I would definitely need something like you describe as I am totally disconnected when I go to the countryside and have started travelling a lot again. Must check out what there is on the local market.

As a person involved in mlearning others do feel a sense of concern when I admit my personal dislike of mobile phones. Why – cause I don’t like phone calls. As an educator I talk all day – so am more than happy not to have to talk on any phone (normal or mobile phone). Am also well known for letting my phone go flat. If people want to communicate with me – why not use the Internet – they can text me or Skype me – at least I can keep working.

However what I can not cope with is being disconnected from the Internet (It is well known that I am an online-aholic). So this is where my mobile phone comes in (actually it is a PDA with inbuilt phone). I can receive emails, can access the Internet (using the mobile web) with mobile Internet Explorer – which means I can stay connected with my friends through mobile versions of Twitter, Facebook and Google Reader. If I get stuck on a question there is always Google in my pocket. Plus if I see something cool – I can take a photo, video or record an interview (for my podcast site). (Hopefully this will have all made all the other people in m-learning forgive my personal dislike of mobiles).

So if you decided you want a mobile phone, you first need to decided whether you want it for the phone features or web browsing features. If it is for phone features (and you wanted a portable office to connect up to dataprojector and sound systems – can output videos, sound and powerpoint from the mobile – with a fantastic camera then the Nokia 95 is good) or for the mobile web (I suggest you look at a PDA with inbuilt mobile phone – this way you can write documents using the touch screen and easily browse the Internet).

Sue