With a new mobile platform appearing on the market by the name of Google Android, the smartphone market has seen an explosion in the last year.
In an attempt to compete, the major handset manufacturers have been spitting out business-centric handsets like there's no tomorrow. Here we look at the top 10 introduced in 2008.
HTC Touch Pro
The HTC Touch Pro is, as the name suggests, designed for business professionals. With a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, plus super-slick touchscreen interface, the Touch Pro is the most versatile HTC offering. On the business side, there's everything you'd expect from Windows Mobile, including push email with document viewing and editing.
BlackBerry Bold
The BlackBerry Bold is RIM's first true all rounder. A QWERTY keyboard replaces the awkward SureType keypad, and you can sync all your sever-based information to it thanks to BlackBerry's Enterprise Server. The original push email service is also onboard, not to mention the wealth of multimedia capabilities on offer.
iPhone 3G
Although not produced with the business user in mind, Apple's iPhone 3G is used by businessmen everywhere. With a simple to use virtual QWERTY keyboard, super-speedy computer synching in addition to push email, third party business apps galore, plus that stunning Safari-based browser, it's no surprise this is such a popular device.
Nokia E71
Nokia's S60 devices will always be a perfect solution for business, because they're so good at handling multiple tasks at once. The E71 also throws in a QWERTY keyboard for good measure, plus it's super-slim so will slide into - and out of - your pocket like a dream.
Samsung i8510
Samsung's Symbian-based i8510 made us take the Korean manufacturer seriously this year. It features everything a compact business phone should; push email, GPS, document editing and viewing, plus an optical navigation key that behaves just like the track pad on your laptop.
