Handset makers set for summer smartphone showdown

summer smartphonesNow that spring is in full bloom, the smartphone kingpins of the world are getting ready for another summer showdown. Last year's scuffle ended up a three-way contest among Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) and Palm (NASDAQ: PALM): The iPhone 3GS, the BlackBerry Tour and the Pre were all released amid hype and hoopla during the June timeframe. This year there are numerous smartphones on the horizon, including a new iPhone, the HTC Evo 4G and others. How are the market's handset vendors positioning themselves for the summer smartphone skirmish? Slideshow