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The Palm Pre Plus is a whole lot like the Palm Pre – only a little more so. Let me explain.

The Palm Pre was the first smartphone to come from the newly reincarnated Palm company. After depending on the ancient, original Palm OS for way too long the newest phones runs on the company’s new, modern-day WebOS software.

The Palm Pre was (and still is) exclusive to Sprint. The Palm Pre Plus is a slightly updated version of the Pre. It is exclusive to Verizon Wireless.

There are a few small differences between the two models aside from the carrier’s network they run on. The Pre Plus gets rid of the small button beneath the screen and gives you more room to slide your finger back and forth. That also gives the Plus a sleeker look.

With the Pre Plus, Palm has doubled the memory inside (16GB). That means more operating system juice as well as lots more storage. Like the iPhone, the Pre does not support user-swappable microSD memory cards.

Supposedly, Palm has improved the hardware keyboard. That may be true but in side-by-side testing (by yours truly as well as a number of staunch Palm Pre fans) we detect little or no difference. The sharp edge around the Pre’s keyboard from the Sprint model remains a minus on the Verizon phone. I still prefer the Palm Pixi’s smaller but easier to use (at least for me) keyboard.

Same for the overall audio volume. Can’t Palm figure out a way to make the phone louder? Just listen to any Nokia phone ring when a call comes in – or an iPhone – or most Androids (except for Google’s Nexus One). You get the idea.

The Plus also comes with their special back cover. It’s really an inductive device – part of Palm’s “Touchstone” magnetic recharging dock system. That special phone cover costs extra with Sprint’s Pre. The actual Touchstone dock is optional for both phones at extra cost ($80 but currently on sale for $64 on Palm’s Website).

Arguably, the Pre is one of the best-looking smartphones ever made. It’s small, lightweight, shiny, smooth, sleek and shaped like a stone (as in skipping a stone on the surface of a lake.) Please don’t try this with your phone. It feels great in your hand or in your pocket.

Pre also has a terrific screen. Great color, sharp pictures and text and even looks good in bright sunlight (at least in winter sun conditions).

Back to the software. In its own way WebOS is revolutionary. Everything is handled by a flick of the finger except for typing – which is handled via a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It takes a few minutes to get used to the WebOS system – but after that you’re hooked: it’s difficult to go back to any other smartphone and not slide your finger backwards to go back a screen or flick your finger up to stop a running program.

Speaking of programs – the Palm Pre/WebOS can multitask. That means it can handle running more than one program at a time. It’s a neat trick that all the other smartphone companies should be emulating.

So, aside from the difference in cell phone service provider coverage in your neighborhood, the choice between Pres might come down to price. Verizon is selling the Pre Plus for $150 with a two-year contract. Sprint’s selling their Pre for the same price.

Both companies are selling ’s smaller, candy bar-shaped Pixis for $100 (with contract). Only feature Verizon’s Pixi Plus adds is Wi-fi (missing-in-action in Sprint’s version of the Pixi).

Aside from the changes discussed above the phones are very, very similar. Until a faster processor is added to the mix the choice is really up to you. But make sure you check-out these WebOS phones. They really are great devices – addictive once you start using one.

In case you are on the fence about whether the new Apple iPad is right for you (see below) here are some encouragnign words from some people who know.

(Not that they’re biased, or anything like that…)

I’ve waited until the dust settled a bit before speaking my mind. In the interim, I’ve heard from a large number of people who think Apple’s new iPad is a bad idea.

Aside from the horrible name (yes, also I thought of all the rude possibilities within seconds of the announcement) many readers told me they think the iPad is a big misstep.

Some call it an overgrown iPod Touch, others, not as kind call it the Newton 2. One friend who is heavily invested in Apple computers, phones, iPods and assorted Wi-fi devices and other Apple gear wrote me, almost immediately, to complain:

“Too big to go in a pocket… hard to hold… it’s not an iPhone or a laptop… PLUS it will add more data, including movies and games streaming on the AT&T’s wireless data network. Good idea!!!!!”

OK. I have to agree that I too have some doubts about the iPad as well.

First and foremost, the price. I think that Apple has overpriced these new devices way out of the reach of the masses. Starting at $500 for the Wi-fi only, 16GB model (and no AT&T 3G network connectivity) to a whopping $830 for Wi-fi, AT&T 3G and 64GB of storage. Yes, that’s cheaper than one of Apple’s laptops – but it’s not really a laptop.

