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Smartphone’s have become a critical part of our daily lives. Not only do they serve as a mode for on-the-go communication, but the functionality of these devices allow us to store more and more personal and business data locally. That’s why it’s essential that users protect themselves in the event a smartphone is lost, stolen or gets in the wrong hands. Since a large portion of our data universe resides in our pockets, data security is an important issue. Here are a few ways to protect your tech.

FEATURES THAT CAN BE ACTIVATED

Enable Password Lock: The first step to protect your smartphone is to activate password protection in the devices settings. This allows you to prevent someone from gaining access to your phone without inputting your personal pass code in the event it’s lost or stolen.

Lock SIM Password: Locking the SIM card with a PIN allows your phone’s data to only be activated with the proper password. After multiple tries the data is locked and can only be restored when the correct password is input.

Deactivating Bluetooth: Bluetooth functionality is a great feature, but remember this is another way for a thief to locate a device. For instance, if you have a phone or tablet in your car and Bluetooth is activated a thief can easily identify that the device is in the car. Turning off the Bluetooth when not in use will make for a less tempting target.

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ANTI-THEFT SOFTWARE FEATURES

To ensure maximum security the installation of anti-theft software—which uses the GPS positioning of the phone as part of its security features—is mandatory. Listed below are some of the features and software options that are available.

Remote Swiping: Most smartphone’s give you the ability to erase data remotely to ensure that sensitive information is removed in the event your phone is lost or stolen. All the data is backed up and can be easily restored.

Data Encryption: Most smartphone’s give you the ability to encrypt your data. For instance, in iOS4 Apple allows you to set a password in iTunes to activate the encryption functionality.

Install Anti-Theft Software: There are a variety of anti-theft apps available, including free and paid versions. Among the former are Apple’s Find My Phone, which is free for anyone with an iPhone 4, iPad, or 4th generation iPod touch (iOS 4.2 or later required); F-Secure Anti-Theft for Mobile, which lets you locate and lock your Android or wipe the data if it’s gone forever; Microsoft’s Find My Phone, which enables users to erase, ring or locate your phone on a map; and R.I.M.’s Blackberry Protect, which enables you to wirelessly backup, locate and restore your BlackBerry smartphone. Then on the paid side there’s Gadget Trek, which is a leading anti-theft software that’s available on the iPhone, Android, Blackberry for Smartphone’s, tablets, and laptops.

Smartphone’s are designed to be anywhere, anytime products that have unlocked a whole new world for business and personal users. Activating the security features and installing anti-thief software will only take a few moments. Make sure your smartphone is secure in the case of an emergency.

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If forced to sum up today’s culture in 140 characters or less, “I tweet, therefore I am” would fit the bill. On a more personal note, so would, “I tweet, but only because I’ve bought into the madness and feel I have no choice. PS I stink at it. Not #winning.” (27 characters to spare).

If you’re not on Twitter, do you even really exist? The nearly 150 million registered users (and counting…) happily tweeting every day, multiple times a day, might argue that you don’t. And so would every public relations guru, executive search recruiter, tastemaker, trendsetter, and human being age 30 and under.

Tweeting isn’t even the new Black because it’s no longer new. But it’s being pushed like it’s the cure for cancer by media outlets everywhere, making it the new must-do on an ever-growing daily list that’s getting longer and longer by the millisecond.

That’s the first thing I hate about Twitter. It’s another insatiable beast. Another obligation to cram into every finite 24-hour cycle of my life, alongside checking email constantly, sending birthday wishes to all my Facebook friends, responding to new LinkedIn requests and a never-ending stream of text messages, several of which are from my children.

Speaking of which, none of these new tech additions to the daily grind have replaced any of the old-school responsibilities, like doing my job and volunteer work, taking vitamins, checking on my mom, working out, feeding, chauffeuring, and carving out “quality time” with those texting kids of mine, and praying that I can do it all and still have “me-time.” Of course, that’s a joke. But nobody’s laughing because they don’t have time (note to the world: typing “LOL” in a text, IM, BBM, evite, email, or tweet is NOT the same as actually laughing).

Here are the seven other things I hate about Twitter, in random order, since tweeting is as random a reality as there ever was.

