If you're a mobile businessperson your workload is about to get that little bit lighter. Orange has announced its first Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0-powered smartphone.

The SPV E650 comes in a compact design with the ability to connect with Wi-Fi, EDGE and GPRS networks that should make business communication swifter. The phone has been made to meet the demands made by a PDA, alongside quad-band functionality.

Users can update spreadsheets or documents on the move, using mobile versions of Microsoft Excel and Word. The SPV E650 will show documents on screen exactly how they would appear on a PC.

Furthermore, the Orange SPV E650 also conceals a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a screen which switches automatically between portrait and landscape.

Windows Mobile 6.0 should be fully compatible with Microsoft Exchange Server, with synchronisation between users’ email accounts and mobile devices. Hyperlinks are also supported, enabling web pages to be accessed directly from emails.

The SPV E650 is now available to UK business customers for £165 (exc. VAT), or from free depending on contract. The device is also available to consumer customers from free to £161, depending on package.

We will keep you updated if the SPV E650 is extended across other networks.