TechJunction

Smart phones are growing in popularity, and we’re not surprised. These devices combine the power of a cell phone and a PDA into one unit, letting you make calls, send e-mails, and work on documents without having myriad gadgets. Here we’ve rounded up some of the latest and greatest smart phones on the market today. Take a look at and find out how they can help you in your daily life.

Nokia N95

The Nokia N95 is one of the most advanced smart phones on the market today. The Symbian based device features a robust media player with a 3.5mm headphone jack, a dual-slider design, and integrated GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. However, it hasn’t been picked up by a U.S. carrier, so an unlocked version will cost you a pretty penny.

RIM BlackBerry 8830 and BlackBerry Curve

Business or pleasure? Verizon’s RIM BlackBerry 8830 (left) is great for the globe-trotting exec, as it offers dual-mode functionality, which allows you to get voice coverage in 157 countries (22 of those on CDMA) and e-mail coverage in 62 countries. The 8830 is mostly geared toward business users, while the BlackBerry Curve (right) will appeal to a broader audience as it delivers a well-rounded set of features. Both smart phones, of course, offer BlackBerry’s famed push technology for real-time e-mail delivery.

T-Mobile Wing

The T-Mobile Wing is one of the first Windows Mobile 6 smart phones shipping in the United States. Along with the OS update, the Wing also has a revamped design and upgraded camera. It misses on 3G connectivity, but it’s still a solid device for mobile professionals.

Palm Treo 755 and Treo 700p

Once upon a time, the Palm Treo ruled the smart-phone world, but it’s now facing some stiff competition from the likes of HTC and Nokia. Still, the Treo remains popular in the business world, and many enjoy the ease of use and out-of-the-box Mac compatibility. Pictured here is the latest Treo 755p (left) and its predecessor, the Palm Treo 700p. Both devices use the Palm operating system and support Sprint’s EV-DO 3G network.

RIM BlackBerry Pearl

The RIM BlackBerry Pearl was a huge step for Research in Motion. It was the first BlackBerry to offer multimedia capabilities, a built-in camera and expansion slot, and expandable memory—not to mention the sleek design. The SureType keyboard may give some users a headache, but it’s a good device for consumers and business users alike. The Pearl is available through Cingular/AT&T and T-Mobile in a variety of colors.

Samsung BlackJack

Samsung is known for producing some slim phones, and the Samsung BlackJack is one of the thinnest QWERTY devices to date. With such a compact frame, some of the navigation controls are cramped, but the Windows-based smart phone includes 3G support, push e-mail capabilities, and good call quality.

Verizon Wireless PN-920

There are very few smart phones that offer a flip-phone design, and even fewer that do it well. The Verizon Wireless PN-820 is one of the better ones we’ve seen to date. The Windows Mobile 5 device also has integrated Bluetooth, EV-DO support, and a 1.3-megapixel camera.

Motorola Q

Whether you love it or hate it, the Motorola Q was probably the orginal slim QWERTY smart phone, and it set off a trend. The Q has come under some criticism for having performance issues, but its successor, the Motorola Q 9, looks promising.

Cingular 8525

For the ultimate road warrior, the Cingular 8525 offers a powerful arsenal of tools, including 3G support, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a 2-megapixel camera. The smart phone is on the heftier side, but it features a slider design with a full QWERTY keyboard and touch screen.

T-Mobile Dash

Some may find the T-Mobile Dash a little funny-looking, but this Windows Mobile smart phone delivers on performance with snappy response time, excellent call quality, and long battery life.

T-Mobile Sidekick iD and Sidekick 3

Some may think that calling the T-Mobile Sidekick a smart phone is a stretch, but it certainly has some smart capabilities. Geared toward the younger set, the Sidekick is a great messaging device—e-mail, instant messaging, text and multimedia, you name it. The Sidekick 3 is a bit more advanced with Bluetooth, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and music player, while the Sidekick iD goes for affordability with a $99 price tag.

via [cnet]