• The Plato (Gandhi, Aristotle, Gil Scott Heron… just insert your favorite philosopher here) Complex: Hey, I love a nice bit of morning inspiration as much as anybody, but why does everybody on Twitter seem to believe that their (un)original thought for the day is worth sharing? Enough already.
• Plagiarism Run Amuck: I know 140 characters poses a challenge, but quoting someone without identifying them is bogus. Truly great minds deserve to be recognized, not plagiarized.
• Self-Promotion Central: America has fallen behind in scientific innovation, excellence in education, manufacturing and job creation, but we keep unveiling new ways to put ourselves out there. This is yet another one. Enough already.
• You’re Not My Mama: Twitter is a Mecca for do’s and don’ts. Don’t cry over the past. Don’t stress about the future. Don’t try to get haters to love you. Don’t believe the hype. Don’t confuse… Don’t forget… Please! Don’t tell me what to do (or not do). My mother’s already got that covered.
• The News at 5:05, 5:07, 5:11: Twitter is not my news source and it shouldn’t (especially given the character limit) be yours. I don’t need you to re-report the day’s headlines. Even if you’re an actual newscaster, tell me something new.
• Insanely Inane: Honestly, even if I know and love you, I don’t care if you’re making a PB&J sandwich, about to take a nap, boarding a plane, hitting the mall or kickin’ it in the pool (really? With your Blackberry?). Stop it.
• Braggers Beware: I am proud of you for rising with the sun to get in your five mile run to the gym where you swam 80 laps before spin class. Truly. Congratulations. Now zip it.

I could go on and on. Seriously. But I have too much else to do, tweeting about this, included. Feel free to do the same. I know. That seems hypocritical of me. I prefer to think of it as “ironic.” Like the author Terry McMillan who often tweets more than 20 times a day yet raves about a cut-off device she has on her computer called Freedom. It prevents her from going online for up to eight hours at a time.

“It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you disconnect from everything online,” McMillan gushed… on Twitter. (Follow me @CarolineVClarke)

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It’s hard to stick to a personal financial plan when prices for basic necessities keep increasing. Though most economists insist that inflation is under control in the U.S., rising gas prices could become a real budget buster through the remainder of 2011. Recently, the average U.S. price for a gallon of regular gasoline hit $3.88, reaching its highest level since 2008.

Energy analysts see more price hikes ahead. Three-quarters of Americans drive to and from work (alone). So it makes sense that the average car-owner uses about 550 gallons of gas per year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s most recent data. At a price of, say, $4-per-gallon, many of us are spending about $2,200 a year on gasoline. Until we’re all zipping in electric cars, the best way to economize (apart from driving less) is to make sure we’re getting the best price for gas.

To help you manage the rising price of gas, I recommend these three mobile apps that can help you find the lowest gas prices wherever you happen to be driving:

• 1) GasBuddy, available for free on BlackBerry, iPhone, Android, and Windows devices.
• 2) Fuel Finder, a $2.99 iPhone-only app that promises to save you about $300 a year.
• 3) AAA TripTik Mobile, a free iPhone and Android app.

If you don’t use a smartphone, you can get the same information by visiting Gasbuddy.com, autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstationsbeta.aspx, or gasprices.mapquest.com.

Each of the apps and websites work virtually the same: punch in the name of the city or town you’re in (or the zip code), and the app spits out a map showing the location of several nearby gas stations along with their current per gallon price for “regular” gas. When I entered my own zip code in New Jersey, MSN’s tool, for instance, displayed about 12 gas stations within a five-mile radius of my home. Prices at these local pumps ranged anywhere from a high of $4.08 to a comparatively cheap $3.69. Guess where I’m filling up next time the tank’s empty?

We live in the “anywhere” economy where mobile devices are increasing the productivity of entrepreneurs and mobile workers by providing flexible Web access. The benefits of using mobile apps span from reducing the need to commute to the office, to providing access to company files stored online, to enabling workers to sign documents from their iPad, to taking credit card transactions on their iPhones, all while on the go. It’s a digital world and if you’re not up to speed then you’re not even in the race. Here are eight mobile apps that will increase your business productivity. Thank me later.

Dropbox (iPhone/BlackBerry/Android | free/premium option)
Dropbox is an app that allows you to sync and share files online. It enables businesses with multi-member teams to access files real-time.

Evernote (iPhone/BlackBerry/Android | free/premium option)
Evernote is a great app to capture meeting notes, text, photos and Web pages using your mobile device.

DocstoGo (iPhone/BlackBerry/Android | free/premium option)
Documents to Go is a cloud file support app that allows you to view, import, and export Microsoft, Apple iWorks, PDF and other files. Documents To Go also supports other online cloud services: Google Docs, Box.net, Dropbox, iDisk, and SugarSync.

SignMyPad (iPhone/Android | free/premium)
Sign My Pad is a PDF signature app that allows you to download PDF files and modify them with text, a radio button or checkbox, the date and the addition of your signature. This app allows you to save scanning and faxing time by giving you the ability to sign important documents from your touch screen mobile device.

WebEx (iPhone/BlackBerry/Android | premium option)
The WebEx app allows you to access WebEx meetings on your mobile device, wherever you are. This app also gives you full meeting experience with simultaneous data and audio.

Dragon Dictation (iPhone/BlackBerry/Android | free/premium option)
Dragon Dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition app powered by Dragon NaturallySpeaking that allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text, email or social network updates on your mobile device.

