Great Bluetooth Accessories for Small Businesses

I love to play around with new gadgets (or at least fantasize about owning them). My latest craze are the new gadgets that utilize bluetooth accessories. It never ceases to amaze me the number of things that people have the time to think up. I was thinking that if i just played it right, I could come up with a multitude of ways to make my life a handsfree, connected one.

These are some of my favorites:

1. The Iqua UFO is a mini mobile conference call unit that supports VOIP, has caller ID, and a radio. It is pocket size so it is a great way to have an impromptu conference call anywhere. Great for small business people, this bluetooth accessory is compatible with any bluetooth enabled phone and can be connected to Skype, NetMeeting, AppleiChat, etc., using the Bluetooth headset profile.

2. If your meeting turns out to be fruitful and you need to type out a message to a friend, you can always set up your Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard. Set it up on the table, project your wireless. full size, infrared keyboard, type on it and have it submit the information to your bluetooth enabled PDA, mobile phone or laptop, and email the information to the relevant parties. This reduces the need to haul a keyboard around, and reduces your sujecting yourself to pecking away at those annoyingly tiny keys on your cellphone or PDA.

3. Does your company do a lot of international business? You will appreciate the Bluetooth Skype Phone. Make free or cheaper international calls using Skype. The phone allows you to dial out like a regular phone, lists all your Skype contact information and allows you to set up conference calls. Nothing like having a conversation with people in other countries without having to count the pennies.

4. You have just completed an important call, sent out your information, and are rushing to your next appointment when you realize that the traffic is awful. How can you circumvent the traffic? Just go ahead and use your Bluetooth GPS! This one by CellInk offers a wireless connection by way of a radio link. It provides 1200 hours stand-by time and can be used in mobile phones, PDAs and laptops. I am salivating!

5. You might also want to invest in a Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit. This particular model allows you to make your calls with your phone in your pocket, the back seat, your bag, or anywhere in the car. It allows voice dialing, uses a radio link, has a caller-id backlight and supports headset and handsfree profiles. Great for a safe conversation on the highway. It also looks pretty good.

6. Okay, I assumed that your business had a mobile phone, but for those just starting out, or those wanting to upgrade, there is always the MyPal, a multimedia pocket pc and phone. It has a compact flash that will enable you to make it a road navigator via GPS, digital camera, radio, and presenter. It comes with Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 including MS Pocket Outlook, Word, Excel and Reader. You can also surf the Internet.

7. Need a web interface? Why not try the Bluetooth Web Enabler. This device will also allow you to add wireless access to the Ethernet.

8. BlipZones is probably the new exciting way to have your company market its products to bluetooth users in your area. Since users have to agree to receive the content, they can designate the information they are interested in receiving, and you can be assured that you are reaching a market that is interested in your products. There are billboards that will have the Bluetooth technology embedded in them and, as you drive or walk by, will send a message to your bluetooth enabled accessory asking if you are interested in certain information. Once you accept the offer, the advertisment will run on your bluetooth accessory. Really futuristic stuff.

9. Nokia has a Digital Pen that will store your thoughts, ideas, storyboards, art, or anything you decide to write. Once you get back to your desk or pc, you can place it on its stand and it will download the information to your pc. You can then add colors to your notes and drawings. Aah Bluetooth technology, helping build my business further.

Bluetooth technology has revolutionized the way we do business, operate in our environments, and how we interact on the telephone. They are as much a household name as Microsoft and Apple. I am looking forward to trying out their products (as many as I can afford...or sneak into the house) and experimenting with new ways to apply their technology to a more wireless,handsfree business operation. Now wouldn't that be something?