<B>Travel Productivity Tools</B>
<I>The following were among the best new business traveler offerings of the past year.</I>
<B>On The Road Connectivity</B>
Sprint in April 2000 launched Sprint Business Traveler, a new one-stop voice and data solution that provides the mobile traveler with international connectivity, regardless of location or local communication standards. The service combines Sprint telecommunication services--enabling voicemail and Internet access--with the appropriate hardware to reduce the hassle of incompatible phones and equipment and confusing international dialing codes. Sprint Business Traveler includes a Sprint Foncard, Sprint Personal Conferencing, Dial IP Internet access, Sprint Online Presenter, Global Dialer, a help desk open 24 hours a day, five days a week and access to the Sprint Business Traveler Web site. The Sprint Business Traveler Kit is a compact leather binder, which contains the hardware--including 13 phone adapters and five power adapters, a laptop extension cord, modem saver and surge protector--that will enable a traveler to connect to phone jacks and electrical outlets in more than 200 countries. The kit costs $90 for current customers with a Sprint Foncard and $150 for new customers.
<B><A NAME="2">OAG Offers Flight Status</B>
OAG Mobile is offering E-notification, a service offered through www.OAG.com that allows users to request a flight update via voice message, e-mail or text messaging that is sent to their mobile phone, pager or PDA. Travelers also can change specifications on when and how they receive status information on a flight-by-flight basis.
<B><A NAME="3">Never Get Lost Again</B>
Utah-based GeoDiscovery's new Geode is a GPS receiver/digital compass that lets users integrate GPS data and compass information with maps, travel guides and other downloaded material. Geode slides onto the Handspring Visor PDA, from which users can watch as their position is tracked on GeoDiscovery's downloadable maps. Event and entertainment guides also can tell travelers what's nearby. Users also can add notes to any map. The Geode costs $249.
<B><A NAME="4">Wireless Money Conversion, Delivery</B>
OracleMobile and Oanda, the Internet provider of currency exchange tools, are offering a new wireless currency conversion service on Web-ready phones, pagers, Palms and other wireless personal digital assistants. By logging on to OracleMobile's wireless portal at www.oraclemobile.com, customers can convert up to 164 international currencies in seconds. Oanda's FXConverter lets OracleMobile customers view up-to-date currency conversions in seven languages, while the company's FC Delivery allows U.S. clients to buy currency on the Web from www.oanda.com. OracleMobile's other free services include short messaging, flight status updates, driving directions, stock price alerts and restaurant reviews and reservations.
<B><A NAME="5">Get Smart With Handwritten E-mail</B>
Seiko Instruments has released its SmartPad, a zippered notepad portfolio that captures handwritten notes on a regular pad of paper and sends them to a Palm III series, or more recent, handheld via its infrared port. Save drawings, notes or maps in any of four major Palm applications. Notes can be saved as .bmp and .gif files on a PC or e-mailed to others with optional third-party software. A SmartPad pen works with both the pad and Palm organizer and is powered by AAAA batteries. The device weighs 1.5 lbs. and is available from www.seikosmart.com/product for $199.95. The SmartPad pen sells for $49.95.
<B><A NAME="6">Navigation Update</B>
DeLorme's Solus 3.0 is a Web-based mapping and routing software that provides users with downloaded on-demand maps and GPS navigation. The software, available for $49.95, features vector-based maps and lets users search for contacts, place names, roads, cities or points of interest. Street maps and directions are available free of charge by connecting to the DeLorme Solus MapMaker Web site through a handheld's cradle, or wirelessly for an additional fee. For more information, log on to www.delorme.com.
<B><A NAME="7">Tech Assists Roadside Travelers</B>
Handling the horror of a 2 a.m. computer glitch while away from the office now is made easier with Dr. Tech. Describing itself as similar to the roadside assistance membership-driven AAA, the tech support company offers 24-hour, seven-day service. Instead of the $25 to $35 per call fee most providers charge for tech support, Dr. Tech allows unlimited calls for the $49 yearly fee. In addition, insurance protection from theft or loss can be purchased. For more information, log on to www.askdrtech.com.
<B><A NAME="8">E-Info For World Cities</B>
WCities, a provider of location-based information about world cities for wireless carriers, portals and Web pages, has revealed its latest Web clipping service. The technology enables users of Palm Pilots, Handsprings and other PDAs to navigate the Internet and access content about hundreds of world cities. For more information, log on to www.wcities.com.
<B><A NAME="9">Finding Culture On The Web</B>
CultureFinder.com helps busy travelers find detailed recommendations on cultural events in more than 1,500 cities in North America. The Web site's arts calendar lists events as much as a year ahead and assists consumers in obtaining tickets.
<B><A NAME="10">Updated Biz Tips Available</B>
The World Holiday And Time Zone Guide 2001 provides an official list of holidays in 101 countries, along with cultural tips about doing business in each. The book can be ordered for $9.95 through www.getcustoms.com or by calling (610) 725-1040. The guide also comes in an HTML version for company intranets for $600.
<B><A NAME="11">Airports Guide Available</B>
The 2001 edition of Salk International's Airport Transit now is available in print and online. The 144-page pocketsize guide includes information on 451 airports, as well as taxi rates, coach, limousine, van fares and schedules; public transit fares and schedules; parking rates; car rental companies; inter-airport and cruise-port connections; helicopter service; airport codes; and ground transportation phone numbers and Web sites. For more information, log on to www.magellans.com or www.airporttransitguide.com.
<B><A NAME="12">Health Info Travels Online</B>
Travelers and expatriates now have the opportunity to record and store their medical records online through www.directmoving.com. The site provides the option to have one's medical history translated into eight languages and is accessible by any doctor who receives the password from the patient. The site also offers information on the risks prevalent in particular destinations and provides preventive advice. A medical glossary also is available in five languages. Log on to the site for more information.
<B><A NAME="13">Global Luggage I.D.</B>
Responding to the idea that not all lost luggage is really lost but instead is untraceable to the owner, Globalbagtag.com has created a worldwide database for the unfortunate traveler. Travelers' exclusive serial codes permanently are affixed to their luggage with an acrylic self-adhesive, while the information is entered into the database. Only British founder and CEO Chris Truelove and authorized airline personnel have access to this information, which is changeable at any time. There also is an option to enter itineraries, so travelers can be reached before returning home. The Globalbagtags are available in pairs for $5.99, and include two years of database registration. For more information, log on to www.globalbagtag.com.
<B><A NAME="14">Gateway Cities Guidance</B>
Rand McNally's 2001 Business Traveler's Briefcase Atlas, a guide to the top 25 U.S. business cities, informs travelers on hotel reward programs and airline club comparisons, airport business center locations for 15 cities, convention and visitors bureau Web sites, top Web sites for business travelers, emergency tips for cell phone users and information on shopping centers. Also included is Rand McNally's Address Finder software that creates directions and finds locations in the United States. To purchase the atlas, log on to www.randmcnally.com or visit select book or office supply stores.
<B><A NAME="15">Virtual Itineraries</B>
While the travel tool only remains available to travelers booking through a Sabre-connected travel agent, online booking site or participating travel supplier, the Sabre Virtually There Web site--launched in late 1999--regularly has upgraded its features to become one of the more comprehensive sites available to mobile travelers. The site provides real-time information on flights, gate assignments and weather, all with multilingual capabilities, and also has partnered with well-known content providers to include information on restaurants, sporting events and sightseeing recommendations. As of April, travelers were empowered to download travel itinerary details into their organizer calendars for Outlook, Lotus Notes, Act 2000 and Palm.