If you’re looking for a way to search and apply for casting calls while on the go, but don’t (or can’t easily) bring a larger or more expensive portable computer with you everywhere, consider picking up an Apple iPhone– IMO it offers the best handheld internet browsing capability of any device and is a great value with the recent price drop ($399 as of this writing). Plus its multi-use capability can take the place of several devices. Since you can browse most websites via its built-in Safari browser over AT&T’s cellular service or any Wi-Fi connection, from almost any street, cafe, or production location, you can recover valuable downtime to wirelessly:

• MSWord, PDF, or text– review scripts/narrations in different formats,
• iPod– practice earprompting/sides (record something home, rehearse on the road),
• Jobs– search and apply for jobs at Backstage.com and ActorsAccess.com,
• Maps– get directions through HopStop or built-in Google maps,
• Videos– carry your entire demo reel in your pocket, watch performances via built-in YouTube browser or iPod function,
• Mail– check your e-mail, including attachments,
• SMS– keep in touch,
• General Websites– view NYTimes, Facebook, or almost any other site (including CastingNotes :-),
• your ideas here,

I’ve personally used it to do all these– including search and submit for jobs at ActorsAccess– and it’s quite amazing how much you can get done all from one device.

Note: while these devices are useful and offer entirely new wireless capabilities, they may or may not be for everyone, so give this (or any) device you’re considering an in-store spin, or ask a friend for a demo, before actually picking up one yourself.

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