Stephen Nold

Mobile Master
July 16, 2007

Just based on the ability to keep us connected to the workplace, cell phones deliver great business value to tradeshow floors and conference halls.  Apart from the distraction to the event focus, the Meetings industry can benefit from cellular technology as it evolves. 

As I rushed back across three states last week to catch a flight, I decided to try one of the new features on my Palm Treo 755P. While I was already familiar with some applications from older Treo devices, it was time to utilize Google maps and mobile instant messaging. 

Google Mobile Maps has enhanced application speed in this latest version, along with real-time traffic reports and detailed directions.  Shorter startup time, quick access to location/business searches as well as direction request and a traffic info toggle button makes map navigation more comparable to the desktop experience. It did not take long for me to create a personal ‘turn by turn’ map customized to our path.  

After downloading the mobile version of my Yahoo instant messaging application, I accessed the IM application which offers AOL, Windows Live (MSN) and Yahoo IM services with a desktop look and feel. Palm allows me to log into all three IM services simultaneously and see all contact lists by clicking on a tab for each account. The IM client offers Status options (online, busy, invisible), saved conversations, automatic sign-in, Quick Text (canned sample text) and emoticons.

I was able to see company employees online back at the office and send messages inquiring about projects. Realizing that I needed to complete some phone calls, one member of our team emailed me a list of names that were not contained in my personal contact database.

In past travels, I would have waited three hours later to launch a notebook computer to communicate with the rest of the world. In today’s age of instant cellular communications, I was connected as we scrambled down the back roads of Indiana. In the midst of corn fields, I had email and instant messaging capabilities equivalent to my own high speed internet access at the office. 

I must confess this level of access is both exciting and scary. I am pretty certain I know when to shut off access from the rest of the world. But now that Blogger offers Blogger Mobile, can the rest of the world shut off access to me?

Posted by Stephen Nold on July 16, 2007 | Comments (2)