Unfortunately, it really does look like it’s a big iPod Touch and that perception problem is going to be a tough one for Apple. Even though Mr. Jobs didn’t dwell much on the subject, during his announcement, the iPad runs on the iPhone operating system. Maybe a new and updated version but a smartphone OS nonetheless.

That means the iPad, while reaping the benefits of many of the iPhone/iPod Touch’s clever features and Apple’s App Store it will also be hampered by the fact that multi-tasking will not be a part of its tricks. That means it really is an oversized PDA.

Probably the most interesting part of the iPad is the processor. Also not discussed much at the unveiling, the iPad runs on a new, Apple 1GHz A4 processor which they call a “custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip”.

It’s the first processor to be added to a product since Apple bought the chip manufacturing company called P.A. Semi in 2008. The chips are updated StrongARM RISC chips. ARM and StrongARM chips were and are used in all versions of the iPhone and also in Apple Newton PDAs.

It seems some of the impetus for the iPad may have been in response to the proliferation of netbook computers and Amazon’s Kindle electronic book reader. Mr. Jobs told the Apple faithful at the iPad introduction that these devices can’t come close to measuring-up to his new iPad. That’s somewhat true.

Netbooks have usable, hardware keyboards and can multitask – and Kindles have a year-plus head start on the iPad and 3G connectivity is free for the life of the device. Plus, they are both a lot less expensive. Yes you can find netbooks and Kindle models selling for nearly $500 – but you can also buy those devices for almost half the iPad’s price.

If Apple wants to be competitive they’re going to have to drop the price of the iPad before they begin shipping in March. Apple overpriced the original iPhone as well – the 8GB phone started life at $599. Apple dropped that price quickly (to $399). Beginning with the second generation models iPhones were priced correctly ($199-$299). That’s when sales went through the roof.

Even though pundits thought the iPad would sell for $1,000 and up Apple seems to have taken the recession into consideration and set somewhat lower prices. They need to be even lower.

Apple also has to figure out a way to make tablet computing cool. Up until now, the idea of buying and using tablets has consistently been rejected by consumers.

On the other hand, except for a number of product missteps in the past (in addition to the Newton do you remember the Cube?) Apple has an amazing track record of creating and selling innovation to the masses. Mr. Jobs might just be right and his iPad might turn out to be a big hit. But, I believe he’s going to have to drop the price – a lot – to start to make that happen.

Nokia just announced a very big deal.

Actually, the big deal was really announced awhile back when Nokia told the world that they had purchased a company called Navteq who, in their own words, are “a world leader in premium-quality digital map data and content.” They boast that their mapping data can be found inside most in-vehicle navigation systems sold in North America and Europe.

Nokia’s been pretty quiet about their plans for Navteq up until this morning when they announced that Navteq maps would now come free with Nokia’s GPS-enabled phones.

Available as immediate downloads for ten Symbian OS phones (access for additional phones is coming soon), the new Ovi Maps application promises turn-by-turn travel (driving and walking) instructions for free for the life of your Nokia phone.

OK, you say. Other phones also have GPS inside. True, but not as complete as this. The new, free, Ovi Maps app can get you where you want to go in 70 countries. It also offers free map updates plus free Michelin, Lonely Planet and events guides as well as providing up-to-the-minute weather forecasts.

Did I mention it’s free? This cannot be good news for the Garmins and TomToms of this world.

I had to try it for myself to see how it works. I “navigated” to the proper Website on my N97 Mini test unit (http://www.nokia.mobi/mas/download), selected my phone – downloaded the installer and let the phone do it’s thing. The entire process took something like two minutes.

I started the newly installed Ovi Maps program – pressed the “My position” button on the screen and within 1 second the phone told me exactly where I was standing. I’m not exaggerating – it was that fast.

That’s important because Nokia/Navteq’s new Ovi Maps system is completely loaded inside your phone. Pinpointing your position on a map is nearly instantaneous. The current Google/Android map solution, while very good, has to constantly download new map information to your device slowing down the process in the process.

In very early tests, the Nokia mapping system is accurate and fast. I’ll take it out on the road this weekend to see how annoying the voices helping with directions can become (a problem with nearly all GPS systems).

Free GPS maps could just be the boost Nokia needs to have some of their newest phones subsidized and sold by U.S. cellular companies. Even if that’s not the case, having super-speedy GPS in your smartphone at no extra cost could make the price of unlocked Nokia devices a lot easier to swallow.

So now my Google’s Nexus One smartphone test device is a few weeks old. I’ve gotten over all the the “new and cool” features and since I’m using it as my primary cellular device I’m also learning to live with some of its quirks as well.

Yes, I still think the Nexus One is a fantastic Android phone but there are some features I’m beginning to find downright annoying. Like the fact that, at times, the handset can’t make up its mind whether it’s a 2G, 2.5G or 3G device.

The Nexus One seems to have a well-documented problem locking onto T Mobile’s 3G data network signal if you happen to be standing in a fringe or semi-fringe reception area.

Let me explain. If you’re standing in Midtown Manhattan, the Nexus One is rock-solidly connected to T-Mobile’s 3G data network. And if you’re standing in some location where T-Mobile’s 3G network is non-existent – say far Eastern Long Island or somewhere in the wilds of western New Jersey – then your Nexus One will not waver from receiving a 2.5G/EDGE signal.

But lookout if you’re standing in Lower Manhattan. Or Washington Heights. Or the middle of The Bronx. In that case, you can actually watch your phone bounce from 3G/4 signal bars – to 3 bars – to 2 then 1 then no bars – then flip to “E” for 2.5 G EDGE with 4 bars, then 3,2,1 0 then even bump down to 2G/GPRS then quickly bump back up to 3G – and start the dance all over again.

I’ve also found that the Nexus One is less likely to bounce networks if you’re not touching it. Keeping your hands off the handset allows the phone to stay locked onto 3G for a lot longer.

Since this does not happen with other T-Mobile 3G/Android OS test phones in my possession (a G-1 and a Motorola’s CLIQ) I’ll take an educated guess and say the problem lies with the Nexus One.

There are settings on the Nexus One that allow you to “lock” your phone into using only 3G or only 2G networks in your area. Some users report good results with that quick fix. The only problem is if you’ve chosen “only 3G” then you’re out of luck on the rest of T-Mobile’s (2G) network. I’ll wait for a real solution.

My years as an Amateur Radio station operator as well as being a broadcast radio fanatic tell me that something is going wrong with the way the phone receives and/or handles connections to wireless networks.

It could be the software. The Nexus One is the only Android phone to run on version 2.1 of the operating system. Hopefully that’s a problem that can be addressed quickly and easily.

It could be the hardware. Maybe HTC needs to figure out a way to re-route some of the receiving antennas inside the phone. That problem is a little tougher to solve.

Inside this skinny handset there is circuitry for GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and 3G cellular networks as well as GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-fi features. That’s a lot of antennas inside one little device. Maybe they’re interfering with each other. Re-routing those tiny embedded wires is probably not a viable option.

A wise man who runs one of the largest smartphone firms on the planet once told me that at some point there will be so much circuitry in these devices that it will be nearly impossible to keep everything from interfering with other circuits. He said that’s why they preferred to stick with 2.5G/EDGE phones as long as they could – because that way they knew exactly what was happening inside their devices.

Again, if I’m using the phone in Midtown Manhattan, the Nexus One is pinned on 3G and I have no problems. Same for 2.5G/EDGE out in the wilds. It’s just when you’re attempting to use the phone on the edge (pardon the pun) of the signal-strength area that this becomes a problem.

Of course, that means that if T-Mobile decides to blanket your area with 3G towers the Nexus One problems will disappear for you. Good luck with that. I’m hoping the experts can come up with a software fix ASAP.

I love the phone’s speed thanks to Qualcomm’s 1.0 GHz Snapdragon processor. Going back to using one of my slightly older Android phones mentioned above I find them to be a lot slower to carry out my commands. You don’t realize this until you’ve used the Nexus One for awhile and then go back to an older (by a few weeks) device.

And, I’m in love with the Nexus One’s 3.7-inch (diagonal) screen. But, at times, I find the on-screen buttons on the bottom tough to find and press. I’ve searched for some sort of screen calibration software in the phone’s set-up but to no avail.

