At the start of every year I pick the technology tools no small business owner should be without.
This year, I was faced with so much wonderful technology — low cost or in many cases free — that I picked ten items, rather than my traditional five.
Included on the list are technology items such as the tiny new iPod Shuffle.
You’ll also find unusual choices that I guarantee will intrigue you.
Read my Inc column: Tech Tools You Can’t Live Without in 2007. It’s a quick fun read.
Hans Strock
Those are some good picks you have. I especially agree on the bluetooth. My bluetooth head set has become a must have. Hands free talking is a beautiful thing. Many devices are supporting this as it becomes mainstream in tech.
That iPod looks snazzy, too. Apple has always had fantastic designs. Their products could sell simply because they always look cool and scream “buy me!”.
Also, I have to agree with the google account as a must have. I’m really impresseed with how they fleshed it out. I like the fact that I can add plugins to my google homepage and actually turn it into a daily planner.
Thanks for the post, you brought out the tech geek in me.
Chris
Very nice article, Anita. I enjoyed every one of your choices – Thanks!
Chuck Musselwhite
I received a shuffle for Christmas and it is better than my 30gb one. Easier to use in the car and working out.
Erin Blaskie
I love this article!
There are a few things I need from this list: laptop wheelie bag and Kate Spade note cards.
I purchased the iPod Shuffle for my husband for Christmas and he loves it! It’s great for the gym, transporting to the car and for taking the dog for walks.
I also absolutely love my Google account. Being a virtual assistant, there are a lot of things I keep organized for my clients and having the ability to share spreadsheets and other documents with them online is fabulous!
Thank you for sharing your tech tools!
Lon Phillips
I found it interesting, being a statie, that all of the Virtual Switchboard packages on Google’s first page were based in England!
I’ve had Personalized Google and Gmail for quite a while and they never cease to impress me with their ease of use.
Excellent article, BTW!
I’ve posted a full response on my blog, but just one thing here: if you got a smartphone you don’t need an iPod Shuffle, because they are also media players.
Anita Campbell
Thanks, Lon, for noting that about virtual switchboards — hadn’t realized that.
We use http://www.GotVMail.com as our virtual switchboard and voice mail for the Radio show — I highly recommend it. We’re just starting to figure out the immense power of it.
Anita
Anita Campbell
Perry, thanks for you additions/ substitutions to the list. I appreciate the dialog.
One thing I will say about the iPod is that it is incredibly light — weighs almost nothing — and tiny. So if you are engaged in something active, it’s much more practical to clip the iPod on your clothing when exercising or running, than trying to make your smartphone do double duty.
The iPod clips very securely and you don’t have to worry about it being dislodged and falling off, as inevitably seems to happen with my phone when I get really active.
Anita
Anita,
To be honest with you, I like all the hardware that you have mentioned especially, the ipod shuffle, but I do not have the ability to buy any of them at present. If I get a good amount of money then the first thing I would buy is an ipod.
Its really awesome, the tools you have mentioned is becoming popular now a days, even i have much interest in these ipods, bluetooth etc, its quite interesting to know about….
Concetta Ives
Alot of bloggers are not really pleased with the new iPad.There was 2 much hype regarding it and alot people got disapointed.Thing is, I actually see lots of the awesome potential uses of this device. Third-party soft for making tunes, games, papers and magazine and FFS books, tons of neat stuff, but they just didn’t really sell it very well (aside from the books). It smells sort of undercooked