Need advise on new smartphone

[ryanamur]

OK, a small backgrounder is in order. I've been a palm user for over 12 years now. I currently own a Palm Lifedrive (which is dying right now) and a motorola ROKR cellphone (which I hate). I live in Canada.

I use (well used is more like it) my lifedrive for calendar, task, read ebooks (pdf and rtf), MS-office viewing and editing as well as to record ideas on the go. The cell phone was simply used as a cellphone (no data link to lifedrive).

Now with the palm world almost in rapid decline, I've come to the conclusion that I smartphone to replace my two devices. So I need advice as to which device would be the best suited for my needs.

My Needs:

Essentials:
1- Top notch sync with Outlook 07 (calendar, tasks and contacts) - I also use PlanPlus by Franklin Covey which is linked to Outlook.

2- Windows Mobile 6 or 6.1 (not symbian, palm or blackberry) as I plan on using lots or 3rd party software

3- View and edit all MS-Office 07 documents (must be in native format)

4- Record toughts (recorder function)

5- 3.5mm audio jack

6- USB port sync

7- Wi-fi access and sync

8- GSM and G3 (North America)

9- Bluetooth

10- SD or micro SD card expension (preferably with external access but not mandatory)

11- Good battery life

12- Preferably QWERTY keyboard or a touchscreen with excellent keyboard definition and a stylus

13- GPS would be cool but not 100% necessary



I haven't yet decided if I'm going to be using a data package on my cell phone network but I want to keep that option opened. I'm looking for the best bang for the buck so a device that is not brand new is OK.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Phil

[Antoine Wright]

Looks at the Palm Treo Pro. That would meet all that you are looking for.

[ryanamur]

Thanks AWright,

Anybody else have any other ideas, I have a hard time believing that the Treo Pro is the only one that would fit my needs. If at all possible, I'd like something a little cheaper.

Phil

[palmgeek5394]

MWg Zinc II, HTC Touch Diamond (no card slot, but 4GB of memory), HTC Touch Pro, Samsung Omnia i900 (also no card slot, but 16GB of memory, I think), HTC Touch HD (Doesn't have 3G, but the screen is huge - European, though), and maybe even the Ipaq Messenger thingy.
I think most of these I've mentioned have a 2.5mm jack, but RadioShack (and Wally World, eBay, etc.) sells an adapter for about $5. Almost every phone you don't buy unlocked nowadays will require a data plan, usually from about $40 to $70/mo.