Palm Pre Plus & Pixi Plus (twins hatch at O2)

Palm today have 2 new additions to the family, the updated Pre Plus and the Pixi Plus. Currently both devices are exclusive not only to the O2 network but just to their business customers.

Why Palm? A leading handset and software developer recently purchased by HP guarantees a well engineered, well built device in what ever they release. All the usual smartphone standards are met in both the new devices but most importantly Palm pride themselves on multitasking (operating many programs at once without noticeable effect on performance).

Why Palm Pixi Plus? The smaller of the devices with full qwerty keyboard, 2.63 inch touch screen and 3 megapixel camera but most importantly free of charge on the entry level business package. £28.51 per month gets you unlimited UK data, texts, calls to O2 numbers, 10 landlines, voice mail and an additional 300 minutes!

Why Palm Pre Plus? A full slide out keyboard makes this pebble like device super easy to hold and operate. The screen size increases to 3 inches but the camera remains the same at 3 mega pixel. The internal memory jumps up from 8GB offered by the Pixi Plus to 16GB so that's a fair bit if storage. This particular handset is available free of charge on the £33.51 per month plan which offers the same package as the Pixi Plus but the additional minutes increase to 600.

Pixi Plus or Pre Plus - you decide

Nokia 6700 Classic Gold - Business Bling

Calling all night club owners and car sales men.......

The high tier, standard, 5 mega pixel Nokia 6700 Classic camera phone is now available in a pimped up gold metallic outer body shell.

Great... if you like that sort of thing.

On a serious note, Nokia have done themselves proud with the Nokia 6700 Classic device and the limited edition Gold version does actually look ok. The business World will only find this device available on the T-Mobile network . Beware though, where there's a limited edition there's a price tag to go with it as you'll be paying minimum of £21.28/mth rental for a free of charge gold edition verses only £12.77/mth rental for a free standard Classic edition.

Standard or Gold edition, the Nokia 6700 Classic can be found by visiting T-Mobile

Bling Bling, Calling any Ting - The Nokia 6700 Gold Edition

Dell to Streak in June

Here's a first for a while.... The UK to get a new release months before the US!

Dell have announced that they will be launching their new handheld tablet 'Streak' through the O2 network in early June.

The tablet is basically a large mobile phone device which is aimed at entertainment, social connection and navigation market. The screen size is a massive 5 inches, the inbuilt camera is 5 mega pixel and the operating system is Google's Android platform. With fast 3G and WiFi connection the handset will be good for video streaming and heavy duty data files and last but not least you can make and receive voice calls (I mean, who does that nowadays??)

We're unclear whether the new release will be made available through the business channel but our question is, would a business user want one? Without having a play with a pre-release device we're unable to comment but our initial thoughts are that a 5 inche screen device would be rather large for the average user unless you don a dear hunters jacket (we'll dust ours off in anticipation).

As always, any further bits and bobs of information will be communicated here along with the full range of tariffs at www.onlinebusinessmobiles.com as soon as they are made available by the network

The Dell Streak - launched on O2 during June 2010

T-Mobile and Vodafone now offer the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to Business Customers

Back on the 4th May we reported that the BlackBerry Bold 9700 was available in white for business customers through the Vodafone online store.

Well the purchasing department over at T-Mobile were hot on Vodafone's heals as an order for the white variants was placed and is now available to buy online.

T-Mobile offer the cheapest line rental starting at £8.51 but the allowance contains only 100 minutes/100 texts each month. They do have the 'Business Unlimited' plan on offer at £20/mth for the 1st 3 months and then back up to £35/mth with the handset being free initially.

If it's consistently good pricing that you want then the entry level £25/mth plan from Vodafone probably offers the best value - unlimited UK landline calls, 500 mobile minutes, 250 texts and unlimited data each month with the handset being initially free of charge.

Click here to order through T-Mobile
Click here to order through Vodafone

For all other business mobile phones and network price plan comparison visit us at www.onlinebusinessmobiles.com

BlackBerry Bold 9700 - the white stuff

BlackBerry Pearl 9105 3g - A Great Business BlackBerry

Back on the 28th April we reported that the new BlackBerry Pearl will be shipped to the UK with the predictive text input keyboard. Well yesterday we got our hands on one and were mighty impressed.

The successor to the original Peal 8000 series is definitely welcomed by the slim form factor BlackBerry lovers who may feel it's been long over due. The new Pearl will carry the model number 9105 as well as being called the Pearl 3G. As the name suggests it packs in 3G connectivity as well as WiFi, blue tooth and a 3.15MP camera. In line with all other BlackBerry models it has moved away from the roller ball navigation and opted for the track pad method. The outer casing has had an upgrade from the older Pearl model with a more sharper look and feel and I'm sure this light weight, feature packed device will be a huge hit.

