Christmas crackers: Gadgets that mean business

BlackBerry Bold 9700. Photo / Supplied

Gadgets make great Christmas gifts, but rather than giving (or treating yourself to) a fun and frivolous piece of technology, Simon Hendery has some suggestions for IT items that will bring business benefits to the user in 2010

TELECOM MOBILE BROADBAND T-STICK

A memory stick-sized device that plugs into the USB slot of your laptop, giving you wireless internet connectivity via Telecom's mobile network.

The company announced yesterday it is giving the devices away free to its broadband customers if they bring a recent Telecom bill into one of its stores. The catch: they need to spend $29.95 to buy 500 megabytes of pre-paid data which can be used over a month, and then top up after that to keep using the stick.

Not a bad deal for the business person who's going to be away from the office over Christmas, and the device can act as a backup internet connection next year if your regular office broadband ever goes down. Being able to update your Facebook status from the beach is a bonus.

PRICE: Free (with a $30 catch)

PHILIPS MOBILE PHONE HANDS-FREE CONNECTOR

The Government's biggest gift to retailers this year must have been its legislation banning the use of hand-held mobiles while driving.

Vendors of hands-free devices and related paraphernalia must have thought all their Christmases had come at once as customers flocked to stores for gadgets that allowed them to keep chattering on the road.

This example of a connector designed for iPhones, BlackBerrys and Palm devices is a cheap option for going hands-free.

Its single answer/hang up button is intended to allow drivers to meet the new transport regulations which state phones can only be "manipulated infrequently" while driving.

Available from Dick Smith stores.

PRICE: $30

MOBIU SMART KEY

The accidental loss or theft of sensitive company data is a growing problem as staff spend more time working out of the office.

It's all too easy to lose a thumb drive full of confidential information or unintentionally leave copies of work files on an internet cafe PC when checking emails on the road.

The Mobiu Smart Key aims to solve these problems by keeping thumb drive data password-protected and eliminating the "digital footprint" usually left behind after using a public computer.

Data stored on the key's 1-gigabyte memory can only be accessed using a password and is backed up online.

Documents stored on the key can be edited and emailed by plugging it into a USB connection on any computer, without transferring any data on to the PC or laptop being used. Local distributor Excelerate Business Solutions plans to start selling the keys early next year.

For more information visit www.mobiu.com

PRICE: $165 plus an annual subscription for associated online services.

WINDOWS 7

Microsoft's new operating system looks good and runs well.

It is a pleasant step up from its widely disliked predecessor, Vista, and a huge improvement on the even older, but still-popular XP.

For workers who spend a lot of time in front of a PC flipping between several applications, and opening and closing masses of files, Windows 7 will be a good investment in enhanced productivity.

For those whose day generally involves sticking with a couple of programs and a few files, and who find they are generally happy with their existing operating system, an early upgrade probably isn't worth the cost.

PRICE: From $229 to $599 depending on the version and whether you are upgrading from another Microsoft operating system or starting afresh.

FLIP MINO HD VIDEO RECORDER

Yes, you can tell your accountant this really is a business tool. John Chambers, chief executive of Cisco, which sells the cellphone-sized high-definition video camera, certainly thinks so.

He uses a Flip to record and send video messages to his staff. Sure, as an easy-to-use device that records and stores up to an hour of excellent-quality video, you could use it to film the kids playing under the sprinkler in the back yard.

But as Chambers will tell you, video is the future of office communications, so best to keep a Flip in the top drawer of the desk.

PRICE: $349

TOMTOM GO 750 SATELLITE NAVIGATION UNIT

This new sat-nav device solves two problems for road warrior workers: finding their way in unknown parts and keeping their hands off their cellphone as they drive.

The 750 incorporates Bluetooth wireless connectivity so cellphones can be linked to the device's speakers. Answering a call is a matter of tapping the TomTom's touch-sensitive screen.

PRICE: $599

DELL VOSTRO V13 LAPTOP

Launched this week and targeted at business users, the V13 is Dell's attempt to add a bit more style to its functional-and-reliable-but-not-too-exciting Vostro small-business brand.

It does this through a brushed aluminium finish, until now the signature of Dell's super chic, but oh-so-expensive Adamo line.

As well as the flash new casing, the V13 is thinner and lighter than earlier Vostros. As the name suggests, it has a 13-inch (33cm) screen.

PRICE: From $1299, depending on specifications

HP PROBOOK LAPTOP

HP's new Probooks also target the business laptop user but with a different look and feel to the V13.

The black ProBook 5310m I tested was light and relatively thin, yet felt solid and the 15-inch screen made for easy viewing.

It also has built in cellular network connectivity - no need to worry about connecting a modem via a USB port.

PRICE: From $1905

BLACKBERRY BOLD 9700

The BlackBerry Bold 9000 has become the weapon of choice for the serious mobile-emailing executive and version two, the 9700, is due to land on the local Vodafone network this month.

It has rated well in overseas reviews, with many critics labelling it the best BlackBerry yet.

Slightly smaller than the 9000, its finger-friendly keyboard means it's a large device to wield, but those BlackBerry aficionados who buy it won't care - the 9700 will be the device to plonk down on the boardroom table in 2010.

PRICE: Likely to be around $1800