Hasta La Gadget!

Updated 06/15 to include the latest version of Android OS on the phones and added MyTouch Slide.

Less than two years after Google introduced the first Android phone, the free, open source operating system has turned into a juggernaut. There are 17 Android phones available today, and three new devices will hit retail stores in the next few weeks.

The latest Android phone is the HTC Aria. AT&T revealed the Aria on Monday as a mid-range phone that will run Android 2.1, have a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch display and a slower processor than the Nexus One or HTC Evo 4G (the Aria’s CPU clocks 600 MHz, compared to 1 GHz on the latter).

Aria is not the last Android phone from AT&T this year. The company has said it will have five Android devices in 2010 and is likely to announce yet another Android phone soon.

Google debuted the Android operating system in 2008, and the first handset to use it was T-Mobile’s HTC G1. Since then, the four major U.S. wireless service providers — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint — have embraced the OS. AT&T’s Android portfolio, though, is the weakest, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering its exclusive deal with Apple: Thanks to the success of the iPhone, AT&T has less reason to explore Android alternatives.

From the $50 LG Ally on Verizon to the most advanced handset available today — the HTC Evo 4G on Sprint — there’s an Android phone for almost every price range and level of use.

So if you are looking to switch to Android or upgrade your existing device, check out our list of all the Android phones available by wireless carrier. Prices mentioned below are those listed on the website of the carrier, with a two-year contract, except as noted.

For more details on each of these phones, click through to the carrier sites: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Photo: Android mascot (Esti/Flickr)

AT&T killed all-you-can-eat wireless data. Which sadly was inevitable. But if I’m paying for bytes like I do for minutes, why don’t I get rollover data, too? More »

You know that scene in Iron Man 2, where Justin Hammer asks Rhodey which weapons he wants inside War Machine—and Rhodey says “all of them”? That’s exactly how the Evo 4G was born. Somebody said “everything.” More »

It got some attention when it was shown at CES, and now the Zomm is available for purchase. A new category of gadget, the Zomm is a wireless leash for your Bluetooth-enabled phone, among other things. Pair it to your phone (with just one button click) and, if your phone ever gets over 30 feet away from you, the Zomm will vibrate, flash, and sound an alarm. It’s a great choice for the forgetful among us who’ve left phones in cabs or at coffee shops, or even at home.

But that’s not all the Zomm is. It’s also a Bluetooth speakerphone and a personal safety alarm. Hold the center button for nine seconds, and the Zomm sounds a loud panic alarm. Keep holding it, and the device will dial emergency assistance for you. You can now go online to grab a Zomm in either black or white for $79.99.  Also, look for it in Best Buy stores in July.

AT&T this morning announced that its unlimited data plan is being discontinued for new subscribers. (Can’t say we didn’t warn you.) Some people are outraged about the new caps. But we’re betting most people won’t care.

First, the basics: The new un-unlimited data plans offers options of 200 MB for $15 a month and 2 GB for $25 a month. If 2 GB ain’t enough, you can tack an extra $10 to your bill for every extra gig.

Keep in mind that if you’re already a current AT&T smartphone user (that includes whiny iPhone customers), your unlimited data plan is still available. These changes only directly apply to brand new AT&T smartphone users, who no longer get the option of unlimited data. Current AT&T customers can opt for the cheaper limited plans as well, but be careful: Once you switch, you can’t go back to the unlimited plan.

Here’s why we think this isn’t a big deal. Even the biggest nerds we know barely ever surpass 300 megabytes a month. So 2GB is probably more than you’ll ever need — and it costs less than the current $30 unlimited data plan. We’ve criticized AT&T on a number of occasions in the past, but we think these new options are beneficial for the vast majority of wireless customers.

Don’t believe us? Check out your data usage for the past six months, like so:
1.) Visit wireless.att.com and log in to your account;
2.) Under the “My Current Usage” screen, click “View Past Data Usage”
3.) In the “Report” field select “Data Usage Trend” and check out that snazzy bar graph.

After you do that, average your results for the past six months and vote in our poll. Just how much data do you use? My monthly average for the past half year is 267 MB, meaning I’m most likely going to be switching to the $25 a month plan and saving some bucks.

UPDATE: If you use more than 4 GB per month, let us know in the comments how you do it. Because, frankly, we’re not believing the early returns, which show more than 20 percent of respondents fall in this category.