A interesting new 1src editorial has been posted that revisits not only the bygone days of standalone PDAs and their various peripherals but the industry’s newfound focus on slim, subnotebook-type devices. The piece is definitely a must-read for both long-term PDA fans as well as users who might be considering a jump to a large-screened device devoid of a physical keyboard such as the iPod Touch or a miniaturized subnote such as the EEE PC.

“My Mobile Companion” is written by long-time Palm aficionado Alan Grassia. The editorial discusses Alan’s previous years using dedicated handhelds, managing to stay productive despite having to tote an array of accessories, snap-on modules and assorted gear. Grassia theorizes that despite the huge improvements in connectivity and storage capacity offered by a modern-day Treo over a Tungsten or Visor handheld from years ago, easy data input is still the Achilles heel of all mobile devices. With the industry turning its attention to miniaturized QWERTY integrated into smartphones and sub-notebooks, the glory days of larger, folding travel keyboards such as those popularized by Palm, Targus, and ThinkOutside appear to be coming to an end.

Palm’s much-maligned Foleo subnotebook is also discussed as a potentially perfect companion for users sharing Grassia’s dilemma for fast and efficient data input on a handheld device. Unfortunately, the Foleo’s 11th hour cancellation by Palm as part of their belt-tightening and internal reorganization ended any hopes of a larger formfactor device from Palm anytime soon. Mr. Grassia notes that he continues to struggle with a Treo 755p and an iGo Sierra Bluetooth wireless keyboard while riding out the latest wave of ultra-compact subnotebooks such as the Asus EEEPC, Everex Cloudbook and Apple’s own MacBook Air in hopes of an eventual Foleo II successor device from Palm.