As we see the 40-hour work week fade to memory, we (sadly) no longer have the luxury of leaving our work in our office and on our computer screens. Employees expect you to be able to respond to their emails, check multiple calendars, and forward contacts even if you're at your son's T-ball game.

Don't fret though; there are pleasantries in smartphone ownership. Smartphone features can make the everyday grind a little less... abrasive. At the same time, the right smartphone can also boost your business. The following is a breakdown of some smartphone options from start to finish: basic features and apps to better your life, followed by different phones to consider, and wrapping up with some of the best apps to better your business.

So, without further ado, here are a few ideas to help you get started on your journey of business betterment through your smartphone.

The Bare Necessities

Basic benefits of having a smartphone include:

Map apps trace your GPS signal, so as long as you have a cell phone signal, you're virtually never lost. The phone uses this signal to give you directions to nearly anywhere on the planet, telling you how long the trip will take whether you're driving, walking, biking, or taking public transport. This has profound safety implications for traveling.

Need to change restaurant reservations but you didn't write down the number? Google it. At the store and can't remember what ingredients you need for chili? Google it. Arguing with friends over the name of the Beatles' first drummer (Pete Best)? Google it. Need first aid steps for a snake bite? Well, you get the picture.

You can program reminders for yourself so that you never forget another anniversary, birthday, or appointment ever again. Are you a list person? Many phones allow you to create a to-do list on your computer and sync it with your phone.

What business owner can thrive without instant access to Facebook and Twitter? Smartphones provide this access, and put equally important features (such as Yelp, Dropbox, and online banking) at your fingertips too.

Function-First Recommendations

Here are a handful of phones for those in search of functional phones that come standard without unnecessary bells and whistles.

This year, Blackberry makes a strong re-entry into the smartphone game with the Z-10. Blackberry has always produced business-first products and the Z-10 is no exception, though the phone isn't as austere as those of generations past.

Hear us out on this one. While iPhone has become the symbol of smartphone excess, the core product is still solid, sleek, stylish, and surprisingly easy to use. All those apps you hear about don't actually come with the phone – they're optional downloads. The phone only does as much as you want it to. Also, with the recent release of the iPhone 5 and anticipated release of the iPhone 6, many providers now offer the iPhone 4s as a free upgrade.

Nokia earned a reputation throughout the late '90s and early 2000's for producing phones that were intuitive, practical, and nearly unbreakable. The Lumina 900 makes those qualities its core while adding some extra "oomph" in other areas. The phone, which runs on Windows Mobile, puts lots of emphasis on accessibility and lack of clutter. These features lend themselves well to the elderly, or those who value simplicity above all else.

Nobody knows better than a business owner that smartphones in today's world are needed for a whole lot more than talking. And yet you still see manufacturers basing their battery life on outdated talk/standby specs. Not Motorola, who clearly made battery life its top priority with the Razr Maxx HD. All day use combined with a beautiful display and great performance make this a great choice in all types of business environments.

Business Bells and Whistles: Simple, Useful Apps for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

We highlighted the phones above for their simplicity, but here's another nice thing about them: they can do more, if you want them to.

In fact, many business owners and entrepreneurs have found apps that are as useful to them as their cash register or tool belt. Check out a few of these productivity apps that can transform your smartphone into something a little more:

Easy-Peasy

See, smartphones unnecessarily get a bad rap these days. As we've shown, smartphones, at their core, exist to make you more connected and more productive. There are wonderful choices out there for mobile devices that are intuitive to use and capable of excellent performance.

If it's your first time getting a smartphone, select a device that you're comfortable with, and then be patient. There will be a slight learning curve for any new phone, but you may be amazed at what smartphones can do for you.

If you've already figured out the smartphone best suited to your needs, what are some of your favorite business apps? How has your smartphone improved your life and your bottom line?

Author Bio

Norman Fong is CEO and Co-Founder of BuyVia, an online and iOS App smart shopping service that finds high quality products at the best price available. Deals on popular products like tablet computers, including the iPad and Android tablets, can be sent automatically to users.