A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a handheld computer also known as small or palmtop computers. Newer PDAs also have both color screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones, (smart phones), web browsers, or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranet or extranets via Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide-Area Networks (WWANs). Many PDAs employ touch screen technology.     It is not necessary to purchase the latest PDA to read eBooks. A good second hand device will suffice. MobiPocket works on older technology devices.

Types of PDA Devices

• Acer N Series
• BlackBerry
• Fujitsu Siemens Loox
• HP iPAQ
• High Tech Computer Corporation(Dopod,Qtek)'s series of Windows Mobile PDA/phones (HTC)
• iPod Touch
• iPhone
• Palm, Inc. (Tungsten E2, TX, Treo and Zire)
• PocketMail (email PDA with inbuilt acoustic coupler)
• Psion
• Sharp Wizard and Sharp Zaurus
• T-Mobile Dash and T-Mobile Wing
• Sidekick
• Royal

Types of Platforms

A platform is best described as the operating system that makes the device work.

• Blackberry
• Windows Mobile
• Symbian OS (Motorola, Panasonic, Nokia, Samsung, Siemens and Sony Ericsson )
• Palm OS
• Linux (best known as the OS for eeepc by asus)
• iPhone by apple (includes the iPod Touch)

Loading MobiPocket onto your PDA

The Mobipocket Reader for Windows Mobile

The Mobipocket Reader for Symbian OS

The Mobipocket Reader for PalmOS

The Mobipocket eBook Reader for dedicated devices

Mobipocket Reader for Blackberry (Over the Air Delivery)

Note, Apple iPhone and Linux does not recognise Mobipocker Reader. Mobipocket works with windows based PC but not Apple Mac.

Downloading eBooks to PDA

Downloading Mobipocket Reader to Windows PC and Mobile Devices

Sending eBooks to your device (sync)

1. Use your USB cable to connect the PDA to your computer. Open my computer and drop and drag mobi files to your device. Your files will be in the eBook folder you created during the MobiPocket for Dykes Tutorial.
2. Set up Auto Sync within Mobi Pocket. Open Mobi Pocket and select Tools, Install New Device then Select the type of PDA you own. This will set up a function which ensures that any eBooks that are loaded to your computer while the device is disconnected will be automatically loaded on the next connection.