Mobile phone maker Motorola, Inc. (MOT) unveiled Tuesday five new models of smartphones that operate on Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android software, expanding its Android smartphone lineup to more than 20 models. Motorola is now focusing on Android-based smartphones for all consumers as they switch up from feature phones to smartphones, with its Droid Pro model targeting business customers.
Motorola's new portfolio addresses the needs of an evolving smartphone market to offer a range of designs, experiences and solutions that will be available across multiple wireless carriers. Nielsen projects that by the end of 2011, one out of every two Americans will own a smartphone.
Schaumburg, Illinois-based Motorola announced Tuesday the unveiling of Bravo, Flipout and Flipside smartphone models that will be sold by c, Inc. (T) in the price range of $79.99 to $129.99. It also unveiled the Droid Pro and Citrus smartphone models to be sold by Verizon Communication, Inc's wireless division. Verizon said the pricing will be announced closer to launch in the coming weeks.
Droid Pro addresses the growing desire from employers and employees for business-ready solutions with enhanced features for a richer personal mobile experience. It comes with the latest Android 2.2 that provides PC-like browsing with Adobe Flash Player 10.1 on a full multi-touch 3.1 inch brilliant display. It is the first ever smartphone built on Android for business and competes with Research In Motion Ltd.'s (RIMM) Blackberry family of smartphones that dominates this market segment.
Droid Pro, the first Android-based phone to support Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Exchange, advanced e-mail and calendar options, may have to compete with the blockbuster iPhone from Apple Inc. (AAPL), which has been available exclusively at AT&T. Apple is reportedly expected to extend the iPhone to Verizon sometime early next year.
Meanwhile, the Citrus smartphone model and the three models to be sold by AT&T come loaded with the older Android 2.1 operating system and is targeted at the general consumers before the prime holiday shopping season begins. They also come with Wi-Fi connectivity, 3G support and the latest version of MOTOBLUR, Motorola's exclusive smartphone experience.
"We want nothing less than the best smartphone line-up on the nation's fastest mobile broadband network. These diverse new Android devices from Motorola add diversity to our Android platform and provide more options for our customers," said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.
AT&T noted Motorola Flipout will be available for $79.99, Motorola Flipside for $99.99 and Motorola Bravo for $129.99 through online and in business channels by this holiday period. The models will come with a two service agreement and a 2 year smartphone data plan in AT&T stores.
Motorola is also expected to unveil Motorola Defy, dubbed as the Life Proof device that can sustain water, drops, roughness, tumbles and other turbulence, which is headed to T-Mobile later this year and could get a lot of attention.
Motorola Spice is another one on the line to heat up to the Latin America in Brazil, which runs Android 2.1 on a 3-inch QVGA screen, has a 3MP camera, 3.5mm headset jack, and is a simple and compact Android powerhouse.
MOT closed Tuesday's regular trading session at $8.64, up $0.18 or 2.13% on a volume of 23.28 million shares, VZ closed at $33.57, up $0.54 or 1.63% on a volume of 20.66 million shares, and T closed at $29.36, up $0.50 or 1.73% on a volume of 28.78 million shares.
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