Smart-phone growth has really ramped up as consumers upgrade from their simpler, basic feature phones. The popularity of the Apple iPhone as well as the various phones using the Google Android operating system (OS) is bringing multifunction operation to everyone. Of course, this increase is placing intense pressure on carriers to handle much more data, especially video. The result is a massive push forward in all wireless services. The massive growth spurt is even causing semiconductor shortages.

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In fact, some experts say that the smart phone is the new PC. With multiple radios and capabilities, smart phones can play music and video, take digital photos and videos, and provide texting, e-mail, and full Web browsing. They make phone calls, too. Bluetooth headsets provide additional connectivity, including Wi-Fi and GPS-based navigation. Add all the amazing apps that are now available, and you have a formidable platform that you can carry in your pocket. Tablets may be closer to the new PC, but the smart phone does come close.

Lots Of New Models

Just keeping up with the new smart-phone announcements is a full-time job. New contenders seem to arrive on the market every day, with varying degrees of innovation, success, and publicity. You already know about the Apple iPhone 4. Despite its much discussed antenna problem, its sales are exceptional. It’s still the smart phone to beat.

Motorola’s new Droid X, which is the successor to the original Droid introduced almost a year ago, is a growing competitor. According to Motorola, sales are outstripping supply. The Droid X uses Google’s Android, and its service is primarily through Verizon. Taiwan-based HTC is also doing very well with its Droid Incredible, another Android phone also available from Verizon.

RIM’s BlackBerry Torch 9800 is probably the best BlackBerry yet with a full, traditional slide-out keyboard and a full touchscreen user interface. The new BlackBerry 6 operating system and developer’s kits are expected to boost apps development.

Samsung, the second largest worldwide supplier of cell phones (Nokia is still number one), also has two new smart phones: the Galaxy Series S, which includes the Vibrant available from T-Mobile, and the Captivate from AT&T. Both use Android and have huge screens with touch operation. 

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