Forget the crumbling economy. It’s the holiday season, and that means it’s time to reward yourself for a year’s worth of hard work—with some high-tech gear for next year. We’ve rounded up some of the world’s best gadgetry, including phones, GPS receivers, Bluetooth headsets, and more. These aren’t just toys—they’re practical accessories that can help you do business better. And you know what they say: It takes money to make money. Consider these tools for your 2009 tech arsenal.
1: Netbook Computer
Forget notebooks — this year, the word is “netbooks.” Also known as mini-PCs and ultra-mobile PCs (or UMPCs, for short), netbooks shrink everything you need for basic computing into a compact, lightweight, inexpensive package. How compact? Most netbooks are about the size of a slim hardcover book, usually measuring no more than 1.25 inches thick. How lightweight? Usually 2-3 pounds, depending on the size of the screen. Speaking of which, netbook screens are about 9 inches diagonally on average — quite small by notebook standards — and many netbooks have keyboards that are too small for touch typing. But they’re fine for tasks like checking email, updating your blog, downloading photos from your camera, and so on. And there’s much to be said for a portable PC that weighs only a couple pounds and doesn’t fill your entire briefcase. Best of all, you can get an entry-level netbook for as little as $300 and a well-equipped model for around $600. Look for systems from Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, and MSI, among others. And be sure to choose one that runs the Windows operating system; many of the lower-end models come equipped with Linux (which, for the record, is perfectly good).
2: Smartphone
In last year’s holiday guide, we praised the iPhone for its elegant design and unparalleled Web browser, but dinged it for pokey Internet performance and lack of support for corporate email. The newer iPhone 3G solves both those problems while adding outstanding new features, including GPS and an application store that sends the iPhone’s versatility through the roof. Alas, you’re still stuck with AT&T if you want the iPhone — no other carrier currently offers it. However, there are other smartphones to consider, including the T-Mobile G1 and Verizon BlackBerry Storm. The G1 is the first phone equipped with Google’s highly anticipated Android operating system, while the Storm is RIM’s first all-touchscreen BlackBerry. In short, they’re both iPhone wanna-be’s, but unlike the first generation of competing products, they’re the first models you might actually wanna-get. One final note: If you do a lot of texting and/or emailing on the run, you might prefer a phone with an actual keyboard. All three of the aforementioned models use onscreen keyboards, which some people find awkward to use.
3: GPS Receiver
Arriving late to an appointment because you got lost or stuck in traffic makes a bad impression. You can avoid both kinds of delays with a GPS receiver, which plots the quickest route to your next destination using satellite technology. All models provide voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions, but the latest ones add amenities like Bluetooth and real-time traffic updates.
Garmin’s nuvi 770, for instance, incorporates a special FM receiver that displays alerts about traffic delays and road construction, and then gives you the option of taking a detour around the trouble spots. The TomTom GO 910, meanwhile, doubles as a speakerphone, enabling you to place and receive hands-free calls via your Bluetooth-equipped cell phone. You can pick up a basic, no-frills GPS for as little as $200, while models with some of the aforementioned advanced features sell for $400 or more.
4: Bluetooth Headset
You probably live and die by the cell phone, which is one reason to invest in a top-quality Bluetooth headset. These gizmos enable hands-free calling by wirelessly beaming audio between your ear and cell phone (which can stay clipped to your belt or even tucked in your pocket). That not only frees you from having to press your phone to your ear all day, it also keeps potentially harmful radiation away from your brain.
Although you can buy a basic headset for around $50, it’s worth spending a little extra on advanced features. For example, the BlueAnt V1 employs a voice-activated user interface, meaning you can make and answer calls just by speaking. It sells for around $100. If you want a headset that doesn’t look like part of a Star Trek Halloween costume, check out the Aliph Jawbone II: It looks more like a Prada-inspired fashion accessory. Even better, it employs sophisticated noise-canceling technology so that callers hear only your voice, not all that distracting wind or traffic or restaurant noise in the background.
