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The Evolution of the Palm (pda)
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) run Palm OS and the Windows Mobile platform. In recent years, they have evolved from PDAs to smartphones that also run both Palm OS and Windows Mobile.
The first generation of personal digital assistants produced by Palm Computing in 1996 were named Pilots. Palm was a division of U.S. Robotics at the time. For two generations, these PDAs were called PalmPilots. Pilot Pen Corporation took Palm to court on trademark issues, so since 1998, they have been called Palm Connected Organizers or just Palms. However, PalmPilot is used to refer to all PDAs just as Kleenex means any kind of facial tissue for most people.
Jeff Hawkins, Donna Dubinsky, and Ed Colligan, founders of Palm Computing, invented the Pilot. They were working on handwriting recognition software, but as they researched and worked on the creation of the software, they came to the conclusion that they should be working on better hardware. Hawkins carried around a piece of wood the size of the handheld device they were envisioning in his pocket for a week. Most people feel that Palm benefitted from attempts by other manufacturers to come up with a handheld computing platform such as those by Go Corporation and Apple Computer.
Pilot 1000 and Pilot 5000, the first ones, had a serial communications port; however, they had no infrared port, backlight, or flash memory. The 1000 had 128kB of RAM; the 5000, 512kB. They ran on a version of Palm OS. Eventually, the original Pilots could be upgraded to 1 MB of internal RAM by means of an upgrade module. The inventors felt that all the Palm PDAs were to be hardware upgradable. What happened was that rather than upgrading capability, external memory slots and firmware-upgradeable flash memory were added after the Palm III series.
PalmPilot Personal and PalmPilot Professional, the next two Palms, did have a backlight but no infrared port or flash memory. The Personal had 512 kB of RAM; the Professional, 1024 kB. Palm OS had also been improved to version 2.
Because of the legal disputes, Palm III and all those that followed didn’t have the word Pilot in their names. An IR port, a backlight, and flash memory were added to the IIIs. Palm OS was upgraded so it could store programs or data in flash memory. Two AAA batteries powered the IIIs. They could also retain enough energy for up to 15 minutes to keep data from being erased when batteries were being replaced.
The founders left Palm and founded Handspring in June of 1998. Hawkins took with him a license for the Palm OS for Handspring. The Handspring Visor was a clone of the Palm handhelds but included a hardware expansion slot.
Palm IIIx had 4 megabytes of memory and an upgraded Palm OS (3.1). Several variations of this Palm were produced. Palm VIII had wireless connections to some Internet services in the U.S. Palm IIIc had a color screen. Palm V had internal rechargeable batteries, and this feature was included on all Palms that came after it.
In 2000, Palm Computing spun off into its own company called Palm Incorporated and later Handspring merged with it.
Palm handhelds continue to advance and today have the ability to become hard drives on computers using USB. They are also merging with smartphones. The Treo 700w combines a Palm handheld with a mobile phone, e-mail, SMS, and instant messaging.
About the Author
David Wood writes articles on HP iPAQ. For more information about TomTom Go 910, TomTom 510, HP 114 and PDA Cradle visit his site at totalpda
Handspring Visor Edge – Review
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Handspring Palm Ice Clear Visor PDA $25.00 |
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On Hand Crosswords For Palm Handhelds Handspring Visors Software Windows $16.50 |
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Nexian GPS Receiver for Handspring Visor Prism HG2000 $10.49 |
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Nexian GPS Receiver for Handspring Visor Prism Pro Edge $10.49 |
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NEW Handspring Visor Neoprene Yellow Case Free Ship USA & CANADA $7.99 |
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Palm PalmOne Handspring Visor Prism One PDA Pocket PC Handheld $19.99 |
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NEW. Sieko “ThumBoard” Mobil Keyboard for Handspring Visor Handhelds. A GR8 Deal $19.99 |
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Handspring Visor Platinum 8mb $19.99 |
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NIP BELKIN LEATHER FLIP CASE FOR PDA – FITS PALM III, PALM VII, HANDSPRING VISOR $7.95 |
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Handspring Visor PDA in Graphite $10.00 |
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Handspring Visor PDA in Blue $10.00 |
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Handspring Visor PDA + Glenayre @ctiveLink Wireless Communication Pack $27.00 |
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Handspring Visor Eye Module $5.99 |
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HANDSPRING VISOR COMPLETE WITH SOFTWARE, CABLES AND ACCESSORIES VG CONDITION $39.99 |
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PDA Battery To Handspring Visor Pro Replaces 14-0020-00 $26.95 |
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Fellowes PDA Pocket Keyboard Handspring Visor 98078 Free Ship US & CANADA $18.59 |
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Handspring Visor Deluxe GREEN 8MB PDA Handheld + Cable + Stylus VG Condition $39.99 |
