Apple PDA... Again [Archive] - MacRumors Forums

Kingsnapped

Feb 16, 2004, 09:28 PM

I think PDAs and phones are bound to merge. I realized how much gear I carry around as I wandered the mall today with my iPod (don't want it ripped off from the car), cell phone and Cybershot-U. I couldn't find a pocket for my keys without fear of scratching some shiny toy. I can't imagine if I had to add a $400 PDA to that mix. I'm excited to see what the future brings for portable devices. Incedently, gizmodo (http://www.gizmodo.com) has a link up for today about this topic.

As for the Apple PDA, I would be suprised/shocked.

Flynnstone

Feb 16, 2004, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by Kingsnapped
I think PDAs and phones are bound to merge. I realized how much gear I carry around as I wandered the mall today with my iPod (don't want it ripped off from the car), cell phone and Cybershot-U. I couldn't find a pocket for my keys without fear of scratching some shiny toy. I can't imagine if I had to add a $400 PDA to that mix. I'm excited to see what the future brings for portable devices. Incedently, gizmodo (http://www.gizmodo.com) has a link up for today about this topic.

As for the Apple PDA, I would be suprised/shocked.

oops sorry, forgot the camera or iCamera.

Then you'd only have one thing in your pocket, besides your car keys.

neonart

Feb 16, 2004, 11:34 PM

I'd love to see this, but I too find it unlikely. Funny thing is how confident this guy sounds. If you make these bold statements just to look like a fool is not good for your site and credibility.

aswitcher

Feb 17, 2004, 12:01 AM

If this rumor comes true, I will be happy and this guy will be a legend for such a long range prediction...

laserbeahm

Feb 17, 2004, 12:19 AM

I think that Apple should release a PDA and call it the Newton. That would be really funny. The sad part is that a lot of people probably wouldn't realize why it would be funny.

SiliconAddict

Feb 17, 2004, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by Kingsnapped
I think PDAs and phones are bound to merge.

:rolleyes: People just don’t get it. When was the last time you tried entering data on a smart phone? Smart phones are great for accessing data but suck big time for entering data. This will never change while the current form factor remains the same. And don’t tell me voice recog because are you really going to dictate 3 sentence memo in public?
Smartphones are never going to replace PDA’s just like laptops will never kill off the desktop. Each market has its own use. You are going to see smartphones sit side by side with PDA’s. Smartphone features will become standard in ALL cellphones in the future but progressing tech will allow features to advance in the PDA that no cellphone can hope to have.
That is until you get a device like the Sci-fi series Earth: Final Conflict’s device that is called a Global. A retractable screen that can slide into the main body. When you can fit the 3” screen of a PDA in a cellphone while maintaining the cellphone’s diminutive stature and sill allowing ease of data manipulation is the day you will see the two totally merge. For the time being we will have the likes of the Pocket PC: Phone Edition and the Handspring Trio series. Where you have a cellphone shoved into a PDA instead of a PDA shoved into a cellphone.

HasanDaddy

Feb 17, 2004, 03:00 AM

I would love to have an Apple Smartphone

I think a PDA (with no good phone capability) is a waste of time

most hardcore users are grabbing Treo 600's (which ROCK!)

if Apple has the R&D to make a solid smartphone though, then GO FOR IT!

joed

Feb 17, 2004, 06:39 AM

I never used to want a PDA. Until that is I bought my iPod almost 2 years ago.

Viewing my calanders and contacts is fine, but it's a pain that I can't edit this data.

I've thought about a laptop, but I'm happy with my desktop as my primary machine. And really, you can't use the laptop ANYWHERE. You still need to put the laptop on a table and boot up etc if you want to add some notes.

I don't really need a CD drive, don't need to power to run apps like Photoshop or Dreamweaver. Just to operate iLife, download photos, view photos, add notes, store music, edit iCal and modify my Address Book.

That's not too much to ask for is it? The current PDA's don't do what I want, and neither does a laptop. Would love something inbetween.

I honestly think there is a market. But this is just my opinion.

FriarTuck

Feb 17, 2004, 07:50 AM

I will get one only if it also functions as a TV remote. ;)

unclepain

Feb 17, 2004, 07:52 AM

Somebody else has already designed this mystery device.
http://www.oqo.com/hardware/video/

hobbes3113

Feb 17, 2004, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by unclepain
Somebody else has already designed this mystery device.

