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Computerworld - Everybody knows the iPhone is a consumer toy, right? Well, not exactly. Apple began positioning the iPhone as a business device early in 2008 when it introduced support for Microsoft Exchange and for third-party apps.

Since then, Apple has added hardware encryption and support for more enterprise technologies, including support for the CalDAV and iCalendar standards that allow users to subscribe to network- and Internet-based calendars. Add to that the nearly 5,000 apps contained in the Business and Productivity sections of the App Store -- not to mention a variety of office- and work-related apps listed in other categories -- and it's easy to see that the iPhone can easily be used as a business tool.

We've talked to a lot of professionals who use their iPhones for business. Almost all of them had a set of business-related apps that they'd purchased or downloaded from the App Store. What was surprising was just how much business use some were getting from even the most consumer-centric iPhone features.

Whether it's sending text messages, using the built-in camera, diving into YouTube, working with iPod/iTunes apps or connecting with social networking tools, seemingly unprofessional features and applications can yield professional gold.

[Also don't miss 10 top iPhone apps for IT pros.]

Texting

Text messaging is considered a casual form of communication, particularly in U.S., but that doesn't mean there aren't appropriate ways for business users to employ text messages. If you need to send brief notes to colleagues, particularly those working on traditional cell phones without easy access to e-mail, texts can be a great option -- especially if you need to ensure that a message is received quickly and you don't have a mail server with push notification. Think of it this way: Text messages are a simple way to communicate urgent messages quickly, such as letting staffers know that the e-mail server or phone system has gone down.

Or, if you're attending a big event or stuck in a meeting and want to pop out a brief note or question to a co-worker or customer, a text message can be a good, relatively unobtrusive way to do so immediately -- particularly if you need a fast response and you or the other person doesn't have access to an e-mail system with push notifications.

Shared calendaring systems, e-mail, phone calls or face-to-face contact are typically the best ways to schedule formal meetings, but for arranging on-the-fly get-togethers with colleagues -- or finding each other in crowds -- texts can be ideal.

In some industries, it's appropriate to invite customers to sign up for text notifications about your products and services, particularly if you sell directly to younger customers for whom texting is second nature. You can use the iPhone to send these updates or, for frequent updates to a large number of users, opt for dedicated software or Internet-based services that specialize in text-based marketing.