It’s been almost two years since the Google Android operating system made its debut, and a number of handset manufacturers and carriers have joined the Open Handset Alliance to show their support for Android and promote its use. As an open platform, Android will benefit as more carriers and manufacturers introduce handsets with the OS.
HTC Droid Incredible
The good: The HTC Droid Incredible is blazingly fast, thanks to Verizon’s 3G network. HTC Sense enhances the features of Android 2.1, and the smartphone features an 8-megapixel camera and 8GB of internal memory. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G are all onboard.
The bad: You can’t use voice and data at the same time. The multimedia experience is adequate but still behind the competition.
The bottom line: With its polished design and user interface and blazing-fast speeds, the HTC Droid Incredible takes pole position as Verizon’s top smartphone and is now the Android device to beat.
Motorola Droid
The good: The Motorola Droid boasts a gorgeous display and the benefits of Android 2.0, including a faster Web browser, Google Maps Navigation app, and better messaging and contact management. It also offers excellent call quality, long talk time and improved speed over previous Android devices.
The bad: The QWERTY keyboard feels flat and the dial pad control is restricted to the home screen. Music and video capabilities still trail behind the competition. The Droid does not support Bluetooth voice dialing.
The bottom line: The Motorola Droid is the most powerful and fastest Google Android device to date. It embraces the openness of the Android platform and offers customers a smartphone that rivals other touch-screen devices on the market.
HTC Nexus One by Google (unlocked)
The good: The Nexus One has a gorgeous display, a lightning-fast processor and a loaded feature set. The enhanced voice capabilities worked flawlessly, and the phone delivers solid performance.
The bad: Like other Android phones, the Nexus One forces you to store apps on the internal memory. The media player remains average, and it’s missing some wanted features like hands-free Bluetooth dialing. Currently, Outlook Calendar syncing is not available.
The bottom line: It doesn’t have all the features we’d like, but the Nexus One greatly enhances the Google Android family with a fast processor, good call quality and improved voice control features. What’s more, we love that all versions of the phone will be unlocked.
Resource:
http://www.mercurynews.com/business-headlines/ci_14985823
