Nvidia Tegra smartphone from Samsung or Motorola by Nov. 30?

The mobile arena is one of the few bright spots in the tech economy. Last year, Intel's Atom processor was a smash hit as millions of consumers migrated to low-cost netbooks powered by the Atom. This year, all eyes are on the smartphone market, as heavyweights Apple, RIM, and Palm drive innovation with new or upgraded devices, and chipmakers work on the next generation of processors that will be able to deliver even better performance and graphics in smartphones.

One of the most eagerly anticipated mobile chips is Nvidia's Tegra. The company claims the chip will be able to deliver HD video playback, Flash acceleration, and 3D user interfaces while using very little power (see demo below). According to Nvidia, netbooks and other Tegra-equipped devices should be available in the second half of 2009.

Smartphones will reportedly be part of the Tegra product blitz. In an interview described by a columnist on TheStreet.com, Mike Rayfield, the general manager of Nvidia's mobile business unit, said he "expects the company's Tegra chip to debut in a phone from one of the top five cell-phone makers as early as the fourth quarter of this year." Rayfield declined to name the manufacturer, but TheStreet.com said unnamed experts think that Samsung or Motorola "are probably the most likely."

Prediction: A Samsung or Motorola smartphone (i.e., a mobile phone that can also be used to browse the Internet, watch video, and send email using a small QWERTY keyboard or touchscreen) powered by Nvidia's Tegra chip will be launched on or before November 30, 2009. An announcement of a future product or preorders will not suffice -- the device must be available for immediate sale to members of the public in any country or territory on or before that date. A news article, press release, or store/carrier announcement of availability will be used to judge this prediction.

Video: Nvidia's Vice President of Mobile Content Neil Trevett demonstrates a 3D user interface running on the Tegra APX 2600 development platform.