Sony Halting Clie PDA sales in U.S.

Proof perhaps thats Jobs has been right all along that PDAs are a dying market...The closest I suspect Apple will get to releasing a PDA again is adding some basic data-entry capablilities to future iPods (and/or Bluetooth for direct linking with phones).

Proof perhaps thats Jobs has been right all along that PDAs are a dying market...The closest I suspect Apple will get to releasing a PDA again is adding some basic data-entry capablilities to future iPods (and/or Bluetooth for direct linking with phones).

I agree - PDAs do seem to be dying out. The iPod has all the basic features needed for a simple PDA - it just lacks data entry (which could be implemented with the current interface, and would be easy to use). I envision the iPod in data-entry mode - the buttons are used to select things, and the scroll wheel is used to select a letter.

Yep, PDA's were always expensive and relatively pointless in my book. Still, if I had the money... I'm a bit of a gadget freak! I don't think Apple will enter that market.

I really wish Apple would at least offer an upgrade for the iPod to allow data entry. My T630's Address Book is up to scratch, but the calender is atrocious! (so, seemingly is my spelling :P)

Hob

Truly GOOD input can't be done on the current iPods. Such a feature should never be hyped by Apple as anything major. Input with a wheel would not be Apple ease-of-use.

BUT... ANY kind of input is an important step, and useful because for many people, input is a much rarer need than output. Example: I look up addresses FAR more than I create new ones. (That's why it often works OK to have to use your computer--with full keys and screen--to do the entry.)

Simply adding SOME kind of input, however much it may be a compromise, would be a GREAT thing for some users--like me!

But it has to be fast--if someone tells me a phone number or meeting time, I can't be messing with scrolling through the alphabet one char at a time. At the same time, though, the simple current controls should stay that way: the iPod is for music first and foremost.

Solution? VOICE MEMOS! That's the easiest possible form of input--easier and faster than keyboard or stylus even. And it doesn't change the iPod's simplicity--IF they build it in rather than requiring an add-on pod. Please!

There's always a compromise--in the case of voice memos, you must re-enter the data on your computer when you get home. But that's a good trade for instant, dead-simple input on the spot--versus no input or slow and tedious input. (Or vs. an expensive stylus screen--not a bad BTO option though.)

I really wish Apple would at least offer an upgrade for the iPod to allow data entry. My T630's Address Book is up to scratch, but the calender is atrocious! (so, seemingly is my spelling :P)

Hob

As I mentioned previously, no hardware changes would be needed to implement this - just an iPod software upgrade. I just submitted feedback to Apple regarding this - if you want to send something too, click here for Apple's feedback page, then click iPod, then enter and submit your feedback. Note: the feedback form is out of date - it doesn't include 10.3.3 or 10.3.4 as choices for Mac OS version.

Truly GOOD input can't be done on the current iPods...

I use the few keys on my mobile phone all the time and that works also. I use the scroll wheel method all the time on some professional electronic equipment and that also works very well. It's not really fast but for me it's a working solution. Imagine that you are far away from your computer and want to input some text and have plenty of time -- the scroll wheel would be enough.

Solution? VOICE MEMOS!

Good post, good arguments and a good conclusion. :)

Solution? VOICE MEMOS! That's the easiest possible form of input--easier and faster than keyboard or stylus even. And it doesn't change the iPod's simplicity--IF they build it in rather than requiring an add-on pod. Please!

And the interesting thing is voice recognition software - that automatically changes the recorded voice to an entry... this is not too far off I believe. I know that this is currently beeing tested for doctors journaling - like they just speak the diagnosis, and the system converts it to a written report (you all know how doctors write don't you :) )

THAT would be a killer!

does this mean that Apple is releasing a PDA??

SmartPhones are where its at

I'm sure Sony will start revving up its work on the P900, now that they don't have to worry about the Clie market