Cool device, too bad it has a fatal flaw...

Windows

noel4r

Feb 17, 2004, 09:19 AM

no!, not gonna happen

elmerfudd

Feb 17, 2004, 10:11 AM

i'm no expert but why would apple use embeddable linux instead of darwin? is darwin that heavy?

This is a big waste of bytes. I would like to see darwin coping better with small hardware...

question fear

Feb 17, 2004, 10:16 AM

smart phones are for a niche of a niche market...
siliconaddict is right, in most cases they are tougher to enter info on, and most people dont want to have to reset their phone if something goes wrong...and battery life on a smart phone is often an issue.
plus they are expensive, plus they require working with a national carrier. there are a few smartphones that work well today, but i dont see them as being such a hot item that phone companies are going to jump to carry an apple smartphone, nor do i see apple starting their own wireless company or partnering with one in-store, one of which would need to happen for a smart phone to work.
so whether or not apple has a pda in the wings is one thing, but i say no way to an apple smartphone. too much mess for too little reward.
-carly

wPod

Feb 17, 2004, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by unclepain
Somebody else has already designed this mystery device.
http://www.oqo.com/hardware/video/

dude. . . i want one of those. . . but its not availble until fall 04

man, apple needs to drop a micro-sized G3 (G4 would melt in you hands if its anything like my 12"pb) in one of those. that is just cool. especially the docking part. just imagine a 'computer lab' would be a bunch of monitors and docks. . . . you just drop your computer into a dock and start working. its a nice dream for M$, but lets face it, only apple could pull off a device that could drop in and out of a dock with periferals that easilly (w/o having to install drivers for everything eight times over like windows)

oh well, maybe in some future computers will actually be that cool

wPod

Feb 17, 2004, 12:46 PM

one more thing. . .
a couple guys that work for oqo used to work for apple!!! maybe apple has been developing something similar. . . ceartainly would change the world of computing if apple could pull of such a product for a reasonable price (similarly priced to a laptop)

Mac Dummy

Feb 17, 2004, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by CmdrLaForge
Even if its very unlikely. I hope that it turns out to be true. Having a PDA from Apple that can be used as a iPod as well would just be great. Today you always have to carry around two or three devices. iPod, cell phone, PDA. It would be so great if they can be integrated into one device. Even so I don't see that soon coming I believe that we get a device like that in the future for sure. Time will proof me right.

It would be like an Apple Newton that can play music too, but with better hand writing recognition and battery life and a color screen would be nice too.:rolleyes:

Mac Dummy

Feb 17, 2004, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by hobbes3113
Cool device, too bad it has a fatal flaw...

Windows

Right on, you think they could at least run Linux.

question fear

Feb 17, 2004, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by wPod
one more thing. . .
a couple guys that work for oqo used to work for apple!!! maybe apple has been developing something similar. . . ceartainly would change the world of computing if apple could pull of such a product for a reasonable price (similarly priced to a laptop)

do a search for the oqo on brighthand or any of the other handheld related sites...oqo has been promised for years, im fairly certain it was voted one of the best vaporware by wired magazine...maybe apple can get it right but the makers of the oqo havent yet.

Mord

Feb 17, 2004, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by Photorun
Agree with Hobbes... UGH!!! Would people just let this go? Christ, it ain't happening, get over it!

im gonna quote you when i am sitting with my apple pda grinning my head off as it recognises my bent deslxic handwriting :p

also what prossesor? a ppc or one like the ipods ARM?

