PDA Phones

PDA phones (also known as smart phones in some cases) are mobile phones that come with PDA (personal digital assistant) technology built into them. A PDA is kind of like a small computer and attaching this technology to a mobile phone gives the user access to a range of different functions that can make any mobile much more than a standard phone. The best known PDA phone is probably the BlackBerry although many manufacturers are producing their own PDA models at the moment.

PDA phones come with a range of features. Originally taken up mainly by business users who found functions such as email, internet access and office software applications useful to them when they were on the move or out of office these phones have now become popular with all kinds of mobile phone users.

Common features found on PDA phones include:

Internet connectivity
Email and messaging applications
Music players
Video players
Cameras
Video cameras
Multimedia applications
Software applications (such as office-like and document products)

Most PDA phones will have a different type of keypad than a standard mobile phone. These will often more closely resemble QWERTY type keyboards that you find on computers. Some of the keypads/boards are part of the base of the phone and some actually slide out from the side of the phone for when you need to use them.

Some PDA phones also have touch screen technology as an alternative. Here you use your phone by using a stylus to touch the screen to find the applications and actions that you want to use. Some people prefer this route whilst others simply like to have a keyboard to use.

Because of the extra functionality that they offer PDA phones do often cost more to buy outright than standard mobile phones. For this reason many people will get these phones by taking on a monthly contract where they can pay for the phone at a reduced rate or get it free by committing to a regular monthly call time contract. This contract will often also include deals on things like calls, texts and internet access.

The costs of PDA phones have, however, been going down in recent years. As the technology used here becomes more widespread and more phones are launched on to the market these phones will drop in costs and become more affordable.