Is Android the future of smartphones?

I had an interesting discussion a few days ago with some fellow journalists. I and A N Other were convinced that Android is the future of smartphones, while ‘someone else’ couldn’t see it.

‘Someone else’ felt the iPhone had everything the market wants, and would dominate. The iPhone is a good device, has a slick user interface, responds well to fingertaps. It is also, importantly, immediately usable to the non technical. As ‘someone else’ implied, you no longer need to be a geek to use a smartphone.

I accept all that, and there is no doubt that the iPhone has pushed smartphone developers to think in new ways.

But while it is the darling of many, it is not the darling of all. Often cited reasons for steering clear include failings on specifications, expense and simply not liking Apple. Whatever the reasons, the iPhone has not captivated everyone.

I think Android stands a better chance of capturing a bigger market share and being the front runner in the next evolutionary stage for smartphones. This is as much about its widespread use as about its innate capabilities.

Android has only appeared in three UK handsets so far, all produced by HTC. My review of the latest has just been published, the HTC Hero. But Samsung is about to enter the fray with its O2 exclusive i7500 (arrival imminent). And thereafter it could be Android all the way for some smartphone manufacturers.

Certainly Samsung has been reported as saying that in 2010 it will release a number of phones running Android for well under $100. This heralds Android’s coming to mid-range handsets, and in doing so its movement from high-end to available-to-all status.

I’m as interested in what this means for Windows Mobile as what it means for the iPhone. Android can support Microsoft Exchange, and while Microsoft dithers in getting Windows Mobile 6.5 ready for market, Android is coming on fast. Will current Microsoft partners be prepared to switch allegiance? The idea must be very appealing to Google.

2010 could be an interesting year for the smartphone.