Since the early 1990s, manufacturers have been promising a device that combines the convenience of a mobile phone with the versatility of a personal digital assistant (PDA). After several false starts, developers have created useful gizmos that converge these functions. Depending on your needs and price range, chances are there's a gadget that could help you reduce the number of items hanging from your belt. The following three devices constitute what we believe best demonstrate the union between phones and PDAs.

When we chose review subjects, we used our own experiences with past failed attempts as a guide. All three are equipped with built-in keyboards because e-mail requires a quick and accurate text-input system. We chose devices with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries because battery life and charge reliability are key concerns when voice and data are involved. Beyond these two requirements, we let the products speak for themselves. Each manufacturer took its own approach to the problem, balancing the price/performance scale differently.

The single most important aspect of choice may not be in the price/performance balance, but rather in the networks that support the device. Each manufacturer has partnered with different service providers such as T-Mobile and Sprint. Keep in mind when shopping for one of these devices that network performance can vary between service providers. Choosing the right provider may be the difference between owning a device you'll love and owning something you're tempted to chuck out of a moving vehicle. Unfortunately, some readers are locked into a particular service provider. For these unfortunate souls, your options may include only one of these gadgets, or none at all.

Nokia 9290 Communicator

Nokia introduced the first device that combined the features of a PDA into a mobile phone, the 9000 Communicator. Today, the company continues this tradition of innovation with the introduction of the 9290 Communicator, a vast leap forward from the company's original conception. It runs on the Symbian operating system and is loaded with a total of 56MB of memory, which includes a removable 16MB MultiMedia Card (MMC) that comes with the device. It also comes with a 32-bit ARM9 RISC processor and a lithium-ion battery, which can run for up to 10 hours of talk time, nine days of standby time, and up to 16 days in PDA mode. Its main application screen is a backlit 1.4 by 4.3-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD with a resolution of 640 by 200 pixels, capable of displaying up to 4,096 colors. However, unlike the other phones in this review, you are unable to see the application screen without having to open up the unit.

One of the first things that I noticed about the device was its size. Measuring at 6.22 by 1.06 by 2.2 inches and weighing in at 8.6 ounces, it comes off as being one of the bulkiest phones available today. Fortunately, the variety of features that this phone comes with make you quickly forget about its size. Inside its clamshell casing you'll find a 65-key QWERTY keyboard that serves as the main means of navigation, along with four function keys located to the right of the application display. The display itself is very vibrant and visually appealing. In its PDA mode you can access the device's software suite, which includes applications that allow you to send messages via Short Messaging Service ( SMS), e-mail, or fax. It also helps you organize your life. You can store contacts, telephone, and calendar information; create and review documents, spreadsheets, and presentations; and browse the Internet. You can access the applications while the phone function is activated, allowing you to search for documents and contact information while using its built-in speakerphone. All of the applications are accessed by using hotkeys located on the keyboard.

When I first started to use the device, I was instinctively searching for a stylus to tap onto the screen, since I was accustomed to doing so with other, similar units. However, once I was used to navigating around using the hotkeys it was relatively easy to move around and access all the applications. The software suite is compatible with Microsoft Office, so I didn't have to manually transcribe my Outlook contacts and Word documents into it. The 9290 also contains a slew of multimedia applications, including a video player, audio recorder, Macromedia Flash, and RealPlayer. Several interactive games are also included.

Although the 9290 Communicator is a well-rounded device, there are a couple of minor setbacks. The bundled PC synchronization cable uses a serial port, which may be a problem for those with legacy-free computers. In addition, the device only supports GSM service, which prevents it from using the faster speeds provided by GPRS service. Despite these inconveniences, the Nokia 9290 Communicator is a good choice for those looking for a versatile yet stylish device. It has a list price of $599 and is available directly from Nokia or though wireless service providers T-Mobile and Cingular.