Just like with older Palm devices, older Android smartphones can be found at bargain prices. One way is to buy a WiFi enabled smartphone and only use the WiFi connection instead of the cellular connection. There are two ways to get a pocket sized Android device that can serve as a PDA.
That said, depending on the device, you can still find syncing software for Palm and Windows CE/Pocket PC devices on and respectively.
The biggest problem I can see with these older devices is the fact that there is little to no support for them other than like minded users on various online forums. There’s also the issue that as we continue to update our desktop computers to newer OS versions, the ability to sync/backup our data on these devices will probably become impossible due to software incompatibility. In addition to the basic PIM (Personal Information Management) apps that are built-in to each device, you can still download 3rd party productivity apps from sites like Handango and Freeware Palm. This is the most inexpensive solution and most likely the best one for people who are perfectly happy kicking it old school. Handspring Visors and Windows Pocket PCs can be found too. And if you don’t mind used devices, you can easily spend less than $25. Guess what? You can still find brand new boxed Palm PDAs for less than $50 on eBay. Most of the people that email me asking for PDA advice, always start out by saying that their Palm device is dying and what current device can they buy to replace it. She still uses a Palm Zire 31 which was released way back in 2004, the dark ages of mobile computing.Īs I see it, people that want to continue using pocket sized PDAs, have 3 choices: 1. Continue using older PDA devices for as long as you can find / replace them I know that Don isn’t alone because I live with someone that has no desire for a smartphone. Plus, I understand it is primarily an entertainment device as opposed to a business organizer.Īny thoughts. Some people are turning to the iPod Touch, but I really like the “always on” feature of PDAs. I really like the simplicity of Palm devices. I could go to a different platform, but it seems that there isn’t anything handheld that enables you to enter data with a stylus and that functions primarily as a business organizer (focus on calendar, contacts, notes, and enables you to sync it with the computer.) I don’t need a phone with more functions and I don’t want to have to pay a monthly data fee to use the device. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on a replacement for my Palm TX? I’ve done quite a bit of research and found that no one except HP (IPAQ) is making PDAs any longer. Once a month or so, I’ll receive an email like this one: