Let me start by letting you know, in the spirit of transparency, that I was contacted by the folks at FedEx as they were looking for bloggers in the mobile work space to review this new service.  They sent me a “test kit” which included a 512 MB USB flash drive pre-loaded with instructions on how to use the service and a $25 FedEx Office gift card to cover the cost of anything I chose to print with the service.  They also offered to provide a similar “test kit” for me to giveaway, so make sure you read to the end of this post to find out how you can enter to win.

With FedEx Print & Go you can print from your iPhone^®, BlackBerry^® smartphone,  Android^TM phone, or USB flash drive. I tested the service with my iPhone 4 as well as the USB flash drive they sent me.

Their service allows you to print to any of their self-service machines. What can you print you ask?

• Accepted file types include Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe PDF documents. (Update – the service now also supports JPG, TIF, and other image formats)
• To print other formats, or for binding and other finishing options, you can see a FedEx Office employee at the store.

To begin using FedEx Office Print & Go from your iPhone, BlackBerry smartphone, or Android device you first have to download the HP ePrint app.

I jumped to the Apple App store and downloaded the HP ePrint app. This app lets you do more than print to the FedEx Print and Go service.  It also lets you print to other public print locations as well as to wireless HP printers that support AirPrint.

The app wanted to use my current location to find nearby public print locations so I clicked OK.  It then asked me to create an account with my email address. I receive an activation code via email and enter into the app and clicked activate to complete the registration process.

I was then presented with a screen of what I could print using the app:

I choose the email option from my iPhone and was presented with the choices of Google Gmail, AOL, Mobile Me, or Other IMAP.  I choose Gmail and was asked for my login credentials. I then took the following steps:

• It showed me my inbox. I could then click on a message and choose to print the message body or the attachment.
• I choose an email with a PDF attached and clicked ATTACHMENT (PDF). It generated a preview along with a PRINT THIS button.
•  The app then showed a select printer screen with options for local printers, search, and near me.  One click of the “near me” option showed the closest FedEx Office location which was only about 5 miles away.
• I was then able to view the document preview again and it told me a release code would be required (so that only I could get the print job). It also gave me the address and phone number of the FedEx Office location, showed me their business hours, and allowed me to add this location as a favorite.  After reviewing this information I clicked PRINT.
• I then had to accept some standard terms and agreements. At that point it created the print job. The app told me the job was submitted and would be available for printing with 15 minutes from time of submission. I was a bit confused on where I could choose the number of copies, but it turns out you do this when you are actually at the printer at the FedEx Office location. It also gave me some other details including the Release Code (a series of letters and numbers) I needed to get the printout. Conveniently, with one click on my iPhone I could call the store or find it on a map.

I then tried to print a photo I had taken with my iPhone. It followed the same basic steps but I was eventually greeted with an error message saying it couldn’t handle JPG files.  This surprised me but after I called FedEx they told me that functionality should be added within a few months time. (UPDATE: Since writing this initial review I have been informed the Print & Go service now supports JPG, TIFF, and other image formats)

I also wanted to test printing from the USB Flash drive they sent me so I copied a few PDF files from my laptop onto the drive and headed to the local FedEx Office location I had chosen to print to from my iPhone.

Upon entering the store I quickly found a printer clearly labeled for self-service with the Print & Go Service:

I followed the prompts to insert  a card for payment.  I used the $25 dollar gift card FedEx had provided me.  I then was able to choose to print from a download (the files I sent using my iPhone) or a USB Flash drive.  I tried them both and the steps were easy to follow.  In each case I was prompted to choose color or black and white, 1-sided or 2-sided, and the number of copies. When choosing to print from the download I was asked to enter the release code to verify the print job.

In each instance it quickly processed the job and printed without a hitch. I have to say that my overall impression is that the FedEx Print and Go service was easy to use and would be a big help to any mobile worker.

Currently, the service is limited to Adobe PDF, MS Word, and PowerPoint files up to 50MB in size. While this might seem limiting being the PDF format is supported, it means you can print just about anything as long as you take the initial step to convert it to a PDF file first.

I would have liked the ability to print a photo directly from my iPhone, but as I stated earlier, that feature is coming in the very near future. With more than 1600 FedEx Office locations to choose from (you can find them at http://www.fedex.com/office) you are never far away from a place to print your documents on the go.

Services like this are what make The Anywhere Office possible!

ENTER OUR CONTEST TO WIN A FREE ‘PRINT ON THE GO TEST KIT’ AND TRY THIS SERVICE OUT FOR YOURSELF:

Want to give the FedEx Print & Go service a try yourself for free?  FedEx was nice enough to offer me a “test kit” to give away to a member of The Anywhere Office tribe.  This includes a 512 MB USB flash drive pre-loaded with instructions on how to use the service and a $25 FedEx Office gift card to cover the cost of anything you choose to print with the service.

To enter the contest, post a comment below with the answer to this question: “Who originally coined the term ‘Telecommuting?‘”  The contest will run till next Friday – August 19th at midnight EST.  I will pick one winner at random from those that correctly answer the question.

(Hint if you’re stumped you can find the answer in our Special Report – Work Unchained)

UPDATE: I am happy to announce that Dick Robinson was the lucky winner of the FedEx Print & Go Test Kit – congrats Dick!  He successful answered our question “How first coined the phrase telecommuting” – the answer was Jack Nilles.

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In this edition of the show we talked about things like how to build trust with clients you may never meet face to face, working in virtual teams, what effect technology has on the shift from employee to freelancer and the future of the “anywhere lifestyle” – being able to do the work where and when you want.If you already work where you want or if you’re thinking about it, be sure to watch or listen to this episode. It will be worth your while. We all shared some great resources and strategies for collaborating and staying productive.

Freelance Jam is the brand-new show for independent professionals who build the web. Episodes are recorded live every other Tuesday evening, offering viewers a chance to discuss and ask questions during the live show.

Be sure to catch future episodes of FreelanceJam. It airs every other Tuesday night and the show includes interviews with guests from across the web industry and beyond. Topics include freelance business, web design, entrepreneurship, working from home, killer apps, marketing, web trends, and even music!

It’s a laid back interactive discussion I know you’ll enjoy – and they keep introducing me to new music!

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This mobility and anywhere access has caused the lines to blur between our work and personal lives. For most entrepreneurs and small business owners, the two are forever intermingled. If done right, mobile work should be empowering: providing you more freedom and flexibility than you ever imagined as you easily manage the shifting flow of tasks, responsibilities, and communication that are part of your daily life.

But it’s easy to let the technology, and our work, start to take over and demand more and more of our time.

I discovered that in today’s eBusiness world, pure “work/life balance” doesn’t seem to work (at least not for me). What seems a better, more dynamic, fit is a zen-like approach which aims for “work/life integration” instead. This quote called “Master the Art of Living” sums it up.

So how do you do it?  How do you handle the demands of today’s fast paced, 24/7 business environment, along with all of the commitments and enterprises in your personal and family life?

Here are my top 5 tips for a zen approach to mobile work. They will help you achieve “work/life integration,” and ensure that technology is your tool and not your master.

Know how your technology works. Turn off audible or visible notifications so they don’t provide unnecessary interruptions when you are not working or need single-minded focus on a particular project or task.

Setup clear communication guidelines. Make sure everyone knows what is expected of them with regard to accessibility. These include prioritizing communication channels and determining expected turnaround times for different modes of communication (ie. 3 hours for emails, 1 hour for voice mail).

Centralize email and social media messages. Find ways to filter these messages into as few programs as possible so you can easily and quickly check and reply to them without feeling overwhelmed by too many systems.

Consolidate Technology. Find one tool that can serve multiple purposes. Smartphones and tablets can take the place of many devices such as point and shoot cameras, video cameras, laptops, voice recorders, and more. Finding ways to consolidate several tools, and information, into one device lets you travel lighter and stop wasting time switching between multiple platforms or programs.

Unplug and Turn off. Just because you can work from any place at any time doesn’t mean you should. These tools have an off switch – use it! Give projects their proper focus and attention. And don’t be so distracted that you fail to stay present with family and friends.

Following these simple steps will help you navigate the flow of digital information in your life.

Do you have a great tips or suggestion for clearing digital clutter?  Don’t keep it a secret! Post a comment below and share it with the rest of the tribe here on The Anywhere Office.

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I did lots of research (as usual) and reading of reviews and it seemed Case-mate was one of the first to release a variety of cases specifically designed for the Verizon iPhone 4.  There are many different case styles but I don’t like to use a belt clip and prefer a case that has a combination of a solid spine (to protect from impact in case you drop it) but also has a rubber on the sides to help increase the grip to it doesn’t feel like it will slide out of your hand.  The Case-mate Pop case seemed to fit the bill – so I ordered one and in this video I show my unboxing as well as my review of this case.  Although I need to see if it stands the test of time so far I am VERY happy with this case and feel confident it will keep my precious iPhone 4 safe and sound.

Watch my video review and unboxing below:

What case did you pick for your iPhone and what do you like most about it?  Share your thoughts by posting a comment below!

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I met Karl late last year we instantly hit if off.  As we talked further he told me he wanted to embrace a virtual business model for Smart Company Growth. Shortly afterward I started working with Karl to help him refine his business model and choose the best strategies and tools that would allow him the flexibility to work from anywhere, keep his costs low, and work with clients from all over the world without the expenses and headaches of all that travel.

