IBM releases iNotes for the iPhone

iPhone owners can now get access to Lotus Notes email

IBM's Lotus division has made available a light version of its iNotes email application for Apple's iPhone.

Lotus iNotes Ultralite uses the iPhone's Safari browser to provide the web-based application, and adds email, calendar and contacts information onto the device.

Once installed, Ultralite will let the user add, edit and manage contacts directly from the phone, write emails and read attachments. Screenshots show a clean and user-friendly interface.

IBM explained that the release is built on the Lotus Domino Web Access infrastructure, and makes the most of the usability of the iPhone.

"Lotus Domino data combines with the flexibility and connectivity of the Apple iPhone," the company said.

Lotus iNotes Ultralite has been released through the Lotus Greenhouse community, a collaboration site for users, customers and developers.

The application is free to download, and IBM said that it requires no upfront costs or overheads. It is pitched firmly at Notes administrators and iPhone users.