I’m at the Mobile Business Expo this week and think this would be a good time to review some of the cool gadgets that better enable our mobile experiences. Many are products I use and some I’m looking forward to getting shortly.

Connectivity

As I write this I am having a huge problem connecting to the conference wired and wireless service. This isn’t unusual as often products are tossed up that really weren’t designed to carry the load. The end result is even though I should be able to be connected I’m not and having that connection can make a huge difference whether I can make a deadline or respond to a critical client question in time. The best connectivity product in the US market is the UT Starcom/Verizon PC 5470 card coupled with the Verizon wireless service. The card is $149 and the service is $80 a month but it well worth it as it has better bandwidth then most hotel or airport services and it works in most cities in the US today.

Physical Security

Laptops can grow legs and if you blink will find their way onto eBay with all of your private stuff. A small lock can secure that laptop if you need to run to the bathroom or leave your hotel room from most quick grab thefts. The Micro saver Portable Notebook lock at $30 is an inexpensive way to protect your baby but remember it will do no good unless you actually use it.

Wireless Mouse

Touchpads and Trackpoints are fine for emergencies but having a small portable mouse can make a huge difference Best in class is the Logitech V500 for $70. It is very small and very light and incredibly easy to use. The wireless dongle slides into a hidden compartment in the base and it automatically powers off when the dongle is stored. Not bad if you want to work in the hotel or play the occasional game.

Coolest Cell Phone

The new iPod of Cell phones may be the recently released Sony Ericsson W800i Walkman. It has a stunning camera for a phone, has an edgy design and can take up to a 2GB memory stick for your music (it ships with 512). Given the disappointing first effort from Apple/Motorola it is interesting that Sony was able to do a better job. This costs $500 and it doesn’t come with a plan so it only works if you are using a GSM cell phone provider like T-Mobile or Cingular. But, given there are no subsidies you don’t have to sign up for or maintain a cost phone plan. This is what the iTunes phone should have been.

GPS

In the personal “can’t live without it now” category is a portable GPS (Global Positioning System) device that can move from car to car and be with me when I travel. Of the ones that are out there the Tom-Tom 700, with a street price of around $780, is the most capable. It has a hard drive and can bring up locations all over the US without having to download local maps. It has a Bluetooth feature which turns it into a hands free speakerphone, and it has a wide selection of pleasant voices, I’m particularly fond of the woman with the English accent.

Portable Recorder

If you like to walk around leaving messages for your “assistant” or simply practicing your best Trump “You’re Fired!” lines, or want to record your Pod cast while on the road the Olympus VN-960PC at $80 is for you. With a cell phone look and feel and folders that correspond to the days of the year this, for the money, it is one heck of a value and adequate for most uses.

Ultimate Bluetooth Headset

The Plantronics Pulsar 590 has to take the cake for the ultimate wireless headset and at $150 for plain or $200 that will include a wireless adapter for those that don’t already have Bluetooth. The product is done in high quality silver and is stereo. Covering both Cell phone use and music. Its charging base turns the headset into desktop art and it is very attractive.

Power Power Everyplace

When it comes to power I need it and need it bad. I like to watch videos (Tivo ToGo) on planes and my new Acer Ferrari sucks the power. Best thing I’ve found is the iGo 90 Watt power supply. At $120 it isn’t cheap but it will hook to power on airplanes and into AC so you only need one, plus it comes with lots of adapters so you can use it with your other high powered mobile products (and it will even charge two things at once).