Day: July 23, 2010

“The much-anticipated Dell Streak is going to hit the market in the next week or so, according to an official statement from Dell. This tablet phone is going to have a 5-inch display, and run Google’s Android OS on a 1 GHz processor. The Streak has attracted the attention of those who are looking for a cutting-edge smartphone, small tablet, or PDA who don’t want to sign a service contract with a wireless carrier, as Dell will be selling it directly to the public. However, no contract means no carrier subsidy, so the unlocked version will cost $500. It will come with 16 GB of storage in the form of a removable microSD memory card. Users will have the option of switching this out for a 32 GB card. The Streak is going to include a 5-megapixel auto-focus camera on its back, and a front-facing one for video conferencing. In addition, it will include a 3.5-mm headphone jack.The tablet is going to be bundled with a suite of entertainment, communications and productivity software, including a highly-capable web browser, email software, turn-by-turn navigation app, and much more. Overall, this device is going to be 6 inches x 3.1 inches x 0.4 inches (153 mm x 79 mm x 10 mm). Dell’s tablet phone will be well supplied with high-end features, starting with its 5-inch, WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) capacitive touchscreen. It is going to run Google’s mobile operating system on a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The device is going to debut with Android OS 1.6, but an upgrade to Android OS 2.2 is coming. On top of Google’s standard user interface will be one that Dell has developed. This model will sport voice and 3G cellular-wireless access, and will also include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1. plus a GPS receiver. With this device, users will be able to make voice calls on either T-Mobile or AT&T, but this smartphone will only include support for AT&T’s 3G network.” via brighthand.com

“FORGOTTEN SMARTPHONE DEVELOPER Microsoft has named the handset manufacturers that it hopes will help stave off its demise in the smartphone market. Microsoft is desperately pinning its hopes on Windows Phone 7 to reverse its trip to oblivion. However until now it remained quiet about who will help it do so. Now the Vole has finally revealed that handsets running Windows Phone 7 will be produced by Asustek, Dell, HTC, LG and Samsung. That’s about all Microsoft was willing to say on the matter as it tries to drum up interest in its next mobile operating system. The handsets themselves are nowhere to be found, with release dates equally elusive. Microsoft is passing around a Samsung handset to developers in the hope that some applications will be created for its operating system at launch. Apparently the handset itself isn’t what will end up in punters’ hands, so that doesn’t provide too many clues either. The Vole is playing a dangerous game by not giving away enough information about its smartphone plans. Even Apple, known for its secrecy, announces its Iphones months ahead of launch, allowing customers to ditch their mobile operators or save up for its expensive toys. Microsoft’s silence on the matter could mean that it is nowhere near getting phones running Windows Phone 7 on the market. In the meantime, Apple’s shiny toy and the numerous devices running Google’s Android operating system are luring potential customers away from Microsoft. It will be interesting to see how many phones from the aforementioned manufacturers will actually run the Vole’s operating system. HTC in particular has been a vocal supporter of Google’s Android, while Samsung’s Galaxy S has emerged to be one of the firm’s most successful high-end handsets. For Microsoft, name dropping won’t be nearly enough to lure smartphone customers away from the very credible alternatives that already exist today.” via theinquirer.net