I also wish that the phone would ring louder. When protected in it’s fabric sleeve – and it’s sitting in your pocket (or bag) a ringing Nexus One is barely detectable.

Overall, I still really like the phone. It’s form factor. It’s features. But, I’m not sure it’s the 100% ultimate Android device on the market today. Especially if the rumors are true and that Verizon’s Droid phone will be getting an upgrade to the Android 2.1 OS very soon.

And then again, it’s been two weeks since the Nexus One was announced. That means we’re probably due for another Android/super iPhone-killer device any day now.

Samsung’s Omnia II is a Windows Mobile smartphone but please don’t hold that against it.

Even though it’s running a mobile OS in great need of catching up with the current competition – the Omnia II has at least one terrific new feature that sets it apart from everything else on the market.

It’s the phone’s virtual keyboard system. I’ll explain in a minute.

First of all, let’s discuss the numbers.

This is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill smartphone. It is loaded with some state-of-the-art features:

A large, 3.7-inch AMOLED WVGA display (like in Google’s Nexus One)…
8GB of built-in memory and microSD card slot (16 GB max)…
5.0 megapixel camera/camcorder (up to 2048 by 1536 pixels)…
Microsoft Office Mobile…
Full HTML web browser…
All sorts of Verizon premium services including V Cast Music, Video on Demand, VZ Navigator, Mobile IM and lots more…
EV-DO/3G connectivity…
Wi-fi, Bluetooth…
FM radio…
and lots more!

There are lots of different ways to control your Omnia II. There is a configurable slide out widget panel to control some applications.

Then there is Samsung’s rotating CUBE interface which, once you look at it needs very little explanation. I’m not exactly sure why it is needed at all. CUBE lets you control a very limited number of applications and the interface doesn’t always rotate when and where you want it. And, the phone also has the standard Windows Mobile screen interface. But, I’m guessing that since they featured CUBE in the Omnia I they included it in the Omnia II as well.

Officially, the handset runs on the latest version of Microsoft’s OS: Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional. It’s beginning to show it’s age. Unofficially, Microsoft is hinting that the next major overhaul of the operating software is due to be released very soon. Nothing new was announced at CES – so expect something to be said at either the GSM Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February or the CTIA show in Las Vegas in March. Might even hear about it at both shows.

Back to the big selling point. It’s the on-screen, virtual keyboard that makes this phone very, very cool.
The system is called SWYPE. It lets you slide your finger over the keys to form words instead of tapping each letter separately like you have to do with every other smartphone on the market.. The software follows your motion and does the rest.

I was amazed at just how quick and accurate SWYPE really was in real-life use. Within minutes I was “typing” faster on this phone than any other in recent memory. The learning curve is nearly instantaneous.

Let’s hope Samsung – and every other smartphone manufacturer – adds a similar sliding finger keyboard feature to their smartphones in the near future.

As for price – Verizon is asking $200 (after their $100 “online discount”) with a two-year service contract. Same as for the Droid.

There are better devices on the market today (Droid, Nexus One, Pre) – and personally would wait to see what Microsoft plans for Windows Mobile 7. But you could do a lot worse. And, that new sliding keyboard input system could make you decide to go with an Omnia II right now. It’s that good.

Amazon.com's Kindle

I have a good friend who lusted for a Kindle as soon as it was announced. 

Now he has one – and in some ways might be regretting it.

I think I’ll let him tell you his tale of woe in his own words:

I had wanted a Kindle from day one.
My wife rolled her eyes.
The kids went to her and said “Daddy wants a Kindle”
“It’s a waste of money. He’ll never use it.   Forget about it.”

So I got a sweater.
I still wanted a Kindle.
But they gave me a shirt and tie.
A Kindle would have been nice.

Then Father’s Day rolled around and guess what?
I got a Kindle.
Life was grand.
I ordered books.
Dickens. Tolstoy. Powers.
I clicked through Furst and Armstrong and Brown and Larsson.
I read about Google and Wiki Government and a Girl with a Dragon Tattoo.
My wife was “impressed”, she told the kids.

And then, just before Christmas, my Kindle screen went dark.
It looked like a rogue Etch-a-sketch.
If I held it a certain way and read under a spotlight I could just barely make out the words.

I was despondent.
So I called the Kindle people.
They had me push this button and slide that one.
Plug it in, unplug it.

