Field Guide to Choosing & Using a Smartphone
(Updated Oct. 2009)
Do you need a smartphone to get organized? What features do you need? What brand should you choose? Do you really need all the latest bells and whistles? What do real estate professionals use their smartphone for? Find out the answers to these questions and much more in the following articles and Web sites. (Victoria Broady, Information Specialist)
REALTORS®' Use of Smartphones
- 42% of REALTORS® used a smartphone daily or almost daily in 2009; 34% in 2008.
- 78% of REALTORS® used a cellphone (no Internet or e-mail) daily or almost daily in 2009; 82% in 2008.
- 13% of REALTORS® used a PDA/handheld (no phone capabilities) daily or almost daily in 2009; 15% in 2008.
Source: 2009 NAR Member Profile.
Why Use a SmartPhone?
Real estate professionals and smartphones, (Center for REALTOR® Technology, Oct. 2008).
The benefits of smartphones, (is4profit.com).
Smartphone will be the next phone for many, (InformationWeek, June 12, 2009).
Smart phones serve as constant companion as new apps change how mobile devices are used, (RISMedia, Mar. 28, 2009).
Smart phones are edging out other gadgets --- Improved screens,functions spur users to wonder if they still need GPS, MP3 devices, (Wall Street Journal, Mar. 24, 2009). Q
Choosing & Buying a SmartPhone
The joys, pains of switching smart phones, (Wall Street Journal, Aug. 26, 2009). Q
Buyer's Guide: Smartphones, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2009).
Shopping Glossary: Smartphones, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2009).
Products for Your Budget: Smartphones, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2009).
Specs That Matter: Smartphones, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2009).
Palm Pre versus iPhone for real estate, because you asked, (AgentGenius.com, June 24, 2009).
iPhone does real estate, (California Real Estate, Mar. 2009).
Handhelds: the essential buying guide, (PC Magazine, n.d.).
Computers, phones and peripherals: Portable and versatile, (Consumer Reports 2009 Buyer's Guide). Q
SmartPhones and Real Estate
Real Estate Apps for Your iPhone, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2009).
Top 5 Blackberry Apps for Realtors, (Articlesbase.com, Apr. 3, 2009).
How Others Are Using It: Smartphones, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2009).
Smartphone + GPS + MLS Data = Homes Sold, (REALTOR® Magazine, Sept. 25, 2008).
Real Estate Solutions: Your Success Is In Your Smartphone, (RealtyTimes, July 29, 2008).
RVP Corner: PDAs in Real Estate Management, (Journal of Property Management, May/June 2008).
Old vs. new: A Pencil and Paper or a PDA?, (REALTOR® Magazine, Dec. 2007).
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
How to Do Everything with Your iPhone® (Adobe eReader)
Professional iPhone and iPod touch Programming Building Applications for Mobile Safari (Adobe eReader)
Blackberry For Dummies (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Computer applications for real estate, (Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western, 2005). HF 5548.5 C89
How to do everything with your Palm handheld, (Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw Hill, 2000). HF 5548.5 J63
How to do everything with your Pocket PC & Handheld PC, (Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw Hill, 2000). HF 5548.5 M24
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Digital Cameras & Photography
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The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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