PDA Cellular Phones

PDA Cellular Phones: Just For Business?

Up until now, the common consensus among the public is that PDA cellular phones were only for business people who had to stay connected to the office, receiving mobile email on the go in case they were on the road meeting up with clients or doing sales presentations. This is still largely true today, but more and more people are getting PDA cellular phones for themselves and it's not so much about the communication: it's the entertainment factor.

As the United States and Canada creep towards full implementation of 3G mobile phone technology, sometimes referred to as mobile broadband, the average person is starting to gain access to a wide range of excellent entertainment options, including mobile TV. With newfound smartphone software, people can also use applications for calculating tips, playing mobile games, and all sorts of other good stuff that has very little to do with business and staying connected to the office.

Perhaps two of the greatest examples of this trend toward more widespread use of PDA cellular phones are the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 and the trendy services offered by Amp'd Mobile. These are both very youth-oriented.

Key Features to Consider for PDA Cellular Phones

Different people have different needs when it comes to buying PDA cellular phones. Some users may value portability over anything else, whereas others simply cannot do with a full keyboard for their mobile email and text message needs. Below are some of the key features that separate the different PDA cellular phones available on the market. Just be aware that as you start adding more and more features, the price will typically go up. Some of the most expensive handhelds out there can easily cost north of $1,000. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are worth that price to you.

• High-resolution color display (possibly with touchscreen)
• Multi-megapixel camera with video recording and flash
• Symbian, Palm, Linux, Windows Mobile, or BlackBerry software
• Microsoft Office Mobile
• Integrated QWERTY keyboard (possibly slide-out)
• Built-in GPS navigation
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• Included WiFi radio for mobile internet
• Memory card expansion

Popular Brands and Models

Many users find these popular PDA cellular phones absolutely indispensable. This has resulted in a syndrome known in some circles as "CrackBerry", where people are addicted to the BlackBerry by Research in Motion.

Here are some of the most popular brands and models of PDA cellular phones available. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, so do your research -- particularly in terms of the mobile data service plan that you can receive from your mobile operator, be it T-Mobile or Rogers Wireless, Telus Mobility or Verizon Wireless.

• Nokia E62: This very business-oriented handset has a vibrant color screen, a great keyboard for mobile email, and a fairly reasonable price. It's also got all sorts of productivity software stuffed into a Symbian-based package. Other variants include the E61 and E61i.

• Motorola Q: Motorola knows about keeping things slim, as evidenced by the RAZR and SLVR, and the same is true with their smartphone offering. It runs on Windows Mobile 5, has a full QWERTY keyboard, and an integrated camera, but the display is not a touchscreen, for better or for worse.

• Sidekick 3: Available through T-Mobile, this is not a business-oriented device, instead being marketed to the trendy youth market with its swiveling screen, myFaves integration, and attractive appearance. Danger lovers swear by this handheld.

• BlackBerry 8800: What do you get when you take the sleek good looks of the BlackBerry Pearl and outfit it with a full QWERTY keyboard? That question was answered by the release of the 8800. It's even got built-in GPS.