 |  Terms to know Purchasing points
Buyers Guide vendor chart
To learn more about palmtops, visit our Hardware Advisor section. Advisors are for registered users of Realtor.org (formerly onerealtorplace.com). | | Battle of the palmtops: Palm or pocket pc?
The fight for PDA market share means you get more features for less cost.
BY MICHAEL ANTONIAK
Some real estate technology leaders already carry PDAs (personal digital assistants, aka handheld computers or palmtops) as a compact, versatile alternative to a laptop. But those early adopters represent a small share of real estate practitioners who could benefit from a PDA. Only 12.3 percent of REALTORS® were using one of the handheld marvels by mid-2001, according to a survey conducted by Mediamark Research.
Nearly all those users have devices running the Palm operating system (OS), which dominates the market. Since they first appeared in the mid-1990s, Palm OS–based products have evolved from simple electronic organizers into pocketable versions of a computer. Palm devices are sleekly designed, simple to operate, and supported by a broad array of software applications and accessories. Palm products are currently available from a handful of vendors, including Palm, HandEra, Handspring, IBM, and Sony.
The success of the Palm OS has not been lost on Microsoft and its camp of hardware supporters. In our increasingly mobile world, many expect that the PDA, or some future iteration, will one day be as ubiquitous as the laptop—or even more so. Thus, there’s much at stake here for vendors of hardware and software.
After stumbling with early versions of its Windows CE operating system, Microsoft finally hit its stride with the Pocket PC, a special version of Windows for PDAs. Pocket PC devices from the likes of Casio, Compaq, and Hewlett-Packard boast faster processors and more memory than their Palm rivals, but the products are somewhat bulkier and require more power to run in the field.
Battle for market
Now, with release of an updated version, Pocket PC 2002, and the support of a broader base of hardware makers, the Pocket PC camp is about to go head-to-head with Palm supporters for market dominance. That competition seems destined to drive prices down, even as the vendors strive to make their products more functional and powerful.
Prices now range from less than $200 for a basic electronic organizer to almost $1,000 for something more like a mini laptop. Most real estate practitioners will find their needs well served with products in midrange, about $300–$550. (See chart.)
Why should you want any of these devices? There’s something for everyone, literally, in the growing selection of PDAs and software.
At the core of every PDA are personal information management systems for storing information on clients and managing your schedule. Contact management systems from ACT! to Top Producer now offer some level of functionality for a PDA. Typically, that allows you to synchronize data between your handheld and primary computer system. If the only things you need away from the office are names, numbers, and schedule, all you need is a PDA.
Today’s PDAs offer much more functionality than that, thanks to expansion slots, which enable users to enhance the capabilities of the core unit by plugging in cards or modules that upgrade memory or add entirely new capabilities. Potentially popular options for real estate practitioners are expansion cards that equip the PDA to function as a digital camera, cell phone, or modem.
The modem is especially important in broadening the appeal of PDAs. One driving force in sales of PDAs is the network of wireless Web services supporting them, which enable you to retrieve information off the Internet and send and receive
e-mail while in the field.
Although wireless access to MLS data isn’t universally available, some companies already make listing information available on PDAs through company Web sites. It’s such a convenience to practitioners who are out househunting with clients that it seems destined to become standard procedure.
Palm or Pocket PC?
Once you recognize how a PDA can help you be more productive, the question becomes, Palm or Pocket PC? Your choice should be determined by both personal style and practical need.
The Pocket PC people are now in a game of catch-up with Palm for market share. They’re betting that more processing power and an operating system that looks and runs like Windows will draw users to their products. The strength of Palm products remains the availability of software and their comparative simplicity—the intuitive ease with which you can get them up and running.
Software selection favors Palm, for now
If real estate software drives your choice in a PDA, you’re going to end up with a Palm device, at least in the near term.
Palm’s popularity among real estate practitioners has resulted in products that address the special needs of the market.
Users of Top Producer can now access many of its features using a special version that supports Palm devices. Other software packages like PocketMLS and Pocket Real Estate give Palm OS users access to the local MLS, where support for the PDA is available. Supra’s eKey, a special version of the color Palm m505, comes with Top Producer and, where available, offers access to the MLS and showing reports.
Your best resource for a look at available software is likely to be the Web site PalmGear. Search “real estate” and you’ll find financial calculators, graphics packages for viewing images on a PDA, and the real estate productivity tools AgentPro Lite, Mobile Real Estate, and House Wise.
A comparable resource for the growing selection of Pocket PC software is PocketGear. Most useful to real estate practitioners will be the selection of calculators, graphics programs, and generic software utilities, as support for real estate on the Pocket PC is still in its developing stages.
UR There, maker of the @migo Pocket PC, is taking steps to address that gap with the specialized software package Listool
(www.listtool.com) for real estate practitioners. It’s a wireless solution for managing, retrieving, and viewing listing information in color while in the field.
Terms to know
Expansion slot—A slot or port in a PDA that enables users to plug in modules or cards that expand the features.
Handwriting recognition—Software that empowers the PDA to “read” what’s written on its screen and convert it into text or data and save as a file.
PIM—Personal information management functions, including contact management, address book, calendar, scheduling, to-do list, and basic note taking.
Stylus—An electronic pen used to navigate through software functions or write on the PDA screen.
Synchronization—The ability to copy data back and forth between a primary computer and a PDA so that you always have access to the same, current information. Accomplished by connecting the PDA to the computer and running synchronization software.
Web-clipping software—Special software that converts and streamlines Web content for display on a PDA; not compatible with all Web sites.
Wireless—In regard to PDAs, wireless may be used to describe several functions: wireless Internet through available support services; support for wireless networking standards; and wireless sharing of data through the unit’s IrDA port with other devices so equipped.
Purchasing points
Here are some factors to consider in selecting your PDA.
Accessories—They can dress up your handheld, protect it against wear, make it easier to enter text and data, or link it to your computer. So when you’re shopping, be sure to look at what accessories are available for the model you’re considering.
Battery life—Constantly replacing batteries or needing to have several rechargeable batteries with you at all times can add to the cost of the unit. You’ll always be able to find a power source for a unit that runs on standard AA or AAA batteries.
Compatibility—If you already rely on a certain software in the field, check with the publisher to make sure it supports the PDA you’re considering. Similarly, USB can prove a real convenience when you’re connecting the handheld with your laptop or desktop.
Data entry—Try entering data into the unit using its stylus or touch pad keyboard. Is it easy enough? A collapsible full-size keyboard may be the first add-on you want, if it’s available.
Expansion options—Consider the expansion slot a must in any PDA. Also look at the range of expansion options available for that model.
Memory and processor—If you want something like a full-size computer, you’ll want the faster processor and extra RAM, but you’ll trade up in size and lose some battery life.
Screen—Color is a must if you plan to show home pictures on the miniscreen, and some people say it also enhances the screen’s readability. Whether the screen is color or black-and-white, be sure to test the screen under a variety of lighting conditions.
Software support—Software makes or breaks the hardware. Look beyond the core software included with the unit and find out what real estate applications (see “ Software selection favors Palm, for now,” ) and support for the device are available from programs you currently use.
Web—Assume you’ll want to connect to the Web, at least to send and receive e-mail. Make sure the service support is in place, or will be, in your area.
Realtormag.com
To learn more about PDAs, visit our Wireless/Communications Business Advisor by clicking on the Business Advice tab. Business Advisors are for registered users of REALTOR.org. Or see “Real-Life Ways to Get More From Your PDA,” a January feature at realtormag.com. | |
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