Michael Dell of Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) has confirmed the launch of a Dell-branded smartphone sometime in 2010, one has to wonder this: why? Now that Dell has slipped to third place globally in terms of PC shipments, the computer direct selling pioneer now appears to be rather non-innovative, save for the Adamo paper-thin laptop PC that it keeps touting.

It usually isn't the biggest news in the tech realm when someone introduces a new phone, but the situation is a bit different when the phone uses Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) software and is made for smartphones on the AT&T (NYSE: T) network. The phone will be made by Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), features the Google Android system for its technology, and will be launched in the United States early next year, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required). This is a notable phone, as it is Dell's first foray into the U.S. cell phone arena.

Dell's offering will feature a touch screen rather than a keypad and will feature a camera -- much like Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone. The Dell offering will be similar to another Dell device that it showed in China back in August, but with a few different features. Google figures in, as its Android technology will run programs like a Web browser, music player, and games for the Dell phone. While many are going to focus on why the phone is good for Google, I'd rather focus on why this phone will be a spectacular failure.

Palm Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) is one company whose fundamentals are making one statement, while the stock chart's technical indicators are arguing something entirely different.

A late roll-out of the Palm Pre with new carriers has sparked concerned about disappointing Palm results in the quarters ahead, and particularly during the upcoming holiday season. Moreover, any hint that FY2010 revenue growth that will not exceed a 100% gain will likely send PALM's shares tumbling.

Just before Wednesday's opening bell, tech giant Palm (NASDAQ: PALM) announced that it raised the number of shares it will sell in a new public offering. The company will now offer 20 million shares rather than the previously reported 16 million. The offering will be at $16.25 per share and should lead to $313.1 million in proceeds.

In early trading, PALM was up more than 3% -- pushing the stock through the $16 level. This level had acted as resistance in the past, so this technical advance is important. We could see the $16 level act as support if needed. Further support could come from PALM's 10- and 20-week moving averages, both of which are advancing to catch up to the equity's current position. More support can be found in the form of PALM's 10- and 20-month moving averages.

For Palm (NASDAQ: PALM), the future is really about one product: the Pre smartphone. And based on the latest quarterly report, it looks like things are going fairly well (the device was launched in June).

In fiscal Q1, Palm sustained a net loss of $161.1 million, or $1.17 per share. However, if you exclude certain items, the result was a loss of $13.6 million, or $0.10. This was much better than the Street's consensus of $0.24.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) is developing a pocket-sized electronic device to be used for connecting to the internet. The "gadget" would use Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android software. Reportedly, the device will be slightly larger than Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPod touch, and Dell may start selling the device later this year. That said, the story's source noted that the plan could be delayed or scrapped entirely.

The importance of this potential device should not be lost, as it is one of the first experiments by a major PC maker in the world of mobile internet devices (MID). These devices are seen as bridges over the gap between smartphones and laptops.

This morning, brokerage firm Morgan Stanley issued an upgrade to Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), lifting the tech giant to Overweight and upping its target price to $180 from $105. Morgan Stanley feels that Apple is a clear leader in the world of mobile Internet and that the iPhone will drive the company's earnings growth over the next two years.

The brokerage's analyst noted, "The core of our stock call is that the iPhone's success and higher margins will begin to mute the fundamental margin and growth risks in Apple's core Mac/iPod businesses."

Readers of this space know that the investment bias is toward large-cap companies with demonstrated business models and who have a competitive advantage in established markets, preferably with a favorable, global trend as a support. However, every once in a while, and exception is made, and Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) is one.

In general, analysts see a 20-35% increase in FY 2010 revenue, driven primarily by, of course, RIMM's wildly popular wireless smartphone, the BlackBerry, which supports global mobile voice and e-mail.

In his BullMarket.com advisory, Bill Martin looks to new products from Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), such as the next version of the iPhone.

In addition, the advisors looks to the recent stronger-than-expected results announced by Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) and why that may bode well for Apple's own upcoming results.

Martin observes, "RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky said Apple will launch a new version of the iPhone inJune, which the analyst has dubbed the iPhone 3G Pro.

"In a research note, Abramsky said the new version of the popular smartphone will include a number of new features and improvements over the one introduced last summer to popular appeal.

Shareholders of Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) are certainly having a good afternoon, as the stock has surged over 20% in after hours trading following stronger than expected quarterly earnings.

As Latif Lewis pointed out in this earnings preview, RIMM was expected to show earnings of 84 cents per share for its fiscal fourth quarter. This afternoon, the company shattered those estimates by posting earnings during the quarter of 90 cents per share.

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings results after the closing bell today. According to analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, the Canadian-based mobile phone manufacturer is expected to ring up a profit of 84 cents a share on $3.42 billion in revenue -- a big feat for any company during the current economic climate.

The company has plenty going for it. It has millions of loyal subscribers and sales of "smart" phones are expected to climb this year, in sharp contrast to the outlook for the overall wireless industry. But the company faces some headwinds as well. Increased competition, a lagging stock price and concerns that its expansion into the consumer market could take a bite out of profits down the road.

If Palm (NASDAQ: PALM) wants to make a dent in the smartphone market (seemingly dominated by Apple [NASDAQ: AAPL], thanks to the iPhone), it needs its entry into the smartphone world -- the Pre -- to perform well. Roger McNamee, a Palm investor, believes that the Pre will make the iPhone history.

With the first batch of iPhone contracts set to expire in June, Palm is targeting a same-month release for its smartphone. McNamee believes that on the "two-year anniversary of the first shipment of the iPhone ... not one of those people will still be using an iPhone a month later." McNamee contends that this scenario will come to fruition because the Pre will be "the coolest product on the market."

The once proud Schaumburg, Illinois-based Motorola (NYSE: MOT) has never fully recovered from the collapse of the technology sector in 2000. From its peak of over $57 in February 2000, MOT lost 75% of its market cap the next 12 months and surrendered another 50% over the following two years.

The stock is currently trading at $3.90 after reaching a low for the last 52 weeks of $3. The stock traded at the high for the period in mid-November, reaching $12.59.

While Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) and Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) are locked in their battle for smartphone supremacy, a new entry into the market has grabbed headlines.

Palm's (NASDAQ: PALM) brand new touch-screen smartphone -- the Pre -- was the surprise event at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Among other things, the Pre uses the Palm's Web OS, which supposedly can consolidate data from multiple Web sources.

The long-only money managers and analysts getting their 15 seconds of fame on CNBC are pounding the table shouting "Tech is on sale! Tech is on sale."

Is it?

Are the great electronics brands -- like Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) and Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) -- truly on sale?

Best Buy

Best Buy beat earnings estimates and announced plans to offer buyouts to virtually all of its nearly 4,000 headquarters employees. Say what!?!

Translation: Management is very good and business is going to be very bad.

What should investors do?

The recession is going to get much worse, and will be as bad or worse in Q4 of next year. ChangeWave Research consumer spending survey data shows 2009 -- at least the earlier part of it -- is going to be far worse than Wall Street expects. And logic says that this will hit Best Buy stock.

Furthermore, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Costco (NASDAQ: COST) and other discounters are hurting Best Buy's business as the more "advanced" products become mainstream, and require little, if any, sales support.

Also, Wal-Mart may get the iPhone. Will Mac laptops soon follow?