I test a lot of phones. I used a Palm Treo running Windows Mobile for a couple of years. I've had some kind of Blackberry for years. Sheryl and I have used just about ever variation in the Nokia N-series of phones. We're both stuck on our current Blackberry Curve for a number of reasons. Overall, it is simply the most rock solid business phone we've ever used, with enough personal touches (camera, chat, etc.) that it has become our primary communications tool.

Yes, I said primary. We are so mobile that we spend more time on the Blackberry than on the PC keyboard. The Curve has become our constant companion (well, that and each other).

We've been following the Nokia E71 release and announcement, but our next mobiel devices are coming out of our own pockets. No freebies. No demo units. No giveaways. Nobody coughs up the ones we want to use and write about for that sort of thing. And that means we've got to fork out around $500 apiece for our next phone given contract issues.

For me, the E71 has some documented shortcomings that don't meet my needs. The Blackberry Bold that was release by Rogers in Canada yesterday does not. For Sheryl, the iPhone remains something of strong interest. But given our usage habits and real needs, the Blackberry line sits at the forefront of our technology. And the Bold brings some things we both want, need and appreciate.

Sure the Blackberry Bold has 3G. I love the concepts of 3G, but still question the reality in today's US networks. 3G can deliver streaming media at reasonable quality from a mobile device. That's a benefit when we're doing something like QIK video from the road somewhere. The idea of mobile-to-mobile video calling is something we are hungry for, but I don't expect to see it in US markets any time soon.

Another perceived benefit of 3G is the ability to still process data sessions in background without dropping the voice call. Given that we spend hours every day talking on our Blackberries, EDGE (and EVDO) suspend the data session. That means email and other data services halt in background while we're talking. 3G promises a solution for that.

The Blackberry Bold brings WiFi to the game. Our current Curves don't have that. It's something we'll make big use of in a number of ways. In my mind, there's no competition. My next mobile phone will be the Blackberry Bold. And my next other device will be a Nokia N810. I've been fixated on those two for awhile

NOTE: There is one notable, major problem with that pair. As near as I can tell it remains impossible to tether a Blackberry with a Nokia N800/N810. That's one feature that could push me to an E71 instead. And it's important enough I may need to rethink my plans.

Two posts you should read about the Blackberry Bold -

• Jim Courtney - Rogers Launches Blackberry Bold: More Anticipated Than the iPhone, Eh?
• Jon Arnold - Blackberry Bold - Rogers is First to Market

I had a conversation with a colleague who carries a Nokia E90 an hour or so ago, and it hammered home again for me the Nokia value proposition. I may need to broaden my thinking a bit again and rethink my Blackberry fixation.

So what phone do you use, and why?