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| Now that you understand which types of handheld devices and options are available, how do you select the right mix of product and features? Consider the following when matching products to employee needs: |
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 | • | Contacts and calendaring: For employees that work in the office at their primary computer most of the time and only need access to their contacts list and calendar outside of the office occasionally, any lower-cost PDA is adequate. |
| • | Email, internet access and messaging: Employees that travel outside the office and need email, internet access and messaging, in addition to contacts and calendaring, benefit from a more advanced device, such as a PDA with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. These devices also enable users to use office productivity applications, such as Microsoft Office Mobile. |
| • | Voice calls and more: Smartphones and converged voice/data devices let you make calls in addition to accessing email and the internet, sending and receiving instant messages, handling basic contact and calendar management and using office productivity applications. For highly mobile employees who spend a lot of time on the road, consider a device with built-in GPS functionality. |
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| For employees that require the highest level of connectivity possible, look for a device that includes Wi-Fi connectivity, broadband wireless (WWAN) access and Bluetooth technology. Users can decide to use the type of connectivity appropriate to their location and circumstances. |
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You can extend the life of your handheld by investing in a device that offers a number of expansion and upgrade options. The number and type of accessories for handheld devices vary far and wide, depending on the model you select. You can acquire anything from a leather belt case to a snap-on digital camera to docking stations.Expansion cards are available for virtually all handhelds. In addition to cards that increase available memory or offer connectivity that's not built into the device, a number of applications and reference materials are available on expansion cards. These include dictionaries, language translators, road atlases and electronic books.Mobile printers, business card scanners and portable presentation devices are just a few of the accessories that can be connected to a handheld. Bluetooth headsets are a must-have for mobile workers who spend a lot of time in the car and need to place and receive phone calls hands-free. For those who need to type a large amount of text, you can get mini-sized and full-sized keyboards that connect directly to the handheld device's USB port or over a Bluetooth or infrared connection.
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| To download the latest Adobe® Reader®, please go to the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com. Adobe and Reader are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. |
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Switch to a handheld | |
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Related links | |
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Related classes | |
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| The HP Learning Center offers a variety of courses related to handhelds and mobile computing. Visit it today and look for: |
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Wireless mobile office |
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Wireless networking solutions |
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Wireless technology and the real estate professional |
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