OT: Smart phone options for a cheapest plan?

[joe at actionline.com]

So what are this esteemed group's top choices for smart phones ... and the
cheapest data plan?

My current cell phone plan is $40/year ($10 every 90-days), which actually
gives me even more than I use it because I use the land line in my office
for 99.9% of my phone use and I just carry my tiny cell phone in my car
(and almost never in my pocket) because I prefer to enjoy life without
being tethered to and ensnared by phone calls when I leave the house or
office.

My little bride has an iPhone with a blue-tooth more-or-less permanently
attached to her ear with an unlimited plan that keeps her talking about
10-hours-a-day.  No further comment on that ... except to say that I am
thankful that when we go out together, she keeps that dang thing turned
off (her own choice) because she also likes to enjoy life without
phone-intrusion as we go places and do things.

And yet, I must admit that there have been times that I have enjoyed using
her iPhone to check on-line for dinner reservations and directions, etc.

So, I am now willing to concede that there would no doubt be some benefits
to upgrading my own cell phone situation, especially since I now see some
ads showing the capability of hand-writing notes on the screen.  I really
like that idea.  And, it would be nice to be able to tether my Xoom or my
laptop to a phone for internet access without having to look for a
wireless hot-spot.

However, I do not want to pay $40-50/month for perhaps 4 or 5 hours a
month of total phone time *and* internet access.

Are there any plans available for this kind of very limited use?

And which phones and/or mini-tablets would y'all recommend for this?