Understanding Mobile E-mail and Applications

 

Author: Spencer J Casey


Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:00 CST - Cell phone providers such as Alltel, Verizon, ATT, and T-Mobile are continually modifying and improving their networks to enhance the exchange of data. With a mobile data plan and a compatible smart phone, cell phone users have the tools to quickly access the web, send and receive e-mail messages, check flight times, communicate via blogs, and even update their status on twitter. As with all technology, being able to understand mobile applications and exchange e-mail while on the go is critical.

So how do you get started? In most cases, you can contact your cell phone provider for pricing on data plans. Mobile data plan pricing and options range widely from provider to provider. In my case, Verizon offers an unlimited data plan for $20/month. This includes web browsing and e-mail exchange. In addition, you will need to inquire about a compatible smart phone.  A smart phone is equipped with mobile operating systems such as Android (Google), Blackberry (RIM), IPhone (Apple) or Windows Mobile (Microsoft).

The smart phone itself offers many advantages over the traditional cell phone, including a touch-screen display, calendar options, music, mobile documents, web browser, etc. Once again pricing on phones can vary a great deal and often depend on the length of service contract. I highly recommend doing a little research online BEFORE purchasing a smart phone. It is important to purchase a smart phone that is compatible with your business and/or home computer and e-mail client. Why? With a mini USB cable you can sync your smart phone with your home computer. This will allow you to manage your business contacts and documents while away from your desktop. In my particular case, I run a Windows Vista computer and use Outlook 2007 as my e-mail client. I was specifically interested in a smart phone that would sync with Outlook and handle Word, Excel, and PDF documents. I purchased the HTC Touch Pro for $199, and signed on for a two-year contract. The HTC Touch Pro has a Windows Mobile operating system, and comes standard with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.   For more information on this specific phone, please view the HTC Touch Pro tutorial on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pENEldRxuwQ.

Once you get your mobile data plan and smart phone you are on your way. You now have the ability to browse the web from about anywhere. If you choose to sync your new smart phone with your desktop computer you can access your contact list (address book, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses) while traveling.   Furthermore, with most mobile data plans you get unlimited texting. This alone helps you stay in touch and correspond with family and business associates.

Once you have your smart phone, I recommend that you get familiar with Google’s mobile website (www.google.com/mobile) and Live Search (www.live.com). These two website are designed for small web browsers on your smart phone. Both search engines can help you quickly search for people, phone numbers, and businesses online. This is extremely handy when you do not have a telephone directory or contact information for a customer or friend. You should also consider finding a reliable news (www.foxnews.com/mobile ) and weather (http://mobile.weather.gov) website. If your cell phone has GPS capabilities, I would recommend downloading Google maps. This free software allows you to see your location on a map, search business listing, and get directions within your GPS location. Finally, I also like RSS Hub. This software allows you to subscribe to RSS feeds. This is a quick way to have information delivered automatically to your smart phone from RSS feeds rather than spend time searching the web for new information or articles. For instance, you can subscribe to this feed, (http://www.caseydesigns.com/feed.xml). When on the road you can access all the articles posted without having to browse to my website.

Finally, you will want to configure your smart phone to access your business and/or personal e-mail account. Your smart phone will come equipped with a mobile e-mail client. Contact your current e-mail provider to see if they have instructions / settings to access your e-mail account from your new smart phone. This should be a free service. You probably will need to share with them what type of operating system you have on your smart phone, (i.e.: Android, Blackberry, IPhone, or Windows Mobile).

I recommend setting up your mobile e-mail account using the IMAP settings. An IMAP e-mail account will allow you to access e-mail messages located on a remote mail server (not download them directly to your phone). You can read, respond, and delete messages; accessing the messages directly on the mail server. This will ensure that you can retrieve saved e-mail from home and/or the office at a later date.

As with all facets of business, it is important to incorporate and use the latest technology to keep ahead of the competition. Using mobile e-mail and applications is just another way to remain a leader in your respective field. If you are interested in mobile e-mail applications, Casey Designs provides mobile e-mail solutions at affordable rates...
 

 

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