Palm Pilot - Boon Or Curse
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Computers Technology -> subcategory Other.
Palm Pilot: Boon or Curse?
Summary
Palm-top computers, or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), have become staples in countless pockets across the country, replacing traditional paper agendas and index cards. The Palm Corporation produces a range of these devices, all running the Palm operating system. The Palm Pilot was the name given to the first two generations of PDAs created by Palm Computing in 1996. Initially a division of US Robotics, then 3Com, and eventually a standalone company, Palm Computing revolutionized personal organization.
Origins and Evolution
The Palm Pilot was the brainchild of Jeff Hawkins, Donna Dubinsky, and Ed Colligan, founders of Palm Computing. The inaugural models were the Palm Pilot 1000, with 128K RAM, and the Palm Pilot 5000, with 512K RAM. While these early models had serial ports, they lacked infrared ports, backlights, and flash memory. Subsequent models, the Palm Pilot Personal and Palm Pilot Professional, introduced backlights but still excluded infrared ports and flash memory.
Palm Computing, then a 3Com subsidiary, sought more control and founded Handspring in June 1998. With Hawkins' efforts, Handspring became the first Palm OS licensee and later produced the Handspring Visor, a Palm Pilot clone with a hardware expansion slot. In 2003, Handspring merged with Palm to form palmOne. The concept of the Palm Pilot originated from Palm Computing's initial goal to create handwriting recognition software, which led them to develop superior hardware.
Design and Features
A hallmark of Palm Pilots was 8 megabytes of memory and internal rechargeable batteries. The design aimed to enable users to build and program mobile robots at an affordable cost. In 1998, following a trademark infringement lawsuit by Pilot Pen Corporation, these devices were branded as Palm Connected Organizers.
The Palm Pilot offered numerous benefits. Its compact size allowed users to carry it everywhere, freeing their minds from storing countless bits of information. Functioning as a full-fledged computer, users could search its contents with ease. It could transform into anything from a patient-tracking device to a calculator, calendar, address book, or memo pad. This device, a mere five inches and six ounces, fit conveniently in a shirt pocket and ran for weeks on just two AAA batteries.
The Future and Potential Drawbacks
Despite theoretical concerns, such as being constantly traceable, the Palm Pilot’s success remains undeterred. The Palm VII, the latest in the lineup, brings us closer to a future of total connectedness, highlighting its enduring appeal.
The Palm Pilot has undoubtedly transformed how people manage their lives and information, becoming a symbol of personal and professional efficiency. Whether it is a boon or a curse depends on your perspective, but its impact is undeniable.
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