Thanatoast

Feb 18, 2004, 03:09 AM

did anyone ever see the video for the inexus? :D it's awesome, and if someone can host it, i'll mail it.

paulbarton

Feb 18, 2004, 05:46 AM

Originally posted by question fear
smart phones are for a niche of a niche market...
siliconaddict is right, in most cases they are tougher to enter info on, and most people dont want to have to reset their phone if something goes wrong...and battery life on a smart phone is often an issue.
plus they are expensive, plus they require working with a national carrier. there are a few smartphones that work well today, but i dont see them as being such a hot item that phone companies are going to jump to carry an apple smartphone, nor do i see apple starting their own wireless company or partnering with one in-store, one of which would need to happen for a smart phone to work.
so whether or not apple has a pda in the wings is one thing, but i say no way to an apple smartphone. too much mess for too little reward.
-carly

I find it interesting that people are saying 'smartphones won't replace pdas' when they already have. Now I know the US is a bit behind when it comes to phones but... Last year the biggest selling pda in the world was the SE P800... which, to all intents and purposes... is a phone!! The phone market is huge. The PDA (as it is) is a tint market and is doomed. Most people don't want an over-blown WidowsCE pda when they can get a P900 that does so many things more than competently.

question fear

Feb 18, 2004, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by paulbarton
I find it interesting that people are saying 'smartphones won't replace pdas' when they already have. Now I know the US is a bit behind when it comes to phones but... Last year the biggest selling pda in the world was the SE P800... which, to all intents and purposes... is a phone!! The phone market is huge. The PDA (as it is) is a tint market and is doomed. Most people don't want an over-blown WidowsCE pda when they can get a P900 that does so many things more than competently.

i know the p900 has enjoyed popularity in other parts of the world, but here it seems like palmone and sony still hang on to the top spots with hp popping up...and the only smartphones are made by palmone (the treos, from the handspring merger) and i believe hp may have one in the works.
frankly, you may be right, but i dont see it happening here for a long time, given how very $$$ they are compared to a bluetooth phone and pda combo.
thats just my view of the market from my tiny corner of the world...if we suddenly see price drops on smartphones things might change, but too expensive for too little benefit.
and the psion/symbian os the p900 uses still has not gained the same following palm and wince have over here, which is too bad because i've heard great things about it.

paulbarton

Feb 18, 2004, 09:24 AM

As people get new phones once a year and as SE, NOKIA et al are pretty good at making phones, I think Apple are best off avoiding this market.

But if the next iPod (or iPod+pda) had bluetooth functionality so that the phones would cut out the music and function as your bluetooth headset - you could leave your ugly phone in your pocket.
You could also buy it even if you were mid-contract with your phone.

Now if this device had AddressBook and could dial etc... it would seem like it had phone functionality without apple having to try and catch up SE.

Infact you could hold this thing to your face and use it like a phone while all along its just hi-jacking via BT...

king_of_ekat

Feb 18, 2004, 11:13 AM

Here's another "Palmtop" that seems to be beating the Oqo to market and has slightly better specs... http://minipc.vulcan.com/

Looks interesting... especially since, like the oqo, it will run a full OS, not something scaled down for portability. If this comes in around $1000, it could be a big thing.

CmdrLaForge

Feb 18, 2004, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by question fear
smart phones are for a niche of a niche market...
siliconaddict is right, in most cases they are tougher to enter info on, and most people dont want to have to reset their phone if something goes wrong...and battery life on a smart phone is often an issue.
plus they are expensive, plus they require working with a national carrier. there are a few smartphones that work well today, but i dont see them as being such a hot item that phone companies are going to jump to carry an apple smartphone, nor do i see apple starting their own wireless company or partnering with one in-store, one of which would need to happen for a smart phone to work.
so whether or not apple has a pda in the wings is one thing, but i say no way to an apple smartphone. too much mess for too little reward.
-carly

plus life goes on and new technical equipment is developed.

As I said, I am quite sure that these gadgets will integrate more and more over time. Could you imagine to have an iPod 10 years ago ? No ! So it will be really interesting what will come out in 5 or 10 years from today.

takao

Feb 18, 2004, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by king_of_ekat
Here's another "Palmtop" that seems to be beating the Oqo to market and has slightly better specs... http://minipc.vulcan.com/

Looks interesting... especially since, like the oqo, it will run a full OS, not something scaled down for portability. If this comes in around $1000, it could be a big thing.