 “It’s dead,” the guy said.
“What do I do now?”
“Send it in. We’ll send you a new one.”
“Really?”
“Sure”.

So a couple of days later, the new Kindle arrived.
It looked exactly like the old one.
Felt just like the old one.
Even had the same screen savers as the old one.
Funny thing about computers… they all look alike.

Anyway… I found all my old content, got tech support to help me re-activate my NY Times subscription, changed e-mails and Kindle names and I was good to go.

For a week.
And then the Times didn’t come for 3 days in a row and I was on the phone again.
“Your Wi-fi is dead.”
“What do I do now?”
“Send it in. We’ll send you a new one.”
“Really?”
“Sure”

So, a couple of days later, the new Kindle arrived.
It’s charged and loaded.
But I needed help getting the NY Times again.
So I called tech support and the guy got me back my NY Times.

Then I had a notion.
“Hey, before you hang up.  Can I get MP3s on my Kindle?”
“Sure.”
“You mean I can read Tolstoy and listen to Tchaikovsky at the same time?
(You must think I’m a loser…)”

“No, not at all.
I’m an English major and that sounds great.
Sure, you can do that…  just transfer the MP3 from your computer to the Kindle using the USB cord.
You can find the tunes on Amazon.”
“Great”.

So I went on Amazon and ordered up a Bach unaccompanied cello suite as a test.
99 cents!
But, I had trouble getting my computer to accept it.
So I called tech support and found myself talking to someone who sounded as if he may have been sitting on the opposite end of the planet.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Robert, but you can not put MP3 content on your Kindle.
I don’t know who told you this, but it is not possible.
You cannot put MP3 on a Kindle it’s not possible.
May I help you with something else?”

“I talked to some guy at Kindle support who told me I can definitely listen to MP3 files on my Kindle”
“I’m so sorry Mr.. Robert, but he is definitely mistaken.
You cannot put MP3 on a Kindle”.

“Thanks.” I said.
And then I said some things I probably should not have.
CLICK was the next sound I heard.

So here’s something I found on the Kindle website:
Transferring, Downloading, and Sending Files to Kindle
If you already own a Kindle and Kindle content, you can download content to your new Kindle DX. Download your books directly from your new Kindle DX wirelessly and transfer subscriptions from the Manage Your Kindle page.
Transfer personal document, MP3, or Audible files from your computer to your new Kindle DX via USB.

I feel bad for my friend. 

Unfortunately this is how modern-day companies deal with modern-day technology problems and modern-day customers.

What I worry about is the future.  When Father’s Day 2010 rolls around what happens when my friend’s e-book reader warranty runs out and his third Kindle is DOA?

Will Amazon.com continue to back a year+-old product – or will my friend’s Kindle become another non-working electronic doorstop and dust collector?

I hope that his third Kindle continues to work and he never has to find out.

We’ll let you know what happens.

CES 2010 was a huge disappointment.

Each January, the giant Consumer Electronics Show provides a lot more than a glimpse of what the industry has in store for us in the coming year.

This year, the industry wags who based their “predictions” on leaks from electronics manufacturers proclaimed that 2010 would be the year of tablet computers and 3D TV.

After scouting the show floor I must report that if those were supposed to be the “hot” items then CES was a giant flop.

First of all, if the experts were expecting a glut of new tablet computer designs they missed the boat completely. Except for a small number of unexceptional designs, reminiscent of rejected tablets of the past, there was nothing exciting to report.

The majority of companies promising greatness finally were forced to admit that their new tablets would actually be announced “very soon”. I’m guessing that those announcements will be timed to coincide with whatever Apple announces – when they announce it.

There actually were a number of 3D televisions on the show floor. Everything from plasmas, LCD and LED models from some of the biggest TV manufacturers made their way to CES. Unfortunately not one of the 3D sets I saw would get me to part with my money.

Samsung had one of the best-looking 3D demonstrations in Vegas. But, Sony’s OLED 3D sets were somewhat underwhelming.

Then, you have to wear special glasses to see the 3D effect. Those glasses were very cool – but they are a big part of the 3D TV problem.

I don’t care what special effect they want you to experience – I don’t believe that a majority of the TV-watching public will be willing to purchase and don special glasses to watch television. Maybe for 2-3 minutes but not for an entire show – or 2 hour movie.

