iPhone finds favour with business users

O2 may be concentrating its iPhone efforts on consumers but research suggests it shouldn't neglect business users, who apparently love the touchscreen interface.

The Apple device beats the competition hands down when it comes to user-satisfaction rates, according to a survey of enterprise smartphone users.

More than half (59 percent) of iPhone-owning business customers said they are "very satisfied" with the device, the survey by emerging technology research company ChangeWave Research found.

RIM's BlackBerry — which has the lion's share of the enterprise market — ranked second, with just under half (47 percent) of those surveyed being "very satisfied" with the device. Nokia came third (with 40 percent), followed by Samsung (30 percent), Motorola (25 percent) and Palm (10 percent).

Alastair Behenna, chief information officer at Harvey Nash, said: "It is a very interesting launch product and, once it has settled into use, the price should become more realistic. If nothing else, it will act as a catalyst to other manufacturers, and the competitive evolution of the iPhone will definitely be worth keeping a watching brief on."

O2 UK recently told ZDNet.co.uk sister site silicon.com that it is working with Apple on hammering out a business tariff. O2 said it is hopeful the tariff will launch at some point this year.