Rick Cooper, The PDA Pro

Go Mobile with SCOTTEVEST

I saw a great new product last night while watching The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. The witty and irreverent host was interviewing Scott Jordan from SCOTTEVEST. Scott, an attorney turned entrepreneur,  created a vest to hold all of your mobile devices including PDAs and smartphones. What a great idea!

Scott has a great story. Here's a quick excerpt from his website.

"I’m Scott Jordan, and I created the SeV to solve a very basic problem: I needed an easy way to carry AND use all my gadgets and gear. All too often, juggling my gear was a losing battle. I wanted to carry all of my favorite gadgets, but had to leave most at home, or convince my wife to carry some for me. My favorite gear consists of: iPod®, PocketPC/Palm Pilot, a cell phone, the car/remote keys, a digital camera, water bottle, and a magazine.

Clothes simply weren’t designed to hold this much stuff. Before long, I needed a bag just to carry my gadgets, and that defeats the purpose of being mobile and the perfect “man-purse” just doesn’t exist. Believe me, I tried to find something on the market that addressed my needs, but there wasn’t anything available that was fashionable, functional and affordable. So, in 2001, I decided to solve the problem myself, and the idea of designing clothing as a Gear Management Solution™ came to me. I then quit my day job- practicing law at a mega-law firm, and SCOTTEVEST/SeV® and the Technology Enabled Clothing-TEC® system were born."

Wow! What a great story. It just goes to show what can happen when someone makes a decision to become an entrepreneur. And what a great product too!

Scott Jordan, Founder and CEO of SCOTTEVEST, Inc., is pictured here wearing the vest. Mobile devices are actually stored in the liner of the vest and not visible to onlookers. Very cool! And handy too!

Future Trends in PDAs

What can you expect over the next year in PDAs? Great question! Well, for one, expect the trend toward smartphones to continue. People are beginning to appreciate the value of connecting to the internet from their mobile device and viewing websites or checking email. The YouTube generation now expects to be able to view video clips from their mobile device.

The iPhone is a perfect example of the media based mobile device. And expect to be able to use the iPhone with other carriers, according to Engadget. But, what about someone who justs wants to look at their calendar, select a contact or check their task list? The options will grow slimmer for the non-connected PDA. The market just isn't there. Smartphones represent a much higher value to telecom companies. Not only can they sell you a phone plan, they can also charge you on bandwidth for audio and video downloads. Plus, they can also potentially make money on ads through mobile marketing.

Even The PDA Guy, Anthony Caruana, has questioned whether Palm has a future on Hydrapinion. Of course , Palm has already been bought and sold a few times. So, that's probably what will happen again. I still like the Treo as an all around PDA/smartphone. But, it doesn't appeal to younger consumers who are addicted to text messaging and IM and live their lives on MySpace. Smartphones based on the Helio platform appeal to them and will grow in appeal. It's social networking on steriods.

There will always be a market for standalone, handheld devices. Not everyone wants to be connected. And some people just can't afford it. But, whatever device you select, I encourage you to think first about productivity. Yes, being able to view a funny clip from YouTube can help you while away the hours. But, remember that your time is valuable. Limit your consumption of media. Set meaningful goals that will challenge you. Leverage technology to do more in less time. Yes, relax and enjoy yourself. But, strike a balance in your life. Take control of your destiny.

Whether you pick a PDA or smartphone, take time to evaluate the options to determine what you need. Determine what will make YOU more productive. If time is not an issue, wait till January. That's when the big Consumer Electronics Show is held. Most new models for the year are released or announced then. For more information on selecting a PDA or smartphone, visit http://www.thepdapro.com/FindaPDA.asp.

New BlackBerry 8703e Features Full QWERTY Keyboard

The new BlackBerry 8703e returns to a full size QWERTY keyboard after recently models have featured a more compressed keyboard. With models like the Blackberry Pearl, a single key shared two letters. For instance, Q and W were on the same key. The Pearl uses a technology called SureType which predicts what word you're going to type. It's not for everyone.

So now the BlackBerry 8703e offers a slimmer model than the wider classic style Blackberry, but not as slim as the Pearl. The Pearl introduced a trackball on the phone. I had the opportunity to try it recently and I was impressed. But, it looks like Research in Motion (RIM) is going back to a trackwheel format.

