Recently, as we were taking a 15 minute break from one of my technology programs, a very excited student ran up to me to tell me what she had just done with her TREO 650. She had received a call from a buyer prospect wanting more information on a home. She started up the web browser on her TREO, accessed her website, copied the website link and sent it to her client. The client text messaged her within minutes to confirm the date and time of the showing. All this while she was on a break from class!

If you are ready to upgrade your cell phone or handheld, you should consider the popular TREO, a convergence model – which is a cell phone combined with a PDA (personal digital assistant.)

The TREO is available through Verizon, Cingular and Sprint. It is a little bigger than a cell phone but it can take the place of your laptop when you are out in the field.

Among the many features built into the TREO, here are some of the top features:

Email – Have copies of your emails sent to your TREO. With mobile access to your emails, you can decide which emails need immediate attention and which ones can wait until later. And, if a client includes his phone number in an email, you can simply click on the phone number and your call will automatically be dialed! Instant contact can make a big difference when working with your clients.

Photos – The TREO uses a memory stick (the SanDisk) which is very common in digital cameras and other devices. Upload photos and even video clips to the memory stick and have them readily available for viewing on your TREO. This comes in very handy when you have a chance encounter with a prospect.

Documents to Go – This program allows you to load any important Microsoft Office document and take it with you. This includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Consider the “wow” factor you’ll experience when you run into a prospective client and are able to show your latest PowerPoint listing presentation right on your TREO.

Bluetooth – This is cool! Bluetooth is a wireless technology – just a chip that allows you to wirelessly connect to other Bluetooth devices up to 30 feet. Have a Bluetooth printer? Print those Excel spreadsheets. Wireless Bluetooth headsets are now seen on many Realtors’ ears – blinking blue. These headsets give you the freedom to walk around and chat without holding a phone to your ear.

Downloadable programs – The Palm OS, the Operating System that runs the TREO, boasts over 30,000 downloadable programs to make your life easier. Some are free, some you need to pay for. Visit a site like www.palmgear.com or www.handango.com to download some of them. Most programs give you a full trial version. If you don’t like it, just delete it! Some favorites include financial calculators, pocket quicken to keep track of costs, MP3 players and games. My favorite is TRIP – a program that allows me to enter my mileage and instantly download the information to an Excel spreadsheet when I synch to my computer. This certainly comes in handy when tax-time rolls around!

Outlook – If you use Outlook to manage your business, whatever you add to your calendar, contacts or tasks updates on your TREO. So you have all your office with you. It is easy to look up a phone number (and dial it), dates on a calendar and what your tasks are for that day.

And . . . last but not least! You may be able to access your MLS via the web browser for real time information. If you are paying for a monthly data contract to access your email, the next most important feature would be to have access to your MLS. If your MLS service provider does not have this feature, get involved and make sure they implement it soon. From Long Island to Baton Rouge to Dayton, Ohio, Realtors can access up-to-the-minute MLS information, membership rosters and data on properties!

Mobility has just gotten easier for Realtors! Check out the new smart phones available through your local cell phone provider.