Mass of handsets launched at 3GSM

Businesses have a wider choice of mobile handsets following a wave of new devices announced at the 3GSM World Congress 2007 in Barcelona. The first handsets running Microsoft's new Windows Mobile 6 were unveiled, along with an addition to Nokia's Communicator line-up and a new BlackBerry model with built-in GPS capability.

Microsoft officially launched Windows Mobile 6 at this year's 3GSM, and vendors including HP, Toshiba and i-Mate demonstrated new handsets based on the platform at the exhibition. The software adds support for HTML email messages, better security when managed from an Exchange 2007 server, and now includes Microsoft's .Net Compact Framework and SQL Server.

Available later in the spring, HP's iPaq 514 Voice Messenger is a compact smartphone offering Wi-Fi and voice-over-IP (VoIP) capabilities plus over-the-air device management capabilities through Bitfone, which HP acquired last year. This enables administrators to remotely erase data on lost devices, configure and repair handsets, and provide updates, HP said.

The iPaq 514 will also be supported by BT from mid-2007 as part of its Fusion project, eliminating the need for workers to have separate desk and mobile phones. Fusion will provide one phone number and offer fixed-line rate calls when in Wi-Fi zones, according to BT.

Toshiba's first foray into the handset market is the Portégé G900, featuring a qwerty keyboard that slides out of the side of the device. The firm also announced a Windows Mobile 5 smartphone, the G500. Both have Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity, and feature a fingerprint scanner for security.

RIM said its new Blackberry 8800 is its thinnest handset yet, and boasts GPS tracking in addition to its traditional push email and quad-band voice functions. GPS can be used with BlackBerry Maps to provide driving directions, but also integrates with other BlackBerry applications, according to RIM.

Nokia used 3GSM to unveil three new E-series Symbian-based enterprise handsets, including an update of its Communicator range. Like its predecessors, the E90 Communicator opens to reveal a second display and qwerty keyboard, but now supports HSDPA wireless broadband in addition to Wi-Fi and quad-band voice capability. Nokia also unveiled the E65 slider phone and a refresh of its E61 email device, the E61i.

Visit our IT Week Labs blog to view photos of all the above phones.