Smartphones miss out on PDA legacy

Iria · Aug 25, 2006, 05:41 AM

Source: ZDNet UK
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PDAs are on the verge of extinction as phones get more sophisticated — but users aren't moving to data-centric smartphones because ordinary phones are "good enough", according to analysts.

"There has been an evaporation of demand for handhelds," said Andy Brown, programme manager for mobile computing research in Europe, during analyst firm IDC's quarterly teleconference covering mobile devices in Europe. "We're likely to see handheld vendors withdraw from the market."

ET3D · Aug 25, 2006, 06:42 AM

This makes sense to me. Most functions of the PDA are available in simpler devices, and people tend to prefer simpler devices. Phones are pretty good for keeping contacts these days, and can be used for appointments, etc. Phones also provide simple gaming. MP3/4 players can be used for music and movies. For most people there's no real need for another device which can do these things and is bulkier.

Aug 25, 2006, 05:41 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Smartphones miss out on PDA legacy Source: ZDNet UK _______ PDAs are on the verge of extinction as phones get more sophisticated — but users aren't moving to data-centric smartphones because ordinary phones are "good enough", according to analysts. "There has been an evaporation of demand for handhelds," said Andy Brown, programme manager for mobile computing research in Europe, during analyst firm IDC's quarterly teleconference covering mobile devices in Europe. "We're likely to see handheld vendors withdraw from the market."

Aug 25, 2006, 06:42 AM	#2
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	This makes sense to me. Most functions of the PDA are available in simpler devices, and people tend to prefer simpler devices. Phones are pretty good for keeping contacts these days, and can be used for appointments, etc. Phones also provide simple gaming. MP3/4 players can be used for music and movies. For most people there's no real need for another device which can do these things and is bulkier.