behold is slow? good to know.
if you get an unlocked iphone, you should be able to use all its features regardless. it's just a matter of installing the apps for it.
i'm also hesitant about the g1. i can get it for $150 with a 2 yr. agreement, but damn, 2 yrs. you know. i saw it at the mall but didn't really appeal to me. it's looks better on tv.
to be honest, it looks like crap to me.
the only thing about the pearl is it doesn't have a full qwerty keyboard, if i remember correctly. maybe get the blackberry curve. the blackberries aren't going to be as fast as a 3g phone though, but there are a lot of apps for it by the blackberry lovers out there.