pocket computer (Personal Pocket Computer, CPC, as well as: handheld computer, handheld computer, handheld, palmtops) - the collective name for a class of portable electronic computing devices, originally proposed for use as electronic organizers.

IN English language the phrase "Pocket PC" (eng. Pocket PC) is not a designation for the entire class of devices, but is a trademark of Microsoft, that is, it refers to only one of the varieties of PDAs. English phrase Palm PC("handheld computer") is also associated with a very specific brand. To refer to the entire class of devices in English, the phrase is used Personal Digital Assistant or (PDA), which is loosely translated in Ukrainian as "personal digital secretary".

The original term was first used on January 7, 1992 by John Scully. John Scully) at the exhibition Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, applicable Apple Newton.

A PDA consists of a processor, memory, a sound and video system, a screen, expansion slots that can be used to add memory or capabilities, and a keyboard.

PDA application

• Reading books, reference texts, dictionaries, encyclopedias and the like.
• viewing e-mail, web pages, magazines and other documents in various text formats.
• Area maps. Particularly effective in the presence of a module GPS(global positioning system) and special programs for route planning.
• Diary and Schedules: The computer can automatically remind you of the schedule items.
• All kinds of records: memos, contact information, lists, databases.
• Sound player. Unlike pocket audio players, the function of the audio player on a PDA is completely configurable by software: you can choose a program with the appropriate interface and functionality.
• Dictaphone: When using additional software, it finds advanced sound recording capabilities.
• Freehand Notes: Allows you to quickly jot down a memo, with the ability to draw freehand with a stylus.
• Typing: Available on-screen keyboard, handwriting, and a full keyboard plug-in (may use a chord keyboard, which is smaller).
• Modern PDA models also have a slide-out keyboard.
• Image viewing: photo albums, image collections.
• Watching videos, movies: the volume of modern flash cards and the speed of processors allows you to watch videos with sound, without conversion.
• Internet access: connection via mobile phone (Bluetooth / IrDA) or wireless network WiFi, function GPRS And EDGE.
• Games: logic, arcades, shooters, strategies, role-playing games.
• Graphic editor, the functionality of which is significantly limited by the screen size of a pocket computer.
• Remote control: all Appliances with an infrared port can be controlled using specialized programs.
• Office applications: depending on the PDA model, the user has various sets of programs at his disposal - from utilities for viewing documents to full-fledged office suites.
• Programming: Despite the availability of translators of various languages, programming directly on a PDA remains difficult due to the small number of development environments available, and the small screen size of PDAs also prevents full-fledged programming.
• Camera, video camera: built-in or one that connects.
• Phones with sending capabilities SMS, MMS and calls.

To a PDA equipped with a host controller USB, you can directly connect various devices USB such as keyboards, mice, hard drives, and flash drives.

OS

Unlike desktop PCs, which are divided into several large classes and are quite versatile in the end, handheld computers are more tightly tied to their own operating systems (OS).

Today, the main operating systems for PDAs are:

• Android
• Windows Mobile(latest version is 6.5.) (previously Pocket PC And Windows CE) from Microsoft;
• Palm OS firms palm source;
• blackberry firms Research In Motion;
• Symbian OS(previously EPOC);
• GNU / linux.

According to research Gartner, in the III quarter of 2005 compared to the III quarter of 2004, the PDA market grew by 20.7%, and was divided between OS in the following proportions:

• Windows Mobile on Pocket PC- 49.2% (growth);
• blackberry- 25.0% (growth);
• Palm OS- 14.9% (reduction);
• Symbian OS- 5.8% (growth)
• Familiar and others based on linux- 0.7% (stable);
• others - 4.4% (stable).

As of February 2010 the situation has changed:

Platform	4 sq. 2009	4 sq. 2008	4 sq. 2007	3 sq. 2006	3 sq. 2005
Symbian	47,2%	52,4%	62,3%	72,8%	59,7%
R.I.M. (BlackBerry)	20,8%	16,5%	10,9%	2,8%	1,5%
Apple (iPhone OS)	15,1%	9,6%	5,2%	-	-
Microsoft (Windows Mobile)	8,8%	13,9%	11,9%	5,6%	2,2%
Google (Android)	4,7%	0,5%	-	-	-
Others (Linux, PalmOS)	3,4%	7,2%	9,6%	18,8	36,6%

As of Q4 2010, Symbian has the largest smartphone market share (32.6%) and is second only to Android in terms of the number of devices sold (32.6 million), according to Gartner.

Spreading

IN Lately have become widespread, so that PDAs, communicators and smartphones, which combine the functions of a PDA with the functions of a mobile phone, began to crowd out. These devices have operating systems that are almost identical to ordinary PDAs with minor differences - additional software for working with mobile communications. Communicators and smartphones have a significant advantage due to the additional and necessary communication functionality. Smartphones lose only in a short battery life. Whereas a PDA with moderate use requires recharging every 4-6 days, a smartphone needs to be charged every 1-2 days.

Federal Agency for Education

federal state educational institution

middle vocational education

"Rezhevsky Construction College"

creative work

by subject

"Informatics and information technologies"

on the topic of:

handheld computers

Students of the correspondence department of group B-41

Mineeva Zhanna Gennadievna

Teacher

Borisova Tatyana Konstantinovna

Date of registration: "____" _____________2009

Smartphone

Major smartphone manufacturers

Communicator

The history of smartphones and communicators

Conclusion

Glossary of terms

Bibliographic list

Introduction

Can you imagine life without electricity? Many take the use of electricity for granted. We want to eat a piece of toasted bread - turn on the toaster. We want to know the weather forecast - turn on the radio or TV. We do home cleaning - turn on the vacuum cleaner. Many modern conditions for relaxation and comfort would be impossible without electricity.

