Friday, September 14, 2007

Use PDA GPS to Safely Explore the World

Global Positioning System, or GPS, is a satellite based system with the ability to identify a location anywhere in the world. GPS receivers can be used for a variety of navigational purposes. Those sold here in Canada are loaded with maps of the USA and/or Canada, a database of hotels, gas stations etc., and automatic routing. With most consumers preferring integrated devices it has become common to have GPS technology combined with PDAs and (often) cell phones in a single device.

A PDA GPS system offers a lot more than just a convenient way to find the golf course nearest to the hotel you are staying in. PDA GPS, since it is portable, can also help you in case you wind up in a part of the world that you have never seen before. Many people can get just as lost walking, or going for a leisurely hike, as they can when they go for a drive. With a PDA GPS system you can always have the option of trying to get accurate directions to help you find your way out of nearly any situation. I have not had a chance to own one of these integrated units but it seems to me that in addition to helping business and pleasure travellers these units could literally be a life saver. I live in Northwestern Ontario and every year hikers or joggers inadvertently get lost. sometimes with tragic results . Much of our rural and remote areas have no cell coverage, and GPS doesn’t work well in heavy forest or wet conditions but a GPS must give you an edge in staying orientated.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Blackberry Allows Constant Communication for Travelers

When I started work 30 years ago business travellers had a difficult time keeping in touch with supervisors, employees and customers. I was the father of a young family and truthfully the time I spent travelling was often the only time I had to myself. However, in the past decade the expectation to be in almost constant contact with email, text messaging and telephone has become a need of employers. This is answered by the Blackberry handheld device.

Initially, the Blackberry was valued as a means for workers to monitor their email while on the road. Being able to receive incoming correspondence and by using its thumb-driven keyboard, send emails as well, business travelers could be in constant contact with customers and their home office. Web browsing is also useful for those who rely on web information such as stock prices to stay ahead of their competition.

Employers love these devices for the ability to deal with subordinates using instant access. In the years since its 1999 introduction by Research In Motion, the company has accumulated over eight million Blackberry subscribers. Its roles have grown tremendously since the addition of its model 8800, and its incorporation as a cell phone along with other business related applications.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

The Blackberry 8800

The Blackberry 8800 is a fast powerful device with a QWERTY keyboard and a good sized display. Anyone who has tried out the Blackberry 8800 will find it incredibly fast and also very powerful because the Blackberry 8800 has a very fast processor and also because of the EDGE technology. If you are looking for something with which to surf the web and do a lot of e-mailing then this product is worth a careful look.

Outstanding Email Functions

You won’t fail to be impressed with the outstanding e-mailing that is possible with the Blackberry 8800 and you will enjoy staying connected and there is more to it than simple Internet connectivity; it also has encryption available that will make your emails more secure. And, for those who require corporate emailing, the Blackberry 8800 provides them with instant connectivity as you do not have to synchronize it with your PC and what’s more, you can have your emails with attachments ready for viewing even when you are not at your desk.

Besides excellent emailing features, the Blackberry 8800 also has a speaker phone and Bluetooth technology. There is also a mute feature as well and with its Speaker Independent Voice Recognition or SIVR it makes it very convenient to dial from a contacts list without needing to use your hands. And, there’s more as you can get to listen to any song and watch videos over a stereo headset and there is also a quad-band radio world phone which means that you are still connected to your friends and family even when abroad.

When you purchase a Blackberry device you are getting one of the best products as far as wireless devices go and the Blackberry 8800 is thinner than its predecessor though it still has the complete keyboard. Many people report it feels solid compared to some other Blackberry products. It lacks a camera but it is backwards compatible with a number of third party Blackberry applications.

You will enjoy the built-in GPS and multimedia that are bundled in the device and there is also micro SD slot for additional memory. The GPS is reportedly a little slow to acquire a satellite signal compared to other GPS units but is still very useful. It also allows users to generate maps from any address and then send these maps through e-mail.

All in all, the blackberry 8800 is an excellent product that deserves to be given a look. Its many features pack a lot of power in quite a unique product. It is stylish and its faults are few.

Consider These Ideas When Looking For the Best PDA

Many of us find that doing research at home will shorten the list of systems that might be the best PDA for them. At the least research done ahead of walking into a store can make the shopping process less stressful. Information about PDA’s is simple to locate by typing in the words personal digital assistant. There will be many on line ads describing the various products, and plenty of places to read reviews on the products and what their capabilities are.

Primary for many of us among the things to consider when looking at PDA’s is, of course, cost. There are many similar PDA’s that can offer consumers almost the same benefits and the price can vary. Be a savvy consumer and shop around to find the best deal.

Eventually you will need to decide whether to get a palm or a pocket PDA. Both have benefits and sometimes it is just a matter of taste. A palm PDA can be less expensive, but may not be up to the capabilities of a pocket PDA. A palm may have more free software available, easier to use and is known to be more of an organizer.

The pocket PDA may be more practical if you are tech savvy and want a model that is more of a computer. Pocket PDA’s are known to crash more, so again if you’re comfortable with technology this may not be a disturbing event for you. Some consumers begin with a palm PDA because it is less expensive and then move onto the Pocket PDA when they become more proficient with the device.

Selecting the best PDA for you really has to do with your own interests and abilities. Talk to people that you know that have either type. See what they feel is worked for them and how easy they were to use. The best PDA is really about doing research into what type of product will fit into your life. Check out the systems offered in stores and be sure to ask questions.

You’ve decided what to buy and are happy with your decision. A word of caution, this is a quickly changing market and the best PDA for you today might not meet your needs two years from now. Try to keep an open mind to the (eventual) need to upgrade.

What is the Best PDA for You?

PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant and quite a few North Americans now use these devices to keep order in their lives. Finding the right PDA for your needs can be an overwhelming task as there are quite a few options. As with any major purchase you are better off doing research before buying what you hope is the best PDA for you.