I've had a Blackberry 8330 Curve since it came out and I really like it. Except for the web browser. I don't care what anyone says, the browser is not very good.
I also have an ipod touch. Which is basically an iphone without the phone stuff. It's so simple to use right out of the box. And like other's have said, the apps will get used eventually. There are some pretty cool ones out there and a ton for free.
My wife has the iphone. She loves it. I've played with it and I think it's a very nice, easy to use interface. I'm thinking of switching to the iphone when my contract expires.
A few things to consider...
1) The iphone will not play flash files. Nearly all websites these days contain lots of flash content.
2) Because of AT&T not keeping up with the technology, the iphone cannot recieve MMS messages. Meaning if somebody sends her a picture, video, or sound via text. She'll have to go to a website to look at it. My wife hates this. If I'm somewhere with the kids and I take a picture of the kids and send it to her, she can't open it. Apparently the iphone has the ability, but it's on AT&T's end.
3) The iphone is fairly bulky and has a glass face on it. I shove my Blackberry in my pocket with no problem, but with iphone is bigger and should be kept in a case of some sort.
I just asked my wife, "what do you not like about your iphone?" She said "nothing, I love it." Then she said "oh wait, I think it's annoying how it trys to fill in words for you while you're typing."
In review...I like my Blackberry Curve (full keyboard-avoid the Pearl without the full keyboard) but it's got a heck of a learning curve to it. The iphone is easy to use right out of the box but has some limitations. And it's an Apple, they play best with other Apple products.
My $0.02
On Edit: You say you have pretty good coverage in your area. Check to make sure you have 3G coverage (NOT JUST COVERAGE). Without the 3G both are slow clunky machines, if we didn't have 3G here, I'd 100% stick with my Blackberry.