Keyboard: I tried and even paid for 3 or 4 different keyboard apps. Each was worse than the one before. I should note that the spell checker and address book are built into each keyboard and were no existent at best. The spell check only existed in the form of word completion and the address book in many keyboards left you wondering if you were sending a message to a user's home phone, office or cell (no indication of which number you were calling was listed next to the contacts name).

I attempted even to use a fully voice activated keyboard as well as all the big third party keyboard apps, in the end, they all had fatal flaws as far as text input.

IMAP email: This worked fair at best but the one major flaw was the inability to open or download attachments.

Exchange: Even with the claimed additional exchange support on the HTC Hero this was a major fail. Many of the same issues as reported above and sub-folders of the inbox only synced manually which was a huge issue for me. I also attempted to use touchdown and just didn't like it. As a windows mobile user I am used to having my busy work calendar right on my home screen. i did not like having to use a secondary app. The touchdown widget was also unresponsive, slow to sync and often crashed. I did find a third party app (the name of which alludes me as I type this) which I purchased for $.99 to add a detailed cal to my home screen but this did not give me the same feel and usability as my winmo devices.

My overall take: Android has promise but is currently not a devise to be used in a business environment. For apps, games, camera, ect ect. the Android is a really fun device. The call quality and reception was also very good for me in the Cleveland, ohio area. Facebook synced seamlessly with my contacts and integrated pictures, updates, birthdays ect very well. This is also the only Sprint device with visual voicemail which was simply fantastic and I am sorry to see it go. I also greatly liked the ability to use google voice searches as well as dictate text messages which worked decently well. The built in web browser and many 3rd party browsers made surfing the net a breeze. However, I just can't live without exchange reliability and this phone falls well short. I am also not willing to give up my physical keyboard quite yet as I do extensive emailing for my business from my phone. Android in its current state just falls short. I am looking forward to the development of this platform as I believe in a year or 2 this device will be ready for prime time. Just not now.

I will be sticking with my windows mobile platform or possibly giving webOs a go once Sprint gets a 2nd gen Palm Pre.