The end of the PDA is nearing. In-Stat has predicted that users will switch to smartphones and portable media players while the PDA slowly phases out of the consumer market, it’s main purpose will be to fuel low-end applications and industry-specific specialty devices by 2009.

Integrated GPS receivers will be a popular feature within PDAs this year, manufacturers will closely target niches and corporate focused applications. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular wireless are also expected as part of their attempt to compete with the growing smartphone market. Regardless of these innovations, new smartphones coming this year will be more stylish, portable, and have all the features a user desires.

The PDA market will experience a -21.5 percent Compounded Annual Growth Rate during 2004 through 2009. Device shipments reached only 8.7 million units in 2004, down from 10 million in 2003.