Street smart

The best of existing and upcoming smartphones have industrial-strength e-mail functionality to keep users always on and always connected

Sony Ericsson M600

Sony Ericsson is pushing the M600 as a phone and messaging device. The phone supports a variety of push e-mail systems, remote synchronisation and expandable memory in a compact design only 15mm thick, making it possibly the slimmest UMTS device in the market. The new phone will be available this summer, according to a company representative.

Price: N/A

BlackBerry 7130G

The new model 7130g offers all the usual functionality of the BlackBerry, including push e-mail, phone, text messaging and internet browsing, packaged as a sleek, lightweight conventional phone. Key features include SureType keyboard technology, which enables quick, accurate message and information entry, Bluetooth connectivity and speakerphone.

Price: $2,680 through 3 Hong Kong

BlackBerry 8707v

The new BlackBerry 8707v is a significant model release for being the first handheld from Research In Motion with a built-in 3G modem supporting high speed data transfer over UMTS networks. It is also the first BlackBerry device in Hong Kong that supports roaming in Japan and South Korea, making it an ideal choice for business users who travel widely around the region.

Price: $3,988 through SmarTone-Vodafone

Nokia E61

The E61 business phone, release date in Hong Kong to be confirmed, is Nokia's first BlackBerry-style phone. With a large, high-definition screen and a full qwerty keyboard, the phone will support several push e-mail solutions, including BlackBerry Connect and Intellisync Wireless Email. The new phone will also be fully equipped for connectivity, have quad-band GSM support, Wi-fi and a USB.

Price: N/A

O2 XDA Atom Exec

Under its gun-metal grey casing, the new XDA Atom has a powerful Intel XScale 520MHz processor and 192MB of memory. The pocket rocket runs on the Windows Mobile OS and is being marketed as a 'true messaging solution', with a dedicated messaging shortcut key on the front panel leading directly to e-mail, SMS and MMS. Besides the usual productivity software, the Atom has a host of multimedia functions, including a two-megapixel camera with flash.

Price: $5,980

Motorola MING

The Motorola MING, known as A1200 in other parts of the world, is not the newest smartphone on the block but it is the best selling, its maker says. The clamshell handset has a see-through flip cover and a two-megapixel camera with business card scanner. Designed for Chinese businessmen, it supports Chinese handwriting recognition on a Linux OS.

Price: $3,680

Nokia N80

Nokia considers the N80, the latest in its N Series of phones, to be its most advanced all-in-one yet. The phone is packed with features, including a three-megapixel digital camera, e-mail, MP3 player, personal organiser, game console, and Wi-fi connectivity. The phone uses the Symbian OS, on top of which is loaded a full suite of productivity software and an internet browser.

Price: $5,298