At any rate, this may be a good option for people who prefer the classic features of the Blackberry. The BlackBerry 8703e is being promoted by Verizon.

Microsoft Launches Windows Mobile 6

Following on the heels of launching Vista, Microsoft is rolling out Windows Mobile 6. Can the world survive this much change at once? We'll see!

As always, I would be cautious about making an immediate change to a newer operating system, whether for computers or PDAs. Unless you enjoy living on the bleeding edge of technology, the safe bet is to wait and see what happens.

I'll follow up with some updates from what more tech-oriented sites are saying. In the meantime, Chris Ziegler from Engadget recently wrote:

"Some of us are still trying to keep straight in our brains the difference between Windows Mobile Smartphone, Pocket PC, and Pocket PC Phone Edition devices, but with the impending arrival of Crossbow, that ship has apparently sailed. In the realm of new Windows releases, Vista has obviously been garnering the lion's share of the attention, but Windows Mobile 5 is about to ride off into the mobile platform sunset in favor of Windows Mobile 6 -- codenamed the aforementioned Crossbow -- and the naming convention to differentiate between its various flavors is riding with it."

Confused? You're not the only one.

Treo 680 Smartphone Available in New Colors

The Treo 680 Smartphone is now available in four new colors:  Artic, Copper, Graphite and Crimson. Palm is making an effort to compete with other devices that are more fashionable.  So, if appearance is as important as function for you, this may be the ticket. At this time, the Graphite model is available through Cingular. The other models are only available Unlocked, meaning you need to contact a cellular carrier directly to set up service. This may end up costing you more money, but will give you more flexibility to switch to another carrier later.

Nokia E62 New Option for Cingular Customers

Cingular is offering the Nokia E62, a powerful smartphone based on the Symbian operating system. This smartphone has all of the standard PDA functions and a whole lot more. An initial promotion features the device for $99.99. This seems to be a new pricepoint for smartphones.

I haven't had much experience with the Symbian OS. So, be sure you do your research before you commit to getting this device. They appear to have all of the functions you would ever need, so there should be no issue there. Plus, because Symbian devices were originally designed to be smartphones and not just PDAs, sound quality should be excellent.

The good news is that competition is good for consumers.

Ladies Need Juice Too!

Michelle Ulrich, Founder of The Virtual Nation, passed along this tip from the Techie Diva who writes:

"Ladies have you realized that, nowadays you carry too many gizmos with you from cell phones, to MP3 players. Anyway you might want to include this solar mobile charger to your purse. It will add juice to your gizmos while on the go. "

Not everyone is a fan though. According to Softpedia,

"Yes, from a woman’s point of view, this “thing” may actually look pretty good if she prefers the looks of sandwich makers but, and that is what my brain is still striving to understand, why in the god's name would a company name a device the “Solar Mobile Charger”, with a hyphen on the Mobile, when the damn thing weighs around 4 kilos? "

I think this is a trend though. Expect to see more solar chargers that offer you the ability to charge your mobile devices on the go. I imagine some work with PDAs and smartphones too.

For more information on this product, visit Global Sources Direct.

Palm Treo 750v Debuts in Europe

The Palm Treo 750v is now available in Europe, offered through Vodafone. It's similar in many ways to the Palm 700w and 700wx, available in North America. All run on the Windows Mobile Platform, have a 1.3 megapixel camera and similar memory and features. There don't appear to be too many differences between the North American and European models.  Note that the 700w is available through Verizon and the 700wx through Sprint.

For more details, read the datasheet on each model: Palm Treo 700w, 700wx and 750v.

Thanks to my good friend, Andy Gray at Conselleo, for passing along the information.

Sprint to Offer Moto Q

According to Engadget, Sprint will begin to offer the Motorola Q. I think competition is a good thing and I'm always glad to see wider availability of products. In coaching my clients on what smartphone to select, they are often limited by what is being offered by their current phone carrier. Exclusivity is good for the phone carrier, but not for the consumer.

Cell Phone Addiction

Michael Y. Park from Fox News posts an interesting article about the nation's cell phone addiction. Are we truly addicted to cell phones? It's tough to escape them wherever you go.  Like anything, you need to exercise balance. There are times when you need to disconnect from the grid and just be. Too much electronic stimulation can be bad.

