Agenda
Choosing Handhelds P Introduction
A comparison of computing platforms for
Personal Digital Assistant applications
April 18, 2002
Sasmito Adibowo
Arcle Technologies
http://www.arcle.com
Introduction
What is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) ?
P A PDA is a general-purpose handheld
computer geared toward providing
assistance services for an individual.
P A PDA is personalized; it may be customized
to fit an individual’s specific needs.
P Superset of electronic organizers.
P Typically pen-operated with a touch screen
user interface – to simplify its operations.
Introduction
Why a PDA?
P A PDA can hold much more information than
paper at its equivalent size.
P Able to function as a data-processing tool to
some extent; e.g., calculator, spreadsheet.
P Boots faster, and more convenient than a
notebook computer.
P More flexible, reliable, and require less
maintenance cost than a human assistant.
P Importance of the subject
P Platform alternatives
P PIM functions compared
Introduction
Who needs a PDA?
P A student or professional with a lot of tasks to
juggle.
P A field operative/supervisor who needs to
closely coordinate the work of their
subordinates.
P A service professional (such as consultants,
doctors, insurance salespersons) who require to
carry a lot of data with them – clients, patients,
contact people, etc.
Importance
P Selecting a PDA may be tricky, as there are
several platforms available; each with its own
tradeoffs. Not to mention the hardware associated
with each platform.
P Different users have their own requirements and
constraints, and each accommodated differently
by the competing platforms. This results in the
segmentation of users according to the platforms.
P Software developers will need to understand this,
in order to target the development of their PDA
applications to the appropriate segment.
 Platform Alternatives Alternatives
The (now) major players PalmOS™

P PalmOS™ P Built and maintained by Palm, Inc., now a

< The established platform subsidiary of 3Com.
P PocketPC™ P Specifically engineered for use in a PDA.
< The challenger P Optimized for low-power, low-performance
P Linux PDA processor.
< The newcomer P Architecturally bound to the Motorola 68K
processor family.

Alternatives Alternatives
PalmOS™ PocketPC™

P Control about 70% of the PDA market share* P Built and maintained by Microsoft.
(2001) P Formerly named Windows CE.
P Manufactures its own devices, yet licences the P Some components were taken from Windows,
OS for other hardware vendors (e.g. its desktop counterpart.
Handspring, Sony, IBM).
P Requires a high-performance processor.
P Independent from any specific machine
architecture.
* Rick Goetter, Kyocera

Alternatives Alternatives
PocketPC™ Linux PDA

P More geared toward multimedia applications,
instead of the bare-bone PDA functions.
P Currently does not manufacture its own
hardware, but licences the OS to other vendors
(e.g. Compaq, HP, Casio).
P Build and maintained by the Open Source
Community.
P Ported from the Linux kernel commonly used in
desktop and server computers.
P Not controlled by any single company nor
individual, but there are major companies that
contributes resources in its development (e.g.
Compaq – handheld.org).
 Alternatives
Linux PDA
P Does not manufacture its own devices
(naturally). But some vendors are committing
exclusive use in their products (e.g. G.Mate,
Agenda, Sharp).
P Requires a high-performance processor.
P Independent to any specific machine
architecture.
P Some PocketPC devices may be customized to
use Linux instead.
PalmOS™
What to expect
P Simple, intuitive, and consistent user interface.
P Small but effective software – most programs are sized
50K – 200K.
P Only one application may run at a time – other
applications are suspended.
P Usually feature grayscale displays; some are in color.
P Longer battery life – some models uses two AAA
batteries and lasts about two weeks under intensive
use.
P More affordable – an entry level device costs about
$150 (year 2002).
PocketPC™
What to expect
P Fancy, colorful, sophisticated user interface.
P More featured software – at the expense of a larger
footprint.
P Multitasking of applications
P Most devices display high resolution in color.
P Voice recording is common among devices.
P Typically uses a high performance, high-powered
processor.
P The entry level costs about $200.
Criteria for Judging Alternatives
Aspects employed to compare the platforms
P Available features, especially for Personal-
Information Management (PIM) use.
P Usablility
< Easy to learn
< Easy to operate
P Extensibility
P Special features
P Hardware retail price.
PalmOS™
Sample Device: Handspring Visor Pro
P Capacity: 16 Megabytes RAM
P Connectivity: USB/IrDA (optional serial cradle)
P Screen: 160x160 pixels, 16 grayscale with
backlight
P Springboard expansion (mobile phone, GPS,
bluetooth, voice recording etc)
P Battery: 65 hours (Lithium-Ion rechargeable)
P Processor: Motorola DragonBall 33Mhz
P Retail price: $179
PocketPC™
Sample Device: HP Jornada 545
P Capacity: 16 Megabytes RAM.
P Connectivity: USB/IrDA
P Screen: 240x320, 4K colors.
P Expansion: CompactFlash Card Type I (usually for
additional memory)
P Built-in voice recording.
P Battery: 8 hours (Lithium-Ion rechargeable)
P Processor: Hitachi SH3, 133Mhz
P Retail price: $215
 Linux PDA Linux PDA
What to expect Sample Device: Agenda VR3
P Capacity: 8 Megabytes RAM
P A wide variety of GUIs and distributions – no single standard. P Connectivity: Serial/IrDA
P PIM applications are not yet mature, so are the P Screen: 160x240, 64K grayscale.
accompanying desktop applications (if any).
P Multitasking of applications. P Expansion: none.
P Able to run standard Linux commands and shells. P Built-in voice recording.
P Color and monochrome displays available. P Consumer IR port.
P Voice recording is common among devices. P Processor: NEC VR4181, 66Mhz
P Also uses high performance processors.
P Battery: 2 AAA.
P Developer versions costs $200-$600.
P Retail price: $249
P No licence fee to pay for OS.

PIM Functions PIM Functions

PalmOS™ Scheduler PalmOS™ Scheduler

Daily View Weekly View Monthly View Yearly View

PIM Functions PIM Functions

PocketPC™ Scheduler
PocketPC™ Scheduler

Daily View Weekly View Monthly View Yearly View

 Read Daily News & Jokes Linux Screenshots
AvantGO™ Offline Web Browser Agenda™ VR3 - Tk GUI on X Windows

Launchpad To-Do Terminal

For PalmOS™
For PocketPC™

Linux Screenshots Summary

YOPY - W Windows The platforms at-a-glance

P PalmOS™
< Fast, low-cost, intuitive, but limited.
P PocketPC™
< Sophisticated, feature-packed but not
“snappy”.
P Linux PDA
< Nice for those who like to use the newest
Calendar technology.
Paint Program

Thank You for Coming!

Any questions?