There are some curious myths around in the world of travel; the chief one being that people are travelling much less in the light of the series of global problems in recent years. The real figures show, not surprisingly really, that people are still hitting the road in large numbers, largely because of the demands of business as well as leisure.

The changing technology means that wireless communication in various forms is making life much easier, and often better for today's mobile business warrior. The two main areas to benefit are phone-based communication and the ability to efficiently use a laptop when you're away from home or office.

Phones first, and the recent announcement about new laws on using a phone in your car has given a push to both users and the industry. Time was when being seen with a mobile (or cellphone to our American friends) was a high-flying status symbol, but today many people need to keep in touch for personal and security reasons as well as business demands. It's not just the city wizz kids either; many small businesses like plumbers and builders need to be pretty well permanently contactable to avoid the risk of losing a customer. The fact that holding a phone to your ear while driving could soon result in a fine and, worse for a frequent driver, points on your licence means that many more people are looking at hands free possibilities.

Of course, the upper end of the car market has come with dashboard built-in systems for some time now, and, like once rare air-conditioning, I suspect that the expectation will cascade down the market. Until then a quality, safe, easy to use and reliable hands-free system will prove to be high on many shopping lists. I've been trying some of the new offerings from specialists Pama in recent weeks, and I like what I've seen. Their Bluetooth system is, after an initial painless set-up, wonderfully simple to use. If this is new to you. Bluetooth is basically a short-range wireless system which lets the gadget 'talk' to your phone very easily. After that initial set-up, when you effectively introduce your phone to the gadget, all is plain sailing. If you've struggled with plugs and cables before, you've probably ended up 'not bothering' for short trips and, Murphy's Law, that's when the phone rings! The advantage of Bluetooth is that, by definition, there are no wires. A small device sits in your cigarette lighter socket and 'knows' when your phone is close. This means that the phone itself can stay in your pocket or bag and you have the microphone and speaker self-contained. The same company produce a range of devices including a devilishly clever Plug'n'Go Anywhere which, being self-powered, can sit in your car, or by your computer or wherever to give easily movable hands-free. Prices are now very competitive, the Pama Plug'n'Go for Bluetooth now under £120, and you can get all the detail from www.pama.co.uk Widening the spectrum, the ability to use your laptop while travelling is improving dramatically. You've probably heard about the rising number of 'hotspots' being established where a wireless set-up can give you an easy link. I say 'give', but there's often a small charge from places like hotels and coffee shops. As a local example, I was recently at the New Northumbria Hotel in Jesmond where £6 buys you a scratchcard which provides a full 24 hour access to their wireless signal which floods the hotel. Watch out for the trend, though, for places to give you a really free wireless access. In the States, for example, even a smaller airport like Long Beach in California now gives a free service to travellers as an inducement to use the place. I wonder which British hotel chain will be the first to give wireless free? As a regular traveller, I'd find that a powerful reason to head in their direction.

Published: 05/08/2003