We've been able to confirm in a chat with Dell spokesfolks this evening that the lovely
Mini 5 won't ship with the Android 1.6 build (also known as
Donut) that we've seen so far -- instead, it'll be running "something newer." They wouldn't say
what that newer version would be -- and to be fair, we're not sure they even knew since Android is always a moving target on account of Google's breakneck development pace -- but it was specifically mentioned that Flash compatibility was something they had on their radar, suggesting that
something really, really fresh might be needed. Then again, they also mentioned that the giant phone / MID / thingamajig is going to be totally upgradeable, something that fellow Android skinners HTC and Motorola have both had to reassure the Android-buying public over. How this all shakes out remains to be seen, but let's put it this way:
Eclair, at minimum, seems to be a lock by the time the Mini 5 is on a shelf near you.
What exactly is this because it looks too big to be a smart phone?
@LEVENDIZ Its a phone but they expect people to use Bluetooth instead of holding up to your ear, seems like a hassle to me honestly. It would be great as just a tablet it seems
"whatever" it is, it definitely has my attention, i am looking forward to laying my dirty hands on it ;) oh is it mid+phone by any chance, yeah!
@LEVENDIZ "MID" - Mobile Internet Device
@bazookafx3
Its not a phone, its a MID. What is it with people who cant work that out.
@LEVENDIZ
They have said they aren't really sure where it falls in the whole device space, but believe me, unless something else awesome is announced soon, I'd get one, and I have no issues using it as a giant phone if it means I get a giant display in my pocket.
-Taylor
@LEVENDIZ it's a MID, but it can make calls, which for me is a perfect combination. I don't even mind holding giant things to my ear.
@dansus Woah chill buddy, it IS a phone, it makes calls. That logic means any smart phone is not a phone, just a MID.
@dansus But it IS a phone. It can receive and make calls.
A phone can be a MID and a MID can be a phone.
@bazookafx3
I can make calls with my car and my fridge, is that a phone too?
@LEVENDIZ - it's a SmartSlate :) hahahaha...
@Taylor Yes Taylor
This is something I know I will buy too as soon as I possibly can, I mostly live inside my car anyway and the 4,3 " of my HD2 never bothered me at all, besides I always use BT for which I have 4 headset and 2 headphones .
This thing seems tailored to my needs, it just remain to see how well (and fast) it will work but so far I'm kinda optimist.
@LEVENDIZ Yes.. Dell must be joking to release this one on the 1k level. Anyway, thanks for confirming. I also somehow remember Dell making a statement about it a couple months ago regarding it's ability to make calls. As for the size, it's definitely bigger than anything we're used to.. I think our pockets can handle it :D http://bit.ly/dell-tablet-features
It will be Android 1.7.
@ai4281
2.1 rev2 would be my guess if it has flash 10.1 support.
@dansus
or it could be even higher if there is another android thing before it gets released, because i'm assuming that flash will be on the higher ones, it will be at least, but not neccisarily, 2.1
10/10 for a company committing to update to an android version that's err... up to date..
Samsung.. You watching this?
Where is that full hands on review we were pomised?
@TsaxmafiaReturns +1
@TsaxmafiaReturns
...and what are the official dimensions of the phone?
@TsaxmafiaReturns
Yup.... I knew their office unit came at an NDA cost. I just wish they would come out straight with us. "Listen guys, we got one, but Dell only wants us to show you a few key features... once we get the ok, we will post a full review ~thanks, Engadget." or something like that....
@michaelbrandonw
There's no NDA, they got it on the grey market, dell knows they have it and has said go ahead but this is not the final version of the software. Hoping for the impressions post soon though!!
@Bratyr
Awesome! thanks for the info. I guess the back scratches explaine the grey market nature of the unit.
If only this wasn't on Att... if only :)
@theinternetstom i guess they'll sell it unlocked, so you can use it on any GSM carrier. Dell has enough of a retail network to not have to depend on carriers.
This may replace my Archos 5. Looks great!
@ChazClout
This is without doubt my next toy. Hurry up Michael!
@ChazClout
Do you want to hook me up with your Archos 5?
So what should I be looking forward to getting as a phone this year? THIS? Or an HD2 running Windows 7?
@jaleman In it's current form, the HD2 doesn't have the required button layout on the front to support W7 mobile phone special series whatchamacallit. Either HTC would have to change it, or Microsoft would have to allow more than 3 buttons. I'm guessing the latter, but we're still getting preliminary info form Microsoft.
@(Unverified) The HD2 has 5, yes 5 buttons...and HTC has confirmed that the HD2 will get an upgrade...
Wonder what the specs are for this, screen res anyone?
@Original Nosebleed 800x485 i belive, somewhere in that neighborhood
I have pretty huge hands and large pockets so this device has definitely caught my attention