Android smartphones: Five things we want to see

Android has changed the world when it comes to smartphones, being the only operating system to really take the fight to Apple’s iPhone. We’ve seen loads of fantastic Android handsets and tablets in the past couple of years, but it’s the future we’re even more excited about.

Smartphones get more impressive with each generation, with handsets now offering features we’d never have imagined just a year ago – like dual-core processors and 12-Megapixel cameras. The next generation of Android smartphones look like being even smarter, however, so read on to see some of the technologies we expect to see.

3D screens3D screens have yet to prove themselves on smartphones, but handsets like the LG Optimus 3D and HTC Evo 3D show a glimpse of what the future could entail. 3D games, 3D movies, the ability to shoot photographs in 3D, these handsets have the potential to shake up the smartphone market.

4G connectivityAlong with 3D screens, we can also expect to see 4G connectivity on the next generation of Android handsets. Devices like the Motorola Photon 4G is already set to feature WiMAX, and is likely to ship later this year.

Better battery technologyOK, so none of the phone manufacturers look like releasing fuel-cell technology in the near future, but we’d like upcoming Android smartphones to feature better battery life. With handsets getting thinner and thinner, we’d be happy to sacrifice a little in depth for a phone that lasts for a day or two longer

Android Ice Cream SandwichAs with all versions of Android – including the current Gingerbread version – different iterations of the OS are named after sweet or dessert products. The next generation of Android handsets are likely to run Ice Cream Sandwich – an operating system that brings smartphones and tablets closer together in user experience.

Connected devicesYou can carry out an incredible amount of tasks using your smartphone, but sometimes a bigger device is better. The Asus Padfone offers the best of all worlds, with an Android phone that sits inside an Android tablet – letting you use the device that’s best for the job at any particular time. If it’s a success, you can expect to see lots more gadgets like the Asus Padfone