Apple's iPhone, Google's Android, Microsoft's Windows Mobile or RIM's BlackBerry: Which one is the "best seller" at your business?

I've been deploying handheld solutions to small businesses since the original palm pilot. I advise business owners to allow users to pick the one that best fits their needs as long as it supports Exchange server.

The people who really pound out real emails (not ones that look like an SMS message) usually pick Blackberry. That usually costs more per month as both the carrier and our hosted Exchange providers charge extra.It can add $20/month. We have a few clients who use Blackberry applications and security features. They have been very easy to deploy managed and secure.

I personally prefer Windows Mobile because of its flexibility. My HTC Touch Pro 2 runs TomTom Navigator, Exchange email, Office apps and Audible player all at the same time. I reflash the phones with tweaked custom ROMS built by what I call "phone hot-rodders". The latest Windows Mobile, 6.5 still has some old stylus oriented UI elements but Microsoft has done a lot to minimize the need for it. Despite their stumbling and fixation on "bringing the Windows experience to the handheld" I think they might finally get it right (I credit Apple for waking them up). If they do there is a large base of windows programmers who would quickly get on board.

I recommend the iPhone for users who need a specific app or tend to use the browser often. I like that I can get a call from someone at the AT&T store, have them enter their email address and password for their Exchange 2007 server and I'm done.

I just set up a user on the Verizon Droid, I was very impressed with its speed and the overall design of the unit. Android has improved quite a bit since the T-mobile unit I looked at last year.

The iPhone has a fantastic user interface and library of applications available but hardly any of these applications would actually enable me or my colleagues to be more productive. There are also huge question marks around battery life and security. We work from 9-5 (often longer) and require the phone to be available for that length of time. Being able to unlock the device simply by applying pressure to a certain part of the screen is a serious security concern. If i lose my personal iPhone with contact details on - it's disappointing. If i lose my work iPhone with my work contacts and potentially my whole CRM database then it's a lot more than just disappointing.

Windows mobile has better security but only after you pay for the relevant AVG, Firewall etc. which all adds cost. What seemed like a relatively cost effective option has suddenly become a lot more expensive.

We have opted therefore for BlackBerry - fantastic security, more business/productivity related apps than the iPhone and a good battery life. We are also able to run our SalesLogix CRM database on the device and utilise the real-time push BlackBerry technology to work in real-time. The BlackBerry is also the only device that has proper 'push' technology that is not constantly polling for updates (and running the battery down).

It was interesting to see the comment above that RIM are fading. I was at a meeting with RIM last week and their view was that although the iPhone was competition, it has been more of a catalyst so far, helping to drive the awareness of Smartphones over Mobile Phones. Figures presented also showed far from fading,BlackBerry sales outstripped iPhone sales over the last 12 months (by a considerable margin).

I've had no real exposure to Android so far so i'll leave that one to others.

From a business productivity standpoint, nothing can beat the Blackberry - and I've never even had one! They are more robust when it comes to email, calendaring, messaging, etc. I agree with what some of the other have said about the iPhone. I love mine, but it doesn't cut the mustard around the office. It's more of a lifestyle gadget that I can use while working, but I'd be better off with Windows Mobile or Blackberry around the office. I still can't pry myself away from it though, and many of my collegues feel the same way.

Windows Mobile just released v6.5 with 7.0 not too far behind. It's probably the best all around OS on the market today from a business perspective. I can connect to Exchange (mail, calendar, contacts, tasks), use messenger effectively, view documents, use it as a browser, use it as a modem, and most importantly directly access our Microsoft Dynamics CRM instance. Security is rarely an issue, and it integrates with everything I use at work very well.

I've not tried Android, so I'll reserve judegement, but will say that it looks to be a good platform once it gets to more handsets and developers.

I've used Palm, Blackberry and now iPhone.

The iPhone is just easy. I'm a software guy so, I can figure these things out but, I admire how the iPhone is just intuitive. It works the way you think it should. Can't beat all the apps too. I even found apps for wild game calls while I'm hunting!

Too soon to tell if Android will give iPhone a run for its money.

Blackberry 100% hands down...the iPhone will be a good second if they can make as many business apps. for it as they have made for 'entertainment purposes'.