Available mid June (networks, tariffs & pricing information TBC).

BlackBerry Pearl 9105 3G - A great business BlackBerry

HTC Wildfire launching in the UK next month

HTC have announced the next Android operating handset to be released in the range....

The HTC Wildfire is aimed primarily at the social networker tying all Facebook, Twitter and Flicker applications all in one basket. If you want to manage your contacts under one profile, so regardless as to whether they text, call, picture message, Facebook, tweat or post a picture, the method shows up under one thread (how very organised)

T-mobile are the first UK network to announce the handset (due mid June) and I reckon this will feature in its business handset line up. The HTC Wildfire features a 3.2" capacitive touch screen and a 5MP camera but as for other whistles and bells then it leaves that up to the older brother in the range, the HTC Desire.

Will the HTC Wildfire be a business tool? If you are making the jump from a standard handset to a smartphone but are worried about cost then I think this is as good as any stepping stone. The T-Mobile pricing rumor is smoking around the £20 per month mark with a free handset upfront but personally I would spend a little extra and opt for the HTC Desire with a faster internal processor and better build.

Need help choosing a business mobile phone - check out the UK's only business mobile phone comparison website

The HTC Wildfire - good for social networking but is it right for business?

Samsung Monte available on T-Mobile Business

T-Mobile have today launched the hugely popular Samsung Monte which is available on business price plans.

The device is feature packed with a 3.2 megapixel face detection camera, a 3" touch screen to easily view web pages and WiFi compatibility to remain connected at faster speeds whilst you are in a WiFi area.

If you are looking for a low cost business tariff with 300 minutes and 300 texts per month which supports the Samsung Monte then consider the plan at £12.77/mth.

Click here for more details

Samsung Monte - A good little touch screen phone

Cheapest SIM only offers for Business

More and more business customers are now opting for a SIM card only deal on a rolling contract - But why?

Historically you signed a contract, paid a monthly rental, had minutes/text/data loaded into the plan and received a meaty subsidy on the handset... Brilliant marketing from the providers because let's face it, you paid back the subsidy and more with your inflated monthly line rental. If you were honest with yourself, would you pay £300 for a mobile phone if a similar functioning handset was offered for only £100?

What a number of business customers want are the best SIM card only deals to use in existing handsets. By this method the monthly line rental tumbles and they're doing a bit for the environment so it's a win win. When/if a new handset is required then they either by a new one outright or upgrade from a 30 day rolling contract to an annual period and receive a subsidised handset as an upgrade.

If your business doesn't need new handsets and can rely on old kit then think again before entering into lengthy contracts with brand spanking new handsets and super high monthly rental. To compare business SIM only plans across all of the networks click here

More Loyal & Satisfied Customers at Vodafone

Customer satisfaction and loyalty is greater now with Vodafone customers compared to O2 customers according to YouGov’s Technology & Telecoms Consulting team. 50% of users would happily swap from O2 compared to only 34% with Vodafone.... But why is this?

Have O2 been too dependent on the iPhone exclusivity and now it has become a mainstream handset are they struggling to keep customers attention? Is the network outages for data in some parts of the UK due to too many users becoming a major issue or is it the increased tariff options and different business contract lengths that is becoming more appealing for the Vodafone network?

Both networks still have handset exclusives such as the Palm Pre and Samsung Galaxy i7500 with O2 and Nokia N900, HTC Legend, Nexus One with Vodafone but with the market becoming more data hungry will the networks have to reinvest more into the infrastructure to cope with the demand?

Click here to compare all UK business mobile phone deals

Microsoft Office Mobile 2010 - FREE download

The egg heads at Microsoft have released a FREE business application called Microsoft Office Mobile 2010. This freebie is down loadable from the 'Market Place' found in the Windows menu of all handsets running software version 6.5.

So what are the benefits?

• View and edit your Microsoft® Office® documents with confidence.
• Stay connected to work from anywhere with SharePoint Workspace Mobile
• Take notes on your phone with ease - insert voice clips, pictures or make a quick list.
• Use PowerPoint Mobile as a Presentation Companion.

Further information can be found by clicking here

Looking to purchase a Windows Mobile 6.5 device? then use the best free comparison tool from Online Business Mobiles.com and view the HTC HD Mini, HTC HD2 and the LG GM750

T-Mobile and Orange to retain their names after merge

After months of speculation both T-Mobile and Orange will retain their names for the foreseeable future once the merge of the two companies is completed later this year.

But what does this mean for business customers....?

Having four main players in the arena makes for better competition and better competition leads to better deals for the customers. The only draw back that I see is that more competition can lead to a confusing playing field and too much choice can be annoying.

Of course network coverage sharing is a massive plus side to this story with the two networks combined easily capturing more of the UK than O2 and Vodafone.

