Personal Digital Assistant

(PDAs)Presented by:Natalie T. CarterSpring 2006ETEC 562

Purpose of the PDA keep track of your

schedule business and personal

contacts to-do list memos budgets create digital photo albums play games listen to music * use reference software * read eBooks*= with the use of an expansion card

Handheld ControlsFRONT PANEL CONTROLS

• Screen—displays the applications and information on the handheld. Touch sensitive.

• Clock icon—displays time and date• Input Area—allows you to enter information with Graffiti 2

Writing or open the onscreen keyboard• Power Button—turns handheld on and off and activates

keylock• Display Icon—adjust brightness and contrast on display• 5-Way Navigator—assists in moving around and selecting

information to display on the screen• Application Buttons—opens calendar and contacts

applications

http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/explorea.html

TOP PANEL CONTROLS

IR Port—beams information between handhelds and other devices with an IR port (IR=infrared)

Expansion card slot—place to insert expansion cards, which adds memory for listening to music, backing up information, applications, and accessories

Headphone Jack—can connect a standard 3.5 mm stereo headset to handheld to listen to music and other audio applications

http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/explorea.html

SIDE AND BACK PANEL CONTROLS

• Stylus—used to enter information into the handheld

• Reset Button—resets handheld if it stops responding

• Power Connector—connects handheld to the power adapter so it can be charged

• Mini-USB Connector—connects handheld to the computer, using HotSync cable, to synchronize

• Speaker—used to listen to alarms, game and system sounds, and music

http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/explorea.html

The handheld has……• World Clock—tells time in your city and two

other locations; alarm• Calendar—manage schedule and color code by

category• Calculator—mathematical functions• Contacts—basic phone book• Note pad—write on screen for quick notes• Memos—keep notes from meetings, recipes, etc.• Tasks—prioritize to-do list, set alarms, etc.• HotSync—synchronize info on handheld with info

on computer• Preferences—customize handheld’s sound

levels, security, colors, etc.

Installing and Removing Applications

INSTALLATION

install applications from the PalmOne CD

install software from other places as long as there is an application on the handheld that can read the files

REMOVAL

remove applications from handheld or expansion card

cannot remove applications that are part of the handheld operating system

http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/manageappsd.html

Opening Applications• press application

button to turn on handheld and to open application for that button (i.e. calendar, contacts)

• tap home button to see list of applications and tap on application to be used

• tap home button to switch between applications

http://www.palm.com/us/support/userguides/zire31/us/appsa.html

Expanding the Handheld

• handheld is compatible with SDIO, SD, and MultiMediaCard expansion cards

SDIO (Secure Digital input/output)—helps to add accessories

SD and MultiMediaCard—helps store information and applications

Expansion card is used for….

• storing songs and listening to music• viewing and storing photos

(compatible expansion card required) and copying photos to handheld

• backing up and copying important information

• adding games and other software• adding accessories, such as

presentation module

Memos

CREATE• select memos from

home screen• select new to

create memo• enter memo from

onscreen keyboard

EDIT/VIEW• select memos from

home screen• in memos list,

select memo you want

• read or edit memo and press done

Working with Memos on Your Computer

Use Memos on your computer to view and manage the memos you create on your handheld. You can:

• View, copy, and delete memos • Edit memo details • Mark memos private • Show, mask, and hide private memos • Print memos • Change between the list and single memo views • Add a date and time stamp to a memo • Organize memos into categories • Sort memos • Share memos

Note Pad

CREATE• select Note Pad

from home screen• use stylus to write

note directly on handheld screen

EDIT/VIEW• select Note Pad

from home screen• open note and

select done to display Note Pad list

• select note to view or edit

Working with Note Pad on Your Computer

Use Note Pad on your computer to view and manage the handwritten notes you create on your handheld. You can:

• Learn about the parts of the Note Pad window • View, copy, and delete notes • Edit note details and titles • Set an alarm for a note • Mark notes private • Show, mask, and hide private notes • Print notes • Change between the List and note Preview views • Sort notes • Share notes

Sharing Information

• beam from one handheld to another• synchronize information from

handheld to computer or vice versa• copy information onto expansion

card

Beaming

• beam information from within an application to another PalmOS user

• select information you want to beam and open application

• open menu and select Beam menu

• point handheld’s IR port with another handheld IR port

Synchronization

• connect HotSync cable to USB port with other end in mini-USB connector on handheld

• tap HotSync button on handheld to synchronize information into computer

• synchronize using infrared (IR) port

Do’s and Don’tsDO’S

• use protective cover• use stylus only to tap

screen• use only supplied

power adapter• keep battery charged• keep screen free from

dust

DON’TS• do not drop or bang

handheld• do not carry handheld

in back pocket• do not let handheld

get wet or leave in damp locations

• do not expose handheld to very hot or cold temperatures

And in conclusion....

The handheld can be used in many different ways in education. It is easy to use because of its mobility and compactness. They are fairly inexpensive and user friendly.