After being reluctant to support the Android platform, AT&T is now ready to launch five new handsets in the first half of 2010. Established, Android leaders HTC and Motorola will be supplying the phones along with Dell, who will offer their first smartphone for the United States.

Details on the exact models were lacking, but AT&T provided the following information:

• A Motorola smartphone, powered by MOTOBLUR, with a unique form factor and an AT&T exclusive
• Dell’s first smartphone, based on the Android platform and an AT&T exclusive
• A HTC smartphone, based on the Android platform, and an AT&T exclusive

The Motorola phone is almost certainly the Backflip, which features a reverse flip keyboard. This Android phone will be quite similar to the CLIQ (same CPU with Android 1.5), except for the unique form factor. The device is nearly finished and hopefully it will launch in the near future.

AT&T finally ready to commit to Android – Android and Me.

Dell is rumored to be the next player to join the space at CES in Las Vegas early next year, introducing a device with a 5-inch screen targeted at UK users. If that’s true, the handset would join a rapidly increasing number of Android tablets such as Fusion Garage’s JooJoo, the Archos 5, Camangi’s WebStation and IDC’s Vega. While price points have yet to be announced for some of the gadgets, the Android tablets generally fall in the $250-$500 range. They’ll compete against the Courier, which is being developed by Microsoft , and a rumored Apple tablet said to resemble a larger iPod touch and carry a $1,000 price tag.

Sizes can vary dramatically between some of the new tablets, but many are more closely related to mobile Internet devices (MIDs) like the iPod touch than to the larger tablets of a few years ago. With the exception of the touch, though, MIDs have largely failed to gain traction due largely to high price points, a lack of overall functionality and the apparent unwillingness of consumers to carry a connected device in addition to a phone.

via The GigaOM Network – Salon.com.

GPS Business News interviews Jim Nardulli, the vice president of worldwide sales for mobile navigation software house, Nav N Go, and reveals a bit of dissent towards Google’s marketing strategies.

Nardulli emphasized that Nav N Go is in business to connect with the consumer and that they are not in the business of competing with their customers. What do you think of Google’s role and how they are affecting smaller companies? Is Android really a Trojan horse poised for attack?

via Is Android a Trojan Horse? – Android and Me.

The announcement also coincides with the release of version 2.2 which is now available for iPhone and BlackBerry. Verizon Wireless customers will also be getting their own special version of the app which includes V Cast music and downloads.

Version 2.2 Includes:

* More than 350 of America’s favorite stations

* Artist-hosted stations from Christina Aguilera, Eagles and Weezer featuring their stories and favorite music

* Frequently updated traffic reports available for several major markets including New York, L.A., Chicago, San Francisco and Houston

* Now set a station to play automatically when you launch the App

* Tag songs for purchase in iTunes

* Lyrics, album art and more!

via Clear Channel’s iheartradio coming to Android – Android and Me.