Smartphones have come a long way in the last few years, and it's now feasible to consider going on a business trip leaving your notebook PC behind, trusting in the functionality of your mobile phone or phone-equipped handheld.
That can mean a significant difference in technology travel weight -- under 500g for a mobile and its charger, compared to 2-3kg for a notebook and its associated paraphernalia.
The device you choose depends, as ever, on precisely what you want to do with it. But most business travellers will have a minimum set of requirements, which we suggest will include the following: access to e-mail (preferably 'push' e-mail from the company mail server); the ability to open (and preferably edit) business files such as word processor documents, spreadsheets, presentations and PDFs; and a web browser (preferably with VPN access to the company network).
Increasingly, IT departments (if not always users themselves) will be looking for the ability to manage mobile phones and handhelds in the field so that they can be provisioned with software updates, made secure and if necessary wiped clean should they fall into the wrong hands.
Users, or their IT managers, need to consider whether their usage is primarily voice-centric or data-centric. That will determine the kind of form factor required. Luckily there's a wide choice available, ranging from conventional-looking phones to BlackBerry-like devices with QWERTY keyboards, to hybrids with slide-out keyboards. Search around and you should find something with ergomonics that suit you.
Then there's connectivity, which will primarily depend on the amount of data you need to shift around. If you're a heavy data user, you're looking at 3G/HSDPA with perhaps a side order of Wi-Fi (which will also be required to take advantage of fixed-mobile convergence); if you just want to check e-mail occasionally, GPRS will probably do.
BlackBerry Curve 8300
The BlackBerry Curve takes both good and bad factors from the Pearl and 8800, making it an enticing phone -- but we're still waiting for the ultimate consumer BlackBerry
Dopod 838 Pro
An extremely well-equipped Pocket PC PDA-phone, Dopod has made sure that the 3G-enabled 838 Pro balances features with power so it doesn't leave you hanging when you need to access applications like Skype.
Nokia E61i
Nokia's successor to the E61 boasts a slimmer side profile and a 2-megapixel shooter.
O2 Xda Atom Life
The Atom Life tries very hard to bridge the gap between serious business tools and lifestyle gadgets. It's surprising, then, that it's a better business tool than fun phone.
Palm Treo 750 
A bevy of OS enhancements and access to Telstra's Next G mobile broadband network easily make the Treo 750 the best Windows Mobile device we've ever used.
Mark Griffin
27/09/2007 12:44 PM
The first company to offer a PDA phone that has a small numpad for phone calls plus a stylus for general interaction with the system and 3G capability is going to make some serious money. Everyone who I talked to who uses PDA phones wants one like this and there are no manufacturers doing it.
Report offensive content
pdafanatical
04/01/2008 07:34 PM
My vote for the "best business smartphone" is the Dopod 838Pro.. Just grabbed one from www.pressdigital.com.au for $675 - and I've already got it running my price-books and push-email - plus the keyboard is excellent. Works a treat and the price was less than any of the others I tried.
Report offensive content
pdafanatical
04/01/2008 07:34 PM
My vote for the "best business smartphone" is the Dopod 838Pro.. Just grabbed one from www.pressdigital.com.au for $675 - and I've already got it running my price-books and push-email - plus the keyboard is excellent. Works a treat and the price was less than any of the others I tried.
Report offensive content