Square (iPhone/Android | free/premium)
Square is an app that allows you to accept credit card payments anywhere from your mobile device without having a credit card merchant account. All you need is to plug in the free square credit card reader into the headphone jack or type in the credit card number to authorize payments when you are out of the office.

Hootsuite (iPhone/BlackBerry/Android | free/premium option)

Hootsuite is a third party app that allows you to update the status of your social networks (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) simultaneously. Great for real-time engagement with your online communities.

Smartphone’s, tablets and other mobile devices are changing the landscape of business. In 2010 smartphone subscribers comprised 56% of their Web browsing with cell phones. The top app platforms were Android, RIM, and Apple comprising 87.1% of the market share, according to Comscore.

There were 10.9 billion mobile apps downloaded in 2010. Businesses and entrepreneurs alike value the importance of doing business from mobile devices.

What mobile apps do you use to run your business and increase your productivity? Leave a comment and share your favorite apps.

Hajj Flemings is a weekly technology columnist for BlackEnterprise.com, founder of Brand Camp University, and the author of the book Brand YU Life. As a speaker and brand strategist, he works with some of the largest brands, covering the topics of branding and digital technology. Check back next Wednesday for his next column.

Because they are thought of as hand-held computers integrated with mobile phones, smartphones help us to live efficiently and stay connected perpetually; an advantage for busy professionals and entrepreneurs. This week on Tech Insider we talked to Wayne Sutton, a social media and technology blogger about four things you need to take into consideration if you’re in the market to upgrade your mobile phone.

• Related reading: Photo Gallery: Droid X vs. iPhone 4

Your desktop platform. How easily does the mobile phone communicate with your desktop platform? If you’re a Window’s guy you might want to consider a Window’s phone, but if you’re a Mac user, you might want an iPhone, says Sutton. If you decide to go with something different, determine how will you get your contacts and data from your mobile device to your computer? Will you have to install software in order to sync your phone to your desktop computer or laptop? Can you sync them over web-based storage software?

The usability of the operating system. How many steps does it take to complete your core actions? Will you have simple mobile or full mobile web access? How many apps are available to you through the OS? Apple has the largest app store, but apps on the Android OS are increasing steadily. Depending on the phone, apps can also be purchased at the BlackBerry App World, Google Android Market, Nokia Ovi Store, Palm App Catalog and Windows Marketplace for Mobile. Before you buy a mobile phone check each store to see which has apps that are more relevant to your needs, says Sutton.

Multimedia capabilities. Can you easily take a photo and send it to your social networks? Can you easily shoot a video and upload it to YouTube? If you’re going to spend $200 dollars or more on a phone, you want to make sure the camera has the most updated features, says Sutton. Five megapixels are standard for the newer camera phones but several including the Sony Ericsson C905 and the Samsung Memoir both have capabilities of 8mp and up.

Fast data connection. 4G is being marketed as faster then any other connection in the USA on the market. It is important for uploading and downloading content with speed and consistency. Sprint is said to have the only 4G network in select cities with 10-12 megabits per second. T-mobile has launched High Speed Packet Access plus, which has a 4G-like connection in limited cities that PC Magazine rates as faster than Sprint’s 4G. AT&T and Verizon are still using 3G networks, but they are also working to upgrade to 4G-like speeds.

Bento ($4.99 for iPhone; $49 for desktop version, Mac only) features built-in templates that let you create numerous databases to help you stay organized. During testing, the application synced flawlessly with the Mac version of the program. This is important as it lets you manage your databases from not only the iPhone, but also from your desktop. One downside: Bento exports your information into a format readable only by the Bento desktop application.

HanDBase ($9.99 for iPhone; $24.99–$79.99 for Windows desktop version), on the other hand, allows multiple options for exporting information. Similar to Bento, HanDBase will allow you to sync to the HanDBase desktop application, but it will also let you export your information as a comma-separated text (.csv) file, which can be read by many other applications. HanDBase also works with BlackBerry and Palm OS (among several others); Bento, however, is limited to the iPhone.

HanDBase is also much more customizable and offers multiple views per database, as well as the ability to search by any database field. The only drawback of HanDBase is its appearance. Although it is a more powerful program overall, the cluttered and clunky interface leaves much to be desired. Bento, however, has a user-friendly and much more a esthetically pleasing interface.

Both Bento and HanDBase are solid database applications for the iPhone and smartphones. For ease of use, Bento takes the cake; but HanDBase truly shines with its overall ability
and customization.

This article originally appeared in the January 2010 issue of Black Enterprise magazine.

I, along with Sonia Alleyne, Black Enterprise magazine editorial director, recently spoke to tech guru Omar Wasow about how to choose the right phone. In case you don’t know, Wasow is the brain behind one of the earliest versions of social networking sites, BlackPlanet.com. He also schooled Oprah on how to use the Internet.

