I have three basic requirements for a phone:

• Support for Cingular's 3G data network
• Good bluetooth capabilities
• Candybar (as opposed to flip phone or slider)

Beyond that, I would appreciate a QWERTY keyboard and some PDA functionality, but I've decided it's not necessary. Only the above really matter when it comes down to it.

The blackjack from Cingular that I bought was so close, but I had to return it due to crappy bluetooth support. I can't use it for data on my mac without plugging it in, and I can't use it with advanced headset profiles required to receive phone calls through the computer in my car.

Cingular only offers a handful of 3G phones. They have 2 smartphones - the blackjack and a big HTC one, and a spattering of Samsung and LH flip phones. The Blackjack sold me on Samsung - it's really Microsoft's fault that the bluetooth sucks because it's their limited bluetooth stack. All the other Samsung phones have great bluetooth, so I'm sure the blackjack would have it if it could. 3G is important for using the Internet in my car computer.

The blackberry pearl looks perfect, except for it's lack of 3G support.

No matter which phone I look at, the best I can find it 2 out of 3 features. I decided to try one of the Samsung flip phones, sacrificing form factor for functionality. I have been playing with it all night.

I actually kinda like the new Samsung (called the Sync - which isn't a very good name). Samsung's operating system is pretty snappy and reminds me a lot of using a nokia - everything just works and works quickly. The bluetooth is great. There is a whole menu that shows what bluetooth services are available and even gives an explanation of what they do and how they work. The bluetooth implementation supports everything I need. I was able to wirelessly tether to receive Internet in my car, and I was able to answer the phone via my computer - perfect!

Except for one thing. I can only get about 300kbps through the Sync. With the blackjack, I was getting more like 900kbps. Such low data rates, although fast, don't really qualify as meeting my 3G criteria. I searched around on the intrawebs and found some people who did report getting much higher rates with the Sync, so I will need to test it more tomorrow - maybe the network was just wacky tonight or something.

The problem is, I know Cingular will have a phone I actually want within 4 months or so. The pearl will have another version that supports 3G, no doubt, and other phones lines will be updated to support the newer data network as well. I could just wait - but I'd have to keep using my Treo until then, which is also not an option.

So what to do, what to do. I could hop from 30 day trial to 30 day trial until Cingular releases something I want, or I could just bite the bullet and take back the blackjack without the good bluetooth. I just wish there was a better option. :(