Nokia’s E7 smartphone, which is aimed squarely at the business professional, takes to retail shelves in Australia today, claiming to give users a new meaning to the mobile office.

With its tilting 4 inch touchscreen AMOLED display and full qwerty keyboard, it includes a range of business applications from Microsoft and IBM, built with the professional user in mind.

Chris Carr, Nokia Australia’s managing director, said: “The smartphone is now the primary business device for many Australians, but business users – like all consumers – don’t just want functionality. They expect flexibility, reliability and style. With the Nokia E7’s touchscreen and slide out QWERTY keyboard there’s no need for compromise, and synchronisation with key corporate apps gives users access to critical business information.”

The Nokia E7 provides direct, secure and real-time access to email, calendar, contacts and tasks through Microsoft Exchange servers, as well as Office Communicator Mobile.

Other key features include private and business email along with fast, secure intranet access with the built-in VPN; access to edit and share .pdf files with Adobe Reader; an 8 megapixel camera and dual LED flash for high resolution photos and HD video; Nokia’s Ovi Maps feature which gives voice guided navigation with built in travel guides; HDMI connectivity; 16GB onboard flash memory including USB on-the-go; integrated social networks; multi-party conference calling as well as access to thousands of business-related apps from Nokia’s Ovi Store such as Bloomberg, Salesforce for Symbian and Australian apps such as BNET and Flying Solo.

Wrapped in a brushed aluminium casing with metallic finish, the Nokia E7 is available now in dark grey and silver white. A blue and orange version will launch later in the year. 

The E7 is available from selected retailers now, and will be carried by Optus and Vodafone from April. It retails at $929.