The answer: Fewer emails but in more places?

Research published today says the use of data applications on the move, especially email, is on the up and up. The large European study may be sponsored by Nokia, who like the sound of that, but it rings true. And it's good to hear that while email may be most in demand, other apps, for vertical markets, ERP or just plain organising your business day, are also cited.

Compare this advance, which we bet will be backed up by operators - remember Orange and co are doing their best to get end users to make use of advanced phones - with news out yesterday.

John Caudwell, hard-working multimillionaire and boss of Phones 4U, took it upon himself to announce the banning of email back at his company's HQ. It seems staff have "been told to get off the keyboards, get face-to-face or on to the phone to colleagues". A press release mentions a focus on 'customer service' a number of times.

So what's going on? It isn't especially clear but the latest word is that most of the media misinterpreted the John Caudwell statement yesterday. Apparently the "three hours a day to concentrate fully and without distraction on sales and customer service" is afforded by cutting out internal emails, not all email, including that in from and out to customers, suppliers, partners et al.

We have our doubts - both whether that's the intention, that's the benefit in time saved and that's a tenable position. How long before Caudwell has to back track quietly? Email is here, and despite modern problems with spam and irrelevant or non-work correspondence, it is folly to think picking up a phone is the answer.

The research from Nokia makes the situation all the more intriguing. Are Caudwell Group staff not to use email from mobile devices? Does that count as using the phone or using email?

Like desk-bound email, mobile email and other applications will become commonplace. Companies that don't see that will at some stage lose out. Any ideas who might be pretty near the front of that pack?