Palm OS

Select the best provider in your city and don't base it on the handset. The Treo 650 is almost the same speed on either Cingular's EDGE data network or Verizon's Express Network. The Cingular speed is slightly higher, but their latency is also slightly higher. But the difference is so slight that anyone that can tell the difference without using a software benchmark probably spends too much time on their phone.

The e-mail functionality is identical on either network. Neither limits the functionality any differently. Cingular's data plans are cheaper than Verizon's, so that is a good reason to go with them. Plus, if you are on a data call and a voice call comes in, the device will prompt you as to whether or not you want to interrupt the data call to take the voice call. That's a nice feature in my book. That's a benefit of the GSM network. On Verizon or Sprint, the call will simply go to voicemail. Verizon generally scores higher marks on reception in many places. But again, that's a relative statement. In NYC for example, I find that the Cingular network has improved considerably and I would think it is a wash as to which network you use. But each city is different. In Florida for example, Verizon's network is not on a good frequency, so their service is not particularly impressive. Personally, I use my Treo 650 on the Verizon network in NYC.