Cell Phones

Ted Oatts, Chair
2004 Tech Users Forum/ Panel
(April 2004)

Hello, and welcome back to Technology Tools and Tips! Last month our committee reviewed cell phones. We had speakers from Cingular Wireless, (by Bell-Haun who is an affiliate member of CBR), then Nextel, and finally Sprint. Here is a summary from each of their presentations. We hope these reviews will give you some ideas and help you in your real estate business. Enjoy!

Bell-Haun Systems and Cingular Wireless are excited to demonstrate our new wireless data products which include the Handspring Treo 600 and Nokia?s D311 wireless modem cards. Cingular Wireless offers a number of advantages. Cingular is the only carrier to offer ?rollover? of your unused minutes to be used in the future when needed. Cingular has true nationwide mobile-to-mobile service. True nationwide service plans (never pay roaming or long distance). Cingular has the largest GSM digital network in the country and offers the most international roaming agreements. CelLink gives customers the ability to call the office without using their ?peak? minutes thus making the REALTOR® more productive for less money. Bell-Haun Systems has been endorsed by the CBR since 1990. Please call Chris Shaheen @ 614-895-4103 with any questions.

Nextel has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the USA. Solutions presented by Nextel were the Telenav GPS solution and the Nextel Blackberry 7510. Telenav leverages the GPS and Java capabilities of the Nextel i730 handset, providing real-time, audible driving directions, integrating digital cellular voice, Nationwide Direct Connect walkie talkie, email and web browsing, all in one device. This solution will ?push? email directly to the Blackberry handheld device, enabling REALTORS® to receive and reply to emails quickly and easily while in the field. Functionality of the Blackberry 7510 includes the ability to wirelessly synchronize Outlook calendars.? Finally, Nextel introduced Mobile Listing Advantage. This solution, if adopted by the CBR, would allow CBR members to securely access MLS information, in real-time, directly from their Blackberry 7510, quickly and efficiently! Nextel is proud to be the new VIP Alliance partner of the National Association of REALTORS®. More information about the special offers available exclusively to NAR members can be found at Nextel.com/nar.

Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access is a high-speed wireless data service that uses 802.11b technology. Once a user has an account there are two ways to connect: Web-based log-in using one?s Internet browser, or by using PCS Connection ManagerSM Software with Wi-Fi, which enables customers to manage the service in hundreds of other Sprint compatible public Wi-Fi zones in a consistent and convenient manner by simply pressing ?Go? once registered. The Sprint PCS Ready Link Phone RL-7300 by Sanyo offers nationwide press-to-talk capability.

Sprint PCS Ready Link: Now you can enjoy the convenience of quick, walkie-talkie style communication nationwide with one or several Sprint PCS Ready Link users anywhere you go on the most complete all-digital wireless network in the nation. Ideal for quick two-way conversation with family, friends and co-workers. Sprint PCS Vision enabled: Sprint PCS Ready Link, Messaging, Games, Ringers, Screen Savers, Web, Sprint PCS Business Connection. Voice Activated Dialing: Say the name of the person you want to call and the number is dialed automatically without using the keypad. Built-in Speakerphone: Hands-free operation of your phone, open or closed, is made easy with the built-in speakerphone. Speakerphone is 24mm diameter. New users can establish a Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access account at www.wifi.sprintpcs.com.

Thank you to the cell phone representatives who gave us an update on what is available in their products.

I want to remind you that all CBR members already have the ability to download the current MLS information every day with your new e-Key. Next month, we will bring you information about security issues for your computers including virus protection, spam, and hackers. Until then, always remember we choose daily whether or not to become better at what we do, learn a better way, or share something new. I encourage you to put into practice the ?Oatts Philosophy?, ?Everyday is a new day and a new opportunity!