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By Manny Hondroulis
Become Mobile
While I’m an advocate of change when it comes to new technologies,
I tend to not be an early adopter when a new gadget is introduced to the
consumer world. Take, for example, the smart phone. I didn’t get a smart
phone until mid-2009, a few years after their introduction. My mindset
has been to let the manufacturers work out the kinks and bugs on others
before me.
Earlier this year I relocated to New York City and, in preparation, bought
a new laptop for my home office. I made sure to buy one with enough power
to replace the desktop that I would be leaving behind. Of course, with
power comes weight and lugging this new seven pound laptop (more weight
when you count the bag) around town on subways and busses was becoming
a nuisance. But I had no choice—my laptop was instrumental to making sales
presentations.
iPads
In my daily routine, I noticed more and more iPads being used by business
professionals, whether in their offices or at the local Starbucks—I saw
them everywhere! I figured enough time had passed for Apple to work out
the iPad’s kinks and knowing how much I love my iPhone, I purchased an
iPad.
Having an iPhone made learning the iPad a snap—since the latter is a larger
version of the former. So I loaded all of my work documents onto my new
iPad, ditched the laptop and all of the related paraphernalia, and was
in business. My eleven pound laptop bag was replaced by a leather portfolio
that houses my iPad and in total weighs less than three pounds.
The beauty of the iPad is that all of my files are loaded onto it, including
sales presentations. I’m now paperless when I travel and I interject that
fact into my customer dialogue as it plays well into the value proposition
that all of us in the sun control industry offer. And the use of an iPad
also adds to one’s professionalism.
There are other tablets on the market and each has pros and cons. I have
no experience with others as I’m a devoted Apple user. But, the concept
is similar—a lightweight mobile computing device that allows you to surf
the Web, access files and project sales presentations on high definition
televisions.
Things to Consider
So if you’re ready to take the plunge, I suggest visiting your local Apple
store and purchasing an iPad 2. There are different configurations of
the iPad. First, you have to decide whether you want one that is Wi-Fi
or Wi-Fi and 3G. The difference is that if you purchase the Wi-Fi only
machine, you need to be on a wireless network to connect to the Internet
which is necessary for surfing the Web, streaming video, etc. The 3G-enabled
machine allows you to hook up to AT&T’s or Verizon’s network for a
monthly fee (just like your cell phone) so you can connect to the Internet
if a wireless network is not available. If you choose the 3G iPad, you
then have to decide if you want AT&T’s or Verizon’s service. You should
do your research about which carrier is better for your market area. For
instance, I’ve used both Verizon’s and AT&T’s 3G network in NYC and
find the AT&T network to be faster but less reliable.
Be sure to purchase a protective case for your iPad. I suggest buying
a “smart cover” which automatically turns off the iPad when the cover
is closed. Also consider purchasing the cable necessary to hook up your
iPad to a HDTV.
Once you bring your device home, it’s time to load it with applications,
some are free but, others are not. From a business productivity standpoint,
I suggest purchasing the various components of Apple’s productivity suite
as the current iPad does not support Microsoft Office. Keynote (similar
to PowerPoint), Numbers (similar to Excel), and Pages (similar to Word)
are made by
Apple for the iPad and iPhone.
You will find that the iPad will make life on the go a lot easier. And
don’t be surprised if you enjoy your iPad so much that you only use your
desktop or laptop on special occasions.
Manny Hondroulis is marketing manager for Energy Performance Distribution
in Baltimore.
WINDOW FILM
© Copyright 2011 Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.
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