Smartphones

[Cyberus]

I've been toying with buying a smartphone, but all the good ones look really pricey, and not as functional as I'd hoped.

I've played around with the Vario, or i-mate JAM, or whatever its called. Have considered a blackberry too - but no mp3 player, but I could suffer that.

What's my best bet for something that I essentially want to use as a calendar (because I am TERRIBLE at remembering where I have to be and when) and a place to take notes, and maybe surf the internet very occasionally/send email..
Something that I can synchronise with Outlook on my work computer would be useful but not essential - anyone got any ideas?

[GadgetMaster]

I've been considering The IPAQ 6915 which is capable of all of the above plus it has built-in GPS so you can install TomTom Navigator on it and stick it in your car when travelling.

Another one that caught my eye was The Fujitsu Pocket Loox 830TN.

Both are a bit bulky as a phone but are quite feature laden as PDAs. Both run Microsoft Windows Mobile which is quite usable now but has its own limits. There are 'Push' e-mail services available for it so you can use it to send/receive e-mails on the go like the Blackberry.

People have managed to get Lunux running on an IPAQ so if you are feeling adventurous you could attempt something like that. I don't know if it will work on a 6915 though. Another project called Familiar is being worked on that may support more handhelds.

You can also try running Pocket UAE on it. I did so on a different (windows Mobile 2003) PDA and managed to get the game Cannon Fodder and a few other things running :-D

[Speelgoedmannetje]

No Cyberus, you know it's a waste of money.
There's nothing you get used to as fast as luxury.

[whabang]

If you're after a phone with MP3 player and calendar functionality, then you could just aswell save a buck, and buy a SonyEricsson W800i. I have one, and I've ditched my Palm completely now.