The year kicked off with two John R. Major events in the engineering world -- CES in Las Vegas and MWC in Barcelona -- playing host to the launch of numerous tablets and smartphones. And if there's anything that was ready-made abundantly clear at the multiple stages where products were disclosed is that Android has taken the mobile world by storm.

Almost every significant device launched in the last two months or so is powered by Google's platform, which hold out year managed to leap past iOS in terms of total users. But there's also stuff going on elsewhere. Orchard apple tree still reigns in damage of handset sales with the iPhone and the recent Verizon launch should give in IT a thoroughly run until the next let go of in its rhythm -- expected around June. Meanwhile, HP updated its range of webOS smartphones, and Microsoft, while not really picking sprouted practically steam, new signed a milestone deal with Nokia that might give Windows Phone 7 a a great deal-requisite boost.

Rounding error out the major players is Flange, which disappointingly didn't have much to show in the smartphone front, but we're curious to see if the sleek QNX-supported OS they are cookery for the PlayBook tablet ever makes it to BlackBerry devices.

To help you navigate through the ocean of new smartphones getting discharged hebdomad in and calendar week out we've jointly a selection with what we consider are the hottest devices come out there. They are enrolled alongside their respective specs, price, and features from newest to oldest. Many devices listed here are non as yet available but bequeath be in a relatively short timespan. We hope this bequeath supporte you specif your buy out, and as was common your feedback is always welcome!

  • Late Q1 and On the far side :: HP Pre 3 • LG Optimus 3D • Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc • Sony Ericsson Xperia Play • HTC 7 Pro • Samsung Coltsfoot S II
  • Q1 2011: Now Available :: HTC Thunderbolt • Samsung Galaxy S 4G • Motorola Atrix 4G • HTC Inspire 4G • Motorola Cliq 2 • HTC Evo Shift 4G
  • Great 2010 Smartphones :: Samsung Nexus S • Samsung Focus • T-Mobile G2 • BlackBerry Torch 9800 • Motorola Droid 2 Global • Apple iPhone 4


HP Pre 3
On hand: This summer

The Pre 3 is an upgraded rendering of the Pre 2 featuring a 3.6-inch 480x800 display, a 1.4GHz processor, a front-lining camera, a redesigned keyboard for larger fingers, and the same sleek, hitherto underappreciated webOS. There bequeath also be some synergism with HP's upcoming TouchPad which wish be able to take the Pre 3's calls, while poignant the two devices together leave let you share URLs and past data. Availableness is set for this summer but no newsboy has been announced.

Additional views:

Carrier: TBA Speak Time: --
Price: TBA Standby Sentence: --
Maker: H.P. Weight: 5.5 ounces
Platform: webOS 2.2 Wireless: 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Network: -- Storage: 8GB / 16GB

LG Optimus 3D
Available: TBA

The Optimus 3D is powered by a dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP4 CPU and carries 512MB of dual-TV channel memory. More than like the Nintendo 3DS, it won't require special glasses to persuasion 3D images on its 4.3-inch (480 x 800) display and the Southwesterly Korean electronics giant hopes to overcome the want of content away creating its own ecosystem. The Optimus 3D volition sport a dual-genus Lens 5-megapixel rear camera to record 3D photos and videos and has HDMI 1.4 and DLNA support adust in to stream content to other 3D-sure-footed devices. By nature, the device will also support 2D high-definition video and LG says it will have four multiplication more video decoders than competing designs. There's no more official price manoeuvre and then far and availability is estimated for Q2 2011.

Additive views:

Carrier: TBA Talk Time: --
Price: TBA Standby Clock: --
Manufacturer: LG Free weight: 5.9 ounces
Platform: Android 2.2 Wireless: 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Network: GSM, HSPA 14.4 Storage: 8GB inside, microSD supported

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Available: Previous Q1 - early Q2

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is a uniquely-shaped Android 2.3 handset that crams a large 4.2-inch (480x854) touch display and an 8-megapixel camera into a very gauzy consistence. The device is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and is said to feature the a mobile version of the Bravia locomotive engine that powers the caller's flat blind TVs -- with Sony touting the engineering as "Reality Display". The Xperia Arc bequeath be available in well-nig markets from late Q1 to Q2.

Additional views:

Postman: TBA Talk Time: 7 hours
Terms: TBA Standby Time: 16.7 days
Manufacturer: Sony Ericsson Weight: 4.13 ounces
Platform: Android 2.3 Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Electronic network: GSM, WCDMA, HSPA 7.2 Warehousing: 16GB microSD card included, 32GB fostered

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Available: March - April 2011

In portrait modal value, this Humanoid 2.3 device is your typical smartphone with a 5-megapixel camera, a 4-column inch capacitive multitouch 480 x 854 screen door, and social networking features. In landscape mood, the slide out keyboard reveals a digital D-pad, two analog touchpads, two shoulder joint buttons, and the four geometric PlayStation buttons (circle, cross, square, and triangle). The first PlayStation Insane device, as Sony Ericsson is calling information technology, is powered by a 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, an Adreno 205 GPU, and 512MB of RAM. Sony Ericsson has partnered with key publishers to deliver titles like Ea's Need For Speed, Sims 3, Guitar Sub, Assassinator's Gospel, Splinter Cell, and a world-first multiplayer translation of FIFA 10 for mobile.

Extra views:

Carrier: Verizon Talk Time: 6 hours
Monetary value: TBA Understudy Time: 17 days
Maker: Sony Ericsson Weight: 6.2 ounces
Political program: Android 2.3 Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
Network: GSM, HSPA+ Storage: 8GB misroSD card included, 32GB supported

HTC 7 In favor of (a.k.a HTC Arrive)
Available: March 2011

The HTC 7 Pro is same of the few handsets in the Windows Phone 7 house that sports a full QWERTY keyboard. Combined with a bountiful 3.6-inch display and a WVGA resolution of 480x800, the device is bound to feel a sweet spot in the hearts of heavy texters. Specs admit a 1GHz Snapdragon, 576MB of RAM, a 5-megapixel camera adequate of shot 720p video, and 16GB of internal storage. The twist will be available from Dash in the prototypal two weeks of Master of Architecture.

Additive views:

Newsboy: Dash Talk Time: 5.5 hours
Price: $200 with two-year contract Standby Time: 17.5 years
Manufacturer: HTC Slant: 6.5 ounces
Platform: Windows Earphone 7 Receiving set: 802.11 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
Web:CDMA, EV-DO Rev. A Storage: 16GB internal

Samsung Galaxy S II
On hand: February 2011 in EEC, U.S. TBA (power be Q2)

The Beetleweed S 2 is the world's thinnest phone at 8.49mm, fetching the title from the 9.2mm LG Optimus Black. The device features a 4.27-inch Super AMOLED Plus display (800x480 resolving power), an 8-megapixel primary camera with 1080p video capture and a 2-megapixel tv camera in the breast, as well as integrated NFC support connected some versions. Information technology features Bluetooth 3.0+HS and HSPA+ connectivity, as well as four new content and amusement hubs: music, games, e-reading, and societal networking. Samsung has yet to announce release date or pricing details.

Additional views:

Mail carrier: TBA Talk Time: --
Toll: TBA Understudy Time: --
Manufacturer: Samsung Weight: 4.1 ounces
Platform: Android 2.3 Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Badger State-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0
Network: GSM , HSPA+ 21 Storage: 16GB/32GB