Note that the scorecard for this review reflects the shortcomings of Windows Mobile 5, which was shipped with the device received for this review. A check of HTC's Web site on the filing date for this review showed that the Windows Mobile 6 update was still unavailable.

Enterprise, executive, and mobile pros and cons
No round-up of mobile devices could cover the entire range of purchasing options. I initially chose the four vendors -- BlackBerry, HTC, Nokia, and T-Mobile -- that were most approachable, and my priority was to hit the three most prevalent, most open mobile platforms on the market: BlackBerry, Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition, and Windows Mobile 6 Professional. You can be sure I'll cover more platforms and review more devices in the future.

Brand and platform shouldn't necessarily lead buying criteria for mobile users. It's more important to choose a device that fits the way you'll use it, and that's why I chose to split my reviews into the enterprise, mobile executive, and mobile professional categories. Don't see these as lines that can't be crossed. Upscale mobile professionals will find mobile executive devices worthwhile. Any professional who manages remote networks will probably find an enterprise handset to be an invaluable asset, far more useful than an ordinary phone and much more convenient than a notebook.

Still, a review needs winners, so without further qualification, here they are. The BlackBerry 8800 is the best BlackBerry yet made, and it is responsible for my discovery of GPS and TeleNav GPS Navigator, both of which I find indispensable. But the Nokia E61i's combination of Wi-Fi, a fast GUI, Adobe Flash Lite, in-device rich attachment viewing and editing, a quick and accurate browser, Voice Aid, ubiquitous messaging (which includes BlackBerry Connect), VPN, VoIP, and native custom application support gives the Nokia E61i a decisive win in the enterprise category and overall. I hope that TeleNav gets GPS Navigator ported to this device soon.

If trophy phone were a category, Nokia's E65 would win it hands-down. But the T-Mobile Wing (HTC Herald) looks great, feels good in your hand, pockets easily, has a full slide-out keyboard, sports a fine touch-sensitive display with portrait and landscape orientation, and shares many of the qualities of Nokia's E61i (but neither its performance nor its platform). Plus, it's compatible with all Windows Mobile 6 Professional applications. Of all the devices here, the Wing also fits best in both mobile executive and mobile professional categories.

Of the devices I judged suited to mobile professionals, the choice comes down to the better of two so-so devices. The BlackBerry 8300 (Curve) and the AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes) are both imperfect. Of the two, AT&T's 8525 is more powerful, but it's a brick. Life's too short to carry an ugly phone. Curve is attractive and capable, but if you need a BlackBerry, I'd skip Curve and go straight to the 8800, which is marked down in preparation for the arrival of BlackBerry 8820.

Assuming you want better than so-so, your choice comes down to the Nokia E61i or T-Mobile Wing. It's only fair to subject myself to my own recommendations, so I'll be carrying these devices for the next several months, switching between them as my primary mobile phone. It will take me some time to transition from the BlackBerry 8800 to the Nokia E61i, and I'll chronicle that experience in my blog.

Now, if you can afford two iPhones and you can stand to carry something the size of two iPhones, then HTC's Advantage X7501 may be your wireless dream come true. It has everything: Wi-Fi, GPS, broad cellular network compatibility with no operator lock-in, Bluetooth stereo, a perfect display, a detachable keyboard, and video output. Expensive? Yes. A phone? If you already have a Bluetooth implant, then yes. For me, no, but with a data-only wireless plan and TeleNav GPS Navigator, the X7501 will be accompanying me everywhere I go.

I'm still dependent on the MacBook Pro, but I'm dumping the spiral notebooks that I always use to take notes and then promptly misplace. Maybe I won't need to blog on a BlackBerry or balance a notebook on my knees in a meeting hall. With the X7501 recognizing 95 percent of my sloppy handwriting (that's better than I can do), maybe I can just blog my notes. Or maybe I'm just dreaming. I'll find out, and you will too as you read my blog.