Personal digital assistant

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Close wing posture of Amblypodia anita (Hewitson, 1862) - Purple Leaf Blue (Male) gathering nutrients from bird dropping WLB
Personal digital assistant
ManufacturerVarious
TypeMobile device
Release date1980s
DisplayLCD, OLED
InputTouchscreen, Stylus, Keyboard
ConnectivityWi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared, USB
PowerBattery
DimensionsVarious
MassVarious


A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a handheld PC, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. PDAs were largely discontinued in the early 2010s after the widespread adoption of smartphones.

History[edit | edit source]

The first PDAs were introduced in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The term "PDA" was first used by Apple Inc. CEO John Sculley in 1992, referring to the Apple Newton. Other early PDAs included the Psion Organiser and the PalmPilot.

Features[edit | edit source]

PDAs typically include features such as:

Many PDAs also offer wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for internet access and data synchronization with other devices.

Input and Output[edit | edit source]

PDAs usually feature a touchscreen for input, often with a stylus. Some models also include a keyboard or support for handwriting recognition. The display is typically an LCD or OLED screen.

Operating Systems[edit | edit source]

Common operating systems for PDAs include:

Decline and Legacy[edit | edit source]

The popularity of PDAs declined with the advent of smartphones, which integrated PDA functionality with mobile phone capabilities. Modern smartphones and tablet computers have largely replaced the need for standalone PDAs.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD