It may not be the most loved of mobile operating systems, but at around 14 per cent of the total market there’s no doubt that a great many businesses still use Windows Mobile handsets.

So, while others such as Android and iPhone, are gaining headline space, Windows Mobile isn’t going anywhere soon. One of the reasons it’s still an essential tool for many companies is due to the wide range of business focused apps available. We pick out 10 essential apps that every business user should have on their device.

1. SBP Mobile Shell - $29.99

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Windows Mobile’s interface is poor, so much so that most manufacturers have spent a lot of time and effort covering it up. However, even so, SBP Mobile shell is worth the download. It’s a replacement interface, and will give you quick and direct access to your favourite apps, your recent calls and your contacts, all with smooth, attractive effects. Highly recommended.

2. Windows Live Messenger – Free

One advantage that Windows Mobile has over certain other smartphone platforms is that it’s easy to get messaging apps onto it. It’s true that this is only really essential if you’re a Live messenger user, but this does a good job mimicking the desktop experience on your handset and lets you stay logged in while you access other programs.

3. Twinkini - $4.99

Most businesses now recognise the value of Twitter for keeping in touch with their customers, partners and employees, and knowing what’s going in in their industry in real-time. There are naturally several Twitter apps for Windows Mobile, but Twinkini is generally regarded as the best. It’s fast, efficient, with a decent user interface and is also very flexible, enabling you to follow multiple timelines easily. It even gives off a rather lovely Tweet sound when a Tweet arrives.

4. Sprite Backup - $29.95

You’ve got your phone, you’ve spent ages setting it all up with all your contacts, installed all your favourite applications and have everything set up just the way you want it – and then you drop your phone and it breaks.

Sure, you can get a new one, but that means setting it all up again. Sprite Backup lets you look after you mobile the same way you would with your desktop, enabling you to do full, incremental and scheduled backups of your device. Pretty essential when you think about it.

5. Skype - Free

Skype is a very useful tool for businesses to communicate with different branches at no cost. The great thing about Skype on Windows Mobile compared to the iPhone, is that you’re not restricted to using it on a Wi-Fi network, as it’s available over the operator network too. Though, of course, you’ll need a suitable data tariff in order to keep charges in check. Also, not all devices give Skype access to the internal speaker so you may need to plug in a headset to keep your call private. Even so, having the freedom to make Skype calls away from your computer is a real boon.

6. Google Sync - Free

You may have a Windows device but there’s no reason that Google and Microsoft can’t get along. Install Google Sync on your Windows Mobile device and your Google calendar and contacts will sync over the air. Make changes on one, and this will be reflected on the other. Of course, it will replace the info you’ve already got on your device, so you’ll need to place your faith in Google for this to be worth it. In true Google style it’s still technically in beta, but don’t let that put you off.

7. WMwifirouter - €19.99

This is a smart trick. WMwifirouter does what the Mifi does – it turns your phone into a wireless hotspot, enabling multiple devices to connect to it and get online. The device appears as a hotspot so is transparent and can therefore be used for either Windows or Macs. It’s essentially tethering on steroids. The downside is that it can really hit the battery on your phone, but if you want to get multiple devices online in a hurry this is worth every penny.

8. CorePlayer -$29.95

If you’ve ever tried to play video content on your Windows Mobile, the chances are that you’ve got frustrated at the inability of the built-in media player to play certain formats. Indeed, even if it does play, it’s an awkward interface.

CorePlayer may also not offer the slickest interface in the world, but it’s straightforward enough once you’re used to it and it will let you play most things you throw at it and many without having to convert them for your phone, which, simply as a time saver, makes CorePlayer worth the money, especially as a major version 2 update is imminent.

9. ActivePrint Professional - $39.99

While smartphones are thought of as pocket computers, it’s perhaps surprising to realise that you can’t print by default from your Windows smartphone.

ActivePrint Professional looks to solve that little issue by letting you print documents and images to any Windows compatible printer. You can do so via wireless or when connected via cable through ActiveSync. If you can’t get to a printer when you’re on your travels you can queue up your documents and then print them out when you get back. It’s a little on the pricey side, but worth it for the flexibility provides.

10. iPass – Costs dependant on partner deal

Connecting to hotspots when you’re out and about is great, but when you’re travelling it’s an inconvenience to have to remember separate logins and deal with the individual costs of each hotspot provider.

iPass is a hotspot aggregator that aims to make things much easier. Sign up to iPass and it will connect you to all major hotspots, so you only have to enter one set of access details once. Your company will have to be signed to iPass through one of its partners to use it, but if it is, this could be one of those utilities where you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.

Author: Benny Har-Even

Top 10 Windows Mobile business apps