The Android Juggernaut
Posted: 7 February 2010
I've been keeping a close eye on the developments in the smartphone world for some time now. Android has invaded, and how! And judging by it's success, it looks like it is here to stay. I was searching the Web for some sort of upcoming Android superphone list, but couldn't find one. So I have decided to compile my own, bringing together a few Android superphones that will rock the world this year...Update: Minor revisions have been made to to this article to reflect the news announced at MWC 2010, Barcelona.
When Google announced it was coming up with the Android OS for mobile devices back in 2008, the world (me included) sat up and took notice. A lot of rumors started making the rounds about the new OS possibly vying for a juicy piece of the smartphone pie, possibly even taking a swipe at Apple and its famed iPhone. Expectations were high, and Google didn't disappoint, atleast for the most part. And people wanted to see Android running on actual hardware, so HTC rolled out the first-of-its-kind Android-powered Dream in 2008. Despite being criticized for its poor hardware, the device was quite well accepted. Since then, Android has been driving a growing number of devices, largely from HTC.
Most critics and fans alike would agree that Android really arrived on the scene in June 2009 with the release of the HTC Hero. The smartphone was warmly recieved and was given rave reviews from technology magazines all over the world (it even won a few awards). That was the only the beginning for Android. And a lot of people believe Android has already progressively overtaken Windows Mobile (WinMo7 is another story though). As far as the iPhone OS is concerned, it's debatable, and I don't want to start a iPhone vs. Android debate here: there've been plenty of those before.
I agree there are still quite a a few issues here and there, but it seems like Android has not only learned to walk with v2.0, but talk and sing as well. And there's an important thing we have to bear in mind: Android is little over a year old!
The big turning point came when Motorola launched the Milestone (a fitting name) a few months ago, which is arguably still the Android flagship (at the time of publishing of this article). Since then, a number of leaked reaodmaps from smartphone majors suggest atleast 20 odd Android phones will be released in 2010 alone: from every major smartphone manufacturer: HTC, Samsung, Motorola. Others like Garmin, Acer, LG; even Google themselves have stepped in. A few of these devices can't even be called smartphones: a more appropriate term would be superphones. These will, in my opinion, make Android a serious contender in the smartphone market this year. Here, I present 7 of them, starting with the ones that are already available.
Note: Phones with unofficial/rumored specs or release dates are marked with an asterisk (*)
Motorola Milestone
(Status: Released - November 2009)
The first of the Android superphones, this devices is already extremely popular all around the world. It's most popularly known as the device that brought Motorola back from the dead, and has gone on to sell over 250,000 units in its first week. Built like a tank, this device can definitely take a beating. It's got everything Android can offer at the moment. A huge 3.7" WVGA scratch-resistant display, 256MB RAM , 512MB ROM, 600MHz ARM A8 Cortex processor, Android 2.0, 5MP camera, physical slideout full-QWERTY and all the connectivity options on offer. See all the specifications here.
HTC Google Nexus One
(Limited release - January 2010, worldwide release - 2Q 2010)
This device is available only from Google online, via its page at http://www.google.com/phone. Availability is somewhat limited at the moment. Despite some criticism of its after-sales service by a large portion of initial buyers, a firmware update has been released a few days ago. What is amazing about this phone is that it will probably be Android-upgradable for some time to come, with its 3.7" WVGA AMOLED, 1Gz Snapdragon, 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM, 5MP camera and of course, Android 2.1. See all the specs. Interesting note: Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple, Inc.) has confessed that the Nexus one is his favorite gadget!
Motorola Motoroi XT720
(Status: Released in Korea - January 2010; worldwide release - March 2010 or later)
This has got to be the best looking Android device I have ever seen. Personally, I think it looks better than the iPhone, which was my previous favorite; design-wise, that is. And it has loads of functionality too. Tablet-inspired design, 3.7" FWVGA display, 256MB RAM, 512MB ROM, Android 2.0.1, 8MP camera: it's all too good. It seems like Motorola have fully committed to the Android platform with the success of the Milestone. Also, watch out for the older sibling of the Motoroi, the Motorola XT800. These two are my current favorites. I hear they will be officially introduced at the upcoming MWC from 15-18 February 2010.
HTC Desire
(Expected release: April 2010)
The status of "HTC Android flagship" will well and truly be passed on from the Hero when the HTC Desire is released. This phone is a monster, and is being tooted as a multimedia powerhouse by HTC: a huge 3.7" AMOLED screen, 320MB RAM, 512 MB ROM, 1Gz Snapdragon processor, optical trackball, 5MP camera, HD D1 video recording, Dolby Mobile audio enhancement, and all the other usual specifications. Not to forget a new version of HTC's Sense UI. Drool. Some in-the-wild photos have been circulating for some time now. The Slashgear hands-on will make you drool. See all the specs.
Samsung Galaxy 2 *
(Expected release: 2Q 2010)
The sequel to one of Samsung's initial Android offerings, the Galaxy, is no slouch by any means. It features a Snapdragon 1GHz CPU, 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 32GB internal memory, Android 2.1, 5MP snapper with the other usual features. This phone will probably be officially announced at the MWC 2010 too. See all the specs.
HTC Supersonic *
(Largely rumored at this time)
The Supersonic seems to have a fitting name for the specs this device will have if rumors are to be believed. It could be an Android version of HTC's very popular HD2 (which runs WinMo 6.5). That translates into a gigantic 4.3" display, a 1Gz Snapdragon (or equivalent) processor, WiMax, Android 2.1 with the Sense UI. Seems like it's going to be a Sprint exclusive.
Motorola Shadow * aka Google Nexus Two
(Largely rumored at this time)
We all know about the Nexus One, and it is rumored that Google is in cahoots with Motorola this time to build the Nexus Two. This could be just a rumor, but if not, the phone will have a titanic 4.3" WVGA TFT capacitive display, slideout full-QWERTY, 8MP camera, 1080p video recording along with Android 2. GSMArena has those rumored specs.
Come to think of it, most of those phones have similar spec sheets. Judging by this batch of phones, the 3.7" display with the 1Gz processor will become an Android standard within the next few months. The future looks very promising for Android...
Credits: GSMArena, Engadget, BoyGeniusReport and other blogs for the photos and rumored specs
