How to Use an iPod As a PDA
by Nicole Hamilton, Demand Media
IPod touch blends entertainment and organization.
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and iPods generally serve two different purposes: PDAs organize and save important appointments and contacts, while iPods store and play music and video. However, the iPod touch incorporates functions similar to a PDA such as calendar and contact applications, email and notes. You are notified of incoming emails if you are using a Wi-Fi connection, and you can sync up your contacts and calendar information on a regular basis using iTunes. Using these applications that come pre-installed on the iPod touch will let you use your device as a PDA.
Items you will need
- IPod touch
- Computer with iTunes software
Import Contacts and Calendars
Step 1
Launch the iTunes program.
Step 2
Connect your iPod touch to the computer and wait for it to be recognized. When iTunes recognizes your device it will appear under "Devices" on the left side of the program window.
Step 3
Select the "Contacts" tab at the top of the program window.
Step 4
Check the box next to "Synchronize contacts from."
Step 5
Select the program that contains the list of contacts you want to sync to the iPod. You can sync contacts from Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express on a Windows computer; you can sync your device with your Yahoo address book by providing your Yahoo ID and password.
Step 6
Click "Apply." Synchronizing Microsoft Outlook may require you to grant access to the program. Check the box next to "Allow access for," select a time limit and click "Yes" when the dialog box appears.
Step 7
Check the box next to "Sync Calendars." Windows users will see Microsoft Outlook listed as the chosen program and Mac users will see iCal.
Step 8
Click "Apply." Choose to grant access to Microsoft Outlook.
Step 9
Click "OK." iTunes will begin synchronizing contacts and calendar data with your iPod touch.
Email Setup
Step 1
Tap the gray "Settings" icon on the main screen.
Step 2
Tap "Wi-Fi." Tap the "ON/OFF" button to the right of "Wi-Fi" until "ON" is highlighted. Wait for the iPod to scan and locate the nearest network.
Step 3
Tap a network to attempt to join it. Enter the network password or confirm payment to join the network if required.
Step 4
Tap "Settings" in the upper-left corner to return to the Settings home screen. Tap "Mail, Contacts, Calendars" and then tap "Add Account."
Step 5
Tap your email provider from the list of providers or click other to enter the information for another provider.
Step 6
Enter all required information such as your email address, name and password, and tap "Save."
Step 7
Press the "Home" button to return to the home screen on your iPod touch.
Step 8
Tap the "Mail" app and select the email account you just added to load your messages.
Notes
Step 1
Tap the "Notes" app on your iPod touch. The app looks like a piece of lined paper.
Step 2
Tap the "+" sign in the upper-right corner to add a new note.
Step 3
Type the content of your note using the on-screen keyboard. Edit a note by tapping within the body of it to access the keyboard.
Step 4
Launch iTunes and connect your iPod touch to the computer.
Step 5
Select the iPod touch within the list of devices on the left side of the program window and then click the "Info" tab above the contents of the device list on the right side of the program window.
Step 6
Select "Synchronize Notes to Outlook" if you are using a Windows computer; choose to synchronize notes to "Mail" if you are using a Mac.
Step 7
Enter the required information and press "Ok" to sync your device.
Tips
- After configuring the iPod touch to sync with your calendar and contacts, new contacts can be added directly on the iPod touch or the computer. Information will automatically update the next time the iPod touch syncs with iTunes.
- Download additional iPod touch applications to add more PDA functionality, such as task management.
References
Resources
Photo Credits
- Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
