Smartphones, the category that the Black- Berry made so popular, aren't just workhorses anymore. The latest and most publicized of the bunch, Apple's iPhone, promises to neatly consolidate into one device a digital media player, camera, networked computer and cell phone. But that phone is only available from one carrier, AT&T. Maybe you don't use AT&T. Or maybe you just want to see what else is available. In the spirit that even business devices can offer some fun, we rounded up a selection of new smartphones and accessories that will thrive at work and still provide well-deserved R&R.

What you want to do with your smartphone will dictate which features to look for. Heavy e-mail use demands a full QWERTY keypad with a responsive tactile feel or, better yet, a portable Bluetooth wireless keyboard. If composing and editing in Word, Excel and PowerPoint are important, make sure the smartphone's operating system can support it. For example, Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC and WM 6 Professional editions can, but the WM 5 Smartphone and WM 6 Standard versions cannot.

Any device with support for speedy 3G, or third-generation, wireless data networks will get the benefit of faster webpage loads and emailing. Sprint and Verizon use a 3G network standard called EV-DO, while AT&T and T-Mobile use the slower EDGE technology. If you want to decompress by listening to a little music, look for Bluetooth stereo audio.

Scott Taves is a technology and entertainment journalist. He can be contacted at scott_taves(at)hotmail.com.

HTC WING T-MOBILE, $299.99 WITH NE W CONTRACT

The Wing does many things, most of them very well. The horizontal slider reveals a full QWERTY keyboard with responsive, comfortably spaced keys. Like the Ocean, the device automatically switches the screen from vertical to landscape orientation when the keypad slides out. The casing is a tasteful deep blue with a rubberized finish. Another Wing advantage is that it's the first product to run the new Windows Mobile 6 Professional operating system, which has some nice upgrades from version 5. Highlights include HTML e-mail support, enhanced e-mail searching and push e-mail (provided your company uses Ex- change Server). The touchscreen helps navigate through Window Mobile's occasionally confusing menu system. And the Wing is the only device in our test group to include Wi-Fi, which, if you're in the vicinity of a network, blows away even the fastest 3G cell network speeds. Unfortunately, any device from T-Mobile will be using its comparatively sluggish EDGE data network. Calls were clear if somewhat thin sounding. www.tmobile.com

PALM TREO 755P SPRI

While the Palm Treo 755p is essentially the same device as the Windows Mobile-based 750, we much prefer the 755p Palm version. The touch-screen, myriad add-on applications, and intuitive menus seal the deal. Sure, at 0.84 inches thick, it's a little chunky, but that's the only real minus amid many positives. The blue or crimson rubberized coating helps with handling (and looks sharp, to boot), and the unsightly antenna on other Treo models has, thankfully, been lopped off. Sprint's EV-DO 3G data network noticeably boosts web and e-mail processing speeds. Like the BlackBerry, the 755p synchs smoothly with business and personal e-mail accounts, and Documents to Go enables editing of Word and Excel files plus viewing of PowerPoint and PDFs. The full-QWERTY keys are spaced just right and have an assured tactile feel. Call quality was clear with plenty of volume. www.palm.com

HELIO OCEAN $295.00 WITH NEW CONTRACT

The Ocean is flat-out the boldest, most functional smartphone design we've laid our eyes on. The dual-slider form accommodates a full keyboard in horizontal, landscape mode and a traditional number keypad in vertical, phone mode. All this is housed in a surprisingly compact chassis. Helio markets its innovative products to a hip, techsavvy crowd, but the Ocean packs enough high-end features to make it a great business-class device: 3G EV-DO network support, spacious screen, built-in GPS, and stereo Bluetooth audio. The only thing missing is push e-mail, and support for Microsoft Exchange Server e-mail is due for the Ocean soon. Calls were exceptionally clear. www.helio.com