Handhelds with built-in phones

Smartphones may be today’s 'hot' mobile technology category, but convergence devices have been around for some time in the shape of Pocket PC and Palm OS handhelds that incorporate a mobile phone -– nowadays typically a GPRS unit.

Whereas smartphones are designed for one-handed operation and look like mobile phones (albeit ones with larger screens than normal), these devices look like regular stylus-driven handhelds, although they are often bulkier than their phone-free cousins. More recent examples, such as HP’s Jornada 928 WDA, use Texas Instruments’ OMAP 710 chipset, which integrates the GPRS phone functionality, making for a more compact device with better battery life.

A converged handheld/mobile phone is not for everyone, though: many people will prefer to use two separate devices -– a compact handheld with a wireless connection (either infrared or Bluetooth) to a mobile phone. But those who spend as much time accessing mobile data on the move as they do making voice calls may find a converged device more convenient.

If you’re one of those people, check out our exhaustive compilation of reviews before making your decision.