Datamation Logo

What is The Purpose of PDAs?

December 16, 2005
Datamation content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

It looks like business users aren’t taking advantage of the power of PDAs in a connected or online mode because they are too hard to use.

At least that’s one of the conclusions of a new report released today by Strategy Analytics, which surveyed business users of PDAs and cell phones.

“What we found is that business users aren’t hollering for smaller sizes or even more battery life; they’ve mostly accepted those limitations,” Cliff Raskind, director of Strategy Analytic’s wireless enterprise strategies service said. “What they’re screaming for is better usability.”

Which is not to say PDAs like the HP iPaq and Palm handhelds aren’t being used. Raskind said the devices are most popular among management and sales people.

“But there are a lot of PIM freaks who use them as a kind of address book on steroids, but they are not using the functions in an [online] mode.”

Raskind blames developers and device manufacturers for a failure to improve usability, but says they have a huge opportunity to reach more business customers with better products.

“There is a tailor-made segment of business users with a willingness to pay for services to make greater use of these devices.”

Raskind pointed to Apple’s iPod as a great example of a device that doesn’t try to cram too much functionality but does what it does — play and navigate music selections — very well.

With a myriad of different business applications, Raskind says PDAs have to be less all things to all people, and targeted more at specific market segments.

For example, he said content creators, people who need to do a lot of writing on a PDA, place more value on a bigger screen and keyboard, similar to that of the Nokia 9300.

This article was first published on InternetNews.com. To read the full article, click here.

  SEE ALL
ARTICLES
 

Subscribe to Data Insider

Learn the latest news and best practices about data science, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, data security, and more.

Datamation Logo

Datamation is the leading industry resource for B2B data professionals and technology buyers. Datamation's focus is on providing insight into the latest trends and innovation in AI, data security, big data, and more, along with in-depth product recommendations and comparisons. More than 1.7M users gain insight and guidance from Datamation every year.

Advertisers

Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on Datamation and our other data and technology-focused platforms.

Advertise with Us

Our Brands


Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions About Contact Advertise California - Do Not Sell My Information

Property of TechnologyAdvice.
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.