Can you imagine your life without a computer? Maybe someone thinks that a computer is not a basic necessity in everyday life. But it's not. Recently, computing technology has "penetrated" into our home, and not only in the form of a personal computer, but also in the form of an "invisible computer". This is a tiny microprocessor that is "hidden" in the objects around you:

Washing machine;

TV;

Sewing machine;

Microwave;

Calculator;

Camera, etc.

Most people do not yet have personal computers. So far they don't. However, as their cost decreases, more and more more families will have computers. There is no doubt that after a decade, computers will be as widespread as calculators are now.

For what purposes can you "start" a personal computer at home? Some families use a computer to maintain the desired temperature and control the air conditioning. Microcomputers are used to turn on and off electric lighting in accordance with a given program, for a security alarm system, etc.

Using your home computer, appropriate software tools, and peripherals, you can:

play computer games;

maintain a catalog of their collections of postage stamps;

carry out word processing when writing documents, letters, etc.;

enter electronic communication networks and contact data banks;

create your own programs.

This list could go on, not to mention that over the years it will reflect the new uses of computers.

Pocket personal computer

Pocket personal computer (CPC) is a portable electronic computing device that has wide functionality and was originally proposed for use as electronic organizers. The English name Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) can be translated into Russian as "personal digital assistant". The PDA is often referred to as a handheld because of its small size. PDAs were originally intended to be used as electronic organizers. The original term was first used on January 7, 1992 by John Scully ( John Scully) at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

PDA Acer N10 PDA in operation O 2 XDA III

PDA is applied:

Reading:

books;

reference texts: dictionaries, encyclopedias and the like;

e-mail, web pages, magazines and other documents in various text formats.

Area maps. Particularly effective in the presence of a GPS module (global positioning system) and special programs for route planning.

Diary and schedule. The computer can automatically remind you of schedule items.

All kinds of records: memos, contact information, lists, databases.

Sound player.

Unlike pocket audio players, the function of the audio player on a PDA is completely configurable by software: you can choose a program with a suitable interface and functionality.

Dictaphone. When using additional software, it acquires almost limitless possibilities of sound recording.

Typing. An on-screen keyboard, handwriting input, and a full plug-in keyboard are available (you can use the chord keyboard, which is smaller). Some PDA models also have a slide-out keyboard.

Viewing images. Photo albums, collections of images.

Watching videos, movies. The volume of modern flash cards and the speed of processors allows you to view video with sound, without conversion.

Internet access. You can connect via a mobile phone (Bluetooth / IrDA) or a wireless Wi-Fi network, GPRS and EDGE function.

Games. Logic, arcades, shooters, strategies, role-playing games.

Graphics editor. Functionality is significantly limited by the screen size of a pocket computer.

Remote control. All household appliances that have an infrared port can be controlled using specialized programs.

Office Applications. Depending on the PDA model, the user has various sets of programs at his disposal - from utilities for viewing documents to full-fledged office suites.

Camera, video camera- built-in or connected.

Phone function with send capabilities SMS, MMS and calls.

Unlike desktop PCs, which fall into several broad classes and are otherwise fairly versatile, PDAs are more tightly tied to their own operating systems (OS).

To date, the main operating systems for PDAs are:

Windows Mobile (formerly Pocket PC and Windows CE) by Microsoft;

Palm OS by PalmSource;

BlackBerry by Research In Motion;

Symbian OS (formerly EPOC);

Mac OS X (iPhone OS).

It is possible to directly connect various USB devices to a PDA equipped with a USB host controller, including a keyboard, mouse, hard disks (if a hard disk is connected, please note that often in such cases the power of the host controller is not enough for the normal operation of the hard disk) and flash drives.

Palm handheld - LifeDrive model equipped with a hard drive

PopularPDA

Palm Tungsten. Zire, Treo and LifeDrive

Smartphone

At first glance, a smartphone is an ordinary phone, but when you pick it up for the first time and start pressing on all the buttons, you are more and more surprised - what a functional and excellent device it is. If you dig deeper, then the smartphone will turn out to be the usual analogue of a personal computer, or rather a mixture of a PC and a phone.

A smartphone is: a mobile phone with an installed operating system; pocket computer that can make calls. Its difference from a regular phone is that on a smartphone you can run several programs at once.

Smartphone translated from English. smartphone- a smart phone designed primarily for mobile communications, and then for everything else. are quite capable of performing all the basic functions of a PDA: they have a browser, email client, spreadsheet and text editor, scheduler and games. Smartphones have powerful processors, more powerful than conventional phones. It is impossible to say unequivocally: the higher the frequency of the processor, the greater the computing power of the smartphone. It all depends on the specific processor model. The memory of the smartphone can be expanded with a flash card, it is better to transfer everything that is possible to it (music, video files, pictures, games, programs) in order to free up the total memory as much as possible, for faster operation of the smartphone. Smartphones can be used in any way, for example, as a regular flash card, on which you can transfer data from computer to computer, connect to a TV and watch videos or listen to music. It is possible to use a smartphone as a network drive, starting with S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2 smartphone and many other smart phone use cases.

Most smartphones run on two competing operating systems: Symbian OS and OS Windows Mobile Smartphone Edition.

