As with many things, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. From the little you described as your needs, it seems almost any phone would do. I might be inclined to lean towards a Windows Mobile phone if things like Exchange or Outlook were very important to you. But it doesn't sound like you absolutely, positively need to sync with an Exchange server. I have an unlocked Nokia e71 and have been quite pleased with it. In fact, I think it's probably one the best, if rather unappreciated, smartphones on the market. Your dislike of AT&T rules out the e71, e71x, or e72. Rumor has it that T-Mobile will be releasing the e73 early this summer and I think it will be rather similar to the e72. I have a friend who has a French version of the Moto Droid because he needs a GSM phone and it hasn't been entirely trouble free. Is that the Android O/S or something lost in the English/French translation? No cell phone or it's operating system is perfect and what I like (or want) may not be best for you. What I suggest doing is reading online reviews and going out to the stores and play with the phones. Of course, whatever you buy will obsolete by the time you get it home. :-)

I had a Windows Mobile phone and liked the internet and email access. I didn't do much with maps. From what I understand, Android phones are designed to work better with social network stuff like Facebook, Myspace, etc. You would probably get better info from a dedicated smartphone forum. Here is a link that might be useful: A smartphone forum to try

one thing to consider is if you are planning on getting an android tablet you might want to go with an android phone so you have the same familiarity there and the sync options. Same with if you plan on going with an Ipad tablet then the Iphone would make more sense. As to price the androids are more affordable, I think they are very easy to understand and intuitive, I have an HTC smart phone which is also android with a large screen and I have enjoyed it. I can sync it(things that offer sync) with my tablets and use many of the same apps on both. I think you should go try out a few options at places that offer all of them and see what feels better to you. I went to Fry's where they offer pretty much all brands and all carriers when I decided on mine and mine were free also which is always nice. One positive for Iphone is you can find stuff / accessories for them everywhere, other phones not so much.

iphones have interfaced with gmail and Google apps for a good while, despite the natural tension between the two. I have a couple of family members who use Iphones, gmail, and PCs. I don't think the sync between PCs and google works as well as before, like for calendars. Your friend may need to adapt her work flow to be her smartphone and the Google site in a browser instead of her pc. I think there are IOS apps for gmail, calendar, contacts, that do the trick. Do some Googling and also check out the very active Apple forums, I think you'll find an easy solution. Or, if your friend has Apple support, call them or visit an Apple store.