Coolest Inventions 2004: Dream Calls

Samsung MM-A700

Feature rich, even for a loaded Sprint PCS phone, the A700 has voice recognition and a 1megapixel camera and camcorder, plus news, sports and weather in streaming video. sprintpcs.com ($400)

BlackBerry 7100t

RIM's BlackBerry may have a corporate following, but the latest is business casual. It juggles personal and work e-mail and is small enough to fit in your pocket.

t-mobile.com ($300)

Sony Ericsson S710

When swiveled shut, the 710 looks like one of Sony's Cyber-shot cameras. It shoots like one too, with 1megapixel resolution and a slot for a Memory Stick card.

cingular.com ($400)

Motorola V710

A major leap forward for Verizon Wireless, this is the carrier's first phone to combine true voice recognition with a speakerphone and wireless connectivity for headsets.

verizonwireless.com ($320)

WIRE-FREE WIRELESS

Drivers, start your engines. If you hate to plug in a wired headset when you need to make a call behind the wheel, a cool solution is here. To cut the cord, upgrade to a phone that has Bluetooth connectivity (except for the Samsung, all our featured phones have it), and get a Bluetooth earpiece like the Motorola HS820 ($80; hellomoto.com) You will be surprised how clear it can sound, and you'll have one less distraction on the road.