PDA

View Full Version : Dream Uses - A Little Connection To Reality


dave90
05-05-2003, 10:09 AM
Here are some of my dream uses for the PDA. Get this thing more and more into our lives. Needs hardware, OS and software changes for some. Much of the concepts are done elsewhere and would need some advancement/adaptation of the technology for PDA application. Plug-in modules would be fine.

And I know there are better ideas "everywhere so there". Popular culture, no offense.

1. Home Theater speaker placement app that details bass nodes and nulls for speakers placed in 3D coordinates and entered into the room with known entered dimensions. There is a program for the PC.

2. A decibal meter for PDAs with mic. More uses than home theater.

3. Better internal speaker. Intelligable voice and better volume. Language translation output and better alarms.

4. Voice recognition. Language translation and an aid to the deaf.

5. Color recognition off an image viewer. Camera to viewer, then pen touch area of screen and color identity described. Color blind aid.

6. Bright efficient LED for flashlite use in emergencies. Power goes off, alarms sound to evacuate and you are not in familiar surroundings.

7. The LED could be used for Morse code. Enter message on keyboard and output in morse code. Emergencies etc. You're on your own for understanding incoming code.

8. Atomic clock receiver.

9. Severe weather alert receiver and maybe traffic alerts when automobiling. Radar detector, nah.

10. Guitar tuner that picks up the tone with the mic and displays a tuning indicator on screen. Convenience mainly.

11. Homing signal to relocate PDA. Small or big implementation, I think they can do this with even our car keys now.

12. Photo cell to augment battery as technology improves.

13. Motion to energy to battery as technology really, really really advances. Put it in your hip pocket and charge as you stroll.

14. Breath analyzer for alcohol.

15. Smoke detector/alarm for travel etc.

16. Carbon monoxide detector for the bedside wherever you are.

17. Radiation detector. Sad.

18. Internal mini DVD-HD drive. The discs would be very small due to data density and probably cheaper than hundred dollar sticks. RW. USB to PC reader/writer. This could easily be surpassed by newer technology in the future however, or maybe even today.

19. Portable EKG tracings. Small 3-lead wire and electrode set would be convenient and cheap. Plug in and attach to person. Medical and advanced personal users. Rhythm and gross ischemia. Actually, let's wait on this one til we get a reasonable tort system in place. (PDA) developers probably don't need that thorn. They have enough growth issues.

Sorry if any are too obvious or already implemented.

Although the NZ-90 is a very capable PDA, should this thread go into the general forum?

Dave O

dave90
05-05-2003, 10:11 AM
Now I'm logged in.

crh3f
05-05-2003, 10:28 AM
wow...just a little ambitious, aren't we? :)

dave90
05-05-2003, 10:39 AM
I'm still young, kind of.

dave90
05-05-2003, 05:47 PM
Convergence is possible and happening now in the PDA as we move into the future. Portability is a compelling driver. Motivations are the cool factor, the productivity factor and improved daily living but for more users or just simply broader use.

What would interest a broad range of non-PDA owners and the already owners?

What about connectivity, not just with networking and communications but also navigating this complex world by bringing together the activities and needs of people.

Gather a bunch of PC and Notebook applications and uses together?

Gather the functions of select peripheral devices together? Ie., digital camera etc.

Approach convergence by designing activities, tasks and functions into the PDA that improve our lives? Quality of life, public safety and augmenting our interactions with the world.

Ie., Epocrates biologic alert to clinicians project but with expanded delivery in addition to the simple PC-Hotsync. Not really an innovation in technology but a new way to improve caring for society.

Can the PDA community be the leader with such a small userbase or could the userbase expand with more innovation?

I'm sure greater minds than mine have the say, although I do purchase a new PDA every year or so.