Keeping up with the latest smartphones seems like an impossible task: it seems like there are at least a few new phones every month! If you want an iPhone or BlackBerry, it might not be too tough (get the newest device), but what about an Android phone? The Google army is churning out droids en masse.
Here's an overview of three of the latest Android phones, in case you're still searching for the perfect device:
Droid X: The Droid X, Motorola's much-anticipated sequel to the original Motorola Droid, takes many of the features that made the original Droid so popular and enhances them. The Droid X has one of the largest displays on a smartphone with a 4.3 inch screen, 480X854 pixels. The Droid X has a 1 GHz processor and 512 MB RAM, putting it on par with the latest smartphones. In addition to Bluetooth and GPS (fairly standard), the Droid X can be tethered as a mobile hotspot for up to 5 other devices. (However, this features costs an extra $20/month subscription.)
The Droid X also comes with Motoblur, Motorola's social media-focused interface, though it is more scaled back than it was on the CLIQ. The device will ship with Android 2.1 (when it comes out in about a week) but will be on Android 2.2 shortly. Android 2.2 offers a number of new interesting features, the most exciting of which are Exchange Calendar support and remote wipe. It will also support Flash 10.
One of the biggest strengths to the Droid X is its impressive 8 megapixel camera and the ability to shoot 720p HD video. These are admittedly useless features in a business context generally, but it can certainly be nice to a have a phone capable of generating good quality pictures and video when you're out and about in the world.
Finally, I'd be remiss not to mention that the Droid X does not have a slide-out QWERTY keyboard like the Droid did. In the past I would've lamented this loss, but the more I hear from smartphone users, the more it sounds like the on-screen keyboards work just fine.
The Droid X will be available on Verizon Wireless later this month for $199.99 with a 2-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate.
HTC Evo 4G: HTC and Motorola have been seen as the heavy hitters on the Android scene since day one, and comparing the Evo 4G and the Droid X illustrates this clash of the titans. The Evo 4G competes head-to-head with the Droid X: the screen is the same 4.3 inches with a just-smaller 480X800 pixel resolution; both have a 1 GHz processor and 512 MB RAM; both run Android 2.1; and both offer 8 megapixel cameras and can shoot 720p HD video.
There are two primary features the Evo 4G has that the Droid X doesn't. The first is 4G WiMax through Sprint. Sprint is the first network provider to offer 4G, though other carriers will follow. So what's the difference in 4G? According to Sprint, 4G is 10 times faster than 3G, offering 3-6 Mbps download speeds. But do note that 4G is only available in some areas (see Sprint's website to find out where), and using the higher-speed connectivity will put extra strain on your battery. The other feature that the Evo 4G offers is a front-facing camera, which is nice if you'd like to use it for video conferencing.
Disadvantages to the Evo 4G are that it is a bit bulkier and heavier, and the screen resolution isn't quite as good. But a lot of it comes down to preference—for instance, HTC Sense vs. Motoblur—and what you'd like to do with the device.
The HTC Evo 4G is available now for $199.99 through Sprint with a $100 mail-in rebate and 2-year contract.
Motorola Charm: The Motorola Charm is a funny-looking, squarish device sporting a QWERTY keyboard on its face. The Charm will run Android 2.1, an enhanced version of Motoblur, and will be available on T-Mobile. The device offers a 3 megapixel camera with Kodak Perfect Touch, which is supposed to offer enhanced pictures, but I honestly have never heard of it until now.
One of the other interesting things about the Charm is that it has a trackpad on the back of it, similar to the Motorola Backflip. I've never navigated with a phone that used this, so I can't really say if it's an enhancement. (It probably takes some getting used to.)
In any event, there's nothing earth shattering about the Charm, but it will likely attract some with its unique design and social media integration. Also, the phone will likely be available for only $75 with a 2-year contract (according to unofficial, leaked information provided by Brighthand.com).
And there you have it—the latest 3 phones from Android. If none of them suit your fancy, just hold on a month or two, and I'm sure we'll have another handful of nifty devices.
Let me know what your favorite Android phone is on Twitter.
