Farewell to PDAs, Hello to Smart Phones

Roland Piquepaille writes "Is it time to get rid of your PDA? Apparently yes, according to General Motors, writes Ephraim Schwartz in InfoWorld.The subtitle of this story is pretty clear: "GPS, Java, and push-to-talk give smart phones a clear edge over PDAs." "General Motors announced last week that it will partner with wireless carrier Nextel to use Nextel?s Motorola cell phones with data capabilities to market a field-force management application to its commercial truck fleet customers." GM chose these cell phones because people feel more comfortable with, but also because they can run sophisticated applications. And of course, because they are cheaper than handhelds, both to purchase and to maintain. Check this column for a summary and references."

Comments

Re:May not always want a phone

[mothrathegreat]

They already sorted this one on the SPV and P800 you can turn off the phone segment of the device, convincing a luddite stewardess on the other hand might be a little harder

All we really need.....

[Viceice]

Are a bluetooth enabled PDA, Phone and a real comfy headphone.

Make the phone as small as you can, with no buttons (save for Power and BT interface), speakers, screen or mike, with as much battery as you can.

Then supply a phone interface app for PalmOS/PocketPC/Linux PDA's and you're set to go.

You can hide your phone anywhere on your person as you'll never have to reach for it, you can do every wireless data thing on your PDA and take teh calls on your headset and use it for mp3 playback as well.

Taht way, everything is at it's optimal size, and they all don't drain 1 battery. If the phone dies you still have your PDA and vice versa.