One of the things we discussed was how to use Skype for video conferencing and remote interviews as Karl wanted to include a series of these interviews with noted authorities on his blog. So after getting the technology in place he figured what better way to kick them off than by interviewing me about the strategies and technology that help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and solo professionals to work virtually.

Click below to watch the interview is broken down into 2 parts:

• Video Interview Part 1 where we talk about the shift toward mobile work, how and why companies are embracing this type of work, some of the challenges, and what  it means to work with people you don’t see every day.
• Video Interview Part 2 where we talk about some of the non-tech elements critical for success when leading virtual or distributed workforces as well as some of the key gadgets and technology that help you and your team stay connected.  We also talk briefly about my on-demand webinar The Art of Virtual Leadership and how it helps managers learn to lead virtual teams.

I hope you enjoy the interview and find it informative.  Karl did a great job and had some great insight from his own experiences about what it means to work virtually and work with clients and team members remotely.

What do you think is the biggest shift in working virtually?  Please share your thoughts by posting a comment below.

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I have several different email addresses with different domains names all forwarding mail to Gmail and thanks to it’s flexibility I was able to configure Gmail so that I can send or reply from any of them (with one being the default address for new messages).  For example even though I use Gmail as my email program I rarely use my Gmail address – instead my FROM address is phil@theanywhereoffice.com.

Although Gmail handles this perfectly I was disappointed when first configured my iPod Touch a few years back using Google Sync that it ignored these settings and always sent mail from my Gmail address.  This was unacceptable to me as I wanted emails I sent to come from my business address and didn’t want to confuse my clients, customers, and colleagues.  I hunted and searched and tested and finally found out how to get this to work. You can still use the steps I shared in yesterday’s post/video to sync your Google Calendars and contacts with your iPhone but you need to turn off the mail option there and follow some special (and somewhat convoluted) steps to get the mail to sync with Gmail AND send from your own domain.

No worries – I’m here to help.  I recorded 2 videos for you below walking you step-by-step through the entire process. The first step would be to have mail from your other domain forward to your Gmail account. I assume you’re probably already doing this but if not you’ll need to go into your current email settings for your domain and set it to forward your mail to your Gmail account. The steps for this will vary depending on how you currently get your email – most likely these settings can be controlled in the control panel of your web or email host.

The next step is to configure Gmail to send mail from your own domain rather than using your Gmail address.  Watch this video to learn how to do this:

The final step is the tricky part – how to get your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to sync with Gmail and use your own domain.  Make sure to follow all the steps in the next video – there are a few gotcha’s (like one part where you have to set it up with your Gmail address, back out, then go back in and change it).  It sounds silly – but you have to do this to make it work. If you follow all these steps in my video you will reach nirvanna and have your Gmail perfectly in sync on your iPhone and be able to send and reply to messages using your own domain. Thing of beauty!!

(NOTE: I know you can use Google Apps to have all mail for your domain integrated with Gmail but for many small business and solo professionals you may prefer to not go through the steps of setting that up and simply use your regular Gmail account.  I actually used Google Apps and switched back to using my regular Gmail account.  I found it made it easier to use all the other Gmail services and often times new features were released to regular Gmail accounts long before Google Apps got them.  Not to mention the iGoogle pages for regular Gmail are MUCH better than those for Google Apps.  There are a lot more widgets available and if you use iGoogle as your startup page or a digital dashboard that definitely makes a difference!)

UPDATED (7/28/11) – HOW TO USE MULTIPLE FROM ADDRESSES:

Big thanks to Rafael who posted a comment below on how to configure your iPhone to support multiple FROM addresses (so if you have multiple email addresses you use you can have a choice which to use when sending).  Here is what you need to do to set that up:

1. Goto imap account information
2. At the address box type all your outgoing emails with a comma separator for example Aaa@domain.com,bbb@domain.com,you@gmail.com

This will add a from option when you create new email on the iPhone.

Awesome tip Rafael – what I love about the internet and huzzah to tribal knowledge and the great group we have here at The Anywhere Office!

Please leave me a comment below and let me know if my video walk-thru helped you out or if you have any questions.

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I have tried several different ways and found  Google Sync (which acts like a Microsoft Exchange connector) works great.  I used it for years on my iPod Touch and now that I’m the proud owner of a new Verizon iPhone 4 (I am stoked) I used this same method to keep my iPhone and Google services perfectly in sync. One of the great features is that it lets you sync multiple Google Calendars (up to 25). That means when you create a new appointment in the calendar on your iPhone you can add it to any of the Google calendars you have access to (your own or any shared calendars).

Watch my video below and follow along with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch as I show you how to sync your mail, contacts, and multiple Google calendars with your Apple device so you can send/receive mail, schedule appointments, and call any of your contacts from anywhere – instantly.  Now that’s The Anywhere Office in action!

