BIZ BITS DECEMBER 2005
on the go
The Lamborghini of laptops
SONY VAIO TX670 NOTEBOOK
Want the sleekest notebook around? Look no further than Sony’s new TX range. Packed with WAN technology, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive, a 1.20GHz Intel Pentium M processor and an 11.1-inch, widescreen, white LED display, the computer still measures just one-inch thick and weighs in at 2.8 pounds, thanks to a carbon fiber chasis that is as durable as it is light. Integrated WWAN technology, which accesses Cingular’s EDGE network, means that you can stay connected almost anywhere you go, freeing you from the hunt for hotspots. Plus with a battery life of 4 to 7.5 hours, you won’t have to stop to refuel. $2,599.99, www.sonystyle.com
Pay as you go
MOBILESWIPE CARD READER
The arduous task of accepting credit card payments while on the road just became a whole lot easier thanks to the MobileSwipe from SemTek. Perfect for traveling sales, residential contracting and travel services, the device turns your cell phone into a mobile credit card terminal that goes everywhere that you go. MobileSwipe works with any Nextel phone, and there’s no software to install. So, whether at a conference, by a pool or at a client’s office, salespeople can now do transactions conveniently in real time. $249, www.mobileswipe.com
Pocket power
MERCURY ON-THE-GO DATA STORAGE
The latest, greatest offering from hard-drive powerhouse Other World Computing, the new line of Mercury On-The-Go portable drives are the perfect solution for travelers who need large-capacity data storage. The significantly upgraded line is faster, larger (in terms of storage) and smaller (in terms of space) than ever before. So, leave your laptop at home, put a Mercury On-The-Go drive in your shirt pocket, and take that presentation on the road.
From $129.99 (40GB) to $359.99 (100GB), www.eshop.macsales.com
the word
CEO soundbyte
Don Evans
Don Evans, former US Commerce Secretary, delivered his first public address as CEO of the Financial Services Forum to highlight how integral the financial services industry is to helping people fulfill their dreams and to reassure listeners that the industry has learned from its recent scandals,
“Our industry has come through a period where our integrity was questioned. We learned that even a few bad apples can hurt the reputation of an entire company, an entire economy and an entire nation. People around the world began to question the quality of financial information they had long taken for granted. That shook their confidence—not just in some earnings reports, but in the free market system itself.
“People weren’t just disgusted with the lavish parties and big egos, they questioned the core principles and values of the industry—and the American economy.
“As a CEO, a corporate officer or an employee, you must never hold yourself above the interests of your company. There’s an old cowboy expression, which is part of their code of honor: You ride for the brand. It’s a way of saying that when someone has hired you, you work only for them, and you have the duty and responsibility to protect and honor the integrity and character of the company that they own.”
PDA pampering
If you use a PDA to keep in contact while trekking across the country on business, then you know how crippling the stress of typing on a mini-keyboard can be on your hands. Luckily for you, Hyatt recently announced the arrival of the Blackberry Balm Massage at its spas nationwide. The treatment incorporates acupressure techniques, deep kneading and compressions to relieve strain, with the help of such ingredients as blackberry powder, camphor oil and cajuput to reduce inflammation and relax muscles.
The 30-minute treatment is available at selected spas; for more information, visit www.hyatt.com
The Closing Bell by Jack Guinan The Closing Bell by Jack Guinan