The new year has started off with a bang of new smartphones and tablets at CES. The media is already naming their top picks and finalists, while the official CES Innovations Awards honored many of our favorite Android smartphones released in 2010.
Update 01/09/11 - We've added CNET results.
Laptop Top Best Picks for Smartphones and Tablets Are:
Motorola Atrix 4G - this dual-core Tegra 2 processor Android smartphone runs on the AT&T 4G network that connects to laptop or multimedia docks. Laptop called it "one of the most versatile mobile devices ever. We are adding it to Wireless and Mobile News' Review of Reviews Top Ten Best Android an' Droid Phones Now an' Later.
Laptop Smartphone Finalists:
LG Optimus 2X - 4-inch touchscreen, dual-core Tegra 2 Processor Android 2.2 smartphone. It has full 1080p HDMI video output/recording, an 8MP video/camera and front-facing 1.3MP camera.
HTC ThunderBolt - 4G LTE Android 2.2 smartphone with HTC Sense, 4.3-inch touchscreen, 1GHz
Snapdragon processor, Skype video calling, mobile hotspots, GPS, Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth. It also has Dolby Surround Sound, is DLNA-compatible to sync with, and can stream to home electronics with DLNA connections.
Tablet Winner from Laptop
Motorola Xoom
- this Android 3.0 Honeycomb dual-core tablet plays 1080p videos, 3D
Google Maps, Verizon 4G upgradeable, and dual camera for video calling.
Called "serious iPad challenger."
For CNET's Best of CES Awards. The nominees are the following phones and tablets:
LG Revolution - has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, DLNA, HDMI, DivX compatibility, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G/LTE mobile hotspot
capabilities, Bluetooth, and a
microSD card slot. It also has a front-facing camera for video calls
HTC ThunderBolt -
4G LTE Android 2.2 smartphone with HTC Sense, 4.3-inch touchscreen,
1GHz
Snapdragon processor, Skype video calling, mobile hotspots, GPS, Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth. It also has Dolby Surround Sound, is DLNA-compatible to sync
with, and can stream to home electronics with DLNA connections.
Motorola Droid Bionic - Android 2.2-based smartphone with 4G LTE. The Motorola Droid Bionic has a dual-core processor with each
core running at 1GHz, delivering up to 2GHz of processing power and
512MB RAM. With 4G LTE, it runs up to 10 times faster than 3G.
Motorola Atrix 4G - this dual-core Tegra 2 processor Android smartphone runs on the AT&T 4G network and docks like a laptop or media player.
The Winner of the best top smarpthone at CES is the Motorola Atrix 4G.for impressive features and unique acessories.
Tablets Nominated:
- Motorola Xoom Tablet.
- BlackBerry PlayBook.
- Toshiba Tablet.
The Best in Show Award Award - Motorola Xoom Tablet with front and rear-facing cameras, larger screen higher resolution than the iPad, Adobe Flash support, Android 3.0 Honeycomb and the Verizon Network this tablet was reported to rival the iPad.
The Official CES Honorees/Winners for Innovations handsets are very familiar because many of the phones appeared on Wireless and Mobile News' Top Ten Best Smartphones Review of Reviews:
Best Top Winner
HTC EVO 4G,
Sprint - with WiMAX high-speed
data, video viewing, huge 4.3" touchscreen, this Android smartphone with
HTC Sense, sold out early. Reviewers called it "everything a geek
could dream of." Features of HTC EVO 4G include an 8-megapixel
video-capture-capable camera and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for
video chat.
CES Honorees
Droid X, Verizon - one of the hottest phones of the summer, reviewers called the 4.3-inch (WVGA 854 x 480) touchscreen gorgeous, beautiful and a knockout. Given Editor's Choice by PCMag, the Droid X marks the eXcellent
spot for Wi-Fi hotspots, Bluetooth voice dialing, video/multimedia,
great call quality with super noise cancellation, and good to great
8-megapixel camera. Verizon is offering the Droid X as part of its
buy-one-get-one-free promotion - get an
Instant Phone Rebate Only Available with Online Purchase. Online retailers, Amazon Wireless and Wirefly offer it at a discount. Read Droid X tips.
Samsung Vibrant, Sprint - the most praised features of the Samsung Vibrant
are the super AMOLED touchscreen, preloaded entertainment (Avatar movie
and SIM 3 game) and synching abilities. One of the first of the Samsung Galaxy S phone series, the Vibrant's price has recently been reduced by T-Mobile to $99 with a contract for the web-only discount.
Samsung Epic 4G, Sprint - this multimedia Samsung Galaxy S Phone powerhouse was rated well by reviewers. Reviewers raved about the gorgeous Super AMOLED touchscreen, large comfy 5-row keyboard, magnificent media
features, fast processor and super fast WiMAX data connections. There is an added monthly fee of $10 for WiMAX service. Amazon Wireless, as of this writing, is selling it for $99 for new customers with a contract. Wirefly offers the Epic at a discount.
Samsung Captivate, AT&T - reviewers all agreed that the Captivate captivates and called it the best Android smartphone at AT&T in August. It has been available for one cent from Amazon Wireless and highly discounted with free activation from Wirefly.
Dell Streak with Home Dock - the Dell Streak was launched with an earlier Android and didn't gain much traction even though it has a big 5-inch screen..
We will keep you posted as to what smartphone garnered the most media attention and the top best coolest reviews.