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The Latest Emailing, Surfing, Messaging Machine: Your Cell Phone
By Dale Walls
So you’ve finally figured out how to work the camera and reply to the text messages on your mobile phone. What else could there be right? Well now its time to graduate from pix and text to real-time email communication, mobile web sites, and instant messaging; your true mobile communication machine.
In truth, mobile email and web access is nothing new. Research In Motion (RIM) known for the Blackberry devices have been providing a wireless email solution since 1999. A widely adopted and popular solution, the Blackberry provides professionals with a always on connection to email. Initially Blackberry was a data only device primarily used for calendar, contacts, tasks, and email. Subsequent models provided the addition of voice access in addition to the standard PDA-type features.
Blackberry email services were originally available via software loaded on back office email servers or desktops that integrated with the local software to deliver email to the device as it arrived to your inbox. Later versions of Blackberry services allow access to more than corporate emails but added access to POP3, Exchange, and other Web based email services. Many other Java applications have been developed for use with the Blackberry devices.
Windows users were recently presented with Microsoft’s mobile version of its operating system designed for smart phones and PDAs. The latest version referred to as Windows Mobile 5 (WM5) brings the latest in over the air synchronization with your back office email servers and mail clients. Microsoft’s WM5 includes your favorite applications such as pocket versions of Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. These handheld versions of Microsoft Office applications not only allow for users to read these file formats but also compose, edit, and attach them to emails. Additionally, included are pocket versions of Internet Explorer and MSN Messenger.
So you say, why would you need all of this? Well to save time, reach customers and co-workers faster, and have access to Internet without having to pull out a laptop system. Imagine being able to quickly answer customer requests for information while out of the office or in between meetings. This seamless integration will allow you to review and reply to emails using the familiar Outlook platform. Furthermore, the synchronization of contacts, calendar items, and tasks allows for other users on your system to contribute to your success. For example, your colleagues can populate your mailbox with contact information and appointments for which would immediately synchronize with your phone while out in the field.
When in need of information, there are numerous web sites that have been formatted to be viewed by mobile devices such as USA Today, Business Week, ESPN, Google, The Weather Channel, various Airlines, and many more. Now with the .mobi domain namespace, expect to see many more of your favorite web sites to adapt for mobile viewers.
There are various other benefits of the Windows Mobile platform. Applications such as Microsoft CRM, Windows Live Communication Server, and MapPoint are also available in mobile versions. Other applications include Time Tracking software, Microsoft Money, Traffic Monitors, and more.
Wireless providers including Verizon Wireless now include Windows Mobile capable phones in their product lines.
Everyday our businesses become more competitive with increasing requirements of our time for communication and relaying information to others. The new Windows Mobile platform is a vital tool that we can use to keep up with the demand. Look for this technology to empower business owners, sales staff, and account managers in supporting their daily operations.Dale Walls is President of Corsica Technologies, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner & Small Business providing complete IT Solutions for businesses, government, and home computing in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Feel free to contact Dale at 443.262.9290, or by email at dale@corsicatech.com.