...looks like a normal sub-notebook ...but the keyboard looks funny ....
i doubt a price about 1000

virividox

Feb 18, 2004, 04:11 PM

i dont care i dont care

if anything they bring back the newton, but i think apple have bigger fish to fry!!!

question fear

Feb 18, 2004, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by virividox
i dont care i dont care

if anything they bring back the newton, but i think apple have bigger fish to fry!!!

i think you are right about bigger fish...the handheld market is contracting, and most companies are posting losses...
but i do wonder if they wont do more with isync, the ipod and the dock connector.
what about a mini or even full size keyboard wiht a dock connector for notes, etc? its fairly straightforward, if you already carry your ipod, and if its a minikeyboard attachment you can use it to update addresses etc on the go without compromising the portability of the ipod by adding a touch screen (touch screens are just inherently more delicate, and dont really belong/need to be on an mp3 player meant to be carried everywhere, at least imho.)
but still, more likely someone in a bar somewhere in the general vicinity (50-100 miles) of cupertino began to speculate on an apple pda, and voila! this rumor emerged just hours later on brighthand and then macrumors!

;)

Spock

Feb 19, 2004, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by king_of_ekat
Here's another "Palmtop" that seems to be beating the Oqo to market and has slightly better specs... http://minipc.vulcan.com/

Looks interesting... especially since, like the oqo, it will run a full OS, not something scaled down for portability. If this comes in around $1000, it could be a big thing.

I like the name of that device. I think I will be installing Mac OS x on my x86 AMD befor I am using a new Apple PDA

ratspg

Feb 19, 2004, 08:54 PM

a PDA from apple is like Mac OS X on a PC, it's not going to happen unless they ENJOY losing money, hah

aswitcher

Feb 19, 2004, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by ratspg
a PDA from apple is like Mac OS X on a PC, it's not going to happen unless they ENJOY losing money, hah

Apple have a way of reinventing things with a twist that makes me think they could make this work. I think the key would be to have an iPod liek device with a decent harddisk, allowing you access to all your working files from any apple, coupled with on the road access to iCal, address book etc via a touch screen.

Crikey

Feb 20, 2004, 01:24 PM

In my view, the Samsung SPH-i500 is a successful PDA/phone, the first that doesn't dwarf its contemporary mobile only-phones. So there's a smart phone that doesn't suck for entering data.

I agree that PDA/phones won't make plain mobile phones obsolete. The hippest phones will always be a little slimmer and sleeker since they don't need so big a screen. More to the point, there appears to be a fairly large chunk of the population that isn't at all interested in PDAs and won't pay any extra to get a PDA in their mobile phone. Then again, low-end "organizer" functions are showing up even in the phones you get for free from the carrier.

I agree that "each market has its own use", as with all the other specious "either-ors" in technology -- Mac vs. PC, Windows vs. Linux, PocketPC vs. Palm, CDMA vs. GSM, and so on. Pundits like to preannounce "victors" in these "struggles" for market dominance, but there is room for consumer choice and it's a good thing.

[Edit: But I doubt Apple will get into PDAs. It's a tough market, and we know Steve the Newton-killer doesn't fancy it.]

Cheers,

Crikey

Originally posted by SiliconAddict
:rolleyes: People just don’t get it. When was the last time you tried entering data on a smart phone? Smart phones are great for accessing data but suck big time for entering data. This will never change while the current form factor remains the same. And don’t tell me voice recog because are you really going to dictate 3 sentence memo in public?
Smartphones are never going to replace PDA’s just like laptops will never kill off the desktop. Each market has its own use. You are going to see smartphones sit side by side with PDA’s. Smartphone features will become standard in ALL cellphones in the future but progressing tech will allow features to advance in the PDA that no cellphone can hope to have.
That is until you get a device like the Sci-fi series Earth: Final Conflict’s device that is called a Global. A retractable screen that can slide into the main body. When you can fit the 3” screen of a PDA in a cellphone while maintaining the cellphone’s diminutive stature and sill allowing ease of data manipulation is the day you will see the two totally merge. For the time being we will have the likes of the Pocket PC: Phone Edition and the Handspring Trio series. Where you have a cellphone shoved into a PDA instead of a PDA shoved into a cellphone.

paulbarton

Feb 23, 2004, 03:08 AM

At the risk of repeating myself...

As the se p800 (a smartPHONE) was the worlds biggest selling... wait for it...
PDA!!!! - Smartphones are already killing the pda market.

A smartphone could be seen as a pda + phone functionality... So, in the future, will you want your pda to be able to get on the internet, or not!

