WM5 and now WM6... by far is the most versatile OS out there. In terms of software expandability you have unlimited options. If you don't have a certain feature... you simply download it (except for hardware limitations of course)
I have no idea about the Palms, but I'd still suggest a K-JAM (Wizard) or a JasJAM (Hermes). The price for the K-JAM is about 5k more than your budget with a local warranty but it's worth it. It comes with an OMAP 200Mhz processor which is more than adequate for most apps. If you need a lil more power, you can always push it to about 280MHz. Everything is real smooth at that speed. I play DivX videos of 720 and above resolutions that are meant to be watched on a desktop computer on my K-JAM without optimising it for a small device and it runs flawlessly when it's OCed. I use Skype to do long distance. It's good even with my EDGE connection but is FANTASTIC over a Wi-Fi connection. People can't tell if i'm calling them from a regular phone or skype.
I know ur looking for 320x480, but 320x240 isnt so bad especially when browsing, as long as you have the right add-ons, like PIEPLus v2.2 which uses sumthing called PWO to render pages to beautifully fit in the given resolution. It's amazing. I hardly ever use TE on my desktop anymore. You do need to get Opera as well, but believe me, thats more hype than anything else.
Stability: the K-JAM with its existing AKU2 ROM is rock solid but that doesn't mean you stop there. There are several custom, rock steady, super fast and optimised roms available upto AKU3.3 all over the internet (XDA-DEV to be precise... although they are having some problem with MS at the moment)
Honestly, I think PPC rocks. Nothing can even come close to it. The range of software available for it is simply mind blowing. I'm the kind of person who gets bored of stuff very easily but this little phone has mnaged to keep my interest peaked for over 6 months. I can't have enough of it.
If you need to know more about this.... just PM me... I'd be glad to help.