In terms of its interface, Symbian OS is closer to phones. All settings are in plain sight, they are quite logical. OS Windows Mobile is more difficult to set up. Unlike Symbian, which was originally created for mobile devices, Windows Mobile came from the world of personal computers, first to PDAs, and then to smartphones. Even the old interface has been retained. If you are too lazy to fiddle with settings, delve into a complex hierarchy of windows and system messages - choose smartphones running on Symbian OS, and if you are not afraid of branching (but flexible!) settings, then a Windows smartphone is for you.

No less famous operating system is Palm OS. Smartphones built on this operating system are quite easy to learn and reliable.

Smartphones on the Linux operating system are generally digital exotics. Motorola A780 and Motorola A1200 run on this OS.

Manufacturers, using the kernel of the operating system, add various software developments to it. The result is a unique platform.

NokiaSeries 60, 80, 90 and SonyEricssonUIQ.

The history of personal digital assistants (PDAs) dates back to the late 60s of the last century, when the notorious Alan Kay, who worked at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), came up with the concept of a portable computer called the Dynabook. Kay's computer had to have a flat display, a graphical interface, wireless LAN connectivity, and, most importantly, no larger than a regular notepad. It goes without saying that in those distant times it was technologically impossible to bring the concept of Alan Kay to life. In the late 70s and early 80s of the last century, computer equipment manufacturers were actively involved in the creation of the first laptops - portable versions of desktop computers. I have to admit, they did it quite well. Already in 1982, the Compaq Portable laptop appeared, compatible with the IBM PC platform and received mass recognition. Even taking into account the fact that the first mobile processor (we are talking about the Intel 386 SL) appeared only in 1990, the portable computer market in the 80s felt very good. The need for smaller computing devices than laptops emerged by the mid-1980s. But, if a laptop is a smaller copy of a desktop PC, then a pocket computer is rather a powerful organizer with an operating system. The very phrase Personal Digital Assistant (abbreviated as PDA) translated into Russian meaning "Personal Digital Assistant" was introduced into everyday use by Apple. Among specialists and writing fraternity there is no complete unanimity about which of the handheld devices really should be considered the first handheld computer. If we look at the development of PDAs in an evolutionary context, then, of course, we will have to trace their pedigree from programmable calculators. In this sense, the evolution of Psion organizers is a clear confirmation of this (see below). However, a little earlier similar devices were presented by Hewlett-Packard and Sharp.

In 1982, Hewlett-Packard released the HP-75 organizer. The device had only a single-line liquid crystal display, but the RAM had a capacity of 16 KB (plus 48 KB of ROM). The configuration was complemented by a fairly large keyboard (without a separate numeric keypad), as well as a magnetic card reader, a memory expansion slot and an HP-IL interface for connecting printers, external drives, etc. The device was equipped with a BASIC language interpreter and a text editor. The HP-75 organizer was available in the HP-75C and HP-75D (the latter introduced in 1986) versions for $995 and $1,095, respectively.

In the same memorable 1982, two similar organizers appeared on the market - Sharp PC-1500 and Tandy TRS-80 PC-2. The Sharp PC-1500 carried the proud name "pocket computer" on its body and allowed running programs written in the BASIC language. Modification Sharp PC-1500A had, in comparison with its predecessor, increased memory capacity. The Tandy TRS-80 PC-2 computer featured a different keyboard layout.

And, nevertheless, the British company Psion PLC can be safely considered a true pioneer in the field of creation, development and promotion to the market of pocket personal computers. It was founded in 1980 by David Potter as a software development company. It is curious that Psion created games for the then home computers (like the popular Sinclair ZX81), and the company did it quite well. However, the head of Psion, David Potter, looked further and deeper than many - he turned his eyes to the market for programmable calculators, as a segment of devices that could turn into something more than advanced adding machines. That's why the Psion Organizer, released in 1984, is called by many the first PDA in history. This device is a clear example of the formation of handhelds, the first sign of the division of the evolutionary branch into calculators and PDAs. The appearance of Psion Organizer is unlikely to inspire confidence in modern PDA users. Indeed, at first glance, this is an ordinary computer with a single-line liquid crystal display and an alphanumeric keyboard of 37 keys. The basic configuration of the device was 2 KB of RAM, 4 KB of ROM, and an 8-bit Hitachi 6301 family processor running at 0.92 MHz. Psion Organizer was even closer to computers by the presence of an additional 8 KB of memory on a removable, erasable datapak UV-EPROM card, a built-in notebook and clock, and an RS-232 port. Datapak UV-EPROM cards were supplied with a variety of software, including programs for scientific and financial calculations. An important fact is that various developers created their own software for the Psion Organizer, which added popularity to the device. Psion Organizer cost about 100 British pounds. The device could work from one battery with a voltage of 9 V up to six months! The dimensions of the Psion Organizer were 142x78x29.3 mm, and the weight was 225 g.

The success of Psion Organizer inspired David Potter's company. In 1986, the Psion Organizer II appeared, which became a legend - you can still find working copies of this device! Psion Organizer II came in various versions with the letter designations CM, XP, LZ, and LA. The latter was aimed at the US market, being an XP model with extended memory. Worked Organizer II based on 8-bit processor; RAM could be from 8 to 96 KB. The Organizer II LZ version had a four-line LCD display, 64 KB of memory, two expansion slots for datapak cards, and a special slot where you could connect a barcode scanner or even a thermal printer. Early versions of the Organizer II featured a two-line LCD screen. Of course, software came with the hardware, including embedded spreadsheets and third-party text editors.

