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Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Project Overview A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a small, mobile, handheld device that provides computing and information storage and retrieval capabilities [29]. There are a variety of PDA’s available for use. The three most common mobile devices include: 1.1.1 Pocket PC o “A Pocket PC is a handheld device that enables you to store and retrieve e-mail, contacts, appointments, play multimedia files, games, exchange text messages with MSN Messenger, browse the Web, and more. You can exchange, or synchronize, information with a desktop computer [70].” 1.1.2 Palmtop o “A palmtop is a small computer that will literally fit in your palm of your hand. Compared to full-size computers, palmtops are severely limited, but they are practical for certain functions such as phone books, calendars and email. Some also have word processors. Spreadsheets etc. Palmtop’s normally do no more than provide address book and calendaring functionality [71].” 1.1.3 Handheld o “A handheld is a small computer with a touch sensitive screen that can store large amounts of data, including contacts, addresses, phone numbers, task lists, and even email [72].” Ownership of a PDA is increasing each day. At present, the number of PDA owners in the United States alone is 61.5 million (2003). By 2005, this number is expected to reach 830 million worldwide [73]. A PDA can be very difficult to use for new owners. However, if the difficulty to use a PDA is greater than expected, due to constraints such as a disability or impairment to the user, the device may be unusable. Disabilities and impairments result from accidents, illness, genetic disorders or could be age related. Many people have more than one disability. For example, a person who uses a wheelchair may also have a vision or hearing impairment.
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