Handheld Computing Ubiquitous Access

Because handhelds are inexpensive compared to other types of computers, users can possess more than one of these devices, each having a specialized user interface. Although handhelds can be used in isolation, they also can interoperate with other devices through wireless networks including WiFi and Bluetooth. Further, by using inexpensive components, developers can integrate different technologies into one device, leading to one of the fastest-growing markets for handhelds. Worldwide, about 30 million PDAs are in use, but this pales in comparison to the 1.3 billion mobile phone devices currently being used (www. cellular.co.za/stats/stats-main.htm). Increasingly, these mobile smart phones offer PDA-like capabilities. Analysts predict that in 2003 smart phone sales will reach 4 million units in Europe, for the first time outpacing sales of PDAs (http://search. internet.com/www.rimroad.com). In the US, predictions indicate that the smart phone segment of the phone market will increase from 8.5 percent in 2003 to 35 percent in 2007, while PDA sales will increase from 6.9 million to 17.1 million in the same period (www.wirelessdevnet.com/news/ 2003/169/news7.html). In an environment in which the circumstances make using a laptop inappropriate, a handheld device offers a convenient alternative. For example, using a laptop isn’t feasible when standing or walkThe increasing consumer use of handhelds has paralleled an increase in research addressing technology issues related to these devices and their potential use in novel applications.