The release of the MC series (MC 200, MC 400, MC 600 and MC Word) was a revolutionary step for both Psion and the entire PDA industry. In 1989, not just another calculator with additional functions, but a truly full-fledged PDA appeared before the public eye. The Psion MC was equipped with an opening lid with a display on the inside and looked more like a small laptop. The MC 200 was the smallest in the series. It had a blue-and-white screen with a resolution of 640x200 pixels, a large touch pad, 256 KB of RAM, 256 KB of ROM, and four slots for SSD drives. The MC 200 cost £595. The MC 400 "machine" had a screen with a resolution of 640x400 pixels, 256 KB RAM, two slots for connecting peripheral devices, four slots for connecting solid-state SSD drives (Solid State Disk; by the way, this type of drive that is popular today was developed by Psion specialists) with the possibility of "hot" replacement, a hardware voice compression module (8 minutes of conversation recording was compressed to 64 KB), and a battery or eight AA batteries could be used as a power source. In addition, the user was given the ability to manage power consumption, in particular, he could send the computer to "sleep" mode. The MC 400 cost £695. However, despite all the advantages, the MC series failed in the market. In many ways, the reason for this was the high price - 845 British pounds. Another good reason was the lack of compatibility with PC computers. Under the control of MS-DOS (in version 3.32), only the MC 600 model worked. MS-DOS was placed in the device's ROM. The rest of the MSs ran on the SIBO ("SIxteen Bit Organizer") platform, designed specifically for battery powered mobile systems. The SIBO architecture included the ability to work with various Intel 8086 series processors, as well as hardware protection of the OS address space and processes from each other, communication protocols, real-time clock, multitasking, multithreading, and more. It should be especially noted that specifications The Psion MC weren't a commercial failure at all. On the contrary, in the MC series you can see the features of future Psion handhelds. For example, they include the button to minimize programs, the "Psion" key, with which you could open or close programs.

We also have to admit that the Psion MC series was a cross between a PDA and a laptop. But the Atari Portfolio, released in the same 1989, had significantly smaller dimensions and weight (197x103x29 mm and 454 g, versus 314x277x49 mm and 1.95 kg for the MC 400). The Atari Portfolio was developed by the British company DIP (Distributed Information Processing), from whom Atari has not acquired a license to sell the Portfolio series of devices. You can see this PDA "in action" in the film "Terminator 2", when a young John Connor breaks into an ATM using an Atari Portfolio. The PDA ran DIP-DOS, which was a clone of MS-DOS 2.1 and adapted for writing to ROM. However, it was not possible to achieve full compatibility with the IBM PC - many DOS programs did not function on Portfolio. The processor used was an 80C88 clocked at 4.9 MHz. The amount of RAM was 128 KB. The monochrome LCD screen had a resolution of 240x64 pixels, and the 63-key keyboard had a QWERTY layout. The operating time from three AA batteries was approximately 80-100 hours. The whole configuration cost $400. Atari Portfolio was produced for a long time and was discontinued only in 1993.

Sharp acquired another license from the British DIP to launch the Sharp PC-3000 PDA in 1991. Judging by the name, this computer was a "descendant" of the Sharp PC-1500 organizer, which appeared in 1982. However, structurally, the model was rather a "half-sister" of the Atari Portfolio. By the way, compared to the last PC-3000, it had almost full compatibility with DOS programs. Moreover, it was possible to run Windows 3.0 on the PDA. The configuration of the PC-3000 was as follows: processor - 80C88A (8086 clone with power consumption controls), RAM - 128 KB, ROM - 128 KB, monochrome LCD screen with a resolution of 640x200 pixels, QWERTY keyboard, two PCMCIA Type II Rel. 1.0, serial and parallel ports. The dimensions of the PC-3000 were 222x112x25 mm, and the weight was 600 g with batteries. The battery charge of the computer was enough for 10-20 hours. The PC-3000 PDA (there was also a version of the PC-3100) was also discontinued in 1993.

Psion quickly managed to "rehabilitate itself" - already in 1991, Psion Series 3 handheld computers were introduced, which gained worldwide popularity. It was in the Series 3 that the "shell" design was first used, which later became a classic. The design of the keyboard, which received the familiar QWERTY layout, has also changed. The Series 3 configuration included: NEC V30H processor (clone 80C86) with a clock speed of 3.84 MHz, 128 or 256 KB of RAM, 384 KB of ROM, an LCD screen with a resolution of 240x80 pixels, a slot for installing SSD drives and a communication port. The dimensions of the computer were 165x85x22 mm and the weight was 275 grams. The model could run on batteries for up to 40 hours. The PDA version with 128 KB of RAM cost only £200, while the 256 KB version cost £250. Among the software "wired" in ROM there were: a DBMS, a text editor, a diary, a World Info database, an OPL programming language, a reference database for world cities and time zones, a calculator, a spell checker, a spreadsheet and other software. Separately, it is worth mentioning the possibility of joint work, when the user could view the disks of the device both from a PC and from a PDA, while simultaneously having parallel access to files. Series 3 handheld computers were also produced (under license) by ACORN. The PocketBook model it produced was aimed at the educational sector. Series 3 computers also ran on the SIBO (SIxteen-Bit Organizer) platform, from which the well-known 32-bit Symbian OS later "grew".

