---
title: "Why I love my PDA"
url: https://www.simonwakeman.com/blog/2006/12/19/why-i-love-my-pda/
description: "Consultant and fractional COO for scale-up businesses. I help founders, leaders and investors in scaling businesses create sustainably high performing organisations."
published: 2006-12-19T05:19:06+00:00
modified: 2026-04-11T16:25:24+00:00
author: Simon Wakeman
---
# Why I love my PDA

## Why I love my PDA

I’m not ashamed to admit I like my gadgets. But I do particularly like a gadget that makes my life better.  
Earlier this year, after much deliberation, I bought a [Dell Axim X51V](http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/axim_x51v?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs) PDA. My main reason for buying it was to allow me to check emails and browse internet sites when I’m away from a PC.  
However over the past nine months the PDA has become so much more useful than I’d originally anticipated.  
Here are eight ways I use my PDA that I didn’t expect:  
1\. As an MP3 player – using [Resco Audio Recorder](http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/audiorecorder/default.asp) with headphones or with my ([now legal](http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/5807/6831/ofcom-legalises-small-fm-transmitters.phtml)) [Audiax FM transmitter](http://www.intomusic.co.uk/scripts/Digiana-Audiax.asp) in the car.  
2\. Making notes. I make text-based notes using [PhatNotes](http://www.phatware.com/phatnotes/index.html) and sketches/handwritten notes using [PhatPad](http://www.phatware.com/phatpad/index.html). No more hardback notebooks or reporter’s pads for me.  
3\. Keeping tabs on RSS feeds with [Newsgator Go!](http://www.newsgator.com/NGOLProduct.aspx?ProdID=NewsGator+Mobile) (as well as synching with my desktop and web-based RSS readers).  
4\. As a powerful and Outlook synch-ed diary and contacts manager, using [Pocket Informant](http://www.pocketinformant.com/).  
5\. As a phone using [Skype Mobile](http://www.skype.com/download/skype/mobile/) when I’m in a wi-fi zone.  
6\. Watching DVDs, using a clever piece of software called [Spb Mobile DVD](http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/mobiledvd/?en).  
7\. As a digital audio recorder, for recording meetings or even interviews for podcasts (hint: the 3.5mm audio jack is for both headphones and mono microphone – split the socket into two using [item PX50MS here](http://www.pc-mobile.net/ax50.htm))  
8\. As a pocket calculator, using the bundled [Windows Mobile 5](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/about/default.mspx) calculator.  
The only thing I wish is that I could use it as a mobile, to save me having to carry both around.  
There are, of course, PDA/phone hybrids around, but none had the processing power or feature spec that the Axim did.  
By the time I next replace my mobile and the Axim I suspect I’ll end up with a hybrid device with a higher spec than the Axim – which will be a good thing as the one aspect I haven’t managed to successfully set up is GPRS network access using my mobile (via Bluetooth).