Although some may reminisce about the days when Day Planners and Franklin Planners ruled (sometimes the simplicity was nice), those days seem to be long gone.  While physically writing in a journal vs. typing on a keypad may have some advantages, there are just too many drawbacks to book-style organizers, including: the requirement to purchase additional calendar pages; not always having prior engagements at one’s fingertips; and the dreaded loss of the planner.  No backup!

Thankfully, electronic organizers solve the aforementioned concerns (given enough memory is purchased).  Let’s take a look at how electronic organizers have progressed:

1988: Sharp released its first Wizard. Measuring about 7” x 6” x 3”, it was not quite “pocket” sized.  The Wizard smartly was capable of connection to both Windows and Mac. Functionality included a memo pad, calendar with scheduling and alarms.

1997: The PalmPilot…Such a heralded device that the name is still sometimes used ubiquitously with the term electronic organizer.  This device boasted significant memory, easy synchronization to computer, and a size (4.7” x 3.1” x .7”) that actually could fit in one’s pocket (or palm!).

2002: The long awaited addition to the PalmPilot was phone functionality.  One such electronic organizer / phone was made by Samsung.  A stylus was required for most of the uses and although the phone worked well, the size was a bit too large for easily fitting in jeans pockets day in and out and the “pull” style email was not quite effortless enough.

Also in 2002, the first BlackBerry smartphone was introduced.  The BlackBerry had the distinct advantage of effortless “push” email support, and this advantage in-part continues to this day.

2007: The iPhone.  The ease-of-use, fun factor, and slim design that had long been desired had finally arrived.  In addition, slick software, and the ability for others to develop “apps” revolutionized the electronic organizer.

2008: With the ease that all can now stores countless contact records, appointments, email messages, and pictures, our lives can now be in our pockets for the most part.  Easily accessible electronic information is both convenient to the user…and the criminals.  ID theft continues to be a large issue for the public, costing society billions of dollars annually.  Securing important personal records took a turn in 2008 with the invention of Personal Pocket Safe.  This little device connects to computers via USB ports and launches an imbedded personal organizer software application to record and collect the most important personal records.  The data is secured with a USB lock pad on the USB drive itself and does not permit any sort of hacking attempt.

2009: Most recently the Linux-based Nuvifone was launched, combining a complete navigation/gps system integrated with phone and camera.  Although this may not technically be an “electronic organizer”, it sheds some light on where the electronic organizer will be tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: BlackBerry, iPhone, Nuvifone, PalmPilot, Personal Pocket Safe, Samsung, Sharp