An HP Vice President is predicting that the pen-based PDA market will fade away. The market, he argues, is going towards converged devices. In particular, he points to SmartPhones.
I agree that the PDA market has been rather stale, but I’m not so sure I want to move my digital world to a SmartPhone.
The issue here, I think has been one of innovation–or should I say lack of innovation.
In fact, here’s my prediction: Just as HP and the rest of the PDA world convinces themselves that there’s no market to pursue for small devices someone else will step in and eat their lunch.
For me the world does not revolve around SmartPhones. Don’t get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoy my SmartPhone. I carry it with me wherever I go. However, it’s a lousy way to stay in touch with the digital print world. Phone calls, Yes. Text messages OK. But browsing or reading news online? It’s awful.
This past weekend I got a little bored while shopping. So I sat down in a comfy chair in one of those clothes stores, folded my feet and decided to rest for a bit. Then it hit me. I’ve got a SmartPhone, why not see what’s going on at tech.Memeorandum.com or Digg? Uhm. Let’s just say the experience was less than pleasant. Memeorandum isn’t so bad, but Digg is awful. I gave up. Too much scrolling. Too narrow text.
I started dreaming up all different ways that Digg could fix up their content to make it more small-screen friendly and then I realized what I really want is a larger display.
Is a PDA the answer? Could be. Do I want my PDA to be a phone, however? No. I would want the “PDA” to be useful as it is plus be connected. That’s the key. The connectability is a key feature.
OK. So let’s say I have a device with a larger display that I’m willing to carry around with me. Now how am I going to interact wtih it? Hmmm. Buttons make sense. But they take up space. Lots of it. Hmmm. Some more thinking. I got it: Touch. And maybe even multiple touch-poiint displays like Apple has recently patented and people are speculating will appear in a future Apple device.
Here’s the key: Give me a device and don’t innovate and you’ve got a dying product. Pure and simple. The PDA world has fallen victim to its own definition of success. It’s time for a change.
I want a device that I can carry with me that can store my music, that I can watch a TV shown on while sitting at the airport, that I can jot down a note on a product I see at Home Depot, that I can store my photos on and share with friends, that I can stay connected with, and on and on. I want a device that I want to take with me. My SmartPhone is one. But it doesn’t do all that I want. My Tablet is great too, but it has so much work stuff on it that I don’t always feel comfortable using it for the “little things” in life. I’m still waiting for something else. Maybe HP will surprise us with a new PDA or PDA-like device that is good for the “little things.” I hope so. If not, I expect someone will. Cheaper, faster, smaller, more efficient processors coupled with more efficient, lower-cost wireless connectivity will make it so.