When I was in the US, I had a Audiovox 6600 with Sprint. When I started spending more time in Dubai, I switched to the E61. There are things I miss about Windows CE, but the E61 sits in my pocket like a regular mobile. It lets me take advantage of international blackberry plans and avoid data roaming fees, it has great voip which saves me a ton on international roaming and I use the thing like a regular phone. With a Windows CE device, I basically used it as a wireless PDA. It was too big to use as a day-to-day phone.

The battery life on the Nokia is way better and I like it better. Don't get me wrong, I have some complaints: (a) I'd like a faster processor; (b) more onboard memory; (c) US 3g compatability. The fact that the phone supports both Edge and 2100mhz UMTs, however, is a plus. Many units seem to support either Edge OR UMTs, but not both. Also the presence of Wifi limits the field.

I like the keyboard better thant he Treos I've tried. My old CE device is stylus based so I can't compare it. The Imates I've played with are faster machines, but they are ones that I have to clip to my belt, am not likely to take with me on weekends, etc. The Nokia is a good compromise on all fronts. It also works just about anywhere. There are not many sect-band phones out there.

A Jas/Jam has a few more frequencies, but that phone streets for close to US$1,000. Conversely, there seems to be derth of SIP based clients for Windows Mobile 5.0. The programs for Version 3.0 have had problems with 5.0. Yes, I know about Skype.

One other sticking point is that I am not sure about a good Blackberry Connect client for Windows Mobile 5.0. While Exchange Server now supports push technology, the roaming plans for Blackberry are very nice.