I'm just curious if you think it counts as a PDA and why or why not. What features do PDAs have that the iPod Touch doesn't?
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iPod touch Do you feel the iPod Touch counts as a PDA?
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Not until the ToDo and Notes functions sync with all desktop computers, both Mac and Windows. Apple needs to come up with an iTunes-like desktop program that handles the PDA functions, including Calendar and Contacts. All the workarounds people are using at the moment to get their Calendar and other PDA info synced with various programs and services are ridiculous.
Yea, it's a Windows issue. I think it accepts only MS Office's Outlook calendar for syncing in Windows side. Quite bummer that it doesn't accept Google calendars, since I find the ability to sync contacts with my gmail account insanely great as I can do that anywhere as long as the host computer has iTunes. I think it will come sooner or later, seeing how tightly whole iTouch/iPhone & Google are integrated already.
Other than limited syncing abilities, yes, iTouch is definately a PDA and one of the best in its field as well.
Other than limited syncing abilities, yes, iTouch is definately a PDA and one of the best in its field as well.
Well I won't call it one until it has office applications like my old HP iPaq did. I remember when I was in the fourth grade, I touch-typed my essay on it.
While it is going in the direction of a PDA, there are somethings that need to be added:
- A bigger screen.
- Much better and simpler syncing.
- Longer battery life.
- Mic.
- Speaker(s).
- Handwriting recognition.
That doesn't mean that the current iteration doesn't function as a PDA for some folks. Just needs to evolve a bit more to be a true PDA.
- A bigger screen.
- Much better and simpler syncing.
- Longer battery life.
- Mic.
- Speaker(s).
- Handwriting recognition.
That doesn't mean that the current iteration doesn't function as a PDA for some folks. Just needs to evolve a bit more to be a true PDA.
Use mine as a PDA every single day. Sync it morning and afternoon with my office Mac, have my address book, web bookmarks, calendar, calculator etc all the way I like.
I also run my IMAP email on it so I can use/see what's happening on several of my business accounts (ie: Sales dept, my personal address and accounts dept.).
It's a PDA all right.
I also run my IMAP email on it so I can use/see what's happening on several of my business accounts (ie: Sales dept, my personal address and accounts dept.).
It's a PDA all right.
sorry if i sound rude but,
If it had a bigger screen you would need bigger pockets and hands to put it in. How hard is it plugging in the USB cable and itunes automatically opens and automatically syncs your stuff? Handwriting recognition? that it why there is a keyboard
The screen could be a little bigger and still fit into your pocket. Also, there could be different models/versions as well.
Currently, syncing currently does not sync everything. A software issue which will probably be fixed in the future. Things that come to mind are iCal ToDos and complete contact data. This also involves MobileMe for those who sync through MobileMe (Mac/PC --> MobileMe --> Touch, and vice versa).
Sure there is a software keyboard, which does not work in landscape mode for all apps. A software issue which can be fixed.
Unfortunately, keyboarding does not substitute for some sort of handwriting recognition. This is standard on all PDAs. Additionally, being able to draw quick sketches on your PDA is very useful. Sure there is an app for the Touch called "Sketches" but it is rather limited without pen input. The Newton was awesome in that regard especially in the business environment.
Other items that come to mind:
- No cut and paste.
- No notes syncing.
- No Office suite software.
- Voice note recording.
Anyhow, the Newton was the cream of PDAs. Many of the Newton's features have made it into the Touch. However, for the Touch to be a full featured PDA, it needs some things added. That is not to say, for some folks, the current version may be enough but it is not what I would call a full featured PDA.
Note, I am not talking about Newton features like being able to set it up as a web server and other esoteric functions like this.
Personally, I like the Touch and have a 32GB one. I enjoy using many apps that I've purchased and are free to download. The Touch is very nice. I just feel that the Touch needs a few more features before it can really be a full featured PDA. YMMV.
Does anyone actually use handwriting recognition? I had it in two Palm's that I owned over the last six years and hated it on both.
I'm the digital generation (30yo) and I've never liked hand writing - it's slow and it cramps my hand - I've been typing since I was 10. To me (and most of my friends) hand writing recognition is a non-event.
I understand that it might matter to old people but really, get with the program.
I used to think so but now I have to say no. It is not a PDA if it can't assist me in knowing when an appt is alerted. It needs an external speaker to notify me of that, the lil buzzer sound isn't enough when I'm carrying it in my pocket. Now the iPhone...that could be with the external speaker to notify you of alarms and appt to attend to.
Don't forget, handwriting recognition also applies drawing/sketches. This is very handy in the business setting when working on new ideas. Sketching with your finger is not near as nice as a simple stylus input.
Kind of like the difference between sketching with a fat permanent marker instead of a fine point pen.
