The Phone I Want (Doesn't Exist (Yet))

My cell phone is an old Samsung SPH-i500 smart phone. I like it a lot in spite of its deficiencies—which are startlingly significant. I've been watching for a replacement, but so far I haven't found it.

Here is why my current phone is so awesome:

• It has smartphone functionality and Internet capability.
• It runs PalmOS, which is an open platform for developers and has a rich software ecosystem.
• I can sync the contacts and calendar to my Linux desktop.
• My phone looks and feels and works like a phone, not a brick.
• It uses the Palm Graffiti system so I do data entry with a stylus, not one of those micro keyboards.

Here is what's so awful about it:

• The SMS is crippled. It receives text messages but doesn't tell you who the messages are from. It can't send SMS at all (without purchasing add-on software).
• It's a WAP web browser, not full HTML.
• PalmOS is a dead product.
• No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• My phone is five year old technology. All the cool kids laugh at me when they see it.

Here is why I hate every phone that is on the market today:

• If it's a (U.S. market) smartphone, it's a closed platform. It's probably either running Windows Mobile or it's a Blackberry. What I really want is a Linux smart phone, but I'm not aware of any with U.S. availability.
• It's data entry probably is either multi-tap on a numeric keyboard or one of those godforsaken mini-QWERTY keyboards.
• It probably looks and feels like a brick, not a telephone. (This and the preceding point are why I don't want a Treo.)
• Suck it Apple fanboys: the iPhone is a closed platform and it locks you into an overpriced service plan ($70/mo base, before fees). Let's talk when those change.

Here is why I have some hope that my dreams will come true in 2008:

• Open Handset Alliance
• The Neo Phone
• The OpenMoko project