5: Wireless Broadband Modem
Tired of looking for Wi-Fi hotspots on the road? Now you can enjoy broadband Internet access from just about anywhere. All you need is a wireless modem and data plan from your carrier. The latter will cost you $50-60 monthly from AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon, while the modem itself can usually be had for under $100. These devices usually plug into one of your notebook’s USB ports. Before you sign up for service, check the coverage areas for the provider’s high-speed data network. If you live and/or work in remote or sparsely populated areas, you might have to settle for connection speeds that are closer to dial-up than broadband — at which point you might be better off hunting for Wi-Fi after all.
6: Mobile Printer
The world’s not paperless yet. By outfitting yourself with a portable printer, you’ll be able to churn out maps, forms, fliers, photos, MLS listings and more from anywhere, without having to return to the home office. That kind of convenience can pay for itself in a hurry. Canon’s iP100, for example, weighs just 4.4 pounds and measures only 2.4 inches high, meaning it’s slim and light enough to slip into a briefcase. It plugs into a USB port, but an optional Bluetooth adapter lets you print wirelessly from your phone or PC. It sells for around $250 — a bit more than the HP Officejet H470wbt, a mobile printer with built-in Bluetooth. Whatever printer you choose, look for a rechargeable battery pack, which will save you having to hunt down an AC outlet or in-dash cigarette lighter every time you need to print.
7: USB Flash Drive
Flash drives are the ultimate in high-speed portable data storage. They can hold thousands of documents, yet they’re compact enough to fit on the end of your keychain. The drive plugs right into one of your computer’s USB ports, where it’s immediately recognized as a removable hard drive. Now just copy files over and take your data with you anywhere. No more emailing large files back and forth from work, burning CDs or dealing with confusing cables. Best of all, flash drives are the most cost-effective devices on our list, starting at around $10 for 2 gigabytes of storage. Need more space? Check out a USB hard drive like the SimpleTech Portable Hard Drive. It’s available in capacities up to 320 gigabytes, but it’s small enough to fit in your pocket.
8: Pocket Camcorder
If property photos are good, property videos are roughly a million times better. But don’t bother with bulky, expensive, tape-based camcorders. Instead, choose a compact camcorder that’s built with YouTube in mind, like the $179.99 Flip Mino or $99.99 Creative Vado. These pocket-size camcorders record YouTube-optimized video (read: low resolution, but suitable for online viewing) to internal memory, so you don’t have to mess with tapes or storage cards. Plus, they have hidden USB connectors so you can plug them directly into your PC. Best of all, built-in software helps you edit videos and upload them to YouTube in just a few steps. From there, you can just embed the videos on your site like you normally would.
9: Laser Measuring Device
Have a new listing and need to measure the rooms quickly? Retire the old metal tape measure and upgrade to laser technology. New pocket-sized laser measuring devices take measurements fast. Simply aim a laser pointer, press a button, and like magic you have an instant measurement. Calculated Industries’ Laser Dimension Master offers an easy-to-use solution, complete with a digital readout of distances in feet and inches. You can use it to measure the length of a room or as a laser pointer for presenting key features out of reach. The unit also includes error checking and measures distances of up to 50 feet with 99 percent accuracy.
10: Sign Light
According to NAR, the yard sign contributes to the sale of a home 63 percent of the time. Your yard sign won’t do much good if potential buyers can’t see it. The aptly named ListingLight solves the pesky problem of nightfall by illuminating both sides of your sign, thus putting it to work for several extra hours per day. Powered by six C-cell batteries, which will last up to eight weeks according to the manufacturer, the light installs on top of any sign (up to ¾-inch thick) and includes a locking mechanism to help prevent theft. It relies on a built-in timer and light sensor to turn on and off automatically, so you can set it and forget it. Key features include: full two-sided sign illumination, photo eye sensor for auto-turn off at dusk and turnkey installation that requires no holes to drill. A single ListingLight costs $75, but the pack of four that costs $275 is a better deal.