Top Smartphones and Tablets for 2011

2011 should be a great year for tech fans. New products and improved technology are on the way, so let's begin by taking a look at some of this year's anticipated releases in terms of smartphones and tablets.PSP smartphone
Smartphones are a hot product right now, and Sony is apparently paying attention. Apple's iPhone has become a popular product not only for phone use, but many consumers are seeing it as a mini gaming device as well. In a possible attempt to get a bigger share of the mobile gaming market, Sony is expected to launch a PSP smartphone sometime in February. Rumors have floated around the device for a while, and photos have surfaced of a PSP Go device with smartphone software. Some possible specs for the PSP smartphone include a 1 GHz processor, a display in the neighborhood of four inches, and Android 3.0.
White iPhone 4
While it may not be any technological advancement, the release of a white iPhone could be music to many consumers' ears. Apple promised a white iPhone 4 in 2010, but backtracked and has since changed the device's release date four times. The white iPhone 4 is expected to become available in the spring, although some have said it will not come out until the iPhone 5 is launched.
Sprint 4G tablet
Tablets are another hot product on the market, as Apple's iPad has opened many eyes to the power and functionality of such a device. To capitalize off the popularity of the device's category, many manufacturers are doing their best to come up with their own iPad killers. The launch of 4G capability is a hot topic in the tech world too. Since Sprint is putting a lot of effort into developing its 4G WiMax network, it makes sense for the carrier to try to release a tablet with 4G capability. Some believe Sprint will be the first carrier to offer a 4G tablet, and others have speculated that BlackBerry's PlayBook will be Sprint's 4G tablet of choice.
HP WebOS tablet
Hewlett-Packard is another company intent on getting into the tablet market. Its tablet is set to come out early this year, although the operating system it will use is up in the air. It could run WebOS 2.0, which would make the device a strong competitor to the iPad. WebOS 2.0 has been praised for its use in smartphones, and implementing it in tablet form could be a positive move for HP. HP's tablet could be called the PalmPad, but that is purely speculation for now. 
WebOS smartphones
Palm's popular WebOS is set to run on various devices this year, including tablets and smartphones.  According to the head of HP's Palm unit, Jon Rubinstein, HP will release a wide variety of tablets this year, some of which will be smartphones. One such smartphone that is rumored to be in the works is the Mansion, which could come with a 5-inch touch-screen.
iPhone 5
If Apple sticks to tradition, the iPhone 5 should be released this year. The original iPhone was released in 2007, and Apple has released newer versions every year since. The newest version of the immensely popular mobile phone could be released as early as summer. Since the iPhone 4 was made public not long ago, iPhone 5 rumors are relatively scarce. The phone, if released, will supposedly have more storage, better processing, and have a slimmer and lighter design.
Tablets based on Intel's Atom processor
2011 is set to be a year with plenty of tablet-filled news. Many of the new tablets will come equipped with Intel Atom processors. In fact, 35 tablets will hit the streets carrying Intel chips, according to Intel CEO Paul Otellini. Dell, Toshiba, Asus, Lenovo, and Fujitsu are some of the manufacturers asking Intel to power their tablets.
BlackBerry PlayBook
RIM has been known to produce solid smartphones, but the company has decided to enter the tablet market with its BlackBerry PlayBook. Set for release in early 2011 and with a sub-$500 price tag, the PlayBook will reportedly have some features geared towards professionals, just like its smartphone counterpart. Some of the specs expected to come with the PlayBook include a 1 GHz dual core processor, Flash support, front and rear-facing cameras, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a 7-inch display.
Android tablets from HTC, LG, and Motorola
While Android finds itself running in a plethora of smartphones, it will likely make its way into several tablets this year as well. HTC is planning to release a tablet running Android 2.3. It's also rumored that LG and Motorola are developing tablets to be released with Android 3.0, also known as Honeycomb.
iPad 2
Apple has to be pleased with the reception its original iPad has received. The tablet has not only seen obscene sales levels, but it has also helped boost the brand's name and image to bolster sales of its other products. The original iPad was not perfect, and has left many wondering what improvements will come with its sequel. There is no set release date for iPad 2, but it is expected to come this year. Some of the possible improvements include a thinner and lighter design, an upgraded display, and front and rear-facing cameras.
Windows Phone 7 devices from HTC – The Pro and Trophy
The HTC 7 Pro and the HTC 7 Trophy are two Windows Phone 7 devices that will likely be released in the first half of 2011. The Pro features a 3.6-inch display and will be made available for Sprint customers. The Trophy sports a 3.8-inch display and will probably be carried by Verizon. The phones are highlighted by a 1 GHz processor and a 5-megapixel camera that records HD video in 720p.
Notion Ink Adam
The Notion Ink Adam is a 10.1-inch tablet that will finally ship after many wondered about its release date. The tablet comes in five different versions, with pricing starting at $375. Its Eden user interface is a hybrid of Android 2.3 and 3.0. The Adam has a Nvidia Tegra 2 dual core processor, 1 GB of RAM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G, a HDMI port, and a swivel webcam.
A 10-inch version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab
Those seeking a larger version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab had their interest piqued when rumors began swirling of a 10-inch version of the tablet device. The rumors were backed somewhat by Samsung executives, but any details regarding pricing, specs, or an actual release date have yet to be revealed. 
3D Android smartphones from Sharp
The 3D fad has not only hit the television and gaming market; smartphones are starting to make their way into the fray as well. Sharp is one manufacturer that plans to hit the 3D smartphone scene hard with two models. The 003SH and the 005SH have already hit shelves in Japan, and they should make their way overseas sometime this year. The smartphones will allow users to view 3D games and movies on their displays without the need for special glasses. Both models are also set to come equipped with high-quality cameras, and are still in the process of being approved by the Federal Communication Commission.