Phone Fancy

In the Pipeline

The smartphone market may seem highly developed, but tech experts say much more is on the way. More phones will offer hot-spot capabilities with fast Wi-Fi speeds. The expansion of mobile payment options may mark the beginning of the end for credit cards. In addition, more smartphones should soon be able to synch their data seamlessly, while cloud computing for sharing files is expected to make data access even easier.

Five Key PHONE Features

1. Screen.  Screens are becoming larger and more interactive to meet customer demand. If you plan on using your smartphone to show listings to your clients, you may want to spring for one with a larger screen.
2. Keyboard.  Before committing to a smartphone, you’ll want to try out its keyboard to make sure you can type accurately and quickly. Some smartphones feature a full alphanumeric keyboard, while others have minimized options that you may find less convenient. BlackBerrys offer actual keys to press, whereas the iPhone has a virtual keyboard. Some Android phones offer both.
3. Camera.  You can now take high-quality photos of listings with smartphones and e-mail them or upload them immediately to your Web site. In addition, more phones can take high-quality, or even HD, video.
4. GPS.  A good smartphone should be able to replace your navigation system, as many come with turn-by-turn navigation software. Geotagging apps, which automatically add location information to photos that you take of listings, are gaining popularity, too.
5. Service.  Before committing to a service provider, look at its coverage map. If you handle business for a large area, look for a carrier that provides the same service wherever you go. Also, avoid buying a new 4G phone if you’ll be using it principally in an area that lacks 4G service. Such an upgrade would be a waste of money.

The Gear:

BlackBerry Bold 9780.

The Bold is a favorite among real estate practitioners for its QWERTY keyboard, strong battery life, and 5-megapixel camera. BlackBerry has been the leader in term of encryption capability, minimizing the devices’ vulnerability to identity theft, but other companies are catching up. Cost: $129 (with two-year agreement from T-Mobile)

Dell Venue Pro.

Interested in a device that’s smaller than a tablet but bigger than a smartphone? Dell’s Venue may be what you’re seeking. It runs smoothly on the Windows Phone 7 operating platform and has an 8-megapixel camera. Cost: $499 (without contract)

Droid Pro by Motorola.

Released in late 2010, this is one of a few Android phones that offer a full keyboard along with a touch screen. The phone can also double as a Wi-Fi hot-spot. More than 100,000 apps are available for the Android operating platform. Cost: Starts at $149.99 (from Verizon with a service agreement)

iPhone 4.

Now that iPhones are available through Verizon, they could become the most popular smartphone (users complained about AT&T’s unreliable coverage). Their storage capacity ranges from 16 GB to 64 GB, and all models feature a 5-megapixel camera. Cost: Starts at $199 (from Verizon and AT&T)

HTC EVO 4G.

With an HD video camera and 8-megapixel still camera, this is a great option for real estate practitioners who rely on their smartphone for photos and video. It also sports a large touch screen and advanced GPS options. Cost: Starts at $119.99 (with a service agreement from Sprint)