Google’s open-source Android will become the number two mobile operating system this year, leapfrogging BlackBerry and challenging market leader Nokia’s Symbian by 2014, a research firm said Friday.

The technology firm Gartner said Symbian and Android will account for 59.8 percent of mobile operating system (OS) sales by 2014.

“Symbian will remain at the top of Gartner’s worldwide OS ranking due to Nokia’s volume and the push into more mass market price points,” Gartner said.

“However, by the end of the forecast period, the number one spot will be contested with Android, which will be at a very similar share level,” it said.

According to Gartner, Symbian will hold a 40.1 percent OS market share at the end of 2010 followed by Android with 17.7 percent, Research in Motion’s BlackBerry with 17.5 percent, Apple with 15.4 percent for the iOS used by the iPhone and Windows Mobile from Microsoft with 4.7 percent.

By 2014, Symbian’s share will fall to 30.2 percent while Android’s will rise to 29.6 percent followed by Apple with 14.9 percent, Blackberry with 11.7 percent and Windows with 3.9 percent, Gartner forecast.

Symbian last year had a 46.9 percent share of the OS market followed by Blackberry with 19.9 percent, Apple with 14.4 percent, Windows with 8.7 percent and Android with 3.9 percent, Gartner said.

Gartner said it expected handset manufacturers such as Samsung to launch a number of budget devices in the second half of the year using Android and for other players such as Sony Ericsson, LG and Motorola to follow suit.

“This trend should help Android become the top OS in North America by the end of 2010,” Gartner said.

Nokia on Friday named Stephen Elop, a former Microsoft executive, to head the Finnish telecom giant as it battles slumping profits and an eroding market share in the smartphone segment.

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Android to challenge Nokia’s Symbian by 2014: Gartner

One thing missing yesterday from T-Mobile USA’s announcement of the T-Mobile G2 was the price point (and release date) of the much anticipated Android 2.2 Froyo device. Luckily for us, Best Buy’s press release has confirmed that the G2 will be up for preorder today starting at $199 with a new two-year agreement. The preorders will start shipping on October 6th. The phone itself includes a 3.7-inch display, QWERTY keyboard, 5-megapixel camera, WiFi and GPS, along with HSPA+ connectivity.  There’s also an optical trackpad, 800MHz processor (with separate – and apparently potent – graphics chip) and a stock Android UI. Press Release: “ Best Buy Mobile Launches Pre-Sale of the T-Mobile® G2™ with Google™ The pre-sale begins Friday, September 10. Best Buy Mobile today announced the T-Mobile® G2™ with Google™ will be available for pre-orders starting Friday, September 10. It will launch in stores October 6 and will retail for $199.99 with new two-year activation. By adding the T-Mobile® G2™ with Google™ to its assortment, Best Buy Mobile furthers its position as the place for consumers to research and purchase the smart phone that is right for their needs. Best Buy Mobile has the most under smart phones under one roof, including the iPhone 4, HTC EVO 4G (Black or White version), the full line of Samsung Galaxy smart phones and the BlackBerry Torch, among others. The G2 is T-Mobile’s first phone on its advanced network that lets consumers connect at 4G speeds. It has the Android 2.2 operating system, an exclusive hinge design (HTC calls it “Z-Hinge”) that opens up to a QWERTY keyboard and a full touch screen 3.7” S-TFT WVGA with clear images and wide viewing angle. Pre-orders can be made by visiting any local Best Buy or Best Buy mobile standalone store.” [Via Slashgear ] )

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T-Mobile G2 gets $199.99 price tag and release date courtesy of Best Buy

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T-Mobile G2 gets $199.99 price tag and release date courtesy of Best Buy

Over the past few weeks, it seems as though Microsoft and it’s many partners have been having some considerable issues keeping it’s latest handsets under wraps, so much so that come release day, we’re not sure how many of the handsets will actually be that much of a surprise. For those that are wondering by the way, Windows Phone 7 will be getting it’s offical launch on October 11th, a little over a month away.

Onto the latest in a long line of leaks then. This is said to be the Samsung i8700, we’re guessing it’ll be released with a slightly more memorable and interesting moniker come launch day, but it is arguably the best looking WP7 device we have seen to date. We don’t know a great deal about the phone with regards to specs but what the pictures do tell us, is that it’ll have an 8GB internal memory, it’ll be touchscreen only and that it’ll have a camera with a flash. If the ‘8700′ part of the model number is anything to go by, then we can expect this to be touting specs very similar to the Android powered Galaxy S aka the i9000.

That’s all we know for the moment, so in the meantime we’ll leave you to salivate over the pictures and be sure to keep your eye on the blog for more details as they emerge. (Source: Gizmodo)

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Samsung i8700: The best looking WP7 phone yet?

Model: FLIPOUT

When it comes to entry level Android handsets, it looks like novelty devices are the dish of the day. With the surprisingly usable, truly tiny Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini leading the way along-side the more practical X10 mini Pro, now, hot on Sony Ericsson’s heels comes the quirkier still Motorola FLIPOUT. With a 2.8 inch capacitive touch-screen and a QWERTY physical keyboard underneath, the phone seems to compete most directly with the X10 mini Pro, a handset aimed at the messaging-centric market which we really enjoyed here at PhoneArena. So let’s take a closer look at the Motorola FLIPOUT and see how it does when compared with this, and other handsets on the market.

Design:

When the Motorola FLIPOUT is sitting in front of us, it looks more like a chunky make-up compact than a phone. With a twist-out form-factor reminiscent of the Nokia 7705, while small overall, it’s a little on the thick side at 17mm. Even though it’s all but a millimeter thicker than the X10 mini and the same thickness as the X10 mini Pro, its cube design takes up more space in the hand (and pocket). While the HTC Wildfire holds the crown for the slimmest in this range at 12mm, as far as novelty goes, the Motorola FLIPOUT wins out thanks to its unusual, arguably cool design.

On the front of the device is the landscape 2.8-inch capacitive TFT touch-screen with a resolution of 320

Fosmon® High Capacity 2680mAh Premium Extended Battery with Back Door for HTC T-Mobile G2 / myTouch 3G / HTC Magic ( White )

• High Quality, high capacity, light weight rechargeable DC 3.7V Li-Ion 2680mAh battery.
• Longer battery life than the original battery that comes with the device.
• No memory effect. Can be charged or discharged as needed without loss of capacity.
• Overcharge protection, with built-in battery life microchip.
• CE Certified with 6 months Manufacturer warranty.

When you’re on the go and do not have time to charge your phone, bring along Fosmon® Premium Quality Brand new High Capacity Battery as spare battery! It is a high capacity rechargeable lithium polymer (Li-Poly) battery that is specifically designed for your handheld. With up to 200% the use time of a standard battery, the Fosmon® Premium Quality extended batteries is the essential accessory for people who cant or dont want to worry about missing a charge.
Compatible with: HTC T-Mobile G2 / myTouch 3G / HTC Magic
NOT Compatible with T-Mobile myTouch 3G with 3.5mm Jack
WARNING: This battery increase the size of your cell phone or PDA. If you are using a case for the cell phone or PDA, it will not fit in the case when the battery is applied on the cell phone or PDA. An Extended Battery door is provided to replace the original battery door cover.

Rating: (out of reviews)

List Price: $ 39.95

Price: $ 14.99

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Fosmon® High Capacity 2680mAh Premium Extended Battery with Back Door for HTC T-Mobile G2 / myTouch 3G / HTC Magic ( White )