10 Must-have Gadgets

By: Rick Broida

Rough year? Sure enough, things are tough all over. If you’ve managed to squeak by in this tumultuous economy, maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a new gadget or two--especially if it’s something that can help your bottom line in 2010. We’ve rounded up some killer gear for real-estate professionals, with an eye to the inexpensive so your budget stays intact.

 Smartphone

Smartphones are considered the Nirvana of all cell phones, combining phone, e-mail, text, Internet, camera, calendar functions and more -- all in one handy, easy to use device. Apple revolutionized the cellular industry in June 2007, when it introduced its first smartphone. While most technology companies were scaling back in the early 2000s, Apple began waging a war. And it paid off. The iPhone runs on a special version of Apple’s OS X operating system. It combines traditional mobile phone technologies with a high speed 3G network, GPS, an iPod, a 3.5 inch touch screen, a straightforward Web browser and thousands of downloadable applications. Apple suggests in its TV ad campaigns, “there’s an app for just about everything,” and to date this claim holds true. There are hundreds of real estate applications, ranging from home search tools to mortgage calculators, Zillow, Trulia and more. The latest 3GS model adds video capabilities, voice control and 32MB of storage.

The contenders are still at war and continue to make significant strides against Apple. The Palm Pre and Blackberry Storm are still arguably the top picks for legacy smartphone users and offer technology similar to Apple’s iPhone, but perhaps on a more familiar latform. They also give smartphone users a “non-AT&T” alternative, one of the iPhone’s biggest limitations in the United States. The Blackberry Storm offers the first-ever SurePress touch screen. When users press its large 3.25-inch LCD display, the screen physically clicks down, mimicking an actual keyboard. The Palm Pre is also a solid choice and is built on the longest running smartphone operating system in the world. It offers a candy store of applications and a simple interface, much like its iPhone archrival.

 Netbook Computer

Last year, netbooks were a curiosity. Today, they’re a necessity, offering compact designs, improved performance, and low prices. Some models even have built-in wireless modems for anytime, anywhere Internet access (though plan on spending upwards of $60 per month for service for that particular perk).

While many early models were too cramped for comfort, the current “sweet spot” for netbooks is a 10-inch screen with a keyboard that’s about 90 percent of standard (i.e. just large enough for touch typing). Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI are among the companies offering models matching these specs, with prices usually falling in the $300-350 range. If you choose one of the aforementioned wireless netbooks, the system itself may cost you as little as $99.

As of press time, the vast majority of netbooks were being sold with Windows XP, but you should be able to find Windows 7-equipped models by now. We highly recommend choosing Microsoft’s newer operating system, which is much more secure than XP, but still runs smoothly on lower-end netbook hardware.

Bluetooth Speakerphone

Bluetooth headsets are a pain. They’re always getting lost (or left behind), are uncomfortable to wear, and, let’s face it, are kind of dorky-looking. What’s the alternative for hands-free phone conversations in the car? A Bluetooth speakerphone like the Jabra SP200.

Priced at around $50, the SP200 clips to your visor and pairs easily with your phone. When a call comes in, just tap the big answer/end button. A large scroll-wheel adjusts the volume. Thankfully, the SP200 supports voice dialing (assuming your phone does as well). Better still, it offers noise-reduction features so callers hear less of your car’s road noise. Of course, you can use it in your office as well; it’s all but guaranteed to deliver better sound quality than your phone’s built-in speaker.

GPS Receiver

Arriving late to an appointment because you got lost or stuck in traffic makes a bad impression. You can avoid both kinds of delays with a GPS receiver, which plots the quickest route to your next destination using satellite technology. All models provide voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions, but the latest ones add amenities like Bluetooth and real-time traffic updates.

Garmin’s nuvi 770, for instance, incorporates a special FM receiver that displays alerts about traffic delays and road construction, and then gives you the option of taking a detour around the trouble spots. The TomTom GO 910, meanwhile, doubles as a speakerphone, enabling you to place and receive hands-free calls via your Bluetoothequipped cell phone. You can pick up a basic, no-frills GPS for as little as $200, while models with some of the aforementioned advanced features sell for $400 or more.

