SELECTING A HANDHELD DEVICE
The Commonwealth of Virginia has mandatory contracts with Nextel and Alltel. University funds cannot be used to purchase wireless service from other providers unless the user obtains an exemption from the Office of Telecommunications. Additional information is available on the Telecommunications section.
All wireless Ethernet products available on the market are not compatible with the Universitys wireless network. Prior to making any purchases, please confirm that products intended for use on campus are compatible with the network.
The following guidelines were developed to help users determine which handheld and wireless service will meet their needs. Because devices and services are constantly changing, specific information is not provided. The following guidelines are general in nature - characteristics may vary from those stated, depending upon the manufacturer and model. Additionally, OCCS does not intend or imply a preference for any operating system or network service provider.
Be advised that if you are looking at a handheld that has only USB connectivity to the PC, you must have Windows 2000 or above to support it. If you have NT and want to upgrade to Windows 2000, verify with OCCS that your PC is capable of supporting the upgrade. See the Computer Standards section for more.
| Pocket PC | Palm | Blackberry | |
| Size | Larger | Smaller | Smaller |
| Screen | LCD - better in darker conditions | LCD - better in darker conditions | LCD - better in darker conditions |
| User Input | Mini keyboard and/or Graffiti/ touchscreen with stylus | Mini keyboard and/or Graffiti/ touchscreen with stylus | Mini keyboard and thumbwheel (no touchscreen) |
| Personal Informaiton Management (PIM) Functions | Address Book Calendar To-do lists Memos |
Address Book Calendar To-do lists Memos |
Address Book Calendar To-do lists Memos |
| Native Office Suite | Yes | No | No |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Read Email Attachments | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Send Email Attachments | Yes | No | No |
| Memory | Expandable | Expandable | Fixed |
| Web Browser/Java Script | Yes/Yes | Yes/No | Yes/No |
| Voice | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | Shorter | Shorter | Longer |
| Wireless Networks | 2 G, 2.5 G, Wireless Ethernet and/or Bluetooth | 2 G, 2.5 G, Wireless Ethernet and/or Bluetooth | 2.5G |
| Pocket PC | Palm | Blackberry | |
| Strengths and Weaknesses | Good for users who intend to use Office Suite and send attachments while mobile. Lots of third party applications, can double as an MP3 player, camera etc. Good in lower light conditions, not as good in bright sunlight. Can use wireless Ethernet without requiring monthly service plan. Comparatively large screen size is a plus for viewing, but big and heavy, and somewhat awkward for a phone. Lots of features and options. Good for users who are comfortable changing device settings, loading software, etc. Occasional crashes. | Lots of third party applications, can double as an MP3 player, camera etc. Good in lower light conditions, not as good in bright sunlight. Can use wireless Ethernet without requiring monthly service plan. Generally smaller screens when combined with voice. The plus side to this is that it allows packaging that is closest to the look and feel of standard mobile phones. Good for users who are comfortable changing device settings, loading software, etc. Occasional crashes. |
Mobile email, PIM synchronization, battery life and stability are its major competencies. Good in sunlight, but not as good in lowlight. Omission of expandable memory and multiple network capability ensure comparatively much longer battery life but limit the capabilities SD slots provide. Simple one-handed operation. Light weight, but somewhat awkward as a phone. Good for users who are mainly concerned with mobile email and PIM but arent comfortable making changes in settings, loading software. |