The Photon will operate on Sprint's WiMax-based 4G network that is up and running in nearly 100 American cities. The phone falls back to Sprint's EV-DO network in areas that don't have 4G coverage. It can also connect in Europe and Asia at slower speeds using the GSM standard.

According to company representatives, you can expect to see the Photon in stores by late summer, but at the time of announcement there was no word on pricing, service plans or accessories.

All told, the Photon 4G and convertible phones like it provide the needed flexibility to work and play wherever you might be. It's a phone when you need to make calls, but can be a minimalist computer when it's in its dock. In other words, it could be the best of both worlds.

Brian Nadel is a frequent contributor to Computerworld and the former editor in chief of Mobile Computing & Communications magazine.