Many people get most of their work done in an office, but on occasions it is necessary to venture out into the wider world whilst still having access to most of the tools you would expect to use at your desk. Remote working is becoming infinitely more accessible thanks to the advancements in technology, so to keep you informed here are just five of the best remote working gadgets.
Mobile Broadband Dongle
If you have a laptop or netbook computer then you will definitely want to make the most of its capabilities and get online when you are out and about. If you are within range of a public Wi-Fi hotspot then this should be easy thanks to the fact that most now have integrated wireless connectivity, but Wi-Fi is not universally available and to bridge the gap a mobile broadband dongle is a necessary investment. All of the major mobile network providers offer mobile broadband services via the 3G infrastructure and coverage is close to complete, particularly in urbanised areas. A dongle will slot into any spare USB port and instantly give you access to the internet, with download speeds varying from 1Mbps up to a maximum of 7.6Mbps.
Tablet PC
While laptops and netbooks are perfectly portable they lack the wow factor of tablet and slate computers. At the moment there are a number of choices but most people will pick between the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The former has a larger display, a vast library of apps for productivity and integrated Wi-Fi and 3G models for wide ranging connectivity. The latter is more portable thanks to its seven inch display, runs Android for an open-source, Flash-supporting experience and can even make video and conference calls.
Smartphone
The smartphone market has been blown wide open thanks to recent advances and while previously dominant firms like Nokia and Research in Motion are hanging on to their positions, newcomers at Apple and HTC are making the industry their own. The iPhone is the smartphone to beat, with the fourth generation of the device selling faster than it can be produced, but rival handsets such as the HTC Desire HD and Palm Pre 2 are set to redress the balance. Microsoft’s new mobile operating system Windows Phone 7 is also a compelling alternative to the iPhone, offering user-friendly operation with heavy Windows integration for easy transition from desktop
to mobile.
Mi-Fi Router
The Mi-Fi router is a device which takes the concept of mobile broadband and then makes it far more egalitarian. While a mobile broadband dongle can only be used by a single laptop, with a Mi-Fi router you can pull in the 3G signal and then share it locally using a short range Wi-Fi network to which multiple users can connect. This is great for group work in the field and a definite tool of business.
GPS Navigation
Getting lost on the way to an important event can be catastrophic, so many choose GPS technology integrated into sat nav devices to eliminate any guesswork from the process. Most high end smartphones have GPS onboard, although dedicated devices for use in vehicles are always a good option and will not drain your mobile’s battery.