But, it certainly has changed the way we socialize and work. Those changes will continue to evolve, especially as video is increasingly used to transfer content. One day, it will be common to simply look into your cell phone to see the other party similar to the way webcams are used for internet calls. Of course, this will help in business communications because it's often difficult to interpret someone's reaction simply from listening to their voice.

In the meantime, consider what's really necessary to share over the phone and be judicious with your time. Don't sacrifice your productivity just to pass alongthe latest gossip.

Can You Hear Me Now Moto Q?

According to Engadget, Verizon is getting exclusive rights to market the Moto Q. This powerful smartphone runs Windows Mobile.

Although a powerful competitor, Motorola faces some stiff competition. According to InfoWorld,

"Motorola, the second-biggest seller of mobile phones behind Nokia Corp., is entering a four-way battle of smart phones, said Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney. The Q will go up against Nokia's E61, Palm Inc.'s Treo and the mighty BlackBerry."

According to a Motorola press release, the Moto Q is 50% thinner than its competitors. This is sure to attract younger consumers who prefer a more stylish mobile phone.

ThePDApro.com Website Has Launched

The PDA Pro Website at www.ThePDApro.com is now available. You will find PDA Tips, Articles, Newsletters and other information. You will also find information on the products and services offered by The PDA Pro.

We are still adding information to the site. Please contact me at rickcooper@thepdapro.com if you have any suggestions for how to improve the site.

You can also reach me at 800-677-6708 to provide any feedback.

Thank you.

Rick Cooper, The PDA Pro
http://www.ThePDApro.com
800-677-6708

Mobile Advertising Trends

In the Bloglight: Practical Blogging

Your phone is likly to face an onsluaght of ads in the future. We've been able to steer clear of ads and telemarketers for the most part when it comes to our mobile phones. But, that is likely to change. According to Robyn Tippins,

"Apparently Ingenio is in the process of developing 2 more mobile advertising products that will be available later this year. Who wants to bet one of them makes gaming free on your phone and the other is either ringtones/wallpapers/etc (bling) or either utilizes RSS delivery of news in some way…"

The other product she mentions is Free 411.

Robyn Tippins is a member of the LinkedIn Bloggers.

New Messaging Options in Germany

Engadget points out the launch of the CT-17 in Germany by IXI Mobile. They state,

"the CT-17 has broad support for a range of services, including web access and voice features (via an external headset). "

This competitor to the Blackberry and Sidekick shows promise. It reminds me of a much simpler Motorola text message device I had a few years ago. Different strokes for different folks. Not everyone wants a Treo-like PDA phone.

The device even includes an RSS reader and reflects some of the trends to come.

PDA Productivity for School

The folks at PalmAddicts have unearthed an old Wired article from 2000 concerning how PDAs were being used by schools to increase student capability and productivity. The Wired article states,

"Dictionaries, daily preparatory tests, calculators, research from the Internet, and temperature-measuring probes for scientific experiments are all available to students on their mobile phones, pagers, or personal digital assistants (PDAs) –- generally for free. "

With the addition of Wi-Fi capability in schools, better PDA devices and increasing mobile content, the situation has only improved in the last six years.  Of course, now students will have to consider whether they want to opt for a mini-tablet PC such as the Origami, which will allow greater access to the internet.

Massage for Sore Blackberry Thumbs

Hyatt is now offering massage for Blackberry users with sore thumbs, according to PDA Phone and GPS Tech & Talk. Will other hotels follow suit?

More on PDA Enabled Sites

David Kopel shares a few details on PDA enabled blogs and websites. These are still few and far between. I'm not quite there myself either. It's on a long list of to do's (on my PDA of course.)

Mobile Web Browsers

Read/WriteWeb offers an interesting perspective on mobile web browsers and trends in that technology. I think we have along way to go to make the web function effectively on mobile devices, but it's good to know we're heading in that direction. The post is somewhat technical in nature.

The Kosher Phone...Coming to a Synagogue Near You

Gadgetopia notes that Orthodox Jews in Israel are opting for a simplified mobile phone that blocks access to "forbidden" content. The so-called "kosher phone" does not include text messaging, internet access, video or camera. So, that pretty much excludes most smartphones. USA Today reports that Arab cellphone providers are also looking into the same options. Could this be the beginning of peace in the Middle East?