In the same way, knowone's buying phones without cameras, people will want there phones... smarter

Believe me, your kids will laugh at the idea of a PDA that can't get on the internet, send emails... video conference.

This is one market where convergence is king

question fear

Feb 23, 2004, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by paulbarton
At the risk of repeating myself...

As the se p800 (a smartPHONE) was the worlds biggest selling... wait for it...
PDA!!!! - Smartphones are already killing the pda market.

A smartphone could be seen as a pda + phone functionality... So, in the future, will you want your pda to be able to get on the internet, or not!

In the same way, knowone's buying phones without cameras, people will want there phones... smarter

Believe me, your kids will laugh at the idea of a PDA that can't get on the internet, send emails... video conference.

This is one market where convergence is king

but not yet, and not until two things happen in the american markets: there is a reasonably priced smartphone (500-700usd in our economy is not reasonable and is not going to break into any sort of real marketshare) and cell phone plans wiht data need to be cheaper. yes, the p900 was a big seller but not over here, because its too damn expensive. and apple is not in a position to create a new wireless network, and none of the current carriers has made any moves towards reducing prices considerably. im willing to concede convergence might be king, or it might evolve beyond pda entirely...but not now, and i dont think apple has the resources to create it.

cubist

Feb 23, 2004, 09:12 PM

Anyone who thinks a smartphone can replace a PDA has never really used a PDA. In my current PDA I have 87 memo files, 30 or so short notes, 250 things to do, and about 400 contacts, complete with multiple addresses, multiple phone numbers, and multiple emails. You can't work with that amount of information on a smartphone.

question fear

Feb 23, 2004, 09:37 PM

hmm...maybe apple will join the fray after all.
Motorola releases new smartphone with innovative design. (http://www.brighthand.com/article/motorola_announces_mpx)

after all, can't let motorola get ahead.

seriously though, if you look around on brighthand today, there were two new smartphones announced, a new pda, and rumors of two more. this is getting to a point of such saturation that apple would be better off waiting until the market truly evolves to something that will allow for more players on the field...with how tightly controlled and proprietary each pda is theres less and less room to maneuver and more and more pdas trying to crowd in.

paulbarton

Feb 24, 2004, 03:21 AM

Originally posted by cubist
Anyone who thinks a smartphone can replace a PDA has never really used a PDA. In my current PDA I have 87 memo files, 30 or so short notes, 250 things to do, and about 400 contacts, complete with multiple addresses, multiple phone numbers, and multiple emails. You can't work with that amount of information on a smartphone.

The P900 can easily accomplish the above - And take and send pictures and videos to phones and PCs. Next gen will be 3G and video conf as well. Will you really still want a pda only?

You really shouldn't say "can't" when you mean "I don't think you can..."

Incidently, does the US have a 3G service yet? The UKs had it for a year although it was launched prematurely and doesn't work too well.

question fear

Feb 24, 2004, 09:37 AM

the us does not have a true 3g service, especially not on gsm.
sprint was attempting something for a while on thier vision plans but i dont think it ever came to fruition.

i think in mentioning 3g plans though you are hitting on why a smartphone like the p900 isnt really a hit here...theres no fast data rate plans for phones, and we've just started using bluetooth in pdas and phones around ~2 years ago...they existed before that here obviously but not in any sort of a critical mass. we're fairly behind in the technology compared to europe, and unfortunately a great deal of that comes from our cell providers not from our use of the technology as consumers.
sigh.

but thats why the p900 may work amazing for you, but most people here seem more resistant. imho, consumers in america see the shortcomings of smartphones plus the expense, and without a compelling option just avoid them.

cubist

Feb 25, 2004, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by paulbarton
... You really shouldn't say "can't" when you mean "I don't think you can..."

True. I seriously doubt you can deal effectively with that amount of information with a P900.

I replaced my piece of junk T68i with an Audiovox Thera. The organizer features of the T68i are completely worthless. The Thera is a PDA with a CDMA phone in it. It's a good PDA, but a lousy phone... but the PDA features are more important to me.

