Today's Mobile Devices: Which One Is for You?

You've made the decision to go mobile — or more likely, your boss made the decision for you. Now what?

Not so long ago, there was really only one solution. You spent perhaps more money than you wanted on a laptop, and you got used to carrying a big, heavy shoulder bag.

But inevitably, mobile devices have gotten smaller, cheaper and more powerful. Nowadays there's a bewildering array of options, each with a slightly different degree of connectivity and processing power. If you know what you want to do on the road, and how much data you will need to send and receive, the picture should become a bit clearer. Here's a quick tour of what today's mobile devices offer.

Smartphones: Adding E-mail and Internet Access
As the name suggests, these are phones that offer a bit extra. A Smartphone packs the memory and processor power of a small computer into the case of a typical mobile handset. For instance, Windows Mobile-based Smartphones are designed for one-handed operation with keypad access to both voice and data features. They are optimised for voice and text communication and allow wireless access to Outlook information and encrypted browsing to corporate and Internet information and services. With Windows Mobile-based Smartphones you have a choice of communicating via voice or text along with the ability to access information and services so you can stay in touch while on the go.

Even the cheapest mobile phones these days include a basic calendar and address book. The equivalent applications on a Smartphone come much closer to what you would expect on a desktop PC — and perhaps most importantly, they are able to synchronise with their desktop equivalents.

The built-in phone connection lets you send and receive e-mails or look at Web sites on the move. But if you plan to do a lot of typing or reading, you'll probably find the small screen and numeric keypad rather restrictive.

PDA/Pocket PC: Running Programs from a Touch Screen
One step up from the Smartphone is the PDA (personal digital assistant) or Pocket PC. Rather than a keyboard, these have a touch screen much larger than the screen on a Smartphone, and can learn to recognise your handwriting.

Like a Smartphone, they include e-mail, diary and address book programs—which all benefit from the larger screen. They also include mini word processor and spreadsheet programs. In the case of Windows-powered Pocket PCs, you'll feel immediately at home with Pocket Word and Pocket Excel.

The cheapest models rely on a cable connection to hook up to your desktop PC. Spend a little more and you can have Bluetooth capability, eliminating the need for a cable — or even wireless network (Wi-Fi) connectivity, giving you high-speed Internet in the palm of your hand.

If you want all this and a mobile phone too, you might look at combined devices. Although a bit big in phone terms, these hybrids provide the convenience of having everything in one handheld unit that fits in your pocket. Newer models in this category also feature mini keyboards.

Laptop/Tablet PC: The Mobile Worker Standard
The familiar laptop remains the most common technology for the mobile worker. From the ultra-chic portable to the most powerful desktop PC replacement, today's laptops come in all sizes — and at a wide range of prices. Many now come with communications technology like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in.

If you're looking for a new laptop, it's worth looking at Tablet PCs. Described as the evolution of laptop computing, Tablet PCs add touch screen functions to the standard Windows XP setup. While individual models vary, all of them can be used clipboard-style using handwriting recognition.

Microsoft has developed special editions of familiar Office programs like Word and PowerPoint to make use of the new functions. Newer programs like OneNote give you the ability to take handwritten notes and draw diagrams.

Connections: Cellular Networks and Wi-Fi
Laptops, PocketPCs and Smartphones can connect to the Internet directly over the same cellular networks used to make mobile phone calls. Phones that support the GPRS standard can connect at speeds similar to a dial-up modem, while third-generation (3G) wireless phones can connect at near-broadband speed. Either way, phone companies charge for data connections by volume: the more you send or receive, the greater the cost.

A laptop or PocketPC can connect using a regular mobile phone as a modem. You can also buy a data card that plugs into a laptop that is, in effect, a phone in its own right. A Smartphone, by definition, has its data connection built in.

You'll get a much faster connection using Wi-Fi, a wireless technology that replaces traditional network cables with a short-range radio link. A computer that supports the Wi-Fi standard can connect to the Internet via base stations at home, in the office or at public wireless hotspots. These are springing up rapidly in cafes, airports and hotels.

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