A portable computing device is any device that is created using mobile components, such as mobile hardware and software.
These devices are capable of operating, executing and providing services and applications like a typical computing device.
They also may be called handheld computing devices or mobile computing devices.
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Some examples of portable computing devices are PDA's, smartphones, tablets and laptops. The first PDA was made in 1993 by John Sculley and was called the "Apple Newton MessagePad". The "Newton MessagePad" was very ambitious for its time, featuring full handwriting recognition, plug-in memory cards, fax and email. (6) The first smartphone ever invented was in 1992 and made by IBM. It was called the "Simon Personal Communicator", it was made 15 years before Apple made the iphone. (8) The first Tablet ever made was in 2000 by Microsoft. It was called the "Microsoft Tablet PC". Unlike the tablets of today this one came with a pen to touch the screen instead of a person's finger. (5) The first laptop ever made was in 1981. It was called the "Osborne 1". When it first came out it cost a total of $1795. It was released by the Osborne Computer Corporation led by Adam Osborne. A couple years after the release of the Osborne 1 the Osborne Computer Corporation filed for bankruptcy because its other laptop models were not selling. (7) The first smartwatch ever made was in 1998. It was called "The Seiko Ruputer". The 2 inch across square allowed users to play games, look at contact information and check time. It was invented by the Seiko watch corporation. (2) And finally the last portable computing device mentioned is the Pager. The Pager was made in 1949 and is one of the oldest portable devices there is. It was invented by Al Gross. When it was invented it wasn't available to everyone for purchasing. It was first only used for first responders to communicate for emergencies. (1)
PDA's  | 1993 | Smartphones  | 1992 |
Tablet's  | 2000 | Laptop  | 1981 |
Smart Watch  | 1998 | Pager  | 1949 |
Portable computing devices are an easy way to access wireless internet on the go in your daily lives.
Everyday you have questions you want answered as simple as the weather, time or even finding directions to go somewhere.
Portable devices allow you to know the answers to these questions very quickly and conveniently.
Some portable computing devices can be tracked by a family member or the company of the device therefore it is a safety precaution to ensure that the person is safe and where they need to be.
Most importantly it is the easiest and most convenient way to keep in touch and contact people wherever and whenever you need to.
From a business standpoint portable computing devices have helped significantly in the evolution of business.
Now you can send important files around the world in seconds, you can get approval for important decisions in seconds, you can work with people in different countries like they were right beside you.
From a social standpoint portable computing devices positively impacted our ability to stay close to friends and family.
You can talk to them anytime to find out how they're doing. You can video chat with them to actually see them, not just talk to them.
In the military this is a big deal, now soldiers serving their country all over the world can see and talk to their family whenever need be.
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Portable computing devices can impact our lives negatively as well. Firstly Portable computing devices are very expensive and can be a huge investment.
A person must earn and save lots of money before you can afford one.
The term afford when saying something is affordable means that it takes less than 30% of your gross income before tax.
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Portable devices can pose danger in our everyday lives. One of the most common things people do is text and drive.
This has led to a significant amount of accidents and deaths.
This leads to the next point which is that portable computing devices are a big distraction.
Kids and adults with portable devices spend more time on their devices than actually working at school or at their job.
This also builds towards the next point which is that people can very easily get addicted.
What starts at just using it to check the time ends up being that you spend 5 hours a day on it and can't live without it.
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1. What are two other names for Portable Computing Devices?
2. To afford a Portable Computing Device what percent of your gross income before tax should you spend at the most?
3. How many years before the first Apple iphone was the first smartphone invented?
Answers1. Bellis, M. (2018, September 10). Pagers: Instant Contact Before the Age of Cell Phones.
Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-pagers-and-beepers-1992315
2. Blogger, G. (2015, June 10). The world's first smartwatch. Retrieved from
https://lowdown.carphonewarehouse.com/news/the-worlds-first-smartwatch/30575/
3. Chief, E. in. (2019, December 16). 18 Essential Pros and Cons of Cell Phones. Retrieved from
https://greengarageblog.org/18-essential-pros-and-cons-of-cell-phones\
4. Kendrick, J. (2013, April 30). Mobile technology: The amazing impact on our lives. Retrieved
from https://www.zdnet.com/article/mobile-technology-the-amazing-impact-on-our-lives
5. Microsoft Tablet PC. (2019, October 2). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Tablet_PC
6. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nzeldes.com/HOC/Newton.htm
7. Osborne 1. (2020, January 20). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_1
8. Tweedie, S. (2015, June 14). The world's first smartphone, Simon, was created 15 years before the iPhone. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-first- smartphone-simon-launched-before-iphone-2015-6
9. What is affordable housing? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://auma.ca/advocacy-
services/programs-initiatives/housing-hub/what-affordable-housing
10. What is a Mobile Computing Device (MCD)? - Definition from Techopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/8270/mobile-computing-device-mcd
Picture 2: https://www.nzeldes.com/HOC/Newton.htm
Picture 4: https://www.quora.com/iPad/Is-iPad-the-first-tablet?_escaped_fragment_=n=12
Picture 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt_ukai8T2U
Picture 6: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartwatch
Picture 7: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pager
Picture 8: https://www.canstockphoto.com/tick-on-the-mobile-phone-screen-54787261.html
Picture 9: https://www.canstockphoto.com/red-x-mark-icon-on-smartphone-screen-44594244.html