| The smartphones are on the rise. This year, a | | | | processor but is limited to 384 MB of RAM. It has a |
| number of mobile phone manufacturers are sporting | | | | generous microSD memory of 8 GB, upgradeable to |
| the Android operating system in their latest releases. | | | | 16 GB. True to form with regards to Sony Ericsson's |
| This, thanks to the success of the first release of | | | | adherence to developing camera phones, what excels |
| the OS with the HTC phone "Dream" back in 2008. | | | | for the Xperia X10 is its 8.1 megapixel camera with |
| With the operating system now ranked fourth | | | | flash and video light. Even more, Sony Ericsson's smile |
| among other smartphone OS in terms of global sales, | | | | detection technology allows you to setup the Xperia |
| technology pundits are expecting that Android may | | | | to automatically snap a picture when your subjects |
| soon be on top of the list. | | | | smile. |
| In the US, there is a huge jump in market share for | | | | Motorola Backflip |
| smartphones running Android, from under 5% in the | | | | Known for their innovative design, Motorola again |
| third quarter of 2009 to 28% at the end of the first | | | | came up with a device that would have consumers |
| quarter of 2010. In contrast, sales for the iPhone and | | | | flipping over in delight. The Motorola Backflip was |
| other devices with Windows Mobile OS and Palm's | | | | released for the AT&T network and is the only unit |
| WebOS systems decreased during the same period. | | | | with a full QWERTY keypad on the reverse side of |
| Blackberry devices, which run the RIM system, | | | | the screen when the device is folded. Loaded with a |
| slowed down gaining just 1.3% although still | | | | 5 megapixel camera, the Backflip presents a unique |
| maintaining its leadership in the market. | | | | option for consumers. One downside to the Backflip |
| Sales for Android smartphones is predicted to | | | | is that AT&T has blocked non-market apps, which is |
| continue to grow exponentially in the coming months. | | | | perceived to be a move that would undermine the |
| This is due to the fact that handset development | | | | expandability of what the phone can do. Preinstalled |
| behind the OS is robust and relatively faster than | | | | in the device is Motorola's MOTOBLUR which |
| that of the iPhone and the Blackberry. The | | | | integrates a person's updates and messages from |
| development of new applications for the Android is | | | | various social networking sites into a single streaming |
| also growing at a faster rate compared to its | | | | feed. |
| competitors. If you are looking to join the | | | | HTC Desire, Legend and Droid Incredible |
| bandwagon, here are the top Android smartphones | | | | Taiwan's HTC is arguably the leading manufacturer of |
| released for 2010. | | | | mobile devices geared towards the Android operating |
| Google Nexus One | | | | system. For 2010, HTC already released the Desire, |
| The Android OS is of course backed up by search | | | | Legend and the Droid Incredible. HTC Legend works |
| giant Google. It is therefore not surprising for Google | | | | on a 600 MHz processor and 384 MB of RAM, which |
| to release its own line of smartphones. Although | | | | are lower specs compared to the Desire and the |
| manufactured by HTC, Nexus One is designed and | | | | Droid Incredible. The Desire has a slightly larger touch |
| branded by Google. It runs on a 1 GHz Qualcomm | | | | screen at 3.7". The Droid Incredible boasts of an 8 |
| Snapdragon processor with 512 MB of RAM built-in. It | | | | megapixel camera. |
| includes 4GB of SD memory with a capacity of up to | | | | More smartphones are expected to be released in |
| 32 GB. The 3.7" touch screen is wider than most | | | | the last two quarters of 2010. As people eagerly |
| phones in its class. It also includes a 5-megapixel | | | | await the release of the next generation of iPhones |
| camera. Among the features of Nexus One are | | | | from Apple, Android-based devices are already in the |
| voicemail transcriptions and GPS navigation via Google | | | | pipeline with such HTC phones as the EVO 4G to be |
| Maps with audible directions. | | | | released by June 2010 and the HTC Wildfire set to |
| Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 | | | | be out in the market by the 3rd quarter of the year. |
| The Xperia X10 is the first Android unit for Sony | | | | Expect even more Androids to invade tech stores |
| Ericsson. It also runs on a 1 GHz Snapdragon | | | | soon! |