In deciding what to buy, I liked the idea of having a robust phone book, but I particularly liked the idea of not having to carry around a phone AND my Dell Axim PocketPC which I often do currently.  So while waiting at the local Verizon Wireless store I saw the Thera by AudioVox.  Its a real PocketPC, running the same version as my recently purchased Axim:  Version 3.0.11171.  It uses an ARM SA1110 processor with 32MBs of RAM with a 32MB Media card.  Came with ActiveSync 3.5, a cradle, USB connection, and power adapter.  With a 2-year renewal of my service agreement, the price of the PocketPC was only $105.  Now that's pretty inexpensive for a device that I can surf the web on, or read Jules Verne's Mysterious Island, and use as a phone.  It should also support Compact Framework apps...

I should say that as a phone it's pretty clunky and is more like using a walkie talkie than a phone, but it seems to meet my particular lifestyle and phone needs.  The Verizon guy told me it was discontinued, so I don't know how long it will be available.  There were similar PocketPC phones on display, but they were closer to $600 than the $100 that I paid for the Thera.  We'll see.  I have 15 days to decide whether I want to take it back for something else. 

My wife is tired of her Palm and asked me twice since I picked up the Thera today when I was going to give her my Axim.  :-)