Android logo

We're not the only ones who think that Android is about to take off. Analysts at Gartner forecast that our favorite OS, Android, will rank second in worldwide smartphone market share by 2012 (behind Nokia). They estimate that 14% of the global smartphone marketshare will be Android devices--higher than Blackberry, higher than Windows Mobile, and even higher than the iPhone.

Gartner cites multiple reasons for Android's impending success but points mainly to Google. Android will succeed, "because of Google Inc.'s backing of Android and the range of cloud computing functions and related applications that Google will make available in coming years". They expect Android to run on nearly 40 different handsets by 2012.

We're glad that people are finally noticing Android and believe in its potential. But Android in 2009 currently sits 6th in worldwide marketshare with only 2% of smartphones running Android. It's a long climb to the top but we definitely believe that Android can make it--the OS has shown a great balance between offering third-party applications and maintaining high usability--you can have it your way.

We can't wait to meet all you future Android users.

[via computerworld]

Samsung Moment

We've heard whispers of a second Sprint Android device before and now it's official--meet the Samsung Moment. The Moment is a QWERTY-slider device that packs a 3.2-inch AMOLED screen, 800MHz processor, 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with video and flash, and an 'optical joystick'. And of course, the usual slew of wireless options--Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and EV-DO.

The Samsung Moment will be the second Android device on Sprint and it certainly looks like a winner. The Moment is most definitely the previously rumored InstinctQ and we applaud Sprint and Samsung for delivering a top-notch Android device without the baggage of a previously used name. The Moment will be available for $179 on 2-year contract ($100 mail-in-rebate) on November 1st.

HTC Hero "Sprint style"

There's no question that the Sprint HTC Hero is one of the most anticipated Android phones, well, ever. It's Sprint's first Android device, looks relatively pleasing, and runs the beautiful HTC Sense UI. We've spent some quality time with the Sprint HTC Hero and have gathered some of our quick thoughts to hold you over until our full review. However I think that the hero is not the correct name for this phone, because of its looks, the original HTC Hero is a bit different then this one but it has the same hardware inside. The only difference is the trackball.

• The build quality is wonderful. There's no creakiness like the T-Mobile G1 and it feels much more luxurious than the myTouch 3G.
• We're not the biggest fans of the flush hardware buttons, it's too difficult to differentiate and much too easy to accidentally click. We've had the phone unlock multiple times and make calls without even knowing.
• On the other hand, the trackball is easily the best of the HTC Android family.
• The soft matte finish on the backside of the phone greatly improves the overall feel.
• HTC Sense UI is simply a joy to use. We're not having any of the lag or slowness problems that have been reported elsewhere.
• Peep, HTC's Twitter client, is very well designed. Actually, all of the HTC apps and widgets are very impressive.
• Multitouch in the browser is great--a much more intuitive way to navigate. Flash, not so much--on first impression, it's just too clunky for everyday use.
• Battery life is perfectly adequate.
• Sprint catches a lot of flack in the media but our experience with its service and data speeds has been entirely positive.
• We love the Hero

Stay tuned to Android Features for more coverage on the HTC Hero! This is only the beginning, we're going to give you as much information about the Hero as we can before the October 11th launch date.

Dell Mini 3i

When we first heard that Dell was making an Android-powered smartphone we couldn't help but get excited. Seriously, the biggest US computer manufacturer creating a smartphone powered by our favorite OS? We were immediately on board. Then came news that the Dell Mini 3i, the much anticipated Dellphone, was going to be China-only. To say we were disappointed is an understatement--we were absolutely crushed. How could a US company, like Dell, ignore the US market? Especially when we were thirsting, starving even, for more Android devices??

Luckily, it looks like the Dellphone, the Mini 3i, might just find its way home--rumors are pointing towards a US release and it's going to be even better than what we already know. As it exists now, the Dell Mini 3i won't cut it in the states--they'll likely add Wi-Fi, bump up the camera to 5 megapixels, and improve the device. It's going to be thinner than the iPhone and have a similar feel to the Palm Pre.

HTC Dragon

Okay, we don't honestly expect you guys to get overly excited about the HTC Dragon because for one, we have no pictures of the device and for two, all we can offer you is a purported screenshot of the firmware build. But what we can do, is simply blow your mind away with its rumored numbers: the HTC Dragon is supposed to pack a 1GHz processor (likely the Snapdragon platform) and a 800x480 screen. Yeah, you can pinch yourself right about now.

So though we expect the HTC Dragon to be eventually amazing, our advice would be to keep the thought of the HTC Dragon for future reference(can you imagine a 1GHz processor!?) and stay excited for real Android devices coming this year like the HTC Hero, Motorola Droid, and Motorola CLIQ.