| Ready to trade in your cell phone and PDA for a | | | | costly lesson learned. You will want to know exactly |
| Smartphone? Let's start with the basics... | | | | what you will pay before the bill arrives. |
| What's a Smartphone? | | | | Select a Model |
| A Smartphone is your cell phone and PDA (Portable | | | | After finding a plan you like, your selection of a model |
| Data Assistant) joined, allowing verbal communication | | | | will be down to just a few. Which features can you |
| by phone and visual by email and text messaging. | | | | live without? An MP3 player and camera may be nice |
| Other capabilities include Internet, fax, and data | | | | features to have, but big files may fill up your memory |
| transfers between your office computer and the | | | | and browsing the Internet could be slow. |
| Smartphone. There are pros and cons to switching | | | | Test the Smartphone |
| over, just like anything else. | | | | Allow time to play and window shop, to make sure |
| The Pros | | | | your Smartphone is comfortable to use. If not, you |
| With just a Smartphone, there's one less item to carry | | | | may consider adding a Bluetooth device. Feel the |
| or forget. You've got Internet access for directions, | | | | weight of it too. It's great to have plenty of memory, |
| email or quick info. Scaled-down versions of certain | | | | but if the device is too cumbersome to carry with you |
| computer applications are available. By using a | | | | then you won't use it. See how things are organized |
| keyboard instead of a phone pad, it becomes easier | | | | on the phone. Does its organization make sense to |
| to type long messages. | | | | you? Can you to find what you're looking for? You |
| The Cons | | | | may want to consider purchasing software to better |
| The initial cost is approximately three times more than | | | | organize it to your style. |
| a regular mobile phone (including additional fees for | | | | Sync Your Smartphone |
| network service access). If you're set on a small | | | | Evaluate the options for software to handle |
| mobile phone, the larger Smartphone may feel a bit | | | | synchronizing contact and other data with your or your |
| bulky. It could take a while to get used to using it, and | | | | organizations existing systems. While there is free |
| text-heavy messages can be a bit difficult to read on | | | | software available on the Web, the current standard is |
| the smaller. Finding your way around and understanding | | | | Microsoft Windows Mobile for Smartphones 5.0. For a |
| all of the features has a bit of a learning curve. So | | | | review of the Smartphones that come packaged with |
| now that you're ready to invest in a Smartphone, | | | | Microsoft Windows Mobile, visit the Microsoft website. |
| which one will you buy and what factors affect this | | | | Consulting with your IT service provider is wise, to |
| decision? | | | | resolve any issues there may be with integrating the |
| Service Contract | | | | new systems. |
| Before deciding what hardware to purchase, carefully | | | | Many businesses are now seeing the opportunity in |
| examine the plans that various service providers are | | | | using a Smartphone for mobile workers. If you travel |
| offering. If purchasing the hardware and plan together, | | | | frequently, consider a solution that could let you leave |
| you may get good discounts for a package plan. Make | | | | your heavy laptop behind. The time has come. |
| sure your plan covers usage since charges can be a | | | | |