Just read on Pocketfactory.com that Dell is pulling its Axim line of PDAs.  Also heard the Macreviewcast criticizing the new Palm Foleo, but I actually quite like the look of it.  So is the PDA dead, replaced by smartphones and cheap laptops? And eReaders?

I'm not convinced.  Smartphones have small screens, so you wouldn't want to read or watch anything for any length of time.  The PDA is better, but perhaps not big enough – I have only ever watched a couple of movies (but that's also to do with the difficulty of setting it up) and my eyes hurt if I try to read too many news articles.  Equally, I don't want to cart a laptop about with me if I'm not going far.

So what would I miss if I didn't have my Palm?  My notes and calendar for work.  My newsfeeds.  My Dutch dictionary.  My salsa notes.  Having maps and photos to show people. 

And what do I wish was different?  Text entry is still a pain – I have a folding keyboard which is a little better but not a lot.  Squinting at the screen.  I reckon the Foleo with its instant on, small form factor, 10" screen and full size keyboard has a lot to offer (as long as it can do all of the above, and isn't just for emails and Office-type stuff.