Note that Google Sync is only supported on iOS versions 3.0 and above. You can check your current version by going to Settings > General > About > Version. If your business, school, or organization uses Google Apps, your administrator will first need to enable Google Sync before you can take advantage of this feature.

If you prefer written instructions Google provides them here but I figured it would be easier to follow along as you watch the steps in this video.

These steps work great if you are using your Gmail address as your primary email address.  If you prefer to send mail from your Gmail account (and your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch) using your own domain (ie I send email from @theanywhereoffice.com) then you will want to check out my next article and video where I’ll walk you through how to change the mail setup.  It’s tricky but I found a way to get it to work so stay tuned!

(BTW all the video of me configuring the iPhone was actually shot with the video camera on another iPhone – how cool is that!)

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As you know I have done a series of posts (with many more to come) about my switch last year from PC to Mac.  Well recently, thanks to the amazing social media tool that is Twitter, I met Phil Simon. He is the author of several books the most recent of which is The New Small.  The book looks awesome and I just started reading it last night.  I’ll be interviewing Phil here soon and giving away a copy of the book.

After chatting Phil and I realized we had a lot more than a first name/hairline in common – we both were born in Brooklyn NY, grew up in New Jersey, went to school in Ithaca NY and have a lot of the same views about emerging technologies and how small businesses/entrepreneurs can leverage these tools to grow their businesses.  We also like the same music (especially Rush, Pink Floyd and the Police) and have a very similar sense of humor (I think that is a NY/Jersey thing).

We also both recently switched from using PCs to Macs and are both now happily plugging away on our MacBook Pros. He also wrote  a series of posts detailing his transition to the Mac. I was sharing some of the great apps I discovered with him and told him about eCamm Call Recorder which makes it super easy to record Skype video and audio chats. He was excited by this and asked if we could do a video interview me about my switch to the Mac so I could share some tips.  Of course I said YES – so visit his blog and check out the interview.

I’ll be returning the favor and interview Phil in the coming weeks once I finish reading The New Small and giving away a copy to a lucky reader so be sure to check back!

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The end of each year also leads me to reflect on the biggest technology changes that the previous year held – not just in technology advancements but also in what technology personally made the biggest difference in my life and work.

It also makes me wonder what 2011 has in store for us.  I’m sure the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) being held in Vegas this week will give us a glimpse into that.

In looking at the biggest tech impacts of 2010 I found a great article from TechCocktail.com:

Best of 2010 Tech, Year In Review

This year has been loaded with innovations both online and off. Many of these innovations were made by the companies we would expect, like Apple, Google, Facebook, etc. But there were also some fresh faces that pushed us to new heights. As Tech Cocktail toured the country looking at new innovations and followed known companies throughout the year, several trends became very clear: 2010 was the year of the iPad, Facebook updates, daily deal services, mobile apps and social geo-location features.  Check out our list and if you think we’ve missed anything, leave a note in the comments.

via Best of 2010 Tech, Year In Review — Tech Cocktail.

Their list hit most of the major advancements of the year.  Beyond what they mentioned in their list I think another big technology step was small businesses and entrepreneurs embracing cloud computing. While cloud computing certainly isn’t new it seems people took greater notice of it and a greater understanding of what it means to live and work in the clouds (watch my video intro on cloud computing). There was certainly no shortage of commercials and articles touting the benefits of the cloud.

But what about you personally?  What technology made the biggest impact in your life or business?  For me it was definitely making the jump from Windows to Mac and buying my MacBook Pro.  This step changed a lot about the way I work and play on my computer. You’ll see that throughout this year as I share a lot more video, audio, and screencasts here on The Anywhere Office to help you learn to choose and use the best technology so you can make your life and work more portable.

Social media was also instrumental for me in 2010.  I connected with some amazing people through Twitter and LinkedIn – many of which have become friends, clients, and partners. In 2011 I will be making a greater effort to connect and partner with like-minded people using these same tools.

What about you? Please share your story and post a comment below letting me know what technology in 2010 made the biggest impact in your life or business? We’d love to hear from you!

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In this initial broadcast I chatted with some folks about mobile work technology – we discussed online musical collaboration, co-working and coffee shops, why it makes sense to create your website in WordPress, CRM software, Windows vs Mac, Skype and Tokbox, multi-person video chats, the Blue Yeti microphone, Twitter Apps, and I even jammed a little harmonica!I’m thinking of doing these either weekly (or bi-weekly) to make myself available to answer any burning questions you may have about mobile work technology, cloud computing, setting up an effective home office, using social media, automating common business processes, internet marketing, and anything else about working from anywhere or growing your business online.

Let me know what you think of the idea and what time/day might work best for you.

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