I’ve put together a guide I hope will give many of you the understanding of the technology’s latest tools and how they can empower you in the field. Essential Technology for Mobile Professionals is my first ebook, and fifth book, and available for download here for $7.99.
I’d like to make it clear up front this guide was not written for the tech savvy real estate professional. You already know the how and why of today’s tools.
Rather, I developed this book for new comers and seasoned pros looking for a solid grounding in today’s tools and how they can empower your career, boost productivity and improve client services. Each chapter covers a specific tool, and explains its use, value, key features and evaluation points when shopping that particular solution. In my correspondence with readers over the years I’ve found that’s exactly the kind of advice many need, but can’t always adequately provide with so much to cover in limited editorial space.
Since technology move so fast, it’s impossible for any book to provide up-to-the-minute information on the latest announcements. So, I’ve tried to complement the broad information in the book with the RealTechToolswebsite. Click on any of the chapter headings there and you’ll find a page with links to Web resources such as product news, reviews, and manufacturer sites for that topic.
This is the best way I know to complement the work I do for Realtor. And, as a writer, it’s an experiment to see what kind of future there is in ebook publishing.
Please take a look, and thanks.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Catching Up
As I’ve said before, when busy it’s hard to keep up with blogging when you’re busy. If it’s not a scheduled priority it can easily get pushed aside, which is what happened with me. When not working on paid articles I’ve been wrapping up my first ebook and companion website, a guide to Essential Technology for Mobile Professionals, like those of you in real estate. More on that in a future post.
While on the topic of ebooks, here’s a freebie you amy want to take a look at: “Think twice before you sign anything again: 12 Business Cases for Digital Signatures” It’s a free pdf from digital signature solutions vendor Arx. If you’re not yet well versed in the advantages of digital signatures, it does a good job outlining the cost savings and efficiency gained by migrating to digital signatures for contracts and documents.
Since my last entry, Apple did unveil its much anticipated tablet, appropriately called the iPad. I held off writing about it immediately because, unlike the Nexus, it won’t be in stores for a while.
First impression: Too early to tell how practical it will be for real estate and other mobile professions until the working version is out. But for the home, or office, the concept seems a winner to me: a hand held window on he world of digital content. I expect this or something like it will one day be as a common a fixture as the telephone of old, reliability and expectedly there when you need it, whatever your purpose. More after it’s actual release. For now I’d hold off pre-ordering it as a mobile tool until there’s a chance for a little hands-on experience in your local Apple store.
Short takes
I get releases and pitches from start-up and smaller companies on a regular basis as they try to spread the word out about new products and services.When possible,I pass them along to alert you to solutions which may be of help. No quid pro quo, just putting some information out there to help them generate some interest....
Fabusend offers what it calls a “smart letterhead” solution for customized email. Features include cutomizable email letterheads with graphics and interactive links, with built-in tracking capabilities so you know who or when your messages were read. An annual subscription for individual users starts at $199...Ebroker House has developed a Web-based business management solution for agents and brokers. Includes online tools for managing contacts, listings, offers, reimbursemnts, documents,etc. They’re offering a 30-day free tial, then subscriptions start at $29.99/month...If you’d rather read than listen to voice mail messages, Phonetag automatically converts voicemail to text or email, then forwarding it to your cell, smartphone or account. Try it for free for a week. An unlimited monthly plan cots $29.95....LoopNet has lauched an iPhone app for commercial real estate searches. It uses the on the iPhone’s built-n GPS locating capabilities to retrieve info on area commercial real estate in the U.S. and Canada.
While on the topic of ebooks, here’s a freebie you amy want to take a look at: “Think twice before you sign anything again: 12 Business Cases for Digital Signatures” It’s a free pdf from digital signature solutions vendor Arx. If you’re not yet well versed in the advantages of digital signatures, it does a good job outlining the cost savings and efficiency gained by migrating to digital signatures for contracts and documents.
Since my last entry, Apple did unveil its much anticipated tablet, appropriately called the iPad. I held off writing about it immediately because, unlike the Nexus, it won’t be in stores for a while.
First impression: Too early to tell how practical it will be for real estate and other mobile professions until the working version is out. But for the home, or office, the concept seems a winner to me: a hand held window on he world of digital content. I expect this or something like it will one day be as a common a fixture as the telephone of old, reliability and expectedly there when you need it, whatever your purpose. More after it’s actual release. For now I’d hold off pre-ordering it as a mobile tool until there’s a chance for a little hands-on experience in your local Apple store.
