Hannah Tattersall brings together all the latest mobile technology for start-ups.
1) Mobile Messenger
If you’re looking for PDA technology, HP’s iPAQ hw6515 mobile messenger is sleek and compact with phone, data, email and internet facilities allowing you to take your office with you on the go. As an added bonus, it comes with Sensis’ offer of a free one-month subscription to their new wireless application, the Whereis Navigator. With built in street navigation, you’ll have quicker routing, leaving you with more time to spend with clients.
- Features:
- • Built-in HP Photosmart 1.3 mega-pixel camera
- • Removable flip cover
- • 64MB RAM (55MB main memory)
- • QWERTY keyboard
- • Internal antennas
Product: HP iPAQ hw6515 Mobile Messenger
Cost: $1,199 (incl GST)
2) Sony Laptop Vaio
For travelling in style, you might want to check out the new laptop from Sony Vaio. The VGN-TX17 boasts an integrated DVD/CD burner, a 60GB hard drive and 512MB of memory. At the push of the AV mode button, users can also listen to music, watch DVDs and browse photos, making it the perfect travel companion. Available in platinum white or sapphire black, the stylish design is an ultra-slim 4.5mm in thickness, the VGN-TX17 weighs in at only 1.24kg.
- Features:
- • Extended battery provides operation up to 14.5 hours
- • Combined mobile office and entertainment unit
- • 10-layer motherboard and white LED
- • Gentle feel (?) and easy-to-use keyboard
Product: Sony VAIO ultra portable notebook
Cost: $3,799
3) Ferrari Notebook
Like its namesake and inspiration, the Ferrari 4000 notebook looks great and is set to offer pulse-racing performance. Its black carbon fibre shell with racy red trim comes from a material pioneered in the world of Formula One, to deliver lightweight durability. The 15.4-inch TFT wide screen display is supported by a fast speed X700 graphics chipset with 128MB DDR memory: ideal for users wanting wireless signal strength and performance. Or you might just fancy being the coolest geek in the office.
- Features:
- • DVD-Super double-layer reader/burner and 5-in-1 card-reader
- • Easy and reliable data backup and system restoration without the need for recovery CDs
- • Slot loading 8 x DVD with Super Multi Dual Layer Burning
Product: Ferrari 4000 Carbon Fibre Notebook
Cost: From $2,999
4) palmOne LifeDrive
The slick palmOne LifeDrive has been developed in response to increasing demand for digital information mobility. With 3.85GB of usable storage, users can store and access 1,200 office documents, 6,000 emails, 10,000 appointments, and 50 voicemails.
- Features:
- • 320 x 480mm high-resolution colour screen flips from landscape to portrait
- • Drive mode transfers files between PC and Macintosh
- • Sleek and compact—12.1cm x 7.3cm x 1.9cm, weighing 192.8g
- • Built-in stylus, voice recorder button and microphone
Product: LifeDrive Mobile Manager
Cost: $899.00
5) U3 Smart Drive USB
Just when you thought you couldn’t fit anything else in your pocket, along comes the Store ‘n’ Go USB drive. About the size of a pack of gum, Verbatim’s latest smart drive allows users the flexibility to carry software applications, PC settings and files with them wherever they go.
Plug it into your USB port and gone is the worry about leaving any personal information behind.
- Features:
- • Package includes pre-loaded McAfee anti-virus software
- • Ability to launch portable applications
- • Compatible with all U3 Smart Software
Product: Verbatim 1GB Store’n’Go U3 Smart Drive
Cost: $149.00
6) Mobile I.Q.
Mobile phone companies are becoming increasingly savvy about what their users expect from the latest technology. So the most recent smartphone from O2 incorporates business tools and multimedia entertainment features into its slick new design. Dubbed the ‘white knight’ because of its neat silver and white appearance, the O2 Xphone IIm can hold MP3 and video files, and has a hotkey to browse websites. It’s not all fun and games however, with the latest model featuring Microsoft Pocket Outlook, letting you manage email, appointments, contacts and schedules while away from the office.
- Features:
- • Wireless modem
- • GPRS and Bluetooth connectivity
- • MSN Messenger access
- • Supports WAV, WMA, MP3, AMR and AAC music file formats
Product: 02 Xphone IIm
Cost: $649.00
All prices correct as of January 2006