The success of the Psion handhelds brought one of the most creative companies in the world, Apple, out of hibernation. They approached the creation of their first PDA very seriously and with the imagination characteristic of Apple developers. As a result, the PDA called the Newton NotePad (later renamed the MessagePad) became the new benchmark for all manufacturers of pocket assistants, defining the face of the industry in the 90s. In Newton NotePad, the possibility of handwriting was implemented, and there was no need to study a special character system (as in the first Pocket PC) - Newton "understood" the natural writing of letters. The new device became known to the public in May 1992. And already on August 2, 1993, the MessagePad was officially presented at the MacWorld exhibition in Boston, and the first five thousand devices were bought in a few hours, despite the rather high cost - $ 800! However, we will continue talking about the MessagePad and other PDAs of the 90s in the second part of our story. In it, we will meet, in particular, with the famous Palm companies and its no less famous handheld computers.

V. Nevzorov

Psion Revo (EPOS) - the most compact of today's PDAs - allows for both keyboard and pen input.

Apple Newton MessagePad 120 is a pocket computer with a handwriting recognition system.

Pocket PC Casio Cassiopeia EM500 (Windows CE) has a color screen and housing in five possible colors.

Palm m125 computer with flash card.

Philips Nino 300 is a typical representative of the Windows-CE family of keyboardless PDAs from the late 90s.

Japanese communicator Kyocera QCP 6035 with PalmOS operating system.

Popular in the early 80s, the Sharp PC-1500 smart calculator with a built-in BASIC language interpreter. (Photo courtesy of Eiji Kako.)

The world's first pocket computer Psion Organizer I. 1981.

With the Portfolio computer released by Atari in 1989, handheld computers with full keyboards and large screens began.

Casio-A20 is one of the early Windows-CE PDAs with a black and white screen.

The Psion Series 3, with the highly reliable SIBO operating system, is one of the most user-friendly PDAs of its time. 1991

The Pilot Personal was manufactured by Palm Computing, a subsidiary of U.S. Robotics, in 1997. Modern Palm PDAs are fundamentally a little different from this model.

The Psion Series 5 had the most comfortable keyboard in its class. The improved Series 5mx is currently being produced.

The MessagePad 2000 and its MP 2100 variant are the pinnacle of engineering creativity from Apple Computer's handheld computer division. In 1998 the Newton MessagePad was discontinued.

The term PDA - Pocket Personal Computer - is increasingly found in periodicals and is already firmly included in everyday life. Its English synonym - PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) - literally translates as Personal Digital Assistant. A PDA is a whole class of mobile digital devices that look like an electronic notebook, but in fact are a full-fledged personal computer that can fit in a pocket or palm.

CPC TODAY AND TOMORROW

What, besides size, distinguishes PDAs from ordinary desktops and laptops? We list the main features of handheld computers and, as a consequence, their advantages and disadvantages.

Information entry

PDAs can be roughly divided into two categories.

The former are devices with a keyboard, similar to a small laptop. Due to the small size of the keyboard, typing on it is not very convenient, besides, keystrokes in most models are not soft enough. Therefore, if you need to enter a large amount of text, it is best to use a desktop computer with a normal keyboard, and then, using a special interface device that comes with almost all PDAs, transfer the text to the PDA memory.

The second type of handheld computers are devices without a keyboard. In this case, information is entered by writing letters or symbols on the touch screen with a special pen, which are immediately translated by the recognition program into a text file. In addition, you can use the "on-screen keyboard" - bring up the image of a miniature keyboard on the screen and enter text by pressing the pen on the drawn keys.

Screen

Modern PDAs are equipped with color or black-and-white liquid crystal displays, which, as a rule, have a backlight. Most models have a touch screen. It not only provides users with the ability to handwrite text, but also replaces the usual manipulator - the mouse. Drawing simple images on such a screen and selecting menu items is even easier than on a desktop PC.

Data storage

Instead of a hard drive and other mechanical devices used to store programs and data, PDAs use non-volatile memory on chips, such as flash memory. This allows you to run programs almost instantly, as you do not have to waste time searching for the desired track on the disk. Unfortunately, flash memory is quite expensive nowadays, so equipping PDAs with more memory significantly increases their overall cost.

Nutrition

PDAs are powered by batteries or built-in rechargeable batteries, which in some models are recharged during data exchange (synchronization) with a desktop PC.

PDAs most often use processors with built-in controllers and interfaces (display controller, power management device, audio controller, serial interface, keyboard and/or touch screen controller, etc.). If we take into account the absence of disk drives, significant savings in energy consumption become apparent. Therefore, a pair of high-quality batteries is enough for a month and a half of average intensity work. Note that models with a black and white screen are much less energy intensive compared to models with a color screen.

Reliability

As you know, one of the most vulnerable places of a desktop computer and a laptop is drives with mechanical rotating parts: hard drive, CD-ROM, floppy drive. The slightest blows and concussions can disable the mechanics. Therefore, replacing disk drives with memory chips makes PDAs very reliable devices. PDA buttons sometimes break or screens deteriorate, but most often due to careless handling.

Communication options

All PDAs are wired to desktop computers. In addition, most of them also have an infrared port, which is used not only to transfer data to another computer, but also to connect to a mobile phone in order to receive and send e-mail or fax messages. Many PDA models can be connected to a modem.

Areas of use

Of course, most PDAs are most often used as organizers - like a phone book, notepad, diary, etc. However, the scope of their possible application is much wider: games, business applications, satellite navigation and much more. Thousands of popular programs have been written for the most common PDA platforms, many of which are distributed free of charge via the Internet.

Additional devices

To date, a number of devices have been created that are additionally connected to many popular models of pocket computers: digital cameras, modems, GPS satellite navigation systems, voice recorders, MP3 players and many others.

To date, several platforms occupy almost 100% of the PDA market: Palm Computing, Windows CE and EPOC (Psion PDAs and compatibles). Each of the platforms has its own special niche.

