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Death of the PDA?

Posted by michael on from the not-likely dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Economist has an article proclaiming the death of the PDA. Smart phone sales are predicted to overtake PDA sales this year."

2 of 435 comments (clear)

  1. Doesn't the phone turn into a PDA? by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I don't see the point in a distinction. Is it a PDA with phone capabilities? Is it a phone with PDA capabilities? Either way, if this happens, I wouldn't consider it a "death" but an evolution in what technologies and packagings people decide fits their lifestyles the best.

    Just because a radio was integrated into a clock doesn't mean that radio died then, although maybe I wish it did.

  2. This is really missing the point by screwballicus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The laptops of today do all the things a desktop is supposed to do, but occupy less space.

    All proclaim the death of the desktop computer!

    The PDAs of today do all the things a laptop is supposed to do, but occupy less space.

    All proclaim the death of the laptop computer and, indirectly, the desktop computer!

    The phones of today do all the things a PDA is supposed to do, but occupy less space.

    All proclaim the death of the PDA computer and, indirectly, the laptop computer and, indirectly, the desktop computer!

    We've been told that sub-notebooks are about to replace the notebook and "desktop replacements" are about to replace the desktop for years now. It hasn't happened yet.

    Will smartphones replace PDAs?

    When smartphones, like the latest batch of Ipaqs or Toshibas, support bluetooth, wifi, multiple I/O capable expansion options (CFII+SDIO) and an extensive list of peripherals, sure.

    Maybe "laptop" and "desktop" and "PDA" describe nothing but a form factor. But that's probably the best argument there is for their mutual survival. There's no reason the PDA form factor with PDA size screen will just magically disappear leaving a gap between laptop and phone.