms, keeping excel and word documents handy, like a very small office in your pocket.

Oh did I mention it is actually a telephone too

[BasketofPuppies]

You mean you don't have one of these?

[ajprice]

Does anyone here have a Windows PDA? Or does Mac user = Palm OS user every time?

I used to have a Palm Tungsten, my mum has it now, basically to play Alchemy and Sudoku games. When i first had it I had a Nokia 3310, later on I got a SE T610, and apart from the bluetooth syncing and using the phone as a modem for internet on the Palm, I used the Palm less after getting the T610, then i got an iPod and that killed off the Palms usefulness for me, so it went.

If I went for a PDA now, it would have to have a GPS system, handy now that I'm driving, or a phone, or both. I think I would still want to keep my iPod separate though.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

The PDA is soooo 1990's. Its getting its butt kicked by smart phones and laptops.

There is your reason why there is no Apple PDA.

Smart phones are getting better and better at doing PDA functions. Everyone with the income and lifestyle to own a PDA already has a cell phone. No one wants to carry around both. No one wants to have to buy both.
When most people's needs surpass the functionality of a smart phone they move up to a laptop.

Average consumers, which is where the money is made, don't want or need a PDA because of smartphones. Students on average don't use PDAs they use laptops. Only very few professionals can utilize a PDA better than they can the other options.

Given today's marketshare of Macs and the fact that only a fraction of those users would use or buy an Apple PDA the number of potential sales are not enough to justify creating one. If Apple wanted to make a smart phone they would need to partner up with an establised cell phone company so the phone is not a niche item only Mac users want.

[SuvsareRetarded]

Originally Posted by ajprice

Does anyone here have a Windows PDA? Or does Mac user = Palm OS user every time?
If I went for a PDA now, it would have to have a GPS system, handy now that I'm driving, or a phone, or both. I think I would still want to keep my iPod separate though.

I have a toshiba e740. Palm, in my opinion, sucks. I used to have one, and the handwriting recognition sucks, the OS blows, and it just isn't as powerful or as versatile as a PDA running PocketPC. In order to sync with my mac, I purchased the "PocketMac Lite" from www.pocketmac.com for only $14 ($1 student discount, yay). It works okay... sometimes I have to force quit pocketmac because it starts using up too much CPU usage, but generally it works alright. The only thing that sucks is the 'repeating events'. In iCal I put in my class schedule, and it transferred flawlessly to my Toshiba PDA. Even if I opened up a class in my PDA, it would have the correct weekly repetition down, but I could NOT put notes on an individual class day. Not sure if I'm being clear, but lets say I was in english, and I opened up my english class on a certain day. It would ask, do you want to open up the whole series of events, of just this single instance? I'd hit instance, and type in some notes for what homework I had to do. Then once I synced it to my mac, POOF, all my notes were gone on the PDA and they didn't show up in iCal either. I contacted pocketmac, and they told me to use the pocketPC note or task function instead, because they haven't found a workaround yet.

If you are interested in PDAs, AVOID TOSHIBA. Toshiba makes pretty nice ones, good hardware and stuff, but they do NOT support their products. As soon as a newer model comes out, kiss your current PDA's chances of ever getting another update again goodbye. I cannot upgrade to windows mobile 2003, because Toshiba's official statement is:

"Toshiba has chosen not to offer a Windows Mobile 2003 software upgrade.

Toshiba continues to embrace the combination of new technology and dedicated research and development to create products and services that meet the needs of our customers.

Introduced in June 2002, the Toshiba Pocket PC e740 was ahead of the competition, being the first PDA with integrated wireless connectivity and representing the latest technology the industry had to offer. The operating system is just one component of overall design, which includes dual expansion slots, integrated wireless connectivity and a high-performing processor that contributes to the total performance of the device.

Since users who purchased a Pocket PC e740 can still enjoy the feature-rich functionality, Toshiba has chosen not to offer a Windows Mobile 2003 software upgrade."

Assholes. Not only does this mean I can't use programs written for 2003, but 2003 is supposedly 25% faster in most tasks, offers better battery life, and is basically much more optimized and less bloated.

**** TOSHIBA.

[SuvsareRetarded]

Originally Posted by Captain Obvious

There is your reason why there is no Apple PDA.

Smart phones are getting better and better at doing PDA functions. Everyone with the income and lifestyle to own a PDA already has a cell phone. No one wants to carry around both. No one wants to have to buy both.
When most people's needs surpass the functionality of a smart phone they move up to a laptop.

Average consumers, which is where the money is made, don't want or need a PDA because of smartphones. Students on average don't use PDAs they use laptops. Only very few professionals can utilize a PDA better than they can the other options.

Given today's marketshare of Macs and the fact that only a fraction of those users would use or buy an Apple PDA the number of potential sales are not enough to justify creating one. If Apple wanted to make a smart phone they would need to partner up with an establised cell phone company so the phone is not a niche item only Mac users want.

Hence why Apple needs to make a smart phone with some PDA and iPod functionality. I promise that almost every apple users would lust after one, along with thousands of non apple users.

