Dell’s plans for Google’s Android operating system could go beyond cellphones. Leaked photos and a video (above) show Dell may have a mobile internet device (MID) running Android 2.0 in the works.
The device codenamed ‘Streak’ looks bigger than a smartphone and has a vivid touchscreen display, a 5-megapixel camera and WiFi connectivity.
Streak will be Dell’s second attempt Android-based device. Dell has said it plans to launch an Android smartphone in the U.S. next year. Android has become a favorite among mobile phone makers such as Motorola and HTC because it is open source and can be customized easily. The OS has now extended its tentacles to gadgets beyond cellphones. Barnes & Noble’s e-book reader Nook launched Tuesday uses Android OS.
“Dell continually develops and tests new products that extend the mobile experience. We have not made any product announcements and do not comment on speculation, rumor or unannounced products,” says a Dell representative.
The MID category that Dell is targeting with Streak is a tricky one. MIDs have been the star of Intel’s annual developer conferences for the last two years. Yet these devices–neither as compact as a mobile phone nor as versatile as a netbook–have found it difficult to grab consumer attention. Based on what we can see, Streak doesn’t look much different from current MIDs.
Instead, Dell may be better off focusing its resources on creating a tablet, rumors of which we have heard before.
See Also:
- 12 Phones Strong, Android Army Mobilizes for Explosive Growth
- Verizon Promises Two New Android Phones This Year
- Motorola’s First Android Phone Takes Aim at Social Networks
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