Nokia has launched its latest E-series handset, a basic candybar phone designed to appeal to business users who don't want too many consumer-friendly frills. Not that Nokia's been able to resist equipping the E50 with a camera and MP3 player.

The selling points for business buyers are the handset's quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz) GSM/GPRS support for global network connectivity, roaming deals permitting, of course. The E50 is also loaded with a raft of push email apps, including BlackBerry Connect, Visto Mobile, Altexia, Microsoft ActiveSync and Nokia's own Intellisync Wireless Email.

The E50 runs the third version of Nokia's Series 60 user interface for the Symbian OS. Nokia said it was bundling its Team Suite app, part of the Nokia Office Tools offering, which it claims helps facilitate conference calls and push-to-talk sessions. The E50 handily has a built-in speakerphone and can support two phone numbers on the one handset.

Nokia also touted the E50's "discreet glossy metallic case", but the phone's six-hour talk time is more impressive. The handset is expected to ship early July for €300-500 ($385-642/£204-340) unsubsidised, the company said. ®