This is the mobile age and smart devices like phones, pad and tablets are dominating the marketplace. What is the best mobile technology?  Well, we will try and list a few of our favorite things, but more important than what you buy, is how you plan to use it.  We are very concerned today about the breach of sensitive information and business owners liability under State Breach Laws. The amount of sensitive data stored on mobile devices is stagering and so is you liability if that data gets into the wrong hands. Follow simple rules;  take only what you need, if it can be viewed remotely but left in a safe place, do it, and encrypt everything everywhere. Create Internal Controls to help you safely manage electronic data and mitigate risk. 

With that said, here are some of our 2011 mobile recommendations.

 Smart Devices

The Apple iPad has to take first place in the catagory of awesome mobile devices. Proclaimed as the device everyone else must follow the iPad is not a phone or a compute. It is something else altogether. But, there are many applications for the iPad to be use for and so many more that will evolve with the iPad 2, due out mid-year. There are many sales applications, such as those Mercedes and Lexus are experimenting with, as well mobile applications for Doctors, Lawyers and Indian Cheifs (O.K. just kidding on that one.) But there are BI apps and more in the works.
However, everyone else is not simply rolling over and playing dead. Compitition to the iPad is coming. However, very little was available as of the 2011 CES show, were we looked at the new Research In Motion (RIM) PlayBook. An pad version of the much revered Blackberry. We do expect to see working models in the marketplace by the end of the first quarter, but at the moment, no confirmed price, not much in the way of apps, and no idea of expected battery life. All critical factors to the success of any pad. A sales person pointed out that RIM could port over all the Apple Apps they wanted to run on the Playbook and Blackberry, we of course asked how that was coming along as of date, since not that many had been ported to the Blackberry App store; so should we expect loads for apps for the Playbook?  No reply. On the bright side we liked the form factor, the feel of the device, and believe it has a chance to take market share.
Another huge competitor out of the blocks is, of course, the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Tab for tablet of course. So we have Tablets and Pads, pretty much they are the same thing. We have noticed that Tablets seem to be smaller. Like the PlayBook the Tab is smaller in size than the 10 inch iPad. Tablet versions run between 5" and 7" between these vendors and the Dell model. Samsung offers the unit through all the usual communications providers who will happily sell you Internet service. Such a deal!
Third, but not last by any means is the Dell Steak, which comes in 5 and 7 inch models. This was the only device could actually be used as a phone (though a ear piece or headset would be best.) At a starting price of $550, it can be had for as little as $99.99 with a service agreement. We maintain that the Streak, like the simular LG G-Slate (Oh no! not yet another word for the same type of device! Pads, Tablets and now Slates! Will it never end? The last three options all run some version of Google's Android OS. However, not all  versions of the Android OS are created equal and you should take time to really review the device carefully. Do not ASSUME that all devices will work the same or look like they do on those awesome TV commericals. They Don't!

 

Any Roadwarrior worth their salt would not connect to a foriegn Internet service provider for fear of infecting their computers the the computers of the ones they love. We strongly advise mobile workers not to connect to clients networks for Internet access. The moment you do, they own you. Anything that happens after you connect is your, and thereby your bosses, fault. So carry your Internet with you.  The hottest WiFi tool for 2011 is due out in March from Sprint, but we expect to see Verizon and others with it quickly. 

 

One of the coolest devices we have seen so far this year is the 3G4G MiFi from Sprint. We have used the 3G version, shown here on the left for a couple of years, as well as the 4G Overdrive model that has been out for about a year. But the new 3G4G is a great compromise between the two, offering better battery life than the Overdrive and there's an E Ink technology display, so you know what is happening. This slightly thicker than a credit card unit is a must upgrade. The unit is expect to be in stores and available on-line by the end of the first quarter. By the way, this new unit replaces the older 3G only MiFi and the problem/heat plagued Overdrive. Yea.

 

 Cell Phone Cases

Picking the right case is a major event in the life of most cell phone owners. A decision not to be taken lightly.  Our recommendation is to consider a case which has a battery included. Not only is your device protected, but you often double the life of your phone before having to juice it up again. For heavy users who talk, text and check e-mail, this extra battery life is crutial for having a nice day.  A couple of our favorite are Mophie (Bob's favorite for the past several years,)  and Exogear.  New ones are coming out all the time so do some research before you decide.  For Verizon iPhone 4 users, be careful, the buttons are moved around slightly to fix the antenna signal issue, so not all cases will work. Make sure the case is compatible with your version of cell phone.

