We use PDA’s to make life simpler, and now there are lots of great handheld accessories that simplify using your PDA even more. We all like to keep are PDA with us wherever we go for quick reference, taking notes or any number of other uses, but sometimes we worry. Is it going to get damaged? Will we lose it? Does it have enough charge while we’re on the road? Today’s PDA accessories put those worries to rest stylishly!

Leather Cases – Leather cases are one of the most popular PDA accessories around. With so many choices, it’s easy to see why. Any leather case will protect your PDA from dust and dirt, but some do more. They run the gamut from sleek, simply slide-in cases that clip to your belt or purse to flip cases with lots of extra features. Flip cases have cut-outs for the controls and screen of your handheld, which stays in the case. Some cases also come with a place for a small notebook.

Metal Cases – These are custom molded with soft linings and are designed to protect your handheld from shocks and falls. If you work in an industry where you’re likely to get your PDA banged up a lot, this is one of the PDA accessories you must have. They come in a wide range of colors and metallic finishes from sleek and elegant to funky and fun.

Auto Mounts – PDA accessories that make being on the road easier are a God-send for salesmen or anyone who clocks a lot of miles. Most auto mounts attach securely to either the dashboard or windshield. They provide easy access, a clear line of vision and hands-free use.

Bluetooth Headsets – The rules are changing, folks! You can’t keep talking on a cell phone while you’re driving. Bluetooth headsets that are compatible with handhelds are one of the most innovative PDA accessories to come along in quite a while, and may revolutionize the cell phone industry. They are so small and light weight you barely notice they’re there, and come in lots of styles to suit almost everybody.

Screen Protectors – Sure, these are relatively low-tech handheld accessories, but you shouldn’t pass on them. There’s nothing more annoying than trying to read through a scratched-up screen on an expensive PDA. Micro-thin polymers not only protect your screen, but reduce glare making it easier to read the screen.

Car Chargers – Another great choice for the frequent traveler, car chargers are one of the PDA accessories everyone should have on hand for those “just in case” situations. Keep it in your glove compartment and you’ll always be ready to charge up when your batteries low. You’d hate to lose all that information on the way to a conference…

Yes, your handheld makes life so much more organized, but the right PDA accessories can make it even better. There are functional, stylish solutions that can protect, recharge or even more functionality to your PDA.

Dave Smith

If you own a PDA, you need batteries to go with it. No question about it. Without a battery, your PDA can’t function and it practically useless.

If you bought your pocket pc from a dealer or the manufacturer, than your machine will probably already come with a battery straight out of the box. In many cases you will want ot either get a second battery. This can happen due to one of these reasons:
1. You want a replacement battery to back you up
2. The battery the manufacturer gave you with the PDA is not satisfactory and you want another one. With today’s affordable PDA battery costs, it’s easy to acquire a new battery fast.

Now there is more than one type of batteries for handheld devices. There are a few technologies that are used to make the batteries, and that leads to different qualities, prices, advantages and dis-advantages. You should take a close look at the different types of batteries and their qualities so you choose the best type for your needs. Let’s take a brief look at the different types of batteries available for PDA users:

The old school battery – Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) PDA batteries
NiCd is one of the most proven and most widely used rechargeable batteries. Very dependable and “robust”, thus used widely in backup systems. You can always relay on NiCD batteries to do the job. They contain cadmium and have relatively low capacity when compared to other rechargeable systems. But that is just about the only disadvantage they have. These batteries are cheap and you can often buy 2 for the price of one!

Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMh) pocket pc batteries
The NiMh technology is a less popular technology, still available for pocket pc’s. No particular advantages here.

The new technology for handheld batteries – Lithium Ion (Li Ion) PDA batteries
Li Ion batteries are a relatively new technology. They can deliver %40 more capacity than the respective NiCd battery, and are much lighter in weight. They also don’t have a “memory” – the tendency of NiCD batteries to lose capacity over time and recharges.

These qualities make LiIon batteries the perfect battery for PDA’s, notebook computers, wireless telephones and other handheld devices. So no matter if you have a Palm One, an iPAQ, a Blackberry of any other device, you can use this battery. They are also one of the more expensive rechargeable technologies. They may cost 3 times more than the NiCd batteries. So if you get yourself one of these – take good care of it.

The only disadvantage these batteries have, is the tendency to explode if subjected to extreme heat or are drained too fast. But smart solution have been developed to overcome the phenomena, such as smart covers that nutralize the dangers.

The most recommended source for getting a PDA battery is to buy them online. There are dozens of online stores that will enable you to order the battery you need, in many cases at a lower price that the regular store. In many cases the shipping is free.

Jane Ling

Cisco’s recent reporting of record revenues is a good indicator that the demand for networking equipment remains high. More interesting perhaps is the fact that the company’s quarterly profit surge of 40 percent rode mainly on the strength of product upgrades.

Isn’t it more than coincidental that this bonanza goes along with the company’s accelerating schedule for product upgrades? Today it seems de rigueur for a wave of new or improved products to occur every 18 months. Does keeping pace with technology require keeping up with the frenzy of shortened product lifecycles?

Not necessarily, as the price for bleeding-edge technology isn’t always worth the cost, especially once the costs for training, implementation and standardization are included. While original equipment manufacturers often make older products seem like ticking time bombs, many network managers prefer pre-owned Cisco gear that has been tested over time and proven in the field. As a result, more and more companies are expanding their production networks or upgrading disaster recovery plans by purchasing familiar, used Cisco equipment that may be only one generation old.

Instead of buying the latest models with all the newest bells and whistles, cost-conscious and risk-adverse organizations can buy pre-owned Cisco equipment that comes with a one-year warranty. Whether companies are looking to extend network capacity, configure next-generation services, plan for disaster recovery or acquire network spares, the used Cisco market has emerged as a viable option for exceptional savings and response time.

Proponents of the used Cisco market know that both current and used Cisco gear is readily available, and much of it is gently used and/or in original boxes. Leading used Cisco equipment providers, such as Network Hardware Resale, ensure all equipment has been fully inspected, tested and reconditioned to return the used Cisco equipment to as close to original condition as possible, which entails cleaning the chassis, replacing necessary components and always putting in new memory.

In an ironic twist, OEMs’ somewhat rash inclination for cranking out upgrades is one of the prime movers behind the rapid growth in the sales of pre-owned Cisco equipment. The continuous assault of product upgrades from OEMs has flooded the used Cisco market with ample inventories of in-demand and hard-to-find equipment at highly reduced prices. This supply of used Cisco means companies don’t have to be forced into a constant upgrade cycle if the equipment they already have is working perfectly in their networks.

Major equipment updates can be costly and cause all sorts of training and implementation headaches. So, they should be thoughtfully planned and executed when end-users’ long-term business goals—not the OEMs’—are the driving force behind the technology migration.

As Cisco’s latest financials confirm, product upgrades are good business for OEMs, but they also need to make good business sense for end-users, especially when buying highly cost-effective used Cisco gear is an increasingly viable option. The fact that used Cisco equipment is in such high demand means the word is out that more and more organizations are embracing alternate channels for meeting ever-increasing network expansion and product upgrade needs.

Mike Sheldon