If you are a low usage business customer then long live the sub £10 entry level T-Mobile business tariffs - Click here for business mobile phone tariff comparison

Android overing taking iPhone in smartphone popularity

Ok, so this fact is only confirmed for our friends in the States but it's interesting to see that mobile phones running the Android Operating System held only 6% of the market share a year ago and now have leap frogged Windows Mobile and iPhone Operating Systems to take second place to BlackBerry. I'm sure this will be similar of the UK but as a business customer should you have reservations in using an Android device.....?

Windows Mobile like BlackBerry have fantastic, corporate integration with Microsoft and these Operating Systems would be the natural choice for current users of Microsoft Windows. Similar to the iPhone, if you use Mac then an iPhone would be a logical choice. As the new kid on the block, full integration of corporate IT infrastructure like Microsoft Exchange might well be a way off but if you are considering Android for just web browsing and web based email (pop3) then you are in safe hands.

Thumb rule to apply - If you do not use your own server to host your email and IT infrastructure and you outsource this to a 3rd party then the Android Operating System is as good as any.

The most recent addition to the fleet of Business Mobiles available in the UK that run Android is the Nexus One and the HTC Desire

The HTC Desire and the Nexus One - recent Android additions

Vodafone - Two phones for the price of One

Vodafone have launched a promotion valid until the end of May available on a business purchase of the Nokia E72.

As well as receiving the new phone they will also send a Nokia 2323 as a spare device. Two phones for the price of one.

The Nokia E72 is a Symbian operated device with full qwerty keyboard, 5 megapixel camera, Assisted GPS with embedded Nokia Maps as well as bluetooth and WiFi. The Nokia 2323 on the other hand has next to nothing in specification but is great as a spare device for when ever the need arises.

To order directly from the Vodafone network please click here and be sure to enter the promotional code of 2323 when promoted on the secure ordering page.

Nokia E72 - Purchase this month to receive a free Nokia 2323

Vodafone Sure Signal - Pump up your coverage

Vodafone Sure Signal gives businesses a strong indoor mobile phone signal – anywhere in the UK. It uses broadband to boost the signal in blackspots – areas where mobile operators are unable to give customers a strong enough signal in their homes and offices. Sure Signal can give up to four people a full 3G mobile signal at the same time. It's ideal for smaller offices. And it can also be used by remote workers in their homes – helping to increase productivity away from the office.

What about this for an offer FREE BlackBerry 9700, 1000 anytime, any network minutes with 250 texts and unlimited landline calls PLUS unlimited Mobile Internet and BlackBerry® email with a a FREE Sure Signal box all for £35/mth. Click here for more details.

Vodafone Sure Signal box - Just plug straight into your broadband

FREE BlackBerry Bolt-on available on O2 Business tariffs

The network with the largest customer base is continuing to offer the BlackBerry data bolt-on effectively free of charge (until the end of May). The standard line rental remains the same but a bill credit on the 2nd invoice of over £200 covers the overall cost of the data allowance.

If you are looking for a BlackBerry on a business tariff then consider this for only £25/mth,

• Unlimited UK landline calls
• Get £204.24 off your bill (by the time you get your second bill)
• Upgrade after 12 months
• 300 anytime minutes
• Unlimited email, Wi-Fi and web
• Unlimited calls to 21 million O2 mobiles
• 100 texts

Full handset and ordering details along with a free accessory is available at www.onlinebusinessmobiles.com.

'Communicator Mobile' - new Application for the Nokia E52 and E72

Attention all Nokia E52 and E72 owners.... from today you are able to download an application from the Ovi store which will allow you to link into your companies communication system giving you the ability to see other colleagues availability and choose whether to message them via IM, texts, email or phone call.

Communicator Mobile is a collaboration between Microsoft and Nokia centered around mobile productivity.

Click here to download for free

Click here to compare all UK mobile networks offering the Nokia E52 and E72 for business

HTC HD Mini availble on Vodafone

Looking for a Windows Mobile device with a decent sized touch screen and camera but are unwilling to pay more than £25/mth on a contract with the device being initially free of charge?

Enter the 5MP, Windows Mobile 6.5, 3.2 " capacitive touch screen HTC HD Mini.

We're unsure as to whether other UK mobile networks will range the HTC HD Mini but Vodafone are first to market with the device which is available to purchase now.

HTC HD Mini

BlackBerry Bold 9700 available in white

If you are buying a fleet of BlackBerry Bold 9700 handsets and you are worried that users will mistake each others device as their own then worry no more.

BlackBerry has launched the device in an all over white colour which is currently available on the Vodafone network. View or purchase

Not the best idea if you're in an environment which is susceptible to dirt and grime as I'm sure your paw prints would show up like a police stations finger print collection.

May be one for the ladies??? (please ignore my last sexist comment)