The old joke about being smart and capable is stating that one can walk and chew bubble gum at the same time. In the digitally connected world of today, one must do more than that as they walk. Try walking and closing a big time business deal. Or walking while typing and sending a crucial company-wide email. With new communications technology not only are those things possible, they have become quite common. Many business people have invested money into hands-free and handheld devices that will help them do business at all times, and give them a decided edge in their field.

One piece of technology that has become a staple for many workers actually wasn’t originally intended for a business purpose. The hands-free and wireless Bluetooth technology was initially considered a vital tool for people to talk over the phone while driving. Once people realized its advantages for multitasking by freeing the hands, its popularity soared. People can go about their daily lives while discussing important projects with co-workers or talking business on the phone while typing a business report along with making copies.

A large chunk of business today, however, isn’t done through voice but through email. This way, things like data or presentation slides can be sent in attachments, along with links to published materials. Moving while doing those task presents a much greater challenge since a person’s eyes are glued to a screen instead of on what’s coming up ahead, like a lamppost. But with the advent of new apps for smartphones, all problems are starting to be covered. For example, there now is an app that allows the user to type yet still see where they are walking. By using the phone’s camera and a clear interface, someone can type messages and keep an eye on the city terrain.

Today, the excuse of a late train is invalid, and in the future, so maybe the excuse of walking.