So far this year, it’s hard to read a tech blog or even mainstream media without hearing rumors about Apple’s rumored iSlate (or is it iPad?). CES was abuzz with touch screen computers and prototype touch tablets running Windows 7 or Android. This is happening before Chrome OS even launches as Google’s netbook operating system to replace Android.

Don’t get me wrong, I thing that touch computing holds a lot of promise. It’s just that there are still a lot of kinks to work out in the user experience of creating interfaces, shortcuts and gestures that feel natural and users glom onto. Microsoft is the only company out there currently with a touch-friendly operating system in Windows 7, though that may change shortly.

The mobile phone industry, on the other hand, is on the brink of a major shift in usage that could reach a huge portion of consumers. The smartphone wars between Apple, Google, Palm and others are creating tons of relatively low-cost and full-featured. Now that Motorola itself will be dropping 20-30 Android handsets this year alone, everyone will be able to ‘get smart.’

All that said, I’m dying to play with a touch tablet or laptop, I’m just not sure it will be ready for prime time. Even then, I think most people will want the option to plug in a keyboard and mouse before tablets can replace their desktop or even laptop machine.

Engadget’s newly launched redesign caught my eye with a quick little sidebar infographic that shows titled ‘Most Commented.’ It shows the stories with the most comments in the last 24 hours in a simple bar chart.

The graphic doesn’t take up any more room than a boring, standard most commented widget, yet it’s a novel use of the site’s existing data. The graphic also provides tons of context using both size and color to draw your eye toward the most popular stories. Nice work, guys.

If the rumors are true, HTC is working on a new flagship phone called the Dragon. The device will feature an 800 x 600 resolution 4.3-inch touchscreen with Qualcomm’s new Snapgradon 1 GHz processor for added bite.

There’s no telling when the Dragon will emerge or which carrier it will be on in which country. One thing is clear: the Snapdragon’s processor’s 1 Ghz processor will be out in phones like the Dragon and Acer Liquid by next year.

In addition, HTC is working some of its mobile interface magic to create a custom Android skin for the Dragon. Once it’s released, chances are that we’ll start seeing more devices using it.

HTC refined Windows Mobile’s clunky interface into something both more appealing and finger-friendly. DroidDog has some early screenshots that could be HTC’s Android skin.

A video of the Rachel UI that’s being created by Sony Ericsson to smooth out Android’s rough edges is making waves today. To date most Android UIs are still clunky and awkward, making this a welcome glimpse of what’s to come from Sony Ericsson’s future lineup.

Most of the video features the music and video player interfaces with a quick peek at the home screen and  contact management. It has all kinds of crazy transitions that the performance-minded might want to turn off, but it’s still pretty slick.

Sony Ericsson has recognized the need for great design as a differentiator in the exploding Android market. They’re up against the newly released MOTOBLUR, stock Android 2.0 and every independent skinner in the community, so competition is about to get fierce.

Enterprising Android users will probably be able to get a similar interface on their phones without having to buy a SE or Moto phone, but the company’s contributions to the platform will help them build credibility among consumers. The handset companies also need killer hardware design to really win their share of the Android market.

The good news is that Microsoft/ Danger have restored sidekick users’ lost data, but the bad news is that they did it in terribly poor form. Rather than apologize to users and T-Mobile for the hassle and take responsibility for their actions, Microsoft’s press release passes the buck to Danger, Inc.

The only problem is that Microsoft bought Danger and is therefore trying to shift blame to one of its own divisions. That just adds insult to injury for users and their business partner, T-Mobile, who has been taking the brunt of angry customers.

This sort of internal fumbling about is the reason that Windows Mobile 7 is a year late and Android is eating Microsoft’s mobile lunch. At least they finally got desktop Windows (mostly) fixed in 7.

The move also adds insult to injury for Danger after Microsoft bought the company and all but killed the popular Sidekick line of phones. Way to keep it classy, Mr. Ballmer.

Acer just demoed its Liquid smartphone featuring Android 1.6 (Donut) and a lightning fast processor. The specs say the processor comes in at 768MHz, but it might be tuned to run as fast as 1Ghz, making it the fastest Android smartphone to date.

It’s basically a finely tuned Acer A1 that’s running Google’s Android mobile OS, but it also has a simplified form factor. It also has an 800 x 480 WVGA capacitive touchscreen for plenty of viewing area.

It’s amazing how quickly netbook manufacturers and other fringe hardware companies are getting into the mobile market with the Android platform. Hopefully this drives prices down on these high-end devices enough to where everyone will be able to afford them.

It’s also exciting to see processor speeds continuing to skyrocket in these devices. A few years ago, my HTC Wizard ran at something like 300MHz and while that’s as fast as my first computer, we’ve seen that number more than triple in a few short years.

Acer couldn’t make the Q3 launch date as promised, but the company is getting serious about shipping its Android-based netbook device. Acer has opened up pre-orders on Amazon for a dual-boot Aspire One D250 running Android and XP.

The dual-boot could be due to the fact that the Android experience isn’t stable on the netbook or even great. It’s interesting that they’re pushing these pre-orders now, when Windows 7 is about to launch and Chrome OS won’t be far behind.

Either way, I’m sure someone will be industriousness to roll up a Chrome OS image from the Aspire One. After all, the kernel and drivers are already baked into the Android version.

The only thing this is missing for my money is a touchscreen. If anyone has played with a touch netbook, let us all know what you think.

Android Aspire One D250 Specifications:

• 10.1-inch LED-backlit CrystalBrite screen (1024 x 600 resolution)
• Unique dual-boot operating system lets you choose between Windows XP (SP3) or Google Android
• 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N280 processor combines performance and efficiency to explore the Internet and stay connected while mobile
• Up to 9 hours of battery life with included 6-cell battery
• Multi-gesture Touchpad for circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, and page flip
• 160 GB hard drive (5400 RPM)
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM (533 MHz; 2 GB maximum capacity)
• Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 video processor
• Crystal Eye webcam supports Acer PrimaLite technology, which consists of a premium sensor, firmware and lenses to provide superior video performance under low-light conditions. A built-in digital microphone helps keep background noise levels low and minimizes echoes.
• 84-key keyboard, 89 percent of standard-size with 12 function keys, WLAN switch
• 54g Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
• Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity enables you to communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones.
• Fast Ethernet (10/100)
• VGA video output
• Stereo speakers and optimized Dolby Headphone technology for 5.1-channel audio
• Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
• Dimensions: 10.17 x 7.24 x 1 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: 2.79 pounds
• Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler’s Warranty