"In spite of some imperfections that RIM will no doubt correct, the device is quite possibly the best existing combination of wireless/e-mail functionality and personal information management....

The 957 is smaller than all other leading PDAs, at about the same width and half the height of a deck of cards. Considering the device's size and built-in wireless functionality (typically a power drain), no similarly equipped PDA I know of can challenge the BlackBerry's battery life. But reliability is really its strong suit. My BlackBerry has crashed only twice and, in both cases, a simple reboot revived the device without any data loss....

Most everyone I know is skeptical about thumbboard-based devices. The keys are so small it's hard to imagine entering contacts or notes--much less responding to e-mail. But you can cut down on your typing by using the 957's pre-programmed--and modifiable--text shortcuts. For example, I programmed "ty" to automatically convert to "Thank you." And the 957's larger display (than the 950) means less scrolling through documents and databases (such as contacts)."  [ZDNet AnchorDesk]

And don't forget those NetGens that have already adapted to thumb-based devices. I may have to start seriously thinking about getting one of these later in the year, especially since I could use the mail-to-blog feature of Radio to maintain TSL. I intentionally have not played with one because I know if I hold it in my hand, it will go out the door with me. It sounds like the 957 may finally be the "killer app" version.

"You might think third-generation (3G) mobile phones would be fun for watching video messages sent from friends and family. But Japanese law enforcement has another use in mind for these high-tech phones: fighting crime. How? They hope anyone who witnesses a crime will capture video footage of the event, and then e-mail it to police. Police offices in Osaka have reportedly set up an emergency videophone hotline, to launch in April, to aid the process." [ZDNet News]

I think I find this creepy since I know human nature. I can't imagine how many more Rodney King videos we're going to see in the future, good or bad.