Android smartphones have flooded tech stores worldwide and are distributed by a lot of vendors. In a way, it has somehow replaced the personal digital assistant (PDA) which originally has smart functions.

Would a business user - the original consumer of the PDA - benefit by shifting to a smartphone that has a powerful Operating System? To help such kind of people decide, a comparison of three smart phones by Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson with the Android platform is provided below.

Motorola Milestone 2 (Cost: $499.99)

This smartphone weighs 169g and has a 480 x 854, 3.7-inch of display that supports touchscreen. It has a QWERTY keyboard, Gorilla Glass screen, 5MP camera, high-resolution support, auto focus and dual LED flash. The expansion memory card slot can support up to 32GB.

The Motorola Milestone 2 runs on Google Android 2.2, more known as Froyo, but is upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread). It has a 1GHz cortex A8 processor, 8GB internal system storage and 512 RAM.

Benefits: The Motorola Milestone 2 can maximise its memory for up to 40GB, is capable of taking a lot of applications and files in it. The device also has built-in Adobe Flash Player 10 for video support and HD video. MOTOBLUR enhances the need for update, all in one synching support for pictures, messages, emails and social sites. The Milestone has power to connect up to five devices via WIFI networking. Quickoffice allows the document, spreadsheet and PDF viewing, while high speed Internet connection and corporate calendar support aids scheduling and data transfer needs.

Downside: While this is a high-powered smartphone and surely allows sync high speed file transfer with WIFI hosting support, it does not solve the exact need for business use. It has no special functions for document editing or modifications, no direct application for presentations or excellent software that acts like a planner.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S (Cost: $414.99)

This smartphone has an LED-backlit LCD which is touchscreen capacitive, has 480 x 854, 4.2- inch display that is scratch-resistant, an 8MP, high resolution, auto focus with LED flash rear camera, and additional features of video calling, touch, focus, face/smile detection, 3D sweep panorama and image stabilisation. Its memory card slot supports up to 32GB.

Android 2.3 or Gingerbread runs this device. Reports said that Sony Ericsson plans to make it possible to upgrade it to 4.0, the Ice Cream Sandwich. The Xperia features a 1.4GHz Scorpion processor, 512 RAM, and 1GB internal storage which details its memory and speed function.

Benefits: This is a fast smartphone. Its 1.4GHz processor is capable of multi-tasking, running high resolution games and HD videos while its Internet speed is top-of-the-line as well. The device's Bravia engine enhances contrast, makes richer its video color and lessens image noise. Timescape allows viewing Facebook posts, calls and text messages in one place. The device also permits screen capture which allows the user to send what is seen on the phone screen via Bluetooth or through the Internet. Microsoft Exchange Activsych allows multiple emails to be accessed and updated in its corporate directory. Its Microsoft documents can also be viewed and shared, while its calendar feature allows user to merge different email accounts, accept or decline invitations, and even enables direct access to Google Maps to locate a meeting venue.

Downside: Xperia Arc S supports mainly video detailing. Although this kind of feature is not bad for presentation especially for busy people always on the go. The calendar and data synching are not that bad either. Although it performs only as good as a secretary, it does not exactly provide the user much flexibility.

Samsung Galaxy Note (Price: $774.99)

The exterior of this device is made of super AMOLED touchscreen which has 800 x 1280 pixels, measures 5.3 inches, has Touchwiz UI v.40 and is protected by Gorilla Glass. Its other features include 8MP high resolution with auto focus and an LED flash rear camera and 2MP front camera. The memory card slot supports up to 32GB.

The Samsung Galaxy Note uses Android 2.3 or Gingerbread. There are reports that a 4.0 upgrade is underway, but it is still unconfirmed. Among its other features are: a dual-core 1.4GHz ARM Cortex processor, 1GB RAM and 16/32 GB internal storage. These features explain the speed and storage capacity of its CPU.

Benefits: The Samsung Galaxy Note is the first device which has both the capacity of a smartphone and a tablet computer. Its 5.3-inch screen and HD Super Amoled display enhance video and photo viewing. Minimum scrolling is needed for screen transitions and to maximise multi-tasking. The S Planner is an application which almost feels like it has a life of its own because it could manage schedules with ease. The S Memo lets the user record all ideas instantly and freely. The S Pen allows the user to do free capturing from anywhere and everywhere from the phone display to images of Web pages or camera captures. The Samsung security solutions cover all data for protection needs and the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync optimizes secure access to resources. Real time communication via remote settings and other synching are managed by the Galaxy Note. Professional Mobile Meeting through CiscoWebEx, which brings mobile conferencing, instant messages and desktop or application sharing to users.

Downside: Very large smartphone which hardly fit inside pockets. Its various user adjustments for the new S Pen complicate network or system configuration for business data sharing.

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