Say, anyone look at those pictures of the disassembled iPod Mini? That's the kind of case an Apple PDA ought to have.

wHo_tHe

Feb 25, 2004, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by cubist
True. I seriously doubt you can deal effectively with that amount of information with a P900. Sony Ericsson's P900 (or P800, for that matter) could easily handle a few hundred contacts and to-do's. The OS and processor are powerful; it's really a small computer. If any device is truly at the nexus of the PDA and cell phone, it's the P900.

But as a long-time PDA fan and user, I feel even the P900 suffers from two persistent PDA problems: The screen is too small, and entering text quickly and comfortably is too difficult.

Until folding screens arrive (:)), it's impractical for cell phone screens to be larger than they are. And until voice recognition improves to the point where one can speak quietly and quickly into a headset and have instant transcription, I don't see that as an option either.

I still use my Newton MP 2100 daily because no device has been able to replace it as a notepad, and believe me, I've tried them all. I'd love a new Newton-ish device running 800x500, video-enabled with full access to short- and long- range wireless networks. The Samsung Nexio S160 (http://www.dynamism.com/nexio/index.shtml) gets the form-factor and some other things right, but its Windows CE OS is a deal-killer. (If you think Microsoft's desktop OS's are bad, wait until you see their portable OS's. CE and PPC are truly, truly horrible.)

cubist

Feb 27, 2004, 09:57 AM

Doggone it! I've been trying hard to be happy with my Thera, and then you bring up the Newton again. A few months back I bought a Newton 2100, and (a) its recognition is vastly better than anything I've used before, and (b) the big screen is wonderful. (And it has screen rotation, too.)

If Apple could come out with a screen the size of a Newton's, with a metal case like the iPod Mini, and it was running Mac OS X with a low-power G3 processor (I suppose it'd have to be a color screen), they'd have a real winner. It could have bluetooth for keyboard/mouse and Firewire or Ethernet for syncing. They could call it the PowerBook Mini.

sambo.

Jun 3, 2004, 01:35 AM

with any luck it'll be better than the Newton when it gets here.
i don't mind carrying a separate phone and a PDA, so those two functions can remain in separate devices, bluetooth will provide the connectivity.
hmmmm - a PDA with a 60Gb hard-drive, thats what i'd like..... :cool:

brainless

Jun 7, 2004, 08:51 AM

True. I seriously doubt you can deal effectively with that amount of information with a P900.

I replaced my piece of junk T68i with an Audiovox Thera. The organizer features of the T68i are completely worthless. The Thera is a PDA with a CDMA phone in it. It's a good PDA, but a lousy phone... but the PDA features are more important to me.

Say, anyone look at those pictures of the disassembled iPod Mini? That's the kind of case an Apple PDA ought to have.

I agree the SE P900 is a good example how the PDA-phone integration can be done. I can't see any of your concerns about the performance of SmartPhone valid. I only worked with P800, but it can handle all you wanted. On the other hand, I don't see why you want PDA that has no access to internet - synchronisation, e-mail access and even browsing is all doable on SmartPhone and I really don't see any reason why should I carry two devices when I can have only one. Well P900 is slightly big for a phone, but it can be easily navigated with one hand and that is main reason why I think PDA adapted to be also phones such as Palm or Win CE devices are no match there : I have experience here too, I used the XDA and it is such a terrible phone.
My conclusion : the P900 is a nice example the good smartphone can be done and new devices from the same mold are starting to take the market by storm (Motorola, Samsung). I don't know if Apple has resources or expertise to enter such a market - I only know it would be a natural extension of their iPod lineup or they going to suffer the loss of popularity once my next SmartPhone will get a decent mass storage device that will allow to use it in the role iPod has now. If Apple won't innovate iPod, the window of opportunity will close again and I am sure Apple are well aware of that and they think hard nowdays and wight their options.

the future

Jun 7, 2004, 04:40 PM

robbents99

Jun 7, 2004, 08:46 PM

Must have kept it locked up tight, no pictures have been leaked, wonder how close it was to being announced....damn...apple pda...a blurry picture would be NICE!

question fear

Jun 7, 2004, 09:40 PM

Damn... AppleInsider reports that Steve Jobs said at the D conference that Apple did make an PDA – but decided not to release it. And that he's still proud of it! Yeah, he gets to use it as well...
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=484

unless i missed something it didnt say anthign about steve using it.
and now, lets all say it together:
"The PDA market is a shrinking one. Convergence is killing the standalone PDA. Apple will NOT make a standalone PDA nor will it bring back the Newton."

repeat as necessary.

and if you don't believe me, go surf at brighthand.com or dailygadget.com, most people there will give you the same input.

the future

Jun 8, 2004, 04:35 AM

unless i missed something it didnt say anthign about steve using it.