And what happens if you don’t want to wear the glasses? You’re greeted by an amazingly blurry, color-shifted image on the screen that is nearly impossible to watch for more than a few seconds. I always hated those 3D movies and also comic books from the 50’s and 60’s that used color-blurring techniques. 50 to 60-years later and the technology is still pretty rotten.

Last year at CES there was a company showing off a prototype 3D TV that didn’t need glasses to see the effect. This year it seemed as if we’re going backwards.

Oh, I didn’t tell you the best part. TV manufacturers think you’ll be willing to pay a big premium for 3D capable TVs and the special eye wear you’ll need. Maybe a few hundred of so. For one special effect that’s not so great to begin with.

I don’t think so. Especially not during a recession.

The only other items of note were electronic book readers. It seemed like everywhere one turned there was another small company showing-off their idea of electronic book readers should look like – in all shapes, sizes and colors. I’m not sure there are that many people left on the planet who still cherish reading books, newspapers and magazines enough to run out and buy a book reader. I think most of them have bought an Amazon Kindle already.

Otherwise, the best of CES 2010 turned out to be a handful of isolated glimmers of good ideas that may make find a way into items we’ll just have to own within the next few years.

Like I said – CES was disappointing.

Even though it wasn’t officially introduced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show Google’s Nexus One phone was definitely the top technology topic at last week’s show.

Any and every journalist and industry wag that was carrying a Nexus One in their pocket in Las Vegas became an instant celebrity. Video cameras of all shapes and sizes followed those lucky enough to have a Nexus One so they could show off the device and describe their feelings.

I decided it was best to live my “real” Google phone test sample for a few days before telling you about it. Glad I did. I found some interesting things you should know.

Thin, slim and drop-dead beautiful, the HTC-designed Nexus One is the most modern Android-based smartphone to date. It has to be compared to Apple’s touchscreen iPhone device to understand just how important this phone really is.

Overall, both phones are nearly the same size on the outside. The Nexus One is a drop thinner overall but, for the most part, the dimensions are pretty close.

The Nexus One’s Snapdragon processor is nearly twice as fast as the iPhone’s (1GHz vs. 600 MHz). The Google phone has a 3.7-inch AMOLED screen (800 by 400 pixels). The iPhone sports a 3.5-inch display (480 by 320 pixels). Both phones handle Wi-fi connections and Bluetooth and both are GSM/EDGE world phones – but the iPhone uses AT&T’s 3G band while the Google phone uses T-Mobile’s (different) 3G band of frequencies.

The Nexus One has a 5 megapixel camera. The iPhone: 3 megapixels. The iPhone comes with either 16GB or 32GB of non-removable storage. The Nexus One has 512MB built-in plus a 4GB microSD card (expandable to 32GB).

Apple claims as much as 12 hours (2G) or 5 hours (3G) of talk time on a fully-charged battery. Google says the Nexus One can provide you with up to 10 hours (2G) or 7 hours (3G) of talk on their fully charged battery. These numbers are wildly overly optimistic. You will almost definitely never see these numbers – for either(or any other) modern-day 3G phone. Expect you’ll have to recharge your battery during the day if you use it a lot. At least you can swap out the battery for a fully charged pack with the Nexus One.

The latest iPhone is the 3G-S. Until now it was the yardstick for all other smartphone designs. But the Nexus One does it one better in nearly every way, shape or form. This is not to say that the new Google phone is perfect – far from it. But it is the first device to be able to compete and in many cases surpass the iPhone at it’s own game.

Part of Google’s secret is the software. The Nexus One runs on Google’s latest version of their mobile operating system – what is officially known as Android Mobile Technology Platform 2.1 (Eclair). At the moment this is the only Android phone to run this version of the OS – although there are rumors that Verizon’s Droid and possibly even T-Mobile’s G-1 might be upgradable is the near future.

System 2.1 allows the Nexus One to look great. The best descriptions I’ve seen of OS 2.1 new screens is “eye candy.” The graphics are crisp and clean and the almost-3D, colorful moving backgrounds are pretty amazing. They’ve also changed the “pull-up” applications menu into a single-on screen button which then dissolves into a palette of icons.

System 2.1 also adds speech-to-text everywhere there’s a text box. I can’t believe how accurate it is in translating my “Brooklynese” into English. Well done, Google.

