Smarter Smartphones

Part of the fun of handheld computing is customizing the basic unit to your private specifications; it's sort of like training your own personal valet to perform efficiently according to your personal tastes. The result is that it may become 50 times more useful. I am amazed at the incredible functionality of a Smartphone that can be achieved with the addition of a few programs and accessories. (The "Ten Ways" article offers addition advice on enhancing Windows Mobile devices. It focuses on Pocket PCs, but also offers Smartphone tips. My article focuses on Smartphones, but most of it is applicable to any handheld.)

1. Protect your investment with a carrying case

There are a variety of cases, pouches, and clip-on holsters to choose from. Many Pocket PC case makers also offer Smartphone solutions. When I travel, I carry a lot of accessories with me, and my Podzilla tote bag holds it all (http://www.roadwired.com). Most of the time I just tuck my Smartphone in one of Podzilla's many outside pockets.

Podzilla and other capacious tote bags let you carry your Smartphone and a lot more.

A wide variety of cases are available online from retail outlets or your Smartphone vendor's site. A good place to start looking for cases or any accessory is Shopping.Com (http://www.shopping.com/xPP-PDA_Accessories).

2. Expand data storage and back up your Smartphone

Additional file storage comes in handy, especially if you listen to a lot of music with your Smartphone. Get a file storage card for your device. My Smartphone accepts miniSD cards; I purchased a 512 MB miniSD card from SanDisk (http://www.sandisk.com). It comes with an adapter that lets you use it in an SD card slot. (More on this in the first "10 Ways" article.)

Be sure to back up your system regularly in case of a crash. The backup/restore function of Microsoft ActiveSync works just fine with the Smartphone. However, if you wish to get a little fancier and synchronize all of your Outlook sub-folders, check out PocketMirror (http://www.chapura.com). Three other good backup programs for the Smartphone are Sprite Backup (http://www.spritesoftware.com), Sunnysoft Backup Manager (http://www.sunnysoft.cz), and ALL-Backup (http://www.all-locations.com).

3. Enhance your communications

Most Smartphones are being introduced with built-in Bluetooth capability, making it possible to synchronize the device with a Bluetooth-equipped PC, or use wireless headsets with the device, like the Jabra BT800 (http://ww.jabra.com), the Plantronics M2500 (http://www.plantronics.com), or the versatile I-Phono Bluetooth Hi-Fi Sports Headphone Kit (http://www.bluetake.com).

The Plantronics M2500 (top), Jabra BT800 (middle), and Motorola HS850 (bottom) are wireless headsets that work with Bluetooth-enabled Smartphones.