Of course he didn't say that, I just assumed that this would be one of the little benefits of being the Apple CEO... :)

and now, lets all say it together:
"The PDA market is a shrinking one. Convergence is killing the standalone PDA. Apple will NOT make a standalone PDA nor will it bring back the Newton."

Well, duh. That's probably why the PDA wasn't released. Now back to the iPhone rumors... :D

eji

Jun 8, 2004, 06:55 AM

Has this page (http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=1978) already been posted in these forums? I came across it while doing a Google search for Apple PDA.

Hoax? Or is it the scrapped ad?

------

Nevermind. It was an April Fool's joke. Someone just pointed out the date to me.

question fear

Jun 8, 2004, 08:29 AM

Of course he didn't say that, I just assumed that this would be one of the little benefits of being the Apple CEO... :)

Well, duh. That's probably why the PDA wasn't released. Now back to the iPhone rumors... :D

hahahaha
sorry for being so harsh, i was just in a bad mood.
i actually imagine steve using some sort of mega day-timer. with recycled paper.

HasanDaddy

Jun 8, 2004, 10:03 AM

EJI -

notice that BargainPDA posted that on April 1st

Flynnstone

Jun 8, 2004, 10:10 AM

I have to agree that the PDA is dead.
Now with the Airport Express being released, which is very cool, there is a little gap. You can pipe iTunes to your stereo. This is very useful, I plan on buying at least 1. But the problem is the computer is in another room from the stereo(s).
How do you control iTunes from another room?
How do you control iTunes from another room?
Jobs was asked this, and he had the twinkle in his eye. He has a solution for this.
I see one solution is Salling Clicker with a Bluetooth phone. This is cool and will generally work, but ... the range will be a problem. Wifi - Airport has enough range, or better range than Bluetooth.
So ths solution needs to be:
- portable
- Airport compatible
- be able to control iTunes
- have other cool features ...

I can imagine a Palm Tungsten C as part of the solution. Jobs said they developed a PDA and didn't release it.
I can envision a device that has some PDA functions but that's not its target purpose.
Purhaps some video iPod functionality. Did I mention about wireless Firewire ...
A PDA by definition is such a limited device :rolleyes:

TednDi

Jun 8, 2004, 01:08 PM

question fear

Jun 8, 2004, 01:16 PM

Didn't there just get signed a deal between HP and Apple?? Hp is to produce an ipod. What if Hp also got the deal to produce the apple PDA. Technically then, Apple wouldn't then produce a PDA HP would.

hmmm.

HP currently makes the best selling pocket pc in the world. why on earth would they abandon that for an apple pda?
Not to be harsh, but I don't believe for a second HP is working with apple on a PDA-HP wants to own their corner of the market, they do with the IPAQ and to continue it they needed to break into another market, hence the hPOD. The closest you might get to an apple pda from HP woudl be an apple designer helping wiht the IpAq, the most successful pocket Pc to date.
Also one of the only PDA makers besides Palm heavily favored to remain in it for the long haul.

TednDi

Jun 8, 2004, 01:32 PM

however, perhaps apple has a better OS for the handheld now companies like asus and gateway are producing pocket pc's with as much or better features for less. I use the pocket pc and was one of the early adopters. The interface is still windows and can be buggy as well. If apple has this technology on the shelf but doesn't want to release it in their own handheld then the R&D that went into it will be a loss. On the other hand, if they can make a buck and gain a bit of market share from windows, by being adopted by one of the handheld makers that dominates the market, then Apple is taking a page out of the playbook of Microsoft circa 1984. Perhaps also the mac OS for the handheld wasn't ready when the ipaq was being released and the buggy Microsoft OS was.

pure fantasy on my part...

However, HP has a Smartphone, PDA and now produces the ipod.

on another note

Why name it the ipaq isn't the "i" an Apple thingy

ipod
itunes
ibook
ilife
ipaq?

fun to speculate anyway!! :D

davecuse

Jun 8, 2004, 01:49 PM

I would really like to see an Apple PDA type of device bundled into a really useful handheld. Some features I would like to see wrapped in....

