Conclusion
The Kyocera QCP 6035 is the first real player in the growing market for smartphones. Other entrants, such as the Ericsson R380 and the Nokia 9110/9210, are GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) phones. With Pacific Bell moving away from GSM, that makes those phones pretty useless in the U.S. However, there are several new entrants on the horizon, such as Samsung's Palm OS phone due to come out this summer. With technology moving along as quickly as it is, there's no doubt that future smartphone versions will be better than the Kyocera QCP 6035 is today, just as the QCP 6035 is better than the pdQ was in 1999.

But, if you're like me, not having to carry around two devices in favor of something as comfortable and usable as the QCP 6035 is worth the thought of having to upgrade in the future. I guess if you want to be on the bleeding edge of technology, you've got to be willing to bleed a little--even if it's your checkbook that's loosing the blood.

Jason Thibeault is a freelance technology strategist. He works with startup and established companies to help identify market opportunities, capitalize on trends, evaluate and implement new technologies, and develop new products. As a journalist, Jason applies his on-the-job experience to write articles and features about the technologies and trends that are helping to change the way we live. He can be reached through http://www.jasonthibeault.com.