Pocket Camcorder

If property photos are good, property videos are roughly a million times better. But don’t bother with bulky, expensive, tape-based camcorders. Instead, choose a compact camcorder that’s built with YouTube in mind, like the $179.99 Flip Mino or $99.99 Creative Vado. These pocket-size camcorders record YouTube-optimized video (read: low resolution, but suitable for online viewing) to internal memory, so you don’t have to mess with tapes or storage cards. Plus, they have hidden USB connectors so you can plug them directly into your PC. Best of all, built-in software helps you edit videos and upload them to YouTube in just a few steps. From there, you can just embed the videos on your site like you normally would.

 iPod Touch

Let’s face it: When it comes to cell phones, the iPhone still rules the roost. But what if you don’t feel like joining up with AT&T for two years and paying a minimum of $70 per month for service? Get the next best thing: an iPod Touch, which is exactly like an iPhone–without the phone.

Actually, by spending a few extra dollars on a headset and loading free voice-over-IP (i.e. Internet telephony) apps like Skype and Truphone, you can make calls on an iPod Touch. You just need to be in proximity of a Wi-Fi hotspot, like the one in your home, office, or favorite coffee shop. These apps cost pennies to use, and you pay zero monthly fees to AT&T. Not a bad compromise!

Of course, the Touch also delivers killer games, video, Web browsing, e-mail, and all those awesome apps you see in the iPhone commercials. Oh, and don’t forget: It’s an iPod, too. The latest Touch models start at $199, but you can find like-new refurbished models in the online Apple Store for as low as $149.

Eye-Fi Explore Video

Want to make your old camera seem new again? Get the ultimate memory card to go with it. The Eye-Fi Explore Video is a 4-gigabyte SDHC memory card that wirelessly and automatically uploads photos and videos from your camera to your PC, your Flickr account, Snapfish, or any of 20-plus other destinations. It’s compatible with all cameras that accommodate SD cards, and it’s priced at $99.99. The only catch: You need to be in proximity of a Wi-Fi hotspot, so you’ll have to head back to your office—or the nearest Starbucks. (Actually, the Eye-Fi Explore Video works with over 10,000 Wayport hotspots nationwide.)

You can save a few bucks by opting for the Share Video version ($79.99), which lacks the Wayport support, or get the Share ($59.99) and forgo video uploads. Whichever Eye-Fi you choose, you’ll love the convenience of this little card.

Virgin Mobile Pay-As-You-Go Wireless

If you’ve ever used one of those aircard-type wireless modems, you know how indispensible they quickly become. You also know the pain of having to sign yet another two-year contract and pay, on average, $60 per month. That’s over and above whatever you’re already paying for your cell phone!

Thankfully, there’s finally an alternative: Virgin’s new Broadband2Go offers no-contract, pay-asyou-go wireless Internet access. To use the service, you’ll need Virgin’s Broadband2Go USB Device, which is available at Best Buy for $149.99. Like any good USB device, this one contains its own software (for Windows only–sorry, Mac users), so you can plug it into any PC and get online straight away. It also doubles as a microSD reader, meaning you can pop in a memory card and use the modem as mobile storage.

As noted, there’s no contract required to use Broadband2Go, but you do need to choose a service plan. The least-expensive one ($10) gives you 100 megabytes of data and expires in 10 days--not at all a bad deal if you’re taking a trip and need Internet access only during that time. The top-end plan costs $60 for 1 gigabyte (and a 30-day expiration), and there are options in between.

Wireless Broadband Modem

Tired of looking for Wi-Fi hotspots on the road? Now you can enjoy broadband Internet access from just about anywhere. All you need is a wireless modem and data plan from your carrier. The latter will cost you $50-60 monthly from AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon, while the modem itself can usually be had for under $100. These devices usually plug into one of your notebook’s USB ports.

Before you sign up for service, check the coverage areas for the provider’s high-speed data network. If you live and/or work in remote or sparsely populated areas, you might have to settle for connection speeds that are closer to dial-up than broadband—at which point you might be better off hunting for Wi-Fi after all.

 Sign Light

According to NAR, the yard sign contributes to the sale of a home 63 percent of the time. Your yard sign won’t do much good if potential buyers can’t see it. The aptly named ListingLight solves the pesky problem of nightfall by illuminating both sides of your sign, thus putting it to work for several extra hours per day. Powered by six C-cell batteries, which will last up to eight weeks according to the manufacturer, the light installs on top of any sign (up to ¾-inch thick) and includes a locking mechanism to help prevent theft. It relies on a built-in timer and light sensor to turn on and off automatically, so you can set it and forget it. Key features include: full two-sided sign illumination, photo eye sensor for auto-turn off at dusk and turnkey installation that requires no holes to drill. A single ListingLight costs $75, but the pack of four that costs $275 is a better deal.

Tech guru Rick Broida writes for CNET and PC Magazine. He is the author of over a dozen books, including How to Do Everything with Your Palm Powered Handheld, 6th Edition.

Published: 10/9/2009

October 2009 Issue