Mike Heck

X1 Technologies' X1 was first released in 2002 as a free download. Additionally, Yahoo licensed the technology and it's still available as the no-charge Yahoo Desktop Search.

Designed for individual power users, ISYS Personal Edition lives up to its name. The $99 application (for a 12-month license) has the most complex interface and operation of the products tested.

Google, like Exalead, builds its desktop search experience around a browser. In the case of Google, however, it has an advantage because Desktop generally matches Google's Web search experience.

Exalead is built around an intuitive, browser-based interface that's modeled after the company's Web search portal. This convenient design lets you search your desktop and external Web sites from one place.

DtSearch combines impressive searching power with an easy-to-manage interface. The software handles more than a terabyte of text in a single index - and can simultaneously search an unlimited number of indexes. For this reason, the product is worth the $199 single-user price ($60 per seat in quantity for the corporate network version), especially when you're handling special projects such as forensic or legal investigations.

Copernic Desktop Search comes in Home (free), Professional ($49.95) and Corporate ($59.95) versions. All three index more than 150 types of files, including MP3, JPG, WAV, and MPEG - along with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, HTML, and ZIP files. They also handle e-mails and attachments from Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, and Mozilla Thunderbird.

(See Related Slideshow: Desperately Seeking Desktop Data)

On March 15 the Sprint Palm Treo Pro officially goes on sale, and I've been testing a production unit for the past few weeks. It's basically the same Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone as the unlocked Treo Pro that I tested in late 2008. But the addition of Microsoft's new mobile browser makes this release notable.

Sprint is the first carrier to ship the Treo Pro with Microsoft's Internet Explorer Mobile 6 browser, which will soon become available on other Windows Mobile 6.1 handsets as well. IE Mobile 6 brings more of a desktop browsing experience to mobile devices -- and therefore easier access to enterprise Web applications.

The iPhone 2.x software brings Microsoft Exchange support to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Look to the following Safari and native apps to connect with IBM Lotus Domino eMail; sync with Outlook calendar and contacts; share news, notes, and files with co-workers; and message without SMS charges.

IBM Lotus iNotes Ultralite

With its revolutionary design, the first-generation iPhone captured consumers' hearts. But for the device to be welcomed into the business world, Apple understood that it had to address enterprise e-mail and security limitations. That's why the iPhone 3G (and iPhone 2.x software) introduced Microsoft Exchange support, secure VPN and wireless networking, and remote management.

Still, it takes quality applications that connect workers to corporate systems -- and innovative new programs -- for any mobile platform to have a corporate life. Both of these needs are being met by independent developers -- from moonlighting programmers to the largest software firms. Trouble is, with more than 10,000 iPhone applications, how do you separate the garbage from the gems? We've begun the sifting for you and present 25 recommended applications organized in three general categories: communication and collaboration; office and personal productivity; and sales-force automation, customer relationship management, and business intelligence.

These iPhone applications help extend your business desktop to the phone. Some sync contacts, calendars, and documents; others provide direct access to your PC or Mac; and a few conquer notes and memos with speech-to-text or handwriting recognition. All are native, except for iGoogle and Google Apps, which are tuned to the mobile Safari browser.

Google