| Smartphone sales have skyrocketed, led by Apple's | | | | The following Android smart phones are reviewed: |
| iPhone and Research in Motion's ("RIM's") Blackberry | | | | · HTC Dream (branded for distribution by T-Mobile as |
| Storm devices. Among the major players in the smart | | | | the G1). |
| phone market are the companies developing to the | | | | · Motorola CLIQ |
| Android OS.Android is an open source OS platform | | | | · Google Nexus One (plans announced in |
| for smart phones that was released in 2008. Android | | | | mid-December with January, 2010 release date) |
| is backed by Google, Intel, HTC, ARM, and eBay, | | | | Google's entry into this market brings visibility to the |
| among others and these companies form the Open | | | | OHA and the Android product (that none of the other |
| Handset Alliance. The Open Handset Alliance ("OHA") | | | | partners could do). Trying to emulate Apple's iPhone |
| defines and maintains the Android specifications. | | | | success, the big issue is that they are entering a new |
| Android Smartphone Marketplace evaluates Google | | | | business (cell phones). Will they develop a following |
| and OHA smart phones and their impact on the | | | | and brand loyalty with their phones? (Or applications?). |
| growth of the smart phone market. This research | | | | It will not matter if they cannot support their customers |
| compares and contrast the features and forecast the | | | | and get them operational. |
| market outlook for the Android market leaders only. | | | | |