Palm is a relatively simple and inexpensive, but very easy to use PDA, quite fast, compact and economical. Of all the keyboardless handheld computers, they are perhaps the most suitable as an organizer.

Devices based on Windows CE, especially newer models running the new version of OS 3.0, have some more features than Palm, but do not have the advantages of the latter. The common name for keyboardless models on the Windows CE platform is Pocket PC.

The Psion handhelds stand apart, but all of them, with the exception of the highly specialized line of Workabout devices, are models with a keyboard, designed primarily for working with office applications.

All PDAs produced today have both advantages and disadvantages, so the ideal pocket computer does not yet exist. But at the same time, you can always say for sure which platform or PDA model is better suited to a particular task. Therefore, a potential user who has decided for himself in what area he is going to use a pocket computer, can choose exactly the device that best suits him.

We will tell you more about each of the platforms, their features, advantages and disadvantages in subsequent issues of the magazine.

It is hoped that in a few years, when technologies that are not available to us today become inexpensive and reliable, we will witness the rapid growth of the mobile computer market. Then the pocket computer will turn into the same familiar device as the cell phone has already become for many.

In what directions can PDA technology develop?

Firstly, this is the integration of a pocket computer with a cell phone and, as a result, mobile (wireless) Internet access. Such devices already exist, and they are called "communicators". When mobile communications become quite inexpensive, and PDAs become even more powerful and convenient, then many people will be able to receive and send information in any form (text, sound, illustrations, video) and from anywhere in the world in real time.

Secondly, the changes will affect the means of input and output of data. It is obvious that character recognition systems will improve and perhaps become as reliable and popular as a conventional keyboard. Some firms have long been creating personal computers focused on pen input. Perhaps in the future, this type of data entry will play an even greater role in ordinary PCs than in modern PDAs: it will be used not only for entering text, but also as a means of managing the system. In addition, in a few years the role of voice input will increase.

As for the main means of information output - the screen, all the efforts of developers are aimed at increasing the resolution (the number of visible pixels per inch) and reducing power consumption while reducing production costs. Perhaps more and more common means of output that are still unfamiliar to us, such as, for example, a small high-resolution display placed directly in front of the user's eye, or a device that directs a beam into the eye and forms an image directly on the retina, will become more common.

Thirdly, the size and weight of the PDA will decrease, and the battery life will increase. Mobile computers It will be really convenient to carry on a belt or in a jacket pocket. Batteries may not need to be charged at all: the device will be powered by the owner's body heat or charged by its movement.

Of course, the evolution of PDAs is impossible without increasing the intelligence and stability of the operating systems used in them, as well as without a significant increase in the performance of their processors. So in five years, we will not even notice how mobile personal computers, convenient and efficient to use, will firmly enter the lives of many people.

PDA - A LITTLE HISTORY

Although the real popularity of the CCP only today, their history goes back more than two decades.

The forerunners of pocket computers were smart calculators, the mass production of which began in the late 70s and early 80s. Some of them had not only a numeric, but also a symbolic keyboard, designed to enter commands from the built-in BASIC interpreter. One of the most popular models of that time was the Sharp PC-1500, which had a 7x156 pixel LCD display, an 8-bit LB801 processor, 16 KB of RAM (RAM) and a connector for connecting additional memory modules. As befits a calculator, the Sharp PC-1500 was relatively small (195 x 25.5 x 86 mm), but a number of different devices were developed for it, ranging from an adapter for connecting a cassette recorder to a printer.

The first PDA, in the modern sense, was Psion Organizer I, created by Psion in 1981. The device had an HD6301X processor with a clock speed of 0.92 MHz, 4 KB ROM (Read Only Memory) and 2 KB RAM, two slots for installing additional memory (one of them could install a serial port controller for connecting to a desktop computer), 16 -character alphanumeric display and 37 keys. The built-in PDA software included a BASIC language interpreter, a simple database, and a number of financial and economic calculation programs (almost all of them were on special cartridges). The Organizer I was a truly mobile device: it weighed only 225 g, it easily fit in the palm of your hand (142 x 78 x 29.3 mm), and one set of batteries lasted an average of five months. It was sold at a very affordable price - $ 200. As a result, the computer was popular, and after some time its modification appeared - Psion Organizer II.

However, by the mid-80s, interest in pocket computers had fallen, not everyone needed a powerful programmable calculator, even with additional features, such as maintaining a database. A new stage in the development of the PDA began later, in 1989, when Atari released the Portfolio computer. It was a full-fledged XT-class personal computer (Intel 8086 processor) the size of a small book. It ran an operating system compatible with MS-DOS version 2.2, was equipped with 128 KB of RAM (expandable to 512 KB), a 40 x 8 character display, serial and parallel ports, and was powered by three AA batteries. The software included a spreadsheet (compatible with Lotus 1-2-3), a text editor, an organizer, etc.

Two years later, another PDA was released, which became very popular - the Psion Series 3, running its own, not compatible with MS-DOS, multi-threaded SIBO operating system, undemanding to the amount of memory. Unlike the Atari Portfolio, the computer used a 240 x 80 pixel graphical LCD display. At the same time, an increasing number of well-known manufacturers of electronic devices and software are showing interest in the market for pocket computers, as a promising and not yet occupied niche.

In the early 90s, the concept of an "electronic organizer" - Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) - was formed and mass production of various kinds of devices began, including non-keyboard models with a touch screen. But there is no sharp increase in demand, most PDAs do not meet the expectations of buyers - they are either low-powered or unreliable. Perhaps the only effective models in use remained the Psion Series 3 and its subsequent modifications.

