People don't buy phones like the Tilt to use them just for voice calls, so electronic communication options abound on the device.

The Tilt comes with AT&T's Xpress Mail software, which allows you to access multiple personal or work POP or IMAP e-mail accounts with minimal configuration hassle. It took about three minutes to set up Xpress Mail with a Comcast account.

For centralized corporate e-mail like Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes, the Tilt includes Microsoft Direct Push and BlackBerry Connect services. Preinstalled IM clients include those for AOL, Yahoo, and of course Microsoft's own Live Messenger.

It's said that all work and no play make Jack a dull boy, so the Tilt comes equipped to handle such productivity-draining tasks as photos, music and video.

The Tilt boasts a 3 megapixel camera, which you can activate via a dedicated button on the phone's right side. The camera lacks a flash or self-portrait mirror, and there seemed to be an inordinate amount of lag time when snapping pictures and waiting for the camera to be ready for the next shot.

Picture quality was adequate provided there was enough light. (If you don't want the camera or if they're verboten by your organization, AT&T makes a Tilt sans-camera called the 8900.) In the space adjacent to the lens where a camera flash might normally reside you'll instead find the Tilt's sole speaker. Phones aren't known for their high-fidelity audio, but the Tilt's speaker sounded a bit more hollow and buzzy than typical.

Unfortunately, AT&T doesn't supply headphones with the Tilt (included accessories are pretty spare, consisting only of an AC adapter, sync cable and extra stylus). On the plus side, the Tilt's Bluetooth does include support for the A2DP profile which allows for stereo audio. If you want wired headphones, they'll need to connect via the same mini USB jack used for charging and synching.

There are lots of ways, albeit at extra cost, to get music onto the Tilt. You can download music through either Napster or eMusic; each service costs $7.95 monthly plus additional charges for more than five songs. Another option is streaming XM Radio for $8.99 per month. Of course, you can always copy MP3, WMA, and AAC (unprotected) files over from your PC for free. AT&T's Cellular Video lets you stream various news , sports, and entertainment-related clips (some at additional cost).

Last but not least the Tilt sports an integrated GPS, which you can use in conjunction with TeleNav GPS Navigator software at $5.99 monthly for 10 routes or $9.99 for an unlimited amount. The back of the Tilt has a connector for an external GPS antenna.

If you want a Tilt, it will set you back $399.99 when you give AT&T your John Hancock for a two-year service contract. There's also a $100 mail-in rebate available on the Tilt.

The AT&T Tilt's unique adjustable screen does improve comfort and visibility while using the phone. Beyond that, the device is chockablock full of features that will be handy to any road warrior, and the post rebate price of $299.99 makes it particularly attractive even though AT&T got a little stingy with the accessories (at least a case and wired headset would have been nice).

If you're looking for a smartphone that provides good balance between what you need for business and what you want for pleasure, the Tilt should be on your list.