The Android operating system has evolved into one of the ‘Big Four’ mobile phone operating systems, along with Apple’s iOS for the iPhone, Blackberry’s creatively named Blackberry OS, and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile.  The release earlier this year of Android 2.1, and the recent Android 2.2 update just last month, have reaffirmed the popularity of this operating system, and several new phone models have been released to take advantage of these advances:

HTC (visit manufacturer’s website)

• HTC Aria – Personalization is the name of the game with HTC’s Aria.  Organize emails, texts, Facebook messages, & tweets by who sent them, choose from a menu of widgets for your main display, post directly, to Facebook and Twitter, and much more.  Includes Bluetooth, touchscreen, and 5.0 megapixel LED camera.  The battery under performs, delivering only 144 minutes of usage time.

• HTC Nexus One – Created in partnership with Google, the HTC Nexus One delivers optimized online and Google app functionality with a large display.  Includes Bluetooth, touchscreen, and 5.0 megapixel flash camera.  Battery is great at 420 minutes of usage time.

LG (visit manufacturer’s website)

• LG Ally – The LG Ally provides social media junkies with all the tools they need to stay connected.  Organize messages, access Facebook and Twitter instantly, and much more. Includes QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, touchscreen, and 3.2 megapixel camera.  Battery delivers a stunning 450 minutes of usage time.

Sony Ericsson (visit manufacturer’s website)

• Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 – With a big screen and lots of memory, the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 is a great phone for media & gaming enthusiasts.  Includes Bluetooth, touchscreen, and 8.0 megapixel LED camera.  Top-notch 480 minutes of usage time from the battery lets you go days between recharges.

Motorola (visit manufacturer’s website)

• Droid – It’s got the catchiest name, and great functionality!  A blazing fast processor coupled with Verizon’s 3G network promises some of the best performance around.  Like apps?  Motorola’s Droid lets you toggle between up to six at a time.  Includes Bluetooth, touchscreen, and 5.0 megapixel LED camera.  Good battery life at 385 minutes of usage time.

T-Mobile (visit manufacturer’s website)

• myTouch 3G Slide – Another platform that caters to social media enthusiasts, the myTouch 3G Slide separates and prioritizes incoming messages from family & friends, via the built-in “Faves Gallery”.  The Slide also allows you to toggle between work and home modes: each can be programed with different wallpapers, widgets, alert tones, and apps.  Includes Bluetooth, touchscreen, and 5.0 megapixel flash camera.  Battery is outstanding at up to 400 minutes of usage time.

• Garminfone – Co-branded with Garmin, this T-Mobile platform is designed for those who need robust direction finding, location-based applications, and spot-on GPS support.  Also provides limited personalization of social media.  Includes Bluetooth, touchscreen, and 3.0 megapixel camera.  Battery is solid at 244 minutes of usage time.

The next update of the Android OS is scheduled for 4^th quarter 2010, and several improvements have already been announced:

• Lossless Audio Codec playback support
• WebM video playback support
• Android Market music store
• Media streaming from PC library
• a totally new user interface

You can count on alaTest to have reviews of the latest mobile phones that will be running the updated OS.