Instant Messenger With Mass Appeal

LOS ANGELES -- Here's a product straight out of the hip teen and tween scene -- Z2 Zipit, a wireless instant messenger. Gadget Grrl suggests this gadget is a must-have for travelers, especially if business takes you overseas and the firm won't spring for a large international cellphone bill. Meanwhile, the Mouse Trap is a clever organizer that doubles as a mouse pad.

Z2 Zipit IM $149.99 zipitwireless.com

The Z2 Zipit Wireless Instant Messenger is currently being marketed to teens and tweens, but I think there are some apps for the mobile executive as well. This device is designed specifically for instant messaging, so if you've got an IM account with AOL, Yahoo! or MSN you can chat for free with anyone else who also has an account. The specs on the pocket sized Z2 are that it has a full QWERTY keyboard and four- to eight-hours of battery life, and it's 4 x 3.5 x 3/4 inches in size.

The big news here is that there are no contracts or message fees and this works wherever there is an open or free Wi-Fi network.

One of my ideas for mobile executives would be for sales teams who could use these at tradeshows to stay connected. Or, if your business takes you overseas and your company doesn't want to spring for a cellphone with worldwide service, these might be a good alternative. And if you've got to communicate in an environment where cellphones are not allowed, the backlit keyboard comes in handy, because it can be seen in the dark.

And finally, when your company computer crashes, this little device without spam or pop-ups to worry about could be the key to communicating.