The idea of ​​handwriting was brought to life in 1993 with the release of the Newton MessagePad by Apple Computer, which became a real hit. This PDA had a fast 20 MHz ARM 610 processor for its time, a screen with a resolution of 40 x 336 pixels, 640 KB of RAM (however, 482 KB of them were allocated for system needs), 4 MB of ROM, serial and infrared ports, as well as a universal PCMCIA connector (type II) for various expansion cards, including a modem. The handwriting recognition system, despite all its imperfections, still worked.

After some revival in the PDA market, caused by the advent of Newton, potential buyers begin to lose interest in PDAs again - PDAs with handwriting input are too bulky, uneconomical, inconvenient for entering large amounts of text and unreasonably expensive. Those who still decide to purchase a PDA choose mainly new Psion models. Time keyboardless handheld computers has not yet come.

In 1995, Palm Computing developed a simplified handwriting system (Graffiti) in the form of special characters similar to printed letters. Unable to agree with PDA manufacturers on its implementation in keyboardless devices, the company decided to start developing its own pocket computer. This is how the Pilot-1000 appeared - as simple as possible to use and limited in its functionality device. small size, convenient system handwriting and low retail price (about $300) made this device very popular.

Around the same time, in 1996, Microsoft released an operating system for handheld computers - Windows CE, embedded in ROM. And almost immediately, several dozen devices based on it, developed by leading computer manufacturers, go on sale. Windows CE, which is compatible with a number of processors, defined the PDA's standard configuration: 4 MB of permanent and 2 MB of RAM, a graphic screen with a resolution of 480 x 240 pixels, ports for connecting external devices and connecting to a desktop PC, including a PCMCIA connector. The operating system included cut-down versions of popular applications: Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, and Outlook.

The noise raised around Windows CE attracted the attention of potential buyers, but it soon became obvious that devices based on this operating system are far from perfect: they are slow to work, many of them have uncomfortable keyboards and have a host of other shortcomings, which was the result of ill-conceived, developed on hastily designs.

Competitors in the face of Palm Computing, Psion and Apple Computer perked up and released several successful devices. Palm Computing (by then taken over by U.S. Robotics) enters the market with a new model of its Pilot Personal organizer, and then with an improved modification of the Pilot Professional (Motorola 68328 16 MHz processor, 1 MB RAM, backlit quad gray screen) . Psion, in turn, creates the Psion Series 5 PDA with an excellent keyboard based on the 32-bit EPOC operating system (ARM 7100 processor 18 MHz, RAM up to 8 MB, touch screen 640 x 240 pixels, 16 gradations). Apple Computer also releases first one new model Newton MessagePad 2000, then the more advanced MessagePad 2100 (StrongARM-110 processor at 162 MHz, 8 MB ROM, 5 MB RAM, 480 x 320 pixel screen, two PCMCIA connectors, microphone and speakers) . All of the above models surpassed the first PDAs based on Windows CE in terms of ease of use, speed and the number of applications written for them.

Soon a new, improved version of Windows CE 2.0 appears, which provides support for a color screen, TrueType fonts, etc. In 1998, based on this operating system, various manufacturers begin to produce keyboardless models of handheld computers (the so-called Palm-size PCs - "handhelds") , which, however, could not force Palm Computing computers out of the market. First, PDAs with Windows CE are still not without flaws: they are still "gluttonous" and slow; secondly, Palm Computing (already part of 3Com after the acquisition of the last company U.S. Robotics) has prepared a worthy response to its competitors - the new Palm Pilot III PDA with increased RAM to 2 MB, an infrared port, a new design and new version Palm OS operating system.

Around the same time, a new direction in the development of pocket computers appeared - the creation of devices that look like a laptop, but running the Windows CE operating system. Compared to laptops, their advantages are long battery life, instant operating system start-up, high reliability due to the absence of disk drives. However, despite all their advantages, PDAs are more limited in their capabilities than modern desktop PCs or laptops.

More detailed information information about handheld computers can be obtained at www.palmy.ru

Introduction

IN modern world everything flows and changes very quickly, the rhythm of big cities dictates its own rules and laws to the present. A modern person, in order not only to keep up with the times, but not to lag behind it, must react to everything with lightning speed. To match him, more and more powerful devices are being created, the so-called “all-in-one”, and a telephone and a computer, and a music player, and a photo-camcorder, and satellite navigation, and so on ... other ...

That's how they created CPC(Pocket PC) (abbreviated P / PC or PPC) - a portable handheld computer running an operating system.

The concept of the PDA

Personal Pocket Computer (PDA) - this is a device with a touch screen and a virtual keyboard, or (depending on the type of construction) a full-fledged keyboard, as on a familiar PC keyboard. Management is carried out with two hands, which is less familiar, but also quite convenient.

PDAs run an operating system.

1.1 The concept of " operating system»

Operating system, OS, axis (English operating system) - a basic set of computer programs that provides control of computer hardware, work with files, input and output of data, as well as execution application programs and applications.

When you turn on the computer, the operating system is loaded into memory before other programs and then serves as the basis for their work.

There are two concepts: "closed" And "open" OS. These concepts are conditional and are introduced for greater clarity and understanding.

1.2 Processor

CPU is responsible for performing arithmetic operations specified by the operating system programs and coordinates the work of all devices of the mini-computer.

