Unstrung Heroes

Entrepreneur, Sept, 2001 by Amanda C. Kooser

BUYER'S GUIDE: THE WIRELESS WEB IS HERE-THESE PHONES CAN SAVE YOU FROM BEING LEFT BEHIND.

THEY'RE EVERYWHERE. THEY'RE IN OUR houses and offices, our purses, our pockets, our briefcases and laptop cases. They're in airports, on the road, crossing the street and in meeting rooms. You can't escape.

What are they? Mobile phones. And now wherever your mobile phone is, the Internet is, too.

The wireless Web probably isn't as integral to your business as voice calls on your cell phone. But it's still early. New features and services, ranging from streaming video to wireless ads, are promised for third-generation phones due out sometime next year. Entrepreneurs, get ready Your first step is adding a current-generation Net-enabled mobile phone to your arsenal.

Before you get too enamored with any of the phones we'll be looking at, take note: If you're upgrading your phone and want to keep your existing calling plan, be sure your dream phone works with your provider's system. There's no dominant U.S. mobile standard, so certain phones will only work with certain plans. And while we're on that track, remember that most mobile phones costless when purchased with a service plan.

We could go on at length about how many different rings, address book slots and games these phones have, but what's really cool about them is wireless Internet access. One factor to consider is screen size. Surfing the Web on something half the size of a business card is difficult enough. To see what we mean, compare the five-line Audiovox CDM-135 to the more expansive 12-line Samsung SCH-T300.

There are also some, uh, weighty concerns when it comes to mobile phones. After all, that little chunk of hardware is going to be in your pocket or on your belt all day. At 4 ounces, the Audiovox CDM-135 has a heft advantage over the 6.1-ounce Ericsson A1228c. Test them at a dealer, hoist them around and then decide.

Keep in mind, the wireless Web is about as far removed from what you get in Netscape or Internet Explorer as a slide rule is from a calculator. Current technology lets you get limited e-mail, stock quotes, weather, travel information and access to compatible Web sites. That's useful for some, but it certainly doesn't handle everyone's Web needs.

Motorola's i85s with iDEN service is worth discussing. The iDEN offers voice and wireless Web service and then throws two-way radio and instant messaging capabilities into the mix. Nextel, Pacific Wireless Technologies and Southern LINC currently offer iDEN in the United States. Visit Motorola's Web site for more information.

The cost of wireless Web depends on your service provider and service plan. For example, Sprint PCS offers wireless Web as a part of several of its plans. Otherwise, you can add it on for 39 cents per minute. AT&T offers Digital PocketNet service for unlimited wireless Web access free with a phone purchase and certain plans. A $6.99-per-month Plus plan adds e-mail, while the $14.99 Premium plan adds a Web address book, a calendar and a to-do list.

You don't even have to leave your desk to shop for a phone. Compare online at Cellmania.com and Point.com. Soon you'll be saying goodbye to wires and hello to the wireless Web.

Shopping List

WITH MOBILE PHONES, IF PRICE ISN'T AN ISSUE, CONSIDER DISPLAY SIZE AND
SPECIAL FEATURES BEFORE MAKING YOUR CHOICE.


          PHONE NUMBER
          WEB SITE          WEIGHT      SERVICE TYPE

Audiovox  (800) 229-1235    4 ounces    Dual Mode
CDM-135   www.audiovox.com

Ericcson  (800) ERICSSON    6.1 ounces  Tri-Mode
A1228C    www.ericsson.com

Motorola  (800) 331-6456    4.7 ounces  iDEN
i855      www.motorola.com

Nokia     (888) 665-4228    4.9 ounces  Digital PCS only
7190      www.nokia.com


Samsung   (800) SAMSUNG     3.5 ounces  Tri-Mode
SCH-T300  www.samsung.com



                                              STREET
          FEATURES                            PRICE

Audiovox  Five-line display, text message     $149
CDM-135   alert, scratch pad memory

Ericcson  Five-line display, rapid battery    $99
A1228C    charger, advanced call restriction

Motorola  Eight-line display, two-way radio,  $299
i855      Java technology

Nokia     Six-line display, voice-activated   $250
7190      dialing, adjustable user profile
          settings

Samsung   12-line display, one-touch Web      $249
SCH-T300  access button, whisper mode