As they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words. A quick sketch can be very helpful for management and concepts.
Wish you were sitting here beside me. If so, with my Newton I could show you things that would make your mouth hit the floor. You'd be saying how cool it is and how you wished that your Touch could do that.I understand that it might matter to old people but really, get with the program.
Good points.
To be a full featured PDA, the Touch needs a mic and speaker.
I voted yes, simply because for me, it's working for that purpose just fine. I'm much more organized on the go than I was prior to owning one, and that's the litmus test. That said, the lack of an external speaker, or at the very least an audible piezo beep maker greatly reduces its utility.
Last time I had a PDA was a palm in 2004.
It sucked.
It did 1/3rd or less of what the iPod touch can do.
Yes, it is definitely a PDA - contacts, notes, calendar, email, web, music, video, games, apps...
How is it NOT a PDA? It's more PDA than all of the PDAs 4 years ago.
It sucked.
It did 1/3rd or less of what the iPod touch can do.
Yes, it is definitely a PDA - contacts, notes, calendar, email, web, music, video, games, apps...
How is it NOT a PDA? It's more PDA than all of the PDAs 4 years ago.
My Touch replaced a Handspring Visor Edge and then some
I used my Visor Edge PDA for calendar, contacts and to carry along static information, for example my medical history. With the arrival of File Magnet, the Touch does all of that AND email, Internet, music, photos and videos. And it syncs as easily as the Visor did with Palm Desktop. It's also smaller.
I used my Visor Edge PDA for calendar, contacts and to carry along static information, for example my medical history. With the arrival of File Magnet, the Touch does all of that AND email, Internet, music, photos and videos. And it syncs as easily as the Visor did with Palm Desktop. It's also smaller.
FileMagnet is awesome.
I think for many, the current version of the Touch serves as their PDA.
But for others, especially those of use who used the Newton (discontinued some 11-12 years ago) would like to see more features on the Touch such as:
- A mic for recording voice notes and meetings.
- Speaker to hear audio recordings.
- A slightly larger display.
- Better battery life.
- Ability to use a stylus for drawing and taking notes, that later can be turned into objects and text.
- Ability to read SDHC cards.
- An external keyboard.
- Ability to display the Touch screen using a LCD projector.
Again, as I mentioned above, I don't need the Touch to perform web server duties like you can with the Newton.
For right now, I am going to continue happily using my 32GB Touch.
I like my ipod Touch as a PDA , for my NEEDS it works fine , I just need Apple to fix my mobile.me push calender ( which at this point it has never worked with my ipod ) and I am a happy man
Saludos
Saludos
ooh, filemagnet looks awesome. May have to try that one out. With that, then yes, I think the ipod touch can be a PDA.
Well, I think Apple should at least release something along the lines of the Mobile Me program for free. Sure you would pay for email, storage space, push, etc. But I say it needs an Apple native program that can sync flawlessly with each other.
I had a Pocket PC at the age of 8, and I absolutely loved the on-screen keyboard instead of handwriting recognition. Sure, I loved to sketch with the stylus, but I can live without that. Honestly, I think all they need to add is a microphone and speaker (though with call features that's called an iPhone) to create a PDA device. I'm not in business or anything, but I think that would come in handy in meetings.
So my list:
Apple organizer for Windows (Free)
Microphone and Speaker
I had a Pocket PC at the age of 8, and I absolutely loved the on-screen keyboard instead of handwriting recognition. Sure, I loved to sketch with the stylus, but I can live without that. Honestly, I think all they need to add is a microphone and speaker (though with call features that's called an iPhone) to create a PDA device. I'm not in business or anything, but I think that would come in handy in meetings.
So my list:
Apple organizer for Windows (Free)
Microphone and Speaker
It's good, but MobileFinder is much, much better. It lets you create text files, folders, and even better, it sets up some sort of FTP server, and lets you drag and drop files from any mac or windows computer with a web connection, and if you're in a wi-fi zone. Plus, tis only two bucks.
Those of you syncing to Outlook...
How do you get the Categories in Outlook to show up as Groups on the iPod Touch? I have all of my Contacts stratified in Outlook--but the stratificaiton does not cross ovwer. Otherwise, love the iPod Touch...
How do you get the Categories in Outlook to show up as Groups on the iPod Touch? I have all of my Contacts stratified in Outlook--but the stratificaiton does not cross ovwer. Otherwise, love the iPod Touch...
Its a PDA... and a portable gameing device, a web browser, a movie player, an MP3 player, a photo viewer, a radio(internet radio), a large bundle of maps, a pager, a song writer(band), a dictionary, a weather forecaster, a koi pond, a zen garden, a satus symbol(I am rich), a flashlight, a lighter, and perhaps most importantly a hold on button.