PS: I have a PDA, and a laptop. I find the PDA more convenient, as I don't like lugging around a 5lb computer that looks super expensive and takes up a ton of space and that I have to worry about it getting stolen or crushed or damaged in my backpack. I also do NOT have a cell phone.

[SirCastor]

I've nearly abandoned my Visor Edge (I know it's old) since I picked up my Nokia 6600. The screen's not as big, the input not as fast, the applications available a great deal smaller (and cost money), but The ease of having one device has left my edge sitting in the small pocket of my bakpack, serving as an occasional reference for notes that I hadn't transferred. I only wish there were a more complete syncing solution.

The only reason I'd want an Apple PDA is because it would sync everything between the devices.

[SuvsareRetarded]

Originally Posted by SirCastor

\
The only reason I'd want an Apple PDA is because it would sync everything between the devices.

What if it was an apple cell phone?

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Captain Obvious

Smart phones are getting better and better at doing PDA functions.

[SirCastor]

Originally Posted by SuvsareRetarded

What if it was an apple cell phone?

It'd have to be an Apple Smartphone. I wouldn't buy just a cell phone.

[SuvsareRetarded]

Originally Posted by SirCastor

It'd have to be an Apple Smartphone. I wouldn't buy just a cell phone.

s'what I meant.

[AppleJockey]

Originally Posted by KarlG

This question gets asked here about once a year, and the reasons are always the same.

1. The PDA market is already saturated. If Apple were to produce one, it would be one of many.

2. If Apple were to introduce one, in order to make any money on it, they would have to convince almost every Mac user there is to buy one, because of reason #1 above, and that isn't going to happen, as many Mac users already use Palms, Sonys, etc., and aren't going to switch just because it has an Apple logo on it.

3. Perhaps most importantly of all, PDA sales are declining big time, because of reason #1, and because of devices like the new phones that also have many PDA functions built in.

The PDA is a thing of the past, and the fine folks at Apple are well aware that they would be banging their collective heads against the wall if they brought one out. Sony stopped making them, Palm is scrambling to keep their head above water, and there is no demand for them, so why would Apple jump into boiling water?

I tend to agree becaus I do not have a pda for this very reason.

My symbian nokia has almost all pda funtions i need including expandable memory camera ,bluetooth.......
all it lacks is
1. a full qwerty keybeard
2. wifi

[production_coordinator]

Originally Posted by SuvsareRetarded

I'd say yes. With auto complete words (suggests words I guess), I can type decently...but if I need to type really fast, I don't bother with recognition and just 'write' on the screen and save it as something kinda like a bitmap.

So what WPM do you get with your system?

Saving as a bitmap is just like writing it in a $1 notebook IMHO.

[SuvsareRetarded]

no idea, and no it isn't. It's attached to certain dates or tasks. It's also always in my pocket, unlike a notebook.

[Kerrigan]

Face it, if you have a PDA, YOU ARE A NERD :-P

[olePigeon]

I wanna Apple cell phone that looks similar to the iPod nano.

[SuvsareRetarded]

okay. I have ADD and it's hard for me to keep track of everything, and my PDA helps. >shrug<

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by SuvsareRetarded

okay. I have ADD and it's hard for me to keep track of everything, and my PDA helps. >shrug<

Better than a smartphone would?

[SuvsareRetarded]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Better than a smartphone would?

Yep. Personally, I think a PDA is way less dorky than one of those huge smart phones.

[driven]

I live on my Treo 650. It's by far the best phone/PDA I've had. I like the QWERTY keyboard as handwriting recognition is horrid, and T9 is slow and usually makes me type something awkward.

I do use my Treo for data entry and notes and whatnot. It's primary function for me is e-mail and SMS. I also have a client (Verichat) that let's me be online with ICQ, MSN, .Mac and Yahoo all at the same time. It really is a mini-laptop to me.

I recently (two weeks ago) purchased Missing sync which has further enhanced it's usefulness.

That said: Palm is switching to Windows-Mobile. I question their ongoing support of Palm OS. (Which is small, fast and useful .. I gave up on Windows Mobile which is far too bloated for a phone device IMHO). <-- Just my opinion.

As cell phones increase functionality and as my desire for something even smaller than the Treo comes I may switch back to a traditional phone. I'm eyeing up some Sony-Ericcson models now actually.

Sprint has a problem with International SMS which may force my hand even sooner. (That and the fact that I really want International Roaming ability).

If Apple made a PHONE then I might buy it. If they made a PDA I doubt it. If they made a convergence device (Phone/Camera/PDA that didn't suck) then I'm there.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by SuvsareRetarded

Yep. Personally, I think a PDA is way less dorky than one of those huge smart phones.

I dunno, they have gotten pretty tiny. I like the sony Ericsson 9XX's.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by driven

I live on my Treo 650. It's by far the best phone/PDA I've had. I like the QWERTY keyboard as handwriting recognition is horrid, and T9 is slow and usually makes me type something awkward.

http://palmapple.sourceforge.net/

Lode Runner baby. Maybe a little Super Zaxxon.