[robco]

Tactile feedback is important, it will be a while before anyone gets their hands on an actual iPhone. One plus I can see is that Apple can support many languages with non-Roman characters easily - no need to manufacture different keypads. As for other touch screen systems like those in restaurants, those tend to use much larger displays with big buttons. Your server isn't entering your order on a tiny screen with tiny buttons. For people with big hands, or are wearing gloves, the iPhone may not work too well. But again, only time will tell once the iPhone actually ships.
One key benefit to the CrackBerry is the ability to use it with only one hand. You can pick it up, scroll through your inbox and messages using the handy thumbwheel or trackball. The iPhone, like the Palm, will require both hands - not always convenient for a mobile device.
I can't use either one however, since I have Sprint. Since Sprint is the only carrier that gets a reliable signal in our neighborhood, we won't be switching anytime soon. If Apple wants a lot of US market share, they'll need to create a CDMA version of the iPhone.

[lhudd]

I have to second that. My 8700 is a very nice machine. I wish it were more integrated with OS-X via iSync, but the PocketMac solution is actually not bad. I PAID for the original pocketmac and it was significantly worse. Still, an apple phone tempts me... Maybe I can get a Cingular one and unlock it so it will work with t-Mobile. I really don't care about visual voicemail (since I don't use voicemail on my phone) so i shouldn't be losing any functionality there.

[bwanderson]

Quote:

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I'm deeply amazed of the flury of models that are coming out to rival the [unreleased] iPhone.

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You're kidding, right? These are products which have been in the design pipeline for a while.