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Handspring Visor Slip Case Pouch Free Ship USA & CANADA $9.29 |
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Handspring Visor for Dummies $4.87 |
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Handspring Visor Quick Reference Guide Manual Book Free Ship USA & CANADA $4.64 |
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Handspring Visor USB HotSync Cable Free Ship USA & CANADA $11.62 |
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HANDSPRING VISOR PDA $5.00 |
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HANDSPRING VISOR/PRO/PRISM USB SYNC CABLE $3.99 |
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Handspring Visor Handheld PDA + Accessories + Symbol BarCode Scanner BUNDLE $37.99 |
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100 GREAT GAMES VOL 3 PALM OS HANDSPRING VISORS WINDOWS 98 $19.99 |
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Handspring Visor $4.95 |
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New Data HotSync USB Cable for Handspring Visor PDA $4.99 |
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5 Symbol CSM150 Handspring Visor Barcode bar code Scanner Module LOT $169.99 |
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Handspring Visor Prism Color PDA Handheld 8mb VG Conditon WARRANTY Free Ship $49.99 |
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2 Handspring Visor Pro 2 Stylus with screwdriver Lot FREE SHIP $8.99 |
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How to use your Handspring Visor [VHS] $14.95 In less than 30 minutes you learn how to master your Handspring Visor. This tape covers the essential functions, such as: Customizing your Handspring Visor, Using the Datebook, Email, and Security Functions. In addition, you’ll learn some advanced tricks like: Infrared and Wireless Functions, Adding Springboard Modules, and Running other applications. Since this tutorial cover the Palm OS opera… |
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Palm OS Training Video Nationally recognized Palm OS expert Larry Becker will walk you step-by-step through what it takes to move you quickly from beginner to expert on any Palm Powered device. Better than a book, the Palm OS Training Video will help you get the most out of your investment in your Palm device. Larry’s presentation is clear and understandable, which is essential to a great teaching experience. Everything… |
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OTC Palm Scan Scope Module Kit w/ Handspring Visor Personal Data Assistant $484.95 OTC Palm Scan Scope Module Kit w/ Handspring Visor Personal Data Assistant Add this Palm Scan Scope module kit to a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) and you will have the basis for scan tool and lab scope problem analysis. Kit includes module for Handspring Visor PDA; software CD; set of black, yellow, and red test leads; and operating manual. Handspring Visor PDA included, mod… |
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Handspring Visor (Graphite) $129.99 The Handspring Visor connected organizer is all you’ll need to store thousands of names, addresses, appointments, memos, to-do items, expense items, and e-mail. Based on the popular Palm OS, the Handspring Visor is fully compatible with thousands of Palm Computing platform applications. Plus, Handspring has added features to the Palm OS like an advanced date book, calculator, world clock, and bu… |
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PalmOne IIIxe Personal Handheld Organizer $129.95 The Palm IIIxe handheld builds on earlier Palm III models by offering more memory and more options. Its 8 MB of RAM (four times the memory of the popular Palm IIIe) and 2 MB of flash ROM keep track of all your appointments, memos, to-do items, expense items, and e-mail, plus you can add thousands of third-party applications. Although the Palm IIIe and IIIx models have ample memory for many users, … |
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Handspring Visor Platinum (Silver) $199.99 One of Handspring’s two new Visors running with the faster 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor, the Visor Platinum offers a competitive option to the Palm V series. Although it doesn’t sport a color display like its new sibling, the Visor Prism, the Platinum offers 16 shades of gray, outputting sharper graphics in games and applications. It also features 8 MB of memory like the Visor Delu… |
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Handspring Visor Edge Bi-fold Leather Case $5.45 This black leather case with Velcro closure was designed to hold more than just your Handspring Visor Edge handheld. It features five credit card slots, one windowed slot for an ID or license, and one large slot for business cards or cash. It also holds an extra stylus, pen, and a small notepad…. |
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Targus Deluxe Leather Wallet ( CHV10 ) … |
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Digitrax Locopalm Cable For Handspring Visor, Visor Pro, Visor Prism & Visor Platinum Put that PDA to good use – Running Trains!… |
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Mahjongg for Palm Os $24.99 Relax your mind with one of the most authentic mahjong solitaire games for Palm-powered handhelds. Mahjongg for Palm OS features great graphics, customizable tile sets and backgrounds, and a full range of difficulty levels. It works with either color or grayscale palm devices…. |