Short for
personal digital assistant, a handheld
device that combines computing, telephone/
fax, Internet and
networking features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, Web
browser and personal organizer. Unlike
portable computers, most PDAs began as pen-based, using a
stylus rather than a
keyboard for
input. This means that they also incorporated
handwriting recognition features. Some PDAs can also react to voice input by using
voice recognition technologies. PDAs of today are available in either a stylus or keyboard version.
Apple Computer, which introduced the Newton MessagePad in 1993, was one of the first companies to offer PDAs. Shortly thereafter, several other manufacturers offered similar products. Today, one of the most popular brands of PDAs is the series of Palm Pilots from Palm, Inc.
PDAs are also called palmtops, hand-held computers and pocket computers.
