iPod - Future of the PDA?

Let's say you're Apple Computer, enjoying all the recent limelight of the iPod success and even beginning to bask in the fallout of increased computer sales. Where do you go next?

We've seen some obvious steps, the Mac Mini, iPod Shuffle and now the new iPod Mini configurations, but let's talk about integration. What's on the Mac that is built-in for productivity? That's right...iLife - Apple's suite of productivity software designed to make life simpler for the dedicated Mac user. OK, it's not perfect, and there are some compatibility problems, especially with iCal, but come on - all those colors make up for a lot!

Actually, iCal isn't a bad application. Once you get over the idea that you will probably have to manually enter all your important dates to get started, you will quickly find some rich features that allow you to send yourself reminders either by e-mail or just popping up at the appropriate time on your screen. And, as we all know, e-mail reminders equate to text messages on your mobile, so all in all, it is a pretty impressive bit of code.

Then there's the address book. It is, well...an address book. What more do you need? Syncing with your PDA? OK, you can do that with Palm devices now, although it may be a bit clunky.

But enter the real sleeper in this mix - the iPod Photo. Quite an impressive device. What, you say, pay almost $500 for a small portable hard drive? Well, it does have a screen to view your pictures, and it will store a lot of data...probably all your daily files, backup files and quite possibly every picture you've ever taken, but it isn't a PDA - yet.

Think about it...isn't that the next logical step? I can already see those color-coded calendars popping up on that screen, can't you? Maybe not in the current incantation, but this guy could quite easily move to a full blown PDA in the future.

I think the future is very interesting in this regard. It will be fun to watch how Apple uses it's new-found clout. OK, Apple...the ball's in your court!