Many executives and business professionals invest in handhelds and smartphones not only to make their professional lives easier, but also as a status symbol of sorts. Like the desire to be “seen” talking on a cell phone in the early days of the device’s creation, pulling out a PDA or smartphone in a public place to conduct business is now considered a symbol of business sophistication. Elevation of social status aside, today’s proud owner of a handheld or smartphone is at a professional advantage - provided he or she is familiar with the practical uses of the device. This article reviews some tips for handheld and smartphone use in business.

With wide area networks (WAN) and Wi-Fi connections spreading across the country at a rapid rate, handhelds and smartphones are becoming more useful and accessible even as the price tags for such devices drop. A few U.S. cities are able to boast citywide wireless Internet accessibility from any point, and more are coming on board the wireless bandwagon. It is not a stretch to state that in the near future, wireless Internet access will be available in every urban area and even in some rural areas. Americans will have the ability to stand on any street corner or sit in a café or park and get online with their handhelds and smartphones.

Blackberry and Pocket PC from Windows remain the most popular handheld brands, though several companies are circulating competitive products. For example, the Trio PDA series is gaining popularity and acceptance. Managing personal information was the original intent behind the creation of PDAs, and many executives and business professionals still use the devices for this purpose. A PDA simplifies keeping track of appointments, contacts, reminders and daily to-do lists. For this purpose, one of the best features of handheld devices is the handwriting recognition software allowing the user to write on the screen with a stylus rather than attempting to peck out the data on a miniature keyboard. The most common software used with PDAs for handwriting recognition is the Graffiti application.

E-mail and instant chat capabilities are another big plus for executives and business professionals. Handhelds are completely portable, so users have the ability to check e-mail and hold conversations with co-workers or clients at lunch, during meetings, during the commute, or even at home. Smartphones kick up communication capabilities another notch, allowing the busy executive or business professional to access important stored information while on a call.

Handheld and smartphone devices are practically a godsend for the executive or business professional who travels frequently. Most major airports and other transportation terminals are equipped with Wi-Fi or WAN connections, so one can conduct business during down time while waiting for a transfer or layover. Handhelds and smartphones are capable of storing large amounts of information. Business travelers can carry what amounts to an entire desktop system in their pockets, without worrying about bulky laptop cases with tendencies to become lost or stolen during luggage checks. Additionally, many handheld and smartphone devices perform double duty as a GPS device, and some offer voiced directions to keep weary travelers from getting lost in unfamiliar areas.

Entertainment capability is yet another attractive feature of handhelds and smartphones. The latest models come with updated media software (and, of course, headphone jacks), allowing executives and business professionals to listen to music and view multimedia presentations at any time. Popular games such as Solitaire and Minesweeper can also be stored on a handheld or smartphone, which let the user take an entertaining lunch break anywhere. Executives and business professionals who use these portable devices are no longer confined to their desks.

Business presentations can be made easier using a handheld or smartphone. Most of these devices can operate thousands of software applications, such as Microsoft PowerPoint. Since they are designed to supplement and synchronize with personal computers, they can be hooked up to the same viewing devices used to project digital presentations from desktops or laptops. Handhelds and smartphones also enable users to add sounds to business presentations, just as with a regular computer.

Any executive or business professional who chooses to use a handheld or smartphone device for business purposes should be aware of the security risks involved with them. If the device is lost or stolen, password protection is not enough to guarantee privacy. Handheld and smartphone users should invest in additional security measures to guard against theft. There have been recent cases where handhelds and smartphones were sold “used” at online auctions, with sensitive company information still contained in the hard drive. One important tip for executives and business professionals to remember is that should you decide to upgrade or replace the device, be sure to completely wipe the hard drive before passing it on to someone else.

There are a myriad of applications for handhelds and smartphones in today’s business environment. Wireless access is becoming more commonplace, and modern business professionals can benefit greatly from this pocket-sized technology. With proper safety and security practices, wireless devices such as handhelds and smartphones represent the future of electronic business.