Best smartphone for barcode+web custom application?

[B]

I've got customers that need to scan barcodes and automatically pull up a webpage with info about that item while roaming about a city. I thought a customized/locked down Smartphone would be the best answer. I've hunted online but haven't found an affordable and simple solution yet. Hopefully someone here has some experience with something like this...


What Smartphone or device(s) would you use for this type of application?

Since we don't want any voice/phone functionality, is it possible to get a discounted Web/Data Only plan?

I anticipate eventually having over a hundred of these things so any suggestions on finding business packages or bulk discounts?

Any experience/pros/cons with using the Smartphone's camera to read barcodes as opposed to the traditional laser based method?


Thanks,

B