Dell Android MID Coming to AT&T in 2010?
It sounds pretty certain that AT&T is dipping its toe in the Android pool within the next few months. The Dell Streak, captured on video last month, looks to be coming to AT&T in 2010 if you believe the Commercial Times out of China, says SlashGear. From what we’ve seen so far, the device appears to have a 5″ display, runs Android 2.0 and offers integrated 3G connectivity. The 800 x 480 resolution looks much better than it does on my 7″ UMPC, as well. I’d say Dell has nailed the screen size and resolution on this device. The Streak looks a bit big for a traditional phone, but nobody has confirmed if the device supports cellular voice — besides a Bluetooth headset works wonders. ;)
That actually leads to an interesting question since I’ve generally been against a handheld that doesn’t offer cellular voice capabilities. Could a full-featured smartphone-like device be successful without the phone part? The most obvious example of a yes answer is Apple’s iPod Touch, but I can’t envision myself using a basic phone for voice and an iPod Touch for everything else. Of course, the Touch doesn’t have integrated wireless broadband, only Wi-Fi, so maybe I’d feel differently if the handheld had an always-on connection. Again, I’m not suggesting that the Dell Streak will be data only, but it does make me wonder about just such a device.
While we ponder that, here’s another look at the Dell Streak from last month.
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I still say the ipod touch is first and foremost an mp3 player. Pretty much everyone I know with an ipod touch uses it solely has an mp3 player and never really as a MID. Which makes me wonder if it is easier to entice buyers to buy an mp3 player with MID function over an MID with mp3 player function.
If it isn’t a phone, I’m not interested. I don’t make tons of voice calls, but I need to be able to. Won’t schlep two devices.
i wouldnt mind using this as a phone, as i dont hold a phone to my face anyways (those habits from yesteryear that are not needed today). i either use BT or speakerphone.
if you want a GOOD nearly dedicated mobile computing experience i think you need a 4″ 800×480 & up device. as cool as the iphone/pre are they just dont suffice, you have to go either HD2/X10.
i dont mind having a super small prepaid cheap phone & a highend MID, since i barely ever communicate by phone. why should i compromise my computing experience just for the sake of having a phone built-in that i will hardly use?
cheap phone + MID/data plan
good phone/data plan/mifi + MID
Ipod touch will never be successful w/o the Iphone. They locked the Iphone to AT&T. Other people want the Iphone experience as well. Go figure. If Iphone is available for everyone, I don’t know who want’s to buy an Ipod touch.
That being said, This Dell MID streak will not be successful if there is no voice capabilities.
BTW, So what if I put a 5″ screen on my face? Does it affect anybody?
This has the camera the Archos 5 IT lacks. droooool