Smartphone Thoughts: From the Perspective of a Pocket PC Veteran - Samsung�s Blackjack SmartPhone Reviewed

Product Category: Windows Mobile SmartPhone
Manufacturer: Samsung
Where to Buy: Wirefly (Affiliate link)
Price: $499.00 - free after rebates with new Cingular Wireless account
Specifications: Samsung site

Pros:
[*]Small and lightweight;[*]QWERTY keyboard;[*]Bright screen;[*]Very fast wireless data connectivity.
Cons:
[*]Smartkeys easy to press by accident;[*]Proprietary connectors;[*]Battery life only fair;[*]Mediocre camera.
Summary:
As a longtime Pocket PC fan and resident geek/gadget freak among family, friends and co-workers, I've faced the following question many times in the past:

"When are you going to move to one of those 'all-in-one' units that combines a PDA and a cell phone?"

I'd reply that most such devices were either too large as a cell phone or too small and limited as a PDA, at least for my needs and preferences. Some recent devices that look and act much like a PDA, but with roughly the same size as a cell phone, have tempted me to take the plunge. So here's my review of my new Samsung Blackjack, along with some comparisons to a couple of the very devices it's supposed to combine and replace. Can a diehard Pocket PC guy achieve satisfaction with a new kind of device? Join me in my odyssey into the world of Windows Mobile SmartPhones...