Fears about work intruding into home life could hamper uptake of new mobile telephone technology, says an Oxfordshire company.

Embedded Solutions Limited (ESL), based at Milton Park, near Abingdon, found that half the 800 professionals who took part in its survey feared that the growth in applications for mobile devices would enable employers to place unfair demands on their time.

Nearly three quarters of those surveyed, however, believed that carrying an 'office-in-a-pocket' would enable flexible working practices, helping professionals to better balance work and personal life.

Jon Treanor, chief executive of the firm which won the innovation category in this year's Oxfordshire Business of the Year Awards, said: "In today's global markets business travel is common. Using a laptop computer means carrying another piece of luggage and short battery life limits their effective use.

"A lighter, more energy-efficient device that combines the functionality of a laptop and mobile phone in a handset the size of a personal diary assistant seems an attractive alternative.

"Such devices are on the horizon but there seems to be uncertainty about the positive impact they will have on peoples' lives."

The survey showed work already intruded on most professionals' personal time.