Processor power (performance) is measured in MHz. This is the “brain” of the device, its computing center. It's no secret that all data in the PDA is stored in digital format (a combination of ones and zeros), so there must be a device that "calculates" all this.

1.3 RAM

RAM, RAM (RAM - Random Access Memory) is a memory that is designed to temporarily store data and instructions necessary for the processor to perform operations. Measured in Mb. When the device is turned off or the battery is completely discharged, this memory is “freed”, in other words, all temporary files are deleted. This memory is almost impossible to increase, so when choosing a device, you need to pay great attention to the amount of this type of memory.

1.4 Persistent memory

permanent memory, non-volatile, Flash-memory (ROM - read-only memory) is a memory that is designed for permanent storage of data and information, it is in it that the operating system is installed. Measured in Mb. This type of memory can always be increased by inserting a memory card into the device, so when choosing a device, you can pay less attention to the amount of built-in memory.

1.5 PDA and its advantages

CPC- a portable mini-computer without a built-in telephone module, (most often this can be fixed using external connected devices).

Benefits of a pocket personal computer:

· Higher performance- the ability to watch better video, play three-dimensional games, use more complex programs for work and leisure.

· More convenient internet- due to the larger display and high resolution - the display shows a large area of ​​the page.

· Program selection- a huge number of guaranteed compatible programs - a part of the "software" for Windows Mobile 2003 is suitable for the 5th version of Windows Mobile + everything that was written for the new version.

· Ability to expand functionality- if the handheld does not have, for example, a Bluetooth or GPS navigator, and it supports external devices, you can purchase a separate plug-in module (inserted into the appropriate slot for memory cards)

· Operating time without recharging- more capacious batteries + adjustable backlight. In addition, on communicators, you can turn off the telephone block or display - and save a lot of energy - for example, for long-term operation of the MP3 player.

1.6 Benefits of CPC for workers

Employees who often have to work long hours away from the office have never been as well equipped as they are now.

Their pocket computers are increasingly approaching PCs in terms of functionality, and notebook computers equipped with wireless communication are beginning to displace conventional cordless telephones. This convergence of technologies provides a wealth of choice for information managers concerned with the challenge of equipping an ever-increasing number of mobile users.

Reports of innovations in this area come from all sides. In April, Advanced Micro Devices introduced a new model specifically designed for small-sized portable systems, and in May, Intel launched a mobile version of the 700 MHz Pentium III processor. When creating their new products, both manufacturers actively used energy-saving technologies that help extend the life of a notebook PC without recharging the battery.

Notebook PC manufacturers are not far behind the chip makers. Hewlett-Packard Company demonstrated in May another model of the OmniBook 6000 computer and at the same time announced a new initiative to expand the functionality of its promising developments. Its representatives said that the company's entire line of mobile PCs will soon support both Bluetooth and 11Mbps 802.11b wireless LAN standards.

This development is of particular importance now that so much is being said about new handheld platforms like the Palm of the same name and Microsoft's Pocket PC. Of course, new generation PDAs cannot yet completely replace portable systems in a corporate environment, but managers information technologies more and more people are starting to take them seriously. "For us, handheld systems like the Palm have already become one of the main platforms and are on par with personal computers," said Rob Carter, executive vice president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation. This postal giant, like its biggest competitors, allows customers to track the progress of parcels using Palm devices.

With increasing functionality and respect in the information technology department, handheld devices may well affect the level of notebook sales, especially as desktop prices are falling at the same time. Under such conditions, it is highly likely that corporations will give preference to equipping their employees with desktop PCs and handheld devices, abandoning more expensive notebook computers.

True, International Data Corporation predicts that notebook sales will remain stable over the next few years, but the experience of Japan, famous for its technical equipment, makes us think. For two years now, the ratio between notebook PCs and desktop systems has been constantly changing in favor of the latter. According to Roger Kay, an analyst at International Data, this is mainly due to the relative cheapness of desktop systems.

"It's safe to say that notebook manufacturers are under a lot of pressure from both sides," he notes. sizes are increasingly approaching notebook PCs.

In the meantime, in most corporations, handheld computers are intended mainly for entering minimal amounts of information and wirelessly receiving data. How far from fully functional laptops.

"Handheld devices are much more used to receive data than to enter them," says Edmund Yee, network operations manager for Chevron Canada. ".

Handheld devices are gradually approaching this goal, but the developers of components for laptops and manufacturers of notebook PCs are not sleeping either. In the new 700 MHz Pentium III microprocessor for mobile systems, Intel has used its own SpeedStep power saving technology. AMD is following the same path, releasing new K6 II and III crystals in April with an operating frequency of 450, 475 and 500 MHz. By the middle of this year, as expected, its microprocessors will be implemented technology Power Now, which will also extend the life of the computer without recharging the battery.

Noteworthy is the new Hewlett-Packard initiative in the field of wireless communications. When devices based on the Bluetooth specification begin to appear (this should happen at the end of the year), her OmniBook series laptops will already be able to communicate with them. And in June, the company intends to introduce a wireless adapter and access point for 802.11b LAN. In addition, the company is developing the HP Mobile ProtectTools software package to facilitate e-commerce transactions. Hewlett-Packard's goal, like that of other notebook PC manufacturers, is clear: their products must be one step ahead of handheld devices in terms of their capabilities.

"Pocket PCs are becoming more useful, they have already left the category of electronic books of the computer age," said Anthony McMahon, marketing director of Hewlett-Packard. "But at the same time, their potential for generating information and data remains limited. Of course, personal digital assistants are doing their best to reach the level of portable PCs, but these PCs themselves are not standing still."