Abstract: A personal notification device for providing messaging and alert services from a plurality of different sources, compromising a hardware device with integrated display, a suitable connection method to a computer and appropriate software applications. -The different sources can include one or more business productivity programs, such as electronic mail, a spreadsheet, online auction, weather services, server monitoring programs, manufacturing machines, office equipment, or personal information manager software application, as well a messaging service that produces alerts transmitted over the Internet. The personal notification device provides an improved method to receive messages and alerts without requiring the user to be at or near a computer. The personal notification device can be physically placed at the users discretion to best facilitate his requirements. The personal notification device can be utilized for a multitude of applications by simply loading and activating software modules.