I can’t make up my mind. There are so many portable technology devices out there to consider, the combination of these tools make my mind boggle. I do enjoy new technology, but laughed at my husband when he purchased an iPod, and got a bit angry when he picked up a Kindle. After all, I read more than him. I have since come around…all these portable devices can do amazing things. I would still never buy all these pieces of electronics and carry them around…but combined?
As an appraiser, and Realtor, the portable device I depend on most is my cell phone…aka my Smart phone. I am in my car all day on occasion. For the past year I’ve had so much trouble with my Verizon Blackberry…more my problem, not the device itself. There’s no coverage for Verizon or AT&T in my home-office, my Blackberry is missing a camera (I sorely miss), and the data fees are just too high for the amount of time I actually use it.
After tinkering on my husband’s Apple iPhone on a long trip to Canada, I realized a larger screen would make the phone more functional to surf online, and of course all the other apps available for the iPhone. I did try the Verizon Droid, and liked it, but only kept it a month. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to another 2 years with Verizon and was having email problems. Going without reliable email for a month started me thinking, “Do I really need email on the road?”. I was actually debating picking up the Apple iPod touch (has Wi-fi) then using it for intermittent email and accessing the local MLS. Free wifi locations are popping up everywhere. So now I’m thinking outside the box and wonder: “
What do I really need?”.
The new Apple iPad is making me rethink the tools I use in the field. The ability to get the iPad with 3G is a fantastic idea, saving you the data fee from your cell provider and no contract. This is better than a tablet, a PMP or MP3 player, an E-book reader, and it certainly beats any Smart phone. The larger screen would make sketching floor-plans and working on MLS virtually head-ache free.
I will be dumping my Smart phone, for a Dumb one, and picking up the iPad. Now I need to make up my mind whether to get the iPad with the basic Wi-fi or go with 3G. The 3G will cost approximately $30 month for unlimited use, but that’s still cheaper than the data charge for my cell. Oh, and there’s the decision on which Dumb phone to get…of course it will need a camera…the iPad doesn’t have one. Hmm, more decisions.
Apple’s Release of the iPad: www.apple.com
Apple unveils its tablet computer, the iPad: San Francisco Chronicle
Check out my fellow appraiser blogger with price points and additional details on the iPad: rebliss.com
AppraiserJenn 