The first hand held computer to be launched was by Casio with its Casio PF-3000 in 1983. It was a simple digital diary. The first pocket computer to be developed was by Psion in United Kingdom in 1984. Psion Organiser I had a flat-file data base, clock and calculator. It had no operating system. This marked the beginning of the emergence of an altogether new and exciting range of hand held computers called as Personal Digital Assistants, palm tops or palm pilots. Companies such as Apple and Palm Computing were amongst the first one to join in with their own versions of handheld computers. The most well know PDA was the Palm Pilot which was launched towards the end of 1990s. In 1996, Nokia introduced the first mobile phone with PDA functionality. This was called 9000 Communicator and became a top selling PDA in the world. A new category of phones emerged, the smartphones, such as the RIM Blackberry, Nokia N-Series and Apple iPhone.

The portable gadgets have not only replaced electronic devices of yesterday rapidly, but actually made them look pretty clumsy. These electronic devices had occupied a pride of place on the table. But these have simply shrunk them so much that these bulky devices on the table are now palm held. Each of these electronic devices carried out different functions such as audio, video, telephony, Internet and many more. Many of these were too big to be carried around. Technological progress and technological convergence have not only shrunk each of these devices, but have put them all into one hand held device. These portable devices such as Ultra Mobile PC, netbooks, portable audio player, portable digital assistant, portable media player and smartphone combine different functions.

PDAs are numerous and come with different features. Some of the models include Palm Z22, Palm M515 PDA, Pharos 535e Traveler, Palm TX Handheld, HP iPAQ 111 Classic Handheld, Nokia N810 Portable Internet Tablet, Palm Tungsten E2 Handheld and many more.

With wireless Internet access or WiFi, it has become even more convenient to not only download music and video, check E-mail, carry out web transactions including mobile banking and online purchases but many more. These portable devices combine entertainment, learning, work and play.