- Cell Phone
- WiFi VOIP
- Integration with Address Book and iCal
- Remote for AirTunes
- Remote for my whole house (X10, and AV equipment)
- iPod functionality when I'm on the go
- Camera built in
- OLED display, unfold the device so you can expand the screen for web browsing and iTunes searching
- Great battery life!

My question, why don't I have one already?

kuyu

Jun 8, 2004, 03:09 PM

One interesting note....

In the article he says
"Even Microsoft's new digital music store plans are considered to be "Apple neutral". (More on this when we can get away with it)"

I just read today that microsoft's music store will be a mall. That is, all the music stores will be available from media player. That could mean iTunes music store as well....

We'll see. But, I would personally have a MAJOR use for an apple PDA. As long as it had some functionality that a small paper notepad doesn't, I'd buy one (if it's <$500, and a phone thrown in there would be nice).

technocoy

Jun 8, 2004, 08:52 PM

maybe it will do what a PDA does, but go beyond that. Therefore a whole new product arena and not considered a "PDA". making job's comments about not releasing a "PDA" very truthful, yet a little deceiving!

oh, well, just my 2 cents

Ghostdog

Jun 13, 2004, 12:59 AM

Apple PDA not happening eh?

Well, this popped up on the Apple web site and quicker than you can say Newton it disappeared.

aswitcher

Jun 13, 2004, 02:05 AM

Apple PDA not happening eh?

Well, this popped up on the Apple web site and quicker than you can say Newton it disappeared.

:D

davecuse

Jun 14, 2004, 08:30 AM

Apple PDA not happening eh?

Well, this popped up on the Apple web site and quicker than you can say Newton it disappeared.

Was that legitimately on the Apple site, or is that some Photoshop work?

Edit: Just looked a closer, nevermind.

Ghostdog

Jun 14, 2004, 12:56 PM

Was that legitimately on the Apple site, or is that some Photoshop work?

Edit: Just looked a closer, nevermind.

:D

PowerMacMan

Jun 14, 2004, 01:07 PM

Apple PDA not happening eh?

Well, this popped up on the Apple web site and quicker than you can say Newton it disappeared.

Very cool! ;)

Laslo Panaflex

Jun 14, 2004, 01:11 PM

That made me laugh ghostdog, and I really need it today. :D

Judicat0r

Jun 14, 2004, 05:29 PM

TednDi

Jun 14, 2004, 05:56 PM

Sorry if someone has already said this (I couldn't be bothered reading through all those pages of posts), but I find it extremely unlikely that Apple would release a device which would essentially duplicate functionality of the ipod + add heaps of additional features. I don't think it would be sensible marketing to spend as much as on ipod advertising as they have and then superscede it so quickly. Why would anyone buy an ipod when you can get a PDA which does it all?? :confused:

My 2c

Price point.

For those who want the s***T hot thing then the ipod 4 is for you otherwise it's the ipod 3 or the mini. Look at that kookie lagerfeld/ipod/fendi carry case for $1500. Why are there several versions of the mac? Apple would rather cannablalize the little bits of other's market share to agglomerate it's own domminance of the industry. See the macworld expo Quicktime movie of Steve J's speech. Apple in jan had like 60% of the market. how do you get more of the other 40%? innovate into other regions.

For me (and I only speak for myself) an ipod/phone hybrid would be a killer product. Yes, if you add the pda functions which I don't use that much it would be cool too. As long as it synchs with great ease. Add a bit more functionality at low enough cost and the product is different than all of its competitors.

also phones now are coming in with secure digital cards and are able to play music and show pictures. That's prettty much what the ipod can do now. Eventually the phones are going to cut into the ipod marketshare when flash memory gets over the 4gig point and is cheap enough (2years?)

The only way to head that off is to add phone functionality to the ipod or ipod sucessor. Also if wifi is bundled with it and perhaps a .mac voice over ip plan then iphone is your device.

so no pda

fine

go iphone with itunes! :)

also, did anyone else notice the DVD icon in the applications folder looks suspiciously like the ipod?