So, you can see my frustration the iPhone, being that I am the head of messaging products at one of the largest mobile messaging service providers in the world.  Still, I remain optimistic about this handset eventually support of all forms of mobile messaging -- not just text and email (and if you read some of my previous blogs, you can see how email is not a substitute for MMS).

On a recent trip to Hong Kong and Macau, I had the opportunity to purchase a couple of new GSM handsets -- one for me and one for my wife.  We have now joined the growing number of mobile subscribers who now utilize a full touch-screen handset.  I bought an LG Prada (LG KE850) for my bride and an HTC Touch for myself.  After a couple of weeks living with these, we do like them.  For both, our only real complaint is that they are tri-band (not supporting GSM 850, which is somewhat prevalent in the USA).  One handset is on AT&T and the other is on T-Mobile.  (however, I do confess knowing this before buying, but the "deal" in Asia was quite good, indeed -- quite a bit better than I would have been able to accomplish via some Internet site).  So far, our coverage has been as equivalent to what we had on our previous handsets.

Both phones were our first use of touch-screen handsets and it does take some getting used to.  For example, one night, while playing with the LG Prada, we dialed the voicemail box.  Of course, you must press "1" for this, press "2" for that, etc.  We had forgotten how to turn on the keypad, so the numbers could be entered.  After some fiddling, we managed to turn on the keypad, but not before the voicemail prompts "complained." On my HTC Touch, I have several times, accidentally hung up while trying to answer a call.  But these are just trials with learning a new type of interface.  We are past those issues now, and for the most part, I think we are going to like our new phones.  I especially like the features of my HTC Touch.  It was easy (as these are unlocked and not officially supported by AT&T and T-Mobile) to set up the data network and MMS access for these.  I even now use Sybase Onebridge (our enterprise email -- a Blackberry competitor) with great success on my HTC Touch.

And guess what -- both are what is known in the industry as "iPhone Killers" -- mobile handsets with similar capabilities to the Apple iPhone -- most notably the touch screen.  In reality, the LG Prada was released some time prior to the Apple iPhone.  Of course, both support a full complement of mobile messaging.

At some point in the next few months, I'll post a user-review of both handsets, after we have had a chance to use them over a longer period of time.  Rumors are that both of these currently unavailable to USA users GSM handsets may get some US operator support next year.

Finally, while shopping around for mobile phones in Hong Kong, it was quite interesting to see Apple iPhones (new, in the box -- don't know if these were "unlocked" or not) on virtually every shelf of these street level electronic and mobile phone stores.  I pity the multitude of issues that any of these buyers are going to have, unless they are very savvy handset "gurus."  If you do find yourself shopping for electronics or mobile phones in Hong Kong, make sure the price is marked and that you get what you think you are paying for.  Or better yet, go with a local colleague or friend.