The phone service also blocks access to over 10,000 phone numbers with questionable content. This list, supervised by a rabbinical team, is constantly updated.

Could this trend head to the West? I think it's possible. Perhaps Christian communities will begin demanding phone models and service which helps to protect their children from illicit content. At any rate, it shows that even though technology will deliver content, people don't necessarily want it and will take extra steps to limit access. No word on whether the same controls are being implemented on PDAs.

Wi-Fi MS Smartphone for the UK

MSmobiles.com points out that O2 is set to introduce a smartphone running on Windows Mobile that includes Wi-Fi access. Very nice. In the past, Wi-Fi on a PDA/smartphone was only available through external distributors rather than carriers.

That's a nice trend. Hopefully, we'll see it more, especially in the states. This will make it much faster to download audio and video content.

More on Palm's 10 Year Anniversary

Palm Addicts has interviews with Palm's co-Founder Jeff Hawkins and with Rob Haitani. We've come a long way in 10 years.

I love this image of the Palm PDA, with elements from different incarnations of the PDA/smartphone.

Happy 10th Birthday Palm!

It's been ten years since the first successful Palm PDA, The Palm Pilot 1000 was released. According to an article by Tom Krazit on CNET News.com, Rob Haitani quoted co-founder of Palm Jeff Hawkins as saying:

"Jeff said, 'It has to fit in your pocket, it has to be fast, and it has to be $299,'" Haitani recalled."

And the rest they say is history. Thanks to Dave Gussow and the St. Petersberg Times Tech Times blog for that reminder.

PayPal for your PDA

Judy Breck posted a message on the Smart Mobs blog indicating that PayPal plans to offer services available through mobile devices. Of course, the implications are massive, ushering in a new era of mobile commerce. That's another reason to own a PDA/smartphone or mobile phone. It will ultimately revolutionize the way we transact business.  If you don't already have a PayPal account, consider it.

Treonauts Unveils New "Lowrider" Treo

Treonauts features pictures of a reported new Treo model they are calling the Hollywood or Lowrider model. There is some question as to the validity of these claims. Andrew states:

"Overall, while many would like to claim that these images are a sophisticated hoax I find it unlikely that someone would have gone through the rather time consuming and costly process of making an entirely new casing simply for amusement…

Either way, whether this is just a fully working antenna-less Treo 650 or an as yet unreleased new Treo I would very much like to get my hands on one!"

I wonder if the lack of that bulky antenna will make the sound quality and reception any worse. Dave's PDA Place added a few  comments on the topic on March 22, 2006.

Palm Treo Shipments Up

RCR Wireless News reports that Palm Treo shipments are better than expected. This reflects the success of the Palm Treo 650 and the addition of the new Palm Treo 700W which features the Windows Mobile Operating System.

I believe the Treo will continue to be a popular device. It's not perfect for everyone, but it's a very useful PDA/smartphone.

Bored with Your PDA?

So, you've been using your PDA for a awhile and it just doesn't seem to cut it anymore. What to do, what to do. Steve Sande, in a March 18, 2006 post to his blog, GizmoRanch, laments about his PDA. He wishes he could put  a Mac in his pocket and carry it with him. He's tired of using his existing HP iPaq and Palm Treo 650.  Both have shortcomings and he wants the full functionality of a laptop.

I see this all the time. People expect too much from their PDAs and smartphones. Let's face it, they have limited applications. They have small screens, limited computing power and application software and for the moment limited bandwidth. Now, the technology will continue to improve. But, a PDA will never duplicate the experience of a laptop or desktop computer. So, don't expect it to.

The power of a PDA is in its mobility and convenience. I strongly believe you should use the right tool for the right job. And, when the right tool is your laptop, use it instead. Master the fundamentals that really shine on your PDA, and you will be far more effective.

God, Coming to a PDA Near You

Have you had a conversation with God lately? If not, why not benefit from prayers now available on podcast. Philippe Borremans, in his Conversations Blog, notes that Jesuit priests are now "Godcasting", offering daily prayers and reading the gospel and making it available on podcast. So, download a podcast to your PDA and connect with God!

Palm Lowers Price on LifeDrive

Brighthand indicates that Palm has lowered its price on the LifeDrive. Palm is now offering it for $400, $100 off its original $500 price. What a bargain! It has a huge storage capacity. It's worth looking into if you want a PDA to store audio and video files.