Short takes
I get releases and pitches from start-up and smaller companies on a regular basis as they try to spread the word out about new products and services.When possible,I pass them along to alert you to solutions which may be of help. No quid pro quo, just putting some information out there to help them generate some interest....
Fabusend offers what it calls a “smart letterhead” solution for customized email. Features include cutomizable email letterheads with graphics and interactive links, with built-in tracking capabilities so you know who or when your messages were read. An annual subscription for individual users starts at $199...Ebroker House has developed a Web-based business management solution for agents and brokers. Includes online tools for managing contacts, listings, offers, reimbursemnts, documents,etc. They’re offering a 30-day free tial, then subscriptions start at $29.99/month...If you’d rather read than listen to voice mail messages, Phonetag automatically converts voicemail to text or email, then forwarding it to your cell, smartphone or account. Try it for free for a week. An unlimited monthly plan cots $29.95....LoopNet has lauched an iPhone app for commercial real estate searches. It uses the on the iPhone’s built-n GPS locating capabilities to retrieve info on area commercial real estate in the U.S. and Canada.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Year of the Smartphone...or Tablet...or Smartbook?
With Google’s official rollout of its Nexus smartphone this past Tuesday, the company upped the ante what is certainly going to be one of the most hotly contested markets this year: smartphones.
That’s good news for real estate professionals as the smartphone, in design and concept, is a product which makes sense. Having your “office” productivity tools at hand, with easy access to the Web, simply makes it easier to do your job away from your desk.
Google’s Nexus, running it’s Android Operating System, offers some innovation and solid features which make it a real contender in the category: 1GHZ processor, 3.7 inch touchscreen interface; 5MP camera/camcorder; GPS; WiFI and Bluetooth support; and speech to text conversion for composing messages without a touch.
Clearly the Nexus and the host of new smartphones coming in 2010, all want the iPhone’s crown as perceived category leader, though Blackberry still dominates in smartphone market share. (The iPhone’s limited availability through AT&T is certainly a contributing factor.)
Looking ahead, though, another recent survey found most consumers wanting an iPhone device, followed by one running Android.
With so much growth potential in the smartphone market, you’ll have plenty of choices this year as the category continues to evolve and attract more vendors and models. But you might want to wait a just little longer before buying into any of latest hype.
Wait to see what Apple brings to market in its much anticipated new tablet. It’s expected for Jan. 27 and speculation about what it will be runs wild. It could mark the next wave in mobile technology, or strengthen the case that the smartphone is the one solution every mobile professional needs.
The biggest problem with smartphones is their small screen size; the problem for netbooks, and tablets seen to date, is their larger screen size dictates a form which is just too large for a pocket or purse. Now if something could bridge that gap, and deliver everything the mobile professional needs in performance, connivence, productivity and portability, it truly will be the one device worth having.
***
While researching the Web, I can across this interesting article regarding the actual cost of smartphone ownership and thought it worth passing along.
That’s good news for real estate professionals as the smartphone, in design and concept, is a product which makes sense. Having your “office” productivity tools at hand, with easy access to the Web, simply makes it easier to do your job away from your desk.
Google’s Nexus, running it’s Android Operating System, offers some innovation and solid features which make it a real contender in the category: 1GHZ processor, 3.7 inch touchscreen interface; 5MP camera/camcorder; GPS; WiFI and Bluetooth support; and speech to text conversion for composing messages without a touch.
Clearly the Nexus and the host of new smartphones coming in 2010, all want the iPhone’s crown as perceived category leader, though Blackberry still dominates in smartphone market share. (The iPhone’s limited availability through AT&T is certainly a contributing factor.)
Looking ahead, though, another recent survey found most consumers wanting an iPhone device, followed by one running Android.
With so much growth potential in the smartphone market, you’ll have plenty of choices this year as the category continues to evolve and attract more vendors and models. But you might want to wait a just little longer before buying into any of latest hype.
Wait to see what Apple brings to market in its much anticipated new tablet. It’s expected for Jan. 27 and speculation about what it will be runs wild. It could mark the next wave in mobile technology, or strengthen the case that the smartphone is the one solution every mobile professional needs.
The biggest problem with smartphones is their small screen size; the problem for netbooks, and tablets seen to date, is their larger screen size dictates a form which is just too large for a pocket or purse. Now if something could bridge that gap, and deliver everything the mobile professional needs in performance, connivence, productivity and portability, it truly will be the one device worth having.
***
While researching the Web, I can across this interesting article regarding the actual cost of smartphone ownership and thought it worth passing along.
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