Gearhead

Ted Visnic MBVisnic Custom Homes
Rockville, Md.

These days, when custom builder Ted Visnic is roaming the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., meeting with clients or checking on projects, he’s always connected to his office and to all the other jobs he’s not visiting. Visnic stays connected with the Sidekick I wireless device, which utilizes technology by Danger and is offered by T-Mobile USA. The device incorporates a keyboard, screen, mobile phone, and, in the newest version (Sidekick II), a digital camera within its 5.1-by-2.6-by-.09-inch body. And yet at just 7 ounces, the Sidekick rides along easily clipped on Visnic’s belt.

Visnic’s only complaint about the product is that the phone is awkward to use. (The company claims that the Sidekick II provides a better phone experience because it’s 25 percent thinner than the earlier version and includes a speaker phone.) But he says the device compensates for that shortcoming by allowing him to instant message with his supervisors and office, to get and send e-mail, and to browse the Web in the field without hauling a laptop around. “I can just e-mail our supervisors any time,” he says, “and the communication is all in writing so there’s a record of it.” Visnic says his device is “hot synched” with his main office computer, allowing him to retrieve data whenever and wherever he needs it. Sidekick also includes personal information management capability, so the builder always has his calendar, address book, and to-do list right on his hip. The Sidekick II costs $299 and the company offers several calling plans, including one with unlimited e-mail, Web browsing, and text and instant messaging.