Smartphones | How-to Guides for running your business from Business.com

When does a phone become more than just a phone? Easy. When it can send e-mail, take pictures, connect to the Internet and organize your calendar—all from the palm of your hand. That’s when an average cell phone becomes a smartphone, not to mention a lifesaver for your small business.

Part PDA and part cell phone, smartphones are the ultimate business tool for the mobile entrepreneur. Not all smartphones are created equal, however. So if you’re in the market to buy one, consider the following phone features before making your final purchase:

1. Operating system.
2. Network.
3. E-mail connectivity.
4. Synchronization.
5. Memory.
6. Display.
7. Battery power.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide if you need a smartphone

What sets most smartphones apart from regular cell phones is the ability to send and receive e-mail; if you don’t need e-mail connectivity, you probably don’t need to spring for a smartphone, either. Having one, though, can eliminate the need to cram two separate devices into your pocket or briefcase.

I recommend: Smartphones might benefit your most mobile employees, too. So if you want your staff to be accessible when you need to make your next on-the-fly sale, consider springing for a group plan. Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon all offer reasonable group cell phone plans for small businesses with shared minutes, discounted phones, etc.

Select the right operating system for your smartphone

Smartphones are available with several operating systems, each with their own distinct advantages. Do your homework to find out which system will best meet your needs.

I recommend: The major smartphone operating systems are BlackBerry, Linux, Palm, Symbian and Windows Mobile; CNET’s “Quick guide to handheld operating systems” can help you decide which is right for you.

Choose the smartphone features that you need

Smartphones can do almost anything you need them to do. Among the features they offer are digital cameras, email connectivity, data storage and Bluetooth, among many others. Decide what features you need most and choose your phone wisely.

I recommend: Perhaps the most important feature you can look for in a smartphone is a good warranty. Smartphones aren’t cheap, after all, and if your phone is stolen or broken you’ll be glad you sprung for the guarantee. Consider buying phone insurance, too, as added protection. Your current provider should offer a low-cost—typically $3 to $5 per month—insurance plan; third-party providers include Asurion, which runs electronic claim site PhoneClaim.com, Signal and lock/line.

Shop for smartphones and data plans with your current provider

Smartphones tend to be more expensive than your average mobile phone, ranging anywhere from $100 to more than $1,000. You might be able to snag a good deal, however, if you arrange an upgrade with your current service provider.

I recommend: All of the major cell phone carriers—including Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon—offer smartphone models and service plans; most charge extra for the data transfer required by smartphones to send e-mail and browse the Internet.

Check third-party and online retailers for smartphone deals

Before you buy anything these days—including a smartphone—it’s a good idea to check prices on the Internet. Consider refurbished models for even more savings.

I recommend: Compare smartphone prices online and read reviews at either BizRate or Yahoo! Shopping.

Outfit your smartphone with accessories

Smartphones are pretty powerful on their own. Accessories such as carrying cases, memory cards and extra batteries, however, can quickly and easily give your smartphone extra muscle and oomph.

I recommend: Find oodles of cool smartphone accessories at your local RadioShack or online at retailers such as Extreme PDA, Pocket Solutions and AccessoryGeeks.com.

Download third-party software for your smartphone

Smartphones come fully loaded with plenty of useful applications. Consider customizing your smartphone, however, with extra software—including games, office applications and personal organizers—to make it even smarter.

I recommend: Download third-party applications for your smartphone from Handango; you can find industry-specific applications, project management software and a multitude of fun widgets.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Pay attention to the type of network that your smartphone uses. Most use two networks—the GSM mobile phone network for voice and the GPRS network for data transmission. Some smartphones, however, offer other options. If you’re looking for fast data transfer, for example, look for smartphones that offer EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) connectivity; if you want improved multimedia capability, look for smartphones with 3G connectivity.
Consider screen and keyboard. If you intend to use your phone outdoors, for instance, you’ll need a phone with a transflective screen, which absorbs the sun’s rays for outdoor readability. Similarly, if you intend to send a lot of e-mail from your phone, you’ll probably want a phone with a QWERTY keyboard, which is laid out like a computer keyboard rather than a telephone keypad.
Among smartphones’ most useful features is the ability to synchronize with computers—transferring contacts, e-mails and other important files instantly so that your mobile office is always complete and current. To make the most of this feature, make sure your computer and smartphone are compatible. You’ve got a problem, for instance, if your smartphone synchronizes wirelessly via Bluetooth, but your computer requires a wired USB transfer, instead.
Remember, a smartphone’s main function is still as a mobile phone. If you need more advanced mobile office functions, consider purchasing a hybrid, instead. Hybrids are basically full-service PDAs that also have mobile phone functionality; they’re larger than smartphones and their main function is for data—not voice—transfer.

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