When thinking about a new phone, consider “the network coverage in your area, what unique needs do you have when customizing your phone, and think about your budget,” says Wasow. Make sure the phone and its price plan are affordable. The last thing you want is be stuck with excess hidden and not-so-hidden charges.

BlackBerry vs. iPhone
Ah, the great debate. If you’re like me, you’re probably trying to figure out if you should go for a BlackBerry or an iPhone – two of the most popular Smartphones on the market. I’ve been a Verizon customer since I purchased my first cell phone in high school and I’m reluctant to switch providers. Plus, a friend’s constant complaining about AT&T’s service after jumping from Verizon to the iPhone –which is only serviced my AT&T – only increased my reticence. Here are key points to consider about the iPhone:

–Its 85,000 phone applications are sure to keep users occupied.
–It comes with a virtual keyboard which means you’re typing on a glass screen.
–The total cost of an iPhone 3GS with a two-year contract is $2,394.76, according to PCWorld.com.

For those debating whether a BlackBerry is the right fit, Wasow says it’s perfect for someone who is constantly checking their inbox. Unlike the iPhone, the BlackBerry is available on most major carriers. Check out these key points to consider about the BlackBerry:

–It has more than 2,000 apps, significantly less than the iPhone.
–Its mobile keyboard is convenient for heavy e-mail usage.
–Total cost of a BlackBerry and two-year contract on Verizon is $2,160, according to BBGeeks.com.

My next step? While researching this piece, I learned the AT&T – iPhone partnership expires next year. Given the thousands of apps that would allow the iPhone to operate more as a mini-Mac, this seems to be more of a fit for my lifestyle. While there’s no word whether Apple will extend the iPhone to other carriers, this will be my first option. Otherwise, BlackBerry it is.

For more tips from Wasow, check out this episode of Black Enterprise Business Report, airing on Nov. 14 on TV One.

Renita Burns is the editorial assistant at BlackEnterprise.com.

Tempted by everything from wireless network cards to routers to laptops with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, companies can easily shell out thousands of dollars in their attempt to operate a business without wires. Figuring out how to make the best investment isn’t always easy, nor is determining the value of the money and time investment that must be made to get a wireless setup in gear.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive to gain access to the Web and e-mail from just about anywhere. For starters, many companies use BlackBerrys and  other smart phones that offer a variety of services, from basic phone to e-mail and Internet to calendars and address books, essentially serving as an “office away from the office” for owners, managers, and employees who spend much of their time on the road.

With costs that range from $200 to more than $600, depending on the model and type of service contract purchased, smart phones are available with data packages that cost $60 to $100 per month (including phone and text services). “If all you need is e-mail on the go, then smart phones are a great option,” says Shawn Welsh, vice president of marketing and business development for Telular, a fixed cellular terminal developer with offices in Atlanta and Chicago.

But what happens when you’re miles from the office and in need of a way to connect back to your company’s network? Or when you need to edit a PDF file and send it to your marketing department within 10 minutes? That’s where Wi-Fi-enabled laptops come in particularly useful. With a PC card (they range in price from $50 to $150) that’s either installed in the laptop or inserted into an expansion slot, users can get connected by dropping into a Starbucks or other establishment that offers public Wi-Fi. Some of the services are free, but others command a per-hour, per-day, or subscription-based fee.

For those of you who need regular access to mobile Wi-Fi –- and who don’t want to run around trying to find public access to such services –- the major cellular phone carriers such as Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T offer access to the Internet and e-mail from all service areas. They charge $60 for the monthly subscription fee, which covers 5 MB of data (roughly the equivalent of 1.7 million e-mails or 10,000 photos, according to Sprint’s mobile Internet Website). Most carriers also charge activation fees that average $35.

When you sign up for service from a major carrier, a new cellphone number is assigned that’s separate from a voice plan. Using it is as simple as plugging the card into the laptop expansion slot (or using the one already installed in your computer). Most wireless card providers also offer a service through which customers can use their cell phones as a wireless modem, thus eradicating the need for a PC card. “Using a PC card and Wi-Fi is a good option because it allows business owners to connect and use typical office software while on the road,” Welsh says .

Another option for business owners that set up “temporary offices” away from their headquarters is the fixed cellular terminal. Ranging in cost from $500 to $700, the terminal connects to a land phone line and allows multiple users to share one connection and a single voice/data bill every month. While the upfront costs are higher than you would pay for a PC card, the benefits of fixed terminals include lower monthly service bills and accessibility for multiple users.

When selecting which mobile Internet option is best for your company, consider the level of mobility required and the number of accounts that need to be enabled. “If you’re going to be highly mobile, but if all you need is e-mail, then a BlackBerry or iPhone will be perfect,” says Welsh. “But if you need more connectivity and access from remote locations, then a PC card and mobile Wi-Fi service will be your best bet.”

Web Resource:

Wireless Internet Service Providers