Mobile Accessories

Mobile Wish List

For smart phone and Pocket PCs to really take hold, add-ons are needed. The first one I suggest is a battery-powered docking station with a full size keyboard, good mouse replacement device, and a replaceable hard drive. Some of you may like wearing out your thumbs typing messages, searching the web, or writing a letter but I don’t. Thumbs are good for emergency use but not for real productivity.

Next, maybe a slightly larger screen. (Maybe even a special head-ups display built to look like normal glasses.) Most pocket PCs have screens with resolutions of about 320 x 240 pixels. Good for carrying in your pocket but not so good for actual work. Sure, that is what a laptop is for but why should I have to have both? Why can’t one do the work of both?

Of course, security is the next issue. Larger screens allow other people to observe what you are doing. (A heads-up display would take care of this possibility.) Wireless connections can be intercepted. Small mobile devices can be easily stolen or lost. Security that prevents anyone other than the owner or assigned user from accessing the devices is necessary. Data encryption for sending sensitive data when in public places or even in the privacy of your home or office must be considered.

Just to add to the problem, anti-virus, anti-spyware must also be installed on your mobile device. What this amounts to is all the security needed for a home or office computer is also needed for your smartphone or pocket PC. In other words, the more you use your mobile devices, the more stuff you need to keep your data and personal information safe.

A firewall that is easy to use will also become necessary or else there will be millions of phones sending Spam to all of your email and phone contacts.

And one final suggestion. I would like a way to quickly connect my smartphone or pocket PC to my home broadband connection so I don’t have to use air time when I am at home or in the office. Yes Bluetooth and other wireless methods are available but why not via a standard USB port? Wires are safer - at least so far!!