The hardware is pretty special too. That larger screen in a super-thin shell makes the Nexus One one of the most pocket-able smartphone designs ever.

Set-up of the Nexus One was unbelievably easy. Maybe that’s because I use Gmail and all the calendar and contact frills that go with it. Either way I typed in my address and ALL my information was loaded into the new phone within 30 seconds. That’s very, very cool.

But, like I said at the beginning, the Nexus One is not a 100% perfect device. There seems to be some sort of problem with the phone having trouble keeping locked to a 3G connection (not to be confused with an iPhone not being able to keep any connection at times).

Many Nexus One users (I actually didn’t think there were that many at this point) are complaining that their new phone bounces back and forth between 2G and 3G without warning. The blogs are all abuzz with complaints.

The best non-explanation I saw was a video showing a Nexus One handling 3G perfectly when it was sitting on a desk but connected to just the 2G network when the user picks up the phone. Know what that means? When the phone is picked-up the guy’s hand is blocking the receiving antenna inside the phone.

There may be an actual problem with these phones – but you have to remember that with two-way radios for GSM/Edge frequencies, for 3G frequencies (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA), for GPS, Wi-fi and for Bluetooth jammed inside an ever-decreasingly miniaturized device shell (with teeny antennas) you’re likely to have big problems.

The other two annoyances I found with the Nexus One was the application screen was difficult to navigate at times (it freezes unless you move it from the top) and the color red (I don’t think the phone does a perfect job at reproducing that color at least compared to other smartphones).

As for price, the Nexus One is available through Google as an unlocked device for $529 or for only $179, with a service contract, for new T-Mobile customers. Existing T-Mobile customers may also qualify for this lower price. Google is also promising a Nexus One for Verizon and Vodaphone customers sooner-rather-than-later this year.

The phone comes with a protective fabric sleeve/case (a nice touch).

Overall, the Nexus One is the best Android-OS smartphone to date – and is going to put a lot of pressure on Apple to come up with something super-spectacular in their next iPhone refresh.

Now this is getting interesting!

Interesting developments in the world of “hotspots” or small, very portable Wi-fi devices that connect to cellular data networks instead of your high-speed DSL or Cable line.

Also known as “My-fi” devices, these hotspots allow up to five devices to connect to a 3G cellular data connection via Wi-fi.

Sprint has just raised the bar a notch with their just-announced Overdrive mobile hotspot made for them by Sierra Wireless.

The Overdrive works on Sprint’s 3G network and also on their 4G/WiMAX network where it’s already been rolled-out. Fortunately, that includes Las Vegas – which is probably why they introduced the thing here.

Sprint’s Overdrive has a built-in rechargeable battery (good for 2-3 hours of continuous use on a full charge) so that you can use it nearly anywhere. You can also while plugged into a nearby A/C outlet or directly into a laptop’s USB port so that you have a secure, wired connection to your computer (instead of Wi-fi) and slow-charge the battery at the same time.

For the record, on 4G connections (WiMAX) the Overdrive is said to be capable of peak download speeds of more than 10Mbps with average speeds of 3-6Mbps. 3G data speeds (EVDO Rev A) peak speeds of 3.1Mbps and average downloads of 0.6-1.4Mbps.

Here in our Las Vegas hotel, the 4G connection we were able to use was pretty speedy and comparable to the high-speed” connection available in our room available for daily rental.

Speaking of costs, the Overdrive sells for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and will cost you $59.99 a month for the actual 3G/4G connectivity.

Sprint’s 4G network is currently available in a number of smaller cities but they’re promising roll-outs in Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. sometime in 2010. Can’t wait.

Also announced at CES are new versions of Palm’s two, slick webOS smartphones for Verizon Wireless. The big differences are the Pre Plus has double the memory (16GB) of the Sprint version (8GB) and and Pixi Plus has Wi-fi. They’ll be available later this month. Prices for both are TBA.

But the biggest additional feature for the two phones is the fact that either can be used as a mobile hotspot. That means your phone connects to Verizon’s 3G data network and you can connect other devices to your phone via the phone’s built-in Wi-fi.

OK, it’s not 4G (Verizon is busy working on that) but it is a very cool idea. In the near future, expect to hear about other smartphones which will have similar connection capabilities.