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This work-for-hire piece was published with sidebar in Washington REALTOR® PROfile Magazine (Volume 1 Issue 5, May 2007) which is the Bimonthly Publication direct mailed to over 27,000 REALTORS®. Article
Word Count: 496 NO REPRINTS Communication
Tools for REALTORS® By Laura J. Christian We've heard it time and time again: "Communication is key". This familiar adage applies to almost every aspect of life, from relationships to business. It is especially true for Realtors who want to stay in contact with their clients and be easily accessible to potential clients. When asked in an informal poll which of today's tools helped maintain communication the most, many Realtors responded they couldn't live without their cell phone, followed closely by email. These have become the essential business tools in today's interconnected world. For those looking to simplify their life a Smartphone - basically a cell phone/PDA with computer like capability - is an exciting option. Today's Smartphones combine the best of the communication technologies in a handy little package, keeping you available to your clients via both voice and email. If you are considering adding a Smartphone to your life, here is some information on four of the latest and greatest: LG ENV VX9900 A bit boxy, the enV boasts a roomy screen and QWERTY keyboard as well as a two-megapixel camera for those all-important property shots. It includes an impressive multimedia array of features and EV-DO network. The enV's weakness is in its somewhat heavy design and extra charges for text messaging. This Smartphone is a great choice for those in need of an easy-to-use high quality multimedia cell phone. Motorola Q A thin and lightweight device, the Motorola Q has a bright open screen and a QWERTY keyboard. It features a 1.3 megapixel camera that takes decent pictures for posting on the web, and supports Bluetooth technology. The chief complaint against the Motorola Q is the lack of Wi-Fi (though it does support EV-DO) and what some users consider a quirky navigation. This Smartphone would be a good selection for the style conscious and those who want good Internet capabilities. PALM® TREO™ 680 An easy-to-use pocketbook friendly device the TREO™ is a good option for a first-time buyer. It includes a backlit QWERTY keyboard and delivers decent overall performance. As an added bonus it comes in 4 attractive colors. The downside is the very low-resolution pictures (not good for posting detailed images) and its large size. Still the TREO™ is good for those who want an uncomplicated general use device. RIM Blackberry® 8703e The RIM Blackberry® is known for its advanced email features and is one of the few Smartphones out there that include real-time delivery of emails (other devices need to be manually connected to retrieve email). This handy device includes a bright full-color screen and QWERTY keyboard. It also comes with Bluetooth technology. The main grievance is the lack of IM (Instant Messaging) capabilities, though it does support text messaging. If email access is your top priority then the RIM Blackberry® is an excellent choice. Whichever Smartphone you decide to go with you will benefit from the connectivity to your clients and increased productivity. Just don't forget to "unplug" every now and then - these things can be addictive! Sidebar: Definitions: Bluetooth: The name of the wireless technology that allows high-speed data connections to personal electronics such as cell phones, PDAs, laptops, printers, and more. The main use of Bluetooth is to replace cables for transferring data via personal devices. EV-DO: Evolution Data Only; A high-speed wireless technology for broadband access. EV-DO is mainly geared to voice and data communications. PDA: Personal Digital Assistant; A hand-held computer that holds personal organization data such as addresses, calendars and more. PDA's usually use a stylus (a pen-like pointer) on a screen of icons to enter data. Smartphone: A cell phone with advanced personal computer-like capabilities, most notably wireless Internet & email access, all in a convenient handheld package. Data is usually entered via a small keyboard. Wi-Fi: Short for "Wireless Fidelity" which is a specific type of wireless technology creating wireless local area networks (WLAN). Wi-Fi is mainly used for wireless high-speed Internet access and networking. |
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