Jun 08 2008
history of PDA Computer
The idea of making small hand held computer for storing addresses and phone numbers , taking notes and keeping track of daily appointments originated in the 1980’s.
1980 - Psion defined the PDA.
1984 - Psion launched its first organizer, it was slightly longer and thicker than a large pack of cigarettes.
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Psion 1 was followed by Psion II
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Psion II was followed by a 3a series , which was the first to link to desktop PC for data transfers.
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The Series 5 followed up the success of the 3a , Largest screen (640 X 240 pixel) and keyboard to date.
1993 - Apple tried to copy Psion’s success,Apple launched the Newton MessagePad One of the first to use touch-sensitive screens and handwriting recognition software .
1995 - US Robotics acquired Palm Computing leading to the launch of the Palm Pilot
1996 - The Pilot was introduced by US Robotics , Data entry was made using a stylus and Graffiti handwriting system (a simplified alphabet for handwriting recognition )
1997 - Apple produced eMate, a new PDA , but handwriting recognition software was not fast enough or reliable enough hence in 1998 Apple discontinued its PDA development.
1997 - US Robotics was bought by 3Com and Palm Pilots became major players in the PDA market , Palm introduced even smaller devices.
1999 - Palm was leading the industry with the Palm V and its Graffiti software, The Palm VII added wireless access to the Internet .Palm Computing’s sales for 2001 are estimated at 13 million devices making it the industry’s leader .