Top 10 mobile predictions for 2010

Rumours of Google's own smartphone have been circulating for years, but now the search engine giant has finally launched the Nexus One.

The Nexus One features a five megapixel camera, HSDPA up to 7.2Mbps and HSUPA up to 5.6Mbps, a 1GHZ Snapdragon processor, and an upgraded OS (v2.1).

This is only the first device in Google's suite of superphones'.

It's also the first device to appear in Google's Mobile store, where the US giant will sell a number of other Android-based devices, including those manufactured by Motorola and HTC.

Windows 7

Windows 6.5 was introduced earlier in 2009 and it is a vast improvement over the rather disappointing Windows Mobile 6.1 platform.

However, Microsoft has hinted at the launch of Windows 7 next year, although due to delays, it's not clear when exactly the platform will be ready.

Apparently, with the new platform will come a whole new different type of device. The hardware has been redesigned to accommodate the operating system, rather than the other way round as is normally the case when manufacturing devices.

Windows 7 will co-exist with Windows 6.5, but it will be reserved for the flagship handsets, with high-performing multimedia features to boot.

Although there isn't much info around on Windows 7, if the positive changes in Windows 6.5 are anything to go by, the newest platform from Microsoft will be the best yet.

iSlate

A tablet has been on the cards from Apple for quite a while, but in the last couple of months, more and more information about this device have been surfacing on the internet.

Although not technically a mobile phone, it's not a computer either.

The iTablet, or iSlate as it has been referred to, will be pretty similar to Nokia's browsing tablets from 2008, but based on the iPod Touch and iPhone.

It's apparently all screen (up to 10in) and will include the same wireless capabilities seen on the iPod Touch, so just Wi-Fi. It's doubtful that there will be any other phone-esque capabilities present.

Rumours suggest that the iTablet, or iSlate, will be launched at an Apple event on January 26.

Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson has entered the smartphone market in full force, although the Swedish manufacturer seems unsure about which platform it prefers.

The Xperia X1 was Windows, as was the X2 (now withdrawn from the UK market), but the more consumer-based Satio was Symbian and the X10 sports Android.

The manufacturer has hinted that a follow-up to the Satio will be unearthed in 2010, but this time firmware issues will be ironed out before it hits the shelves.

The U5i as it's being called, will feature a capacitive touch screen and will run on Symbian S60 5th edition.

Although nothing has been formerly announced, we're hoping Sony Ericsson will add more to its Android range, because the X10 looks pretty impressive from we're standing.

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.