Samsung Galaxy Tab, Samsung Fascinate, Verizon Droids Sum Up Android Summer

by Clint Boulton

Verizon, Motorola and Google kicked off a promising Android summer June 23 by unveiling the Motorola Droid X in New York City.

One of the many features Verizon Wireless touted for this 4.3-inch device was the wireless hotspot and tethering capabilities, allowing users to connect up to five devices in the home using the smartphones as the WiFi hub.

This 3.7-inch device, the first to with Android 2.2, offers a big boost over the original Droid from November 2009.

The slideout keyboard is vastly improved, boasting raised keys and better layout.

AT&Ts Samsung Captivate (left) and T-Mobiles Samsung Vibrant (right) were the firstof four phones in the Samsung Galaxy S line. Both boast 4-inch super AMOLED screens for indoor/outdoor use and are based on Android 2.1.

This device is the thirdSamsung Galaxy S device, coming with a slide-out keyboard from Sprint. However, Sprint’s $249.99 price tag may be the kiss of death for this device in a market where the Android 2.2-based Droid 2 sells for $199.

Verizon Wireless’ stake in the Galaxy S game, the Samsung Fascinate, is so fresh it went on sale online Sept. 8 and in Verizon’s retail stores Sept. 9 for $199. This Android 2.1-based device, like its brethren from other carriers, will also get the Android 2.2 bump soon.

What’s interesting about this device is that it’s coming in the wake of the wildly successful new Droid X and Droid 2 on Verizon. Both of those devices sport Android 2.2. With the Droids as competition, will people buy the Samsung Fascinate?

Samsung isn’t only leveraging Android for smartphones. The company is launchingthe Galaxy Tab tablet this month in Europe and later in the United States.

The 7-inch-screen tablet runs Android 2.2 and should be a joy for augmented reality apps, games and other apps that require more real estate on a mobile device.

Rumor has it the Galaxy Tab will costbetween $200 and $300, or at least $200 less than the low-end Apple iPad. That should make it quite agreeable for holiday shoppers this fall.

Galaxy Tab will be beat to market in the United States by two of these five Archos devices. Behold the Archos 28, a smartphone-like tablet with a 2.8-inch screen and costs $99.

This Archos 32 sports a 3.2-inch screen and costs $149.99. Rounding out the portfolio later this year will be the Archos 43, 70 and 101.