 

 

 

Smart Phones 2011

Windows 7 Phone is here, and worth a look if you are a Windows person. The windows like environment runs all those apps you love. But not many more. The Microsoft App Store has a ways to go. With that said, we liked the feel of the operating system and played with it on one of the new AT&T Samsung models. With Microsoft providing units to ALL its employees (go buy it and expense it is what we heard for a sales rep at CES) that should give them a little market boost out the door. Downside, from what we see is still a weak battery, but no different than battery life issues on the iPhone. Weird that they offered it for GSM first, so only AT&T in the U.S., but it was rolled out overseas, read Ireland and Japan, first.  We can expect models for Sprint, Verizon and others by mid-year.

Google Android Phones - seem to dominate the mobile phone talk these days. Randy has been using Android phones for over a year and likes them as does his entire office. However, every now and then Bob sees a little iPhone envy come over him.  Bob also likes several of the Android models, but the Sprint EVO may be his favorite. EVO version 2.0 should be much better. Again, we caution buyers to not get caught in the excitement of the moment. NOT ALL ANDROID PHONES ARE THE SAME OR EVEN RUN THE SAME VERSION OF THE OS. If you are buying an Android phone because of the cool commerical you saw last night on TV. Make sure of the model name. Some retailer will sell you an older phone with an older version and you are hung up for two years or have shell out more dollars to upgrade.

• Remember that Android is the Google OS that powers a number of phones from several distributors
• The Droid is a phone manufactured by Motorola that runs Android and has the other features
• Android Market is coming along nicely, clones of many of the most popular iPhone apps can be found there

BlackBerry Still King In Business - Blackberry is playing catch up. Everyone knows that. Not in the business world where they are loved by the users and the IT people that support them, but in the everyday world where users rather play music and games than talk and check email.

• Bold and Storm2 9550 still the hottest of the BlackBerry Smart Phones
• New Apps coming out via the BlackBerry Store to compete with iPhone and Droid mania
• Corporate IT still seems to like the control over the BlackBerry

 

iPhone - Not worth taking the space to talk about the iPhone as anyone who has been on planet earth for the past 18 months and using a cell phone knows about the iPhone. The big news will be in five months when the completely reengineered and redesigned iPhone 5 is released.

 

Use Your Cell Phone At Home

 Some wireless home sets include Bluetooth connectivity to cell phones

Bad cell phone reception at home or in our offices plagues many of us. One alternative is one of the new handsets from Vtech or Panasonic that includes Bluetooth that picks up cell calls coming into your cell phone and relays them through the wireless phone system in your office. Works pretty good, both Randy and Bob have tested the Vtech ($85) and Panasonic ($130) models. The Panasonic unit seems to have more features, such as a headset jack Vtech DS6321-3 (three handsets)  Panasonic KX-TG6545B DECT 6.0 Plus (five handseets.)

 

FemToCell

Bob has a home office, located on the lower level (a basement with two sides exposed,) and cell phone reception was horrible.  the Bluetooth wireless handsets worked for awhile, but required battery gobbling Bluetooth to be turned on and he and his partner to remember to put their cell phones near the base unit. Too much for Bob to remember  most of the time.  Last year nearly every cell phone provider, AT&T, Sprint and Verizon all released versions built by CISCO, and CISCO offers generic units as well.  Bob uses the AT&T model, but all work pretty much the same. Plug in the unit, plug in your ethernet Internet broadband connection and power the unit up. Go to the appropriate web page, listedin the manual, and register. Within 24 hours the units sync and you now have up to 5 bars within the units range, which is around the 35-40 foot distance. When the unit detects your cell phone in range it contacts the nearest tower and determines signal strenght, if below standard, it takes over the call and you have your own private cell tower.  For personal use the towers support up to five phones, and for a small business up to 16. The only cost is for the Tower for AT&T, $150.  Sprint and others may have a different plan. Check with your provider for more info.