3G

That is what they are calling the new wave of products and services coming out this year in the communications industry. These third-generation (3G) products are bringing together all of your mobile data devices into single devices. New innovations are also connecting your office and home computers like never before.

Mobile communication

Cell phones have evolved from simple wireless phones to something more resembling your PDA (personal digital assistant). Your PDA has changed from a simple pocket organizer to a mini laptop. Your laptop can now fit in your pocket. Your pager can now send and receive e-mails. Your PDA is in color and so is your cell phone, and they can both access the Internet. (If your PDA can't access the Web you can always purchase an upgrade.)

There are now products coming on the market that combine all of these features in a single device with more options and add-ons than you can imagine. Your briefcase or purse won't be overloaded with all of your techno gadgets. Everything will be at your fingertips in one package.

Are you ready for the ultimate PDA? Place phone calls, read your e-mail, edit documents and sync your calendar to your office PC all from one device. Take photos, download music and access the Internet all from a single PDA.

Is it a good idea? Advances in technology are making phones, PDAs and other communications tools smaller, faster and more powerful. The idea behind the convergence of technologies is to lower cost, reduce the number of devices you are carrying around with you and generally make things a little less complicated.

Until the convergence of these technologies has been perfected there is concern that a cell phone with a PDA that can also access the Internet and sync with your PC will actually loose functionality. Yes, the phone has a PDA, but it can't compare to a Palm. Sure, the PDA can edit documents, but editing Word or Excel documents is better suited to a Pocket PC.

Even with the new all-in-one devices coming out, you will probably still spend the extra money and carry more than one device if the bundled equivalent is under-powered compared to what you are used to using.

Even the creators of these products aren't putting all of their efforts into their all-in-one devices, choosing to improve their existing single-use products along with developing the new devices.

Keeping in contact

You can get your e-mail while you are on the road; that's nothing new. But if you share a calendar or other information on your office network what happens if something changes? You can update the information in your PDA, but people won’t see the changes until you sync your PDA to your office PC, right? Wrong. Soon you will be able to securely sync directly to your e-mail, calendar, contacts and tasks on your office computer.

Cingular Wireless has a service called Xpress Mail - GoodLink Edition. It will let you connect you to your Microsoft Exchange securely with your wireless device.

This is just one of the examples of retaining your presence at the office without being tied to you desk. Tools like this, once the playthings of powerful executives, are now affordable business tools for busy professionals.

These convergence devices, combining functions of PDA and cell phone plus Internet access, are still a small portion of all handhelds sold. But they are gaining popularity and attention, especially with the rollout of faster wireless networks that promise to make Web browsing and wireless data syncing more practical.

Option Extras

Not only can a single device take the place of two or three of your other mobile tools but you can also add new options that let you customize your device based on your work or your lifestyle needs. New phones have many features that only appeal to very young consumers. Color screens, instant messaging, custom ring tones and digital camera attachments are a wow factor that will certainly ensure a strong group of future users.

Making it work

Companies, such as Nortel, are building and improving the networks that these devices use to accommodate the expected increase of people and amount of information moved from one point to another. Microsoft is also developing wireless server software to support the future need of business professionals to take their work with them.

At the office

Wireless networks are beginning to offer transfer speeds that are close to wired networks but without the need to renovate your building. Workstations can be added or removed without complicated wiring. Printers and other peripherals can also be added just as easily.

At home

These new third-generation advances will let you integrate many of your home electronics in your home. The new wireless technology at work in your office can also be used to power your home entertainment system: wireless speakers, DVD players that connect to your high-definition TV quickly and easily. You will even be able to use your PDA in place of your remote control.

More people are expecting more from the communication tools that they carry and the equipment coming out in the near future is trying hard to meet expectations. As people come to rely on the technology that drives their lives, companies will have to continue to make what was impossible yesterday commonplace tomorrow.

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