RAZR

Smartphone sales are expected rise 49% this year to 450 million units, according to a new survey from electronics research firm IDC.

After 80 years of tech achievements, Motorola has run into a nemesis unlike others it has overcome in the past. And it's not for lack of trying. Even as Motorola restructures and launches new products, it keeps getting upstaged by the iPhone.

Motorola's second-quarter performance beat Wall Street's earnings expectations thanks to sales of its ES400 personal digital assistant to businesses, and issued a third-quarter forecast that was higher than analysts' expectations based on the strength of its popular new Droid X smartphone.

Hearing about Google (GOOG) teaming up with Verizon (VZ) Tuesday had me, and others, thinking a potential Apple (AAPL) and Verizon partnership could be squashed. Not to worry, iPhone users who are dying for Apple to sell iPhones under the Verizon banner. Verizon executives told reporters Tuesday...