Ok, so I have suffered long and hard as I enjoyed both of my two children buying, loving and employing the IPhone with all of it’s technological wonders.  However, when in my downtown condo, they both would have to gravitate to the windows to get coverage (AT&T). I’m sorry, but receiving and returning phone calls, texts, e-mails is an absolute “must” in by real estate business!  At this juncture in the development of communications and technology, I cannot give up my Verizon coverage.  So, my “not-so-closet-tech-geek-son” tells me there is no other choice for me other than the DROID.  I buy it on a Tuesday evening at the downtown Portland Oregon Verizon store, with the promise that despite the fact they apparently don’t have the tech support I was accustomed to with my Blackberry, I would have some support in how to set up the necessary technology to enjoy my DROID.  Not so.  Luckily, I spawned a techno-geek first-born son who was able to save the day.  He utilized “Go To My PC” and virtually helped me complete the transition. However, now that I’ve done the dance, I realize it’s not that complicated but you do have to have the will to survive.  I’m a PC and windows aficionado.  So, give me a set of instructions and I can usually comply.  There was no “how-to” booklet included in the purchase.  I can usually follow directions, but the on-line instructions were not A-B-C.  Okay, enough whining.  Once you realize that all you have to do is set up a g-mail account (and give up Outlook???) (which, BTW, my son reminds me is the “wave of the future”, soon there will be nothing but web-based communication), you also realize this is not that complicated.  In my business, any time spent without my e-mail, text, contacts, etc is time-a-wasting. I’m still not completely weaned off Outlook, but I’m trying to get comfortable with my g-mail account.  I do love the “threads” (once I figured out the “method to the apparent madness”) that only a google account can provide.  I’ve not figured out how to set up e-mail distribution groups on g-mail and the search functions are not as organic (or maybe I’m just not used to them yet).

Now that I can call, receive and send e-mail, get my texts and import my contacts and calendar (from Outlook), I’m a happy camper.  What else do I love?  I can actually download RMLS (the Portland Realtor’s Multiple Listing info) on the DROID and read it!  I can surf the web with much more proficiency, I have multiple apps (much like the IPhone), I have an individual icon for texts, e-mails, voice-mails, more.  I love that you have the choice of the touch-screen PLUS the qwerty keyboard (it makes the transition smoother between the Blackberry and the Droid).  I love the high resolution screen.  I love the 5GB camera.  I love the voice activation feature.  I love the GPS.  It’s so new, I’ll admit I don’t know all the advantages.  As I know more, I’ll share!  Anyway, it’s a Brave New World out there….love it or leave it!??

About the Author | Janeese Jackson

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My job is service...service to you and your real estate transactions! How can you benefit from my 20 years of experience and expertise? What can I offer to make the process more productive? * Current information on available housing...comparative and competitive market pricing and analysis * Daily involvement in the local real estate marketplace * Thorough, comprehensive knowledge reflecting years of helping others complete their real estate business * Extensive network of professional resources to make the process as smooth as possible My commitment is to you! Being available to you...returning your calls...answering your questions...addressing your concerns...respecting your money...matching your timeline...meeting your expectations...helping accomplish your real estate goals!!