Orange shows off latest SPV laptop-3G phone

Orange has released the latest in its own-brand smart phone series, the SPV M5000.

The clamshell M5000 - touted as a cross between a phone and a laptop - has its own mini-sized Qwerty keyboard and 3G connectivity, as well as the usual suspects feature-wise: web, email, push-to-talk and shortcuts to a businessperson's favourite apps.

The business device, made by HTC, is also one of the first phones to be built using Microsoft's latest mobile OS, Windows 5.0, according to Orange.

The device will be available from early October, and will cost up to £400, depending on the tariff.

The release of the new SPV comes as Orange ramps up the pressure on its drive to snare more of the business mobile market.

The France Telecom parented mobile company is planning to better its 1.8 million business phones shipped last year, with its Signature device plan - a range of devices from makers including Motorola and Nokia, with a single home screen for business apps including push-to-talk.

According to recent research from analyst house Quocirca, more than half of businesses are now considering deploying some form of mobile application.

Photo credit: Orange