Samsung Omnia (i900)

The handset also features a business card reader, which will no doubt please those sick of bulging top pockets and remove the faux pas of accidentally giving out someone else’s card in place of your own.

However, although useful, it’s not entirely perfect. During our tests, we did obtain some results that were akin those free online translation tools. Clifftown Road, for example, was read as Cufftown Road. A minor error, yes, but not one you want to repeat in business communications.

A-GPS and Google Maps will help even the most geographically-challenged business user to get to their meetings on time. (Provided that is, the results of an incorrectly-read business card aren’t relied on to provide the initial street address, that is).

As with the HTC Touch Pro, TV-out is also present, which should come in handy for transferring presentations from the small to the big screen. Although the cable doesn’t come as standard so will need to be purchased separately.

But all work and no play makes the business/IT decision maker very dull and Samsung has catered for these consumer needs by hoarding a few other features up its sleeves.

A five-megapixel camera, for example, with auto focus, face and smile detection and auto-panorama modes, means the happy memories gained outside of the 9-5 can be captured in all their glory. There are also built-in games and an FM radio to wile away the hours.

Despite a few minor irritations, Samsung has tried to create a device that looks good at business meetings as well as having something between its ears. Although it won’t win any races for application loading times, users will take on board everything else it has going for it when making their ‘to buy or not to buy’ decision – proof positive that the mobile market these days is increasingly becoming more of a marathon than a sprint.