Phones are thinner than ever but have more processing power than your last computer. They take pictures, surf the Web, manage e-mail and download videos.

Your kids say go for the sleekest thing available; the spitfires at work say the newest BlackBerry is a must-have. You tell them you'll consider it - once you learn how to use your address book.

What you need to know PDA phones like the BlackBerry and Treo look cool, but unless the IT folks at work issued you one, you probably don't need it. These Internet-friendly phones can be tough to set up and come with costly plans.

As for those slim 'n' sexy models like the Razr, they are not always tops for battery life or call quality. Larger phones hold battery charge longer, and a visible antenna may mean fewer dropped calls. The joke is, big phones with big antennas are often free with contract renewal.

The cool-boomer solution Skip the video download package, walkie-talkie service and MP3 player. But do brush up on text messaging, especially if you have a tween, a teen or a twentysomething. All phones on the market support the feature, though you'll want to find out how much it costs to send and receive messages (most plans charge 10 cents each; unless you send more than 50 a month, it's not worth getting a package). Also consider Bluetooth, which allows you to speak hands-free and wirelessly via a headset (about $50). All the better for safe driving, and your image.