Five top business apps for the iPhone 5

The unveiling of the iPhone 5 last week looks like being another triumph for Apple, with a record two million handsets pre-ordered in the first 24 hours.

But with the device set to be unleashed on the Australian market tomorrow, the question for start-ups is not only whether it’s any good for business but whether it’s a serious upgrade on what’s already out there.

The experts have commended the light weight of the iPhone 5, as well as its enlarged screen. A new A6 processor chip improves processing times and graphics power, with battery life set to keep pace with the upgrade. SmartCompany has a good run-down of the features here.

If you do decide to plump for the iPhone 5, its use as an enterprise tool will be greatly enhanced if you also use the right apps.

Recently, we outlined the 10 best Android and iPad2 apps for start-ups. Now it’s time to do the same for the iPhone.

Here are five of the best business-friendly apps that look set to shine on the iPhone 5. Click on the tabs below to see each app:

1. Onavo Extend

For many entrepreneurs, a smartphone is a one-stop device to access documents, photos, video and emails.

This can lead to a bit of a data log-jam, potentially costing you money in the process. Therefore, it’s worth opting to download Onavo Extend – especially as the app is only free for a limited time.

The app works diligently in the background to shrink down your data, letting you get up to five times more out of your data plan without altering the way you use your phone.

So, you can surf the web, share photos and so on for longer without breaking through your data limit. It has a data caching tool which compresses your data without knock-on impacts to the phone’s performance.

Helpfully, if you travel abroad, the app helps you stay within your roaming plan. It also provides you with an overview of exactly how much data it saves you. Very handy for data-hungry start-ups.

Price: Free