Apple's iPhone has been the reigning king of the smart-phones and mobile web market since its unveiling. But its undisputed position is now being challenged by world's giant cellphone makers, most of who are now turning to Google's Android operating system for their creations.

Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson and Kyocera are some of the popular mobile phone makers who had earlier turned to Microsoft's Windows Mobile to run their smart-phones. They are now also making Android devices which is a good news for the software giant's nemesis Google.

A total of 12 new Android phones have been announced so far this year, and the number is expected to grow manifolds next year. Motorola has also given up Windows Mobile in favor of Google's Android, resulting in one of the years’ most talked about and eagerly awaited phones, the Motorola Droid.

Since the first ever Android phone, HTC G1 offered by T-Mobile, hit the markets, the operating system has become a favorite of users and critics. As of current reports, all of America's 4 giant carriers are now all set to offer the Android OS running phones.

Google, keeping in line with its trend of always striving to introduce improvements to its products, is rapidly coming out with updates to the Android. Android Version 1.5, named Cupcake, came out in April, and Version 1.6, christened Donut, followed in September. The latest version will be 2.0 (éclair) which everyone is expecting will appear on the Motorola Droid.