Blackberry Users Safe for the Moment

Blackberry users are safe for the moment, after Judge James Spencer adjourned the hearing without issuing an injunction against RIM earlier this week. Engadget offers further details about the case.

Bottom line, I still don't see the possibility that the courts will allow the Blackberry email system to shutdown for any length of time. There are simply too many people who depend on it, not to mention the U.S. government. Imagine the screams from the White House and Congress if their Blackberrys suddenly didn't work.

But, to be on the safe side, you should consider having a Plan B, just in case.

Connecting With Customers Using SMS

Smallbiztechnology.com reports that a tire service center in Europe is using SMS to communicate with customers for scheduling appointments.  According to the article,

"The press release reads that Vianor can now efficiently schedule the changes of tires on their customers’ cars and provide customer services in real-time. Vianor sends a message with the proposed time slot to the customer’s mobile phone. The customer can accept the time, request a new time or ask to be contacted. Already the solution has this autumn reduced the overload peaks, improved utilization of available capacity, saved costs and improved customer satisfaction. The solution works on all mobile phones independent of network in a user friendly and automatic way – no new software or configurations are required on the mobile phone."

SMS is available on smartphones, as well as standard cell phones. It isn't the fanciest way to communicate, but the capability is there to leverage the technology. Simplicity can be very powerful.

Palm FAQ

The folks at PalmAddict are building a Palm FAQ Wiki. Check it out for questions on Palm PDAs. It's a work in progress. The Wiki provides has links to their forum and elsewhere.

New Video iPod

Perhaps the coolest and possibly the most profound new technology to come out this year is the new iPod from Apple that features video. Close on the heels of the success of Podcasting, popularized by iTunes this summer, this new video iPod will bring a whole new realm of content for mobile devices. This launch represents a shot across the bow of manufacturers of PDA's, smartphones, gaming and other handheld devices. They will now have to struggle to catch up. But, competition is good.

The cover of Time Mazagine for October 24, 2005 features a picture of Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, holding the new video iPod and the caption: The Man Who Always Seems To Know...What's Next. Apple does seems to have a solid formula for success at this time and certainly seems to be as innovative as Sony in the Consumer Electronics realm. They also have a great model for generating revenues by selling audio content and now video content.

On his blog, Des Paroz wrote:

" I was one of the many who didn’t really see that a Video iPod would be launched - at least not yet. Apple has made the iPod cool, and a very personal experience. Adam Curry always asked where the headphone equivalent for the iPod would be. The Social Customer Manifesto has a good angle in this. Apple has possibly just changed the landscape for personal on demand video."

I believed a video iPod would be forthcoming next year. I didn't realize it would be here this quickly either. What's next? What's left?

This will have a substantial impact in time. Young people will definitely lead the trend in accessing video content, but there are many possibilities for business use. The greatest may be in the form of communication and e-learning. However, sales professionals could easily present a short video presentation hosted by an iPod and played on a TV. The sky's the limit. And it will only get better. It certainly would make a great stocking stuffer!

The Future of Wireless Networking

I've shared my opinion on the state of the wireless web, but Ed Hardy, Editor-in-Chief at Brighthand, has a more positive view. In an editorial, Ed states:

"In the coming years, you'll pay just one company that will let you wirelessly access the Internet -- and make phone calls -- wherever you go.  Unlike today's wireless networking standards, this will be so fast you won't feel a need for a wired connection to the Net, even on your home PC. And it will work whether you are in your back yard or Peoria. "

I would agree that simplifying and consolidating payment for internet access across devices will encourage further usage. And clearly, faster access on handheld devices is needed. Wi-Fi access on PDA's is nice, but is not available on a smartphone except in some instances where you can buy a card to insert in the memory slot.

My experience has been primarily through using a browser on my Palm Treo 600 and it's pathetically slow. I often select a web page, put my PDA back in its holster, and then check it a few minutes later to see if it finished downloading. Some text based sites, such as for news, will load quickly. But, the average website can take over a minute to load. So much for productivity.

I am hopeful that wireless networking will improve. Only then will we experience the wireless revolution that has been promised for years.

Blackberry Coming to a Treo 650 Near You

In yet another sign that the Palm Treo 650 is an outstanding smartphone, a press release from Research in Motion Ltd. confirmed that it is working with Palm, Inc. to bring BlackBerry® Connect™ to the Palm® Treo™ 650 smartphone. This follows a recent announcement that Windows Mobile will soon be available on the Palm Treo 700W.

Both devices should be expected in the first half of 2006. It certainly broadens the options for consumers, but makes the decision of which model to select even more challenging.

Treo 700w features Windows Mobile

In a move sure to excite smartphone buyers and generate debate in the technology community, it appears that Palm will be releasing a version of its popular Treo Smartphone that runs the Windows Mobile operating system.

Engadget provides a few details regarding the new device:

"A few confirmed specs: Windows Mobile 5.0, one megapixel camera, EV-DO, Bluetooth, 64MB of memory, still trying to conclusively determine the resolution of the display, but it looks to our eyes like it’s 240 x 240 pixels, not 320 x 320. But we’re not 100% on that, ok?"

No word yet when the device will be available. There is no mention of the device on PalmOne's website. WindowsforDevices.com provides a few additional details. They mention that Business Week apparently confirmed the existence of the device.

With the Motorola Q coming out in early 2006, smartphone buyers will have a lot of great choices.

Making Your Car Wireless

If you've wondered how to get high speed internet access in your car, be sure to read Arne Hess's post on the::unwired. He says,

"Ok, there is nothing more boring than sitting in the car while in a traffic jam without a high-speed connection, that's wasted time. Sure you can have your Notebook with a 3G/UMTS PC-card with you or (if you are lucky) your HTC Universal, also with inbuilt 3G or - if you are not that lucky (but lucky enough) - you have your GPRS connected Pocket PC with you but why not making the whole vehicle truly wireless? I did - with O2's Surf@home box I'm calling from now "Surf@Autobahn". "

This isn't for everyone, but it gives you an idea where mobility is taking us. Let's hope for a more simple and cost effective option in the future.

Orange SPV M5000 Coming Soon in the UK

PDA fans in the UK will soon have access to the new Orange SPV M5000, a 3GB PDA running on the Windows Mobile 5.0 platform. According to Engadget, this device also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Unfortunately, it's unlikely we'll see this one in the U.S.

Moto's New Smartphone: The Q

On July 25th, Motorola unveiled its new smartphone, now named the Q. It was previously described as a RAZRBerry or a Franklin. See my earlier post for some background on this device.

A press release from Motorola describes the Q as the thinnest, lightest, coolest QWERTY on the planet. Ron Garriques, president mobile devices business at  Motorola, is quoted in the press release as stating,  “Wickedly cool — when’s the last time you heard those words used to describe a QWERTY device? Probably never. At least until now. With the Moto Q, we’ve combined the best voice, data and design technology in one ultra-thin, intelligent, hard-working, and incredibly must-have device. Today’s office space has the potential to be any place you want it to be with Q.”

Engadget expects a Q1 2006 launch for this smartphone. This device just may give Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system a killer device. It will certainly be a strong competitor against the Palm Treo and some of the later Blackberry smartphones like the 7100 series. The Moto Q is certainly hip and trendy and may garner support from younger buyers.

Tech Savvy Teens Will Impact Future Sales Teams

An interesting article about teens use of technology leads me to believe this trend will ultimately impact sales teams, requiring veteran employees to change their habits. The article, Teens getting so tech savvy, from the St. Petersberg Times indicates that teens prefer instant messaging over email because of the immediacy of responding to messages. Email is too slow. It may take hours to get a response; whereas instant messaging usually generates an immediate response. Not surprisingly, instant messaging (IM) is used more by girls than boys. IM extends their capabilities to communicate and socialize.

As these tech savvy teens enter the sales force, I anticipate they will become frustrated if veteran employees don't respond with the same urgency. Of course, just because something is urgent doesn't necessarily mean it's important.

Email can generate fast responses for people using PDAs and smartphones who are in the habit of checking email frequently. Blackberry users are probably the most responsive to email. Instant messaging hasn't really caught on among PDA users, although standard text messaging, short messaging service (SMS), is used on occasion for quick messages.

The article quotes a telephone survey conducted last fall by Princeton Survey Research Associates of children in the 12-17 age group. According to the article, the findings show that  84 percent own a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a cell phone or a personal digital assistant; 44 percent have two or more of t