Mobile Devices

Mobile Phones
PDAs
One Box Solution
Two Box Solution
Laptop data cards

Mobile Phones

Because everybody is different and has different requirements, we will start off by outlining what we see as key features you should consider when selecting a new business mobile phone. There are features such as Bluetooth that you may not need today but will be invaluable as you become more 'connected' with the wireless data world.

Features you should consider include:

	Bluetooth: Even if you don't use this now, it is so much better to use than IR. or a cable it is an option you can't ignore if you are serious about data. Also with the current uncertainty about the safety of prolonged use of GSM phones, it makes sense to use a Bluetooth headset which uses a much lower powered radio close to your head.
	Infra Red: IR. is not so critical if you are fully Bluetooth enabled, but is worth having to 'beam' your business card over to another phone or PDA.
	Size: Phones are still getting smaller which leaves very little room for the keyboard. As a business tool don't go for the smallest as you will want to be able to dial without double checking the display for mistakes all the time. (Consider the Nokia 6310i or Ericsson R520m if you can still get one). Large phones may not be 'cool' but they are much easier to use.
	Battery Life: Using GPRS will drain your battery, so make sure you have decent performance in this area.
	No. of supported GPRS timeslots: This is only relevant when you start downloading data files or browsing the web on an attached computer - if you are only expecting to use Email and messaging it is not so critical.
	Flip phones: You will soon activate your keyboard lock after your phone has made a few accidental calls whilst in your pocket. Then you will become frustrated with having to remove the key-lock every time you want to use the phone. This is where phones with a hinge or flip to cover the keyboard are useful - they can maintain a small size yet can still be good to use.

As an example of good quality business phones consider the following models from Ericsson and Nokia:

PDAs

Everyday we are seeing more and more connectivity options for PDAs of all types, some come with built-in GPRS or Bluetooth, or have expansion slots or connectors where you can plug in a cable or Bluetooth radio. Most come with IR.

One Box Solution

There are now many second-generation PDAs on the market with a built in mobile phone. In the Microsoft camp you have a choice between Smartphones and PocketPC devices. In general the PocketPC devices are larger and have a touch screen for data entry in the traditional PDA form factor (eg the O2 XDA2i shown here). Smartfones (try the Orange SPV 2000) use a traditional phone keypad for data entry and look more like a standard mobile with a large display.

One of the most popular types os non-Microsoft Smartphone are those using the Symbian operating system. You have a choice between touch-screen devices such as the SonyEricsson R100 and keypad devices such as the Nokia 6630 or 6680.

 

Two Box Solution

I find the devices from the traditional phone makers have much better phone operation than the PDA type devices, whilst the PDAs have excellent data handling and compatability with PC applications. The result is that I use an XDA2i for mobile email and instant messaging, and have an Nokia 6230 for phone calls. I can rely on the Nokia as it has excellent battery life and a great user interface - its just good to use. If you visit a mobile phone operator you will find many of the staff using this phone (soon to replaced with the 6230i which has a better display and camera).

If your PDA doesn't have a built in phone then you can still use Bluetooth to provide the mobile data. This is the traditional way of connecting your PDA with a GPRS enabled mobile phone.

Even if you have an older PDA without Bluetooth it is usually an easy process to upgrade by plugging in a Bluetooth expansion module - this will work with many PDAs including the market leading Compaq IPAQs and PALMs.

Once you have Bluetooth it is an easy step to connect to other Bluetooth devices - get yourself a:

• Bluetooth Car kit - never upgrade your car kit again!
• Bluetooth Headset (Earpiece)
• Bluetooth USB adapter for your Desktop/Laptop PC - here you can connect to the Internet through your home or office, wired connection to reduce your GPRS data bill.

Setup help and Drivers

Laptop Data Cards

Plugging in a data card to your laptop is a relatively simple way to get connected to the Internet. GPRS cards will connect at rates comparable to a dial-up modem working over a phone line, with sustained rates of around 35kbps. Web browsing is ok and the non-time sensitve tasks such as messaging and email work great.

The latest GPRS data cards provide four uplink slots and four downlink slots (a slot is the data reserved for a single voice call - typically 14 kbps) - this is far higher than we are likely to see from a mobile phone. The result is that you will benefit from faster Internet access and much faster sending of emails or FTP than you would get from a two-box solution. The downside is the cost of the card and you will also require an additional SIM card. Most data cards provide a voice circuit but this is of limited use as it will only work with the Laptop powered up.

Upgrading to to a 3G data card provides quite a hike in performance but many networks have failed to modernise their data pricing, charging the same as prices as GPRS - the result is that the high speed connection can eat data rapidly resulting in large bills.

The other problem with 3G cards is more down to the rather poor coverage of the new 3G networks. Unless you live in a large town with good coverage, the card will often switch back to GPRS giving much reduced performance.

In the next couple of years a new 3G technolgy is being introduced in many areas called HSDPA - this will increase the download speed of 3G to a few hundred kbps - comparable with a broadband connection.

And my favorite: My current favorite combination is the Nokia 6230 phone for voice calls and a O2 XDA2i for mobile web browsing, email and instant messaging. Both work with a Nokia HS-4W Bluetooth headset as I prefer to minimise the amount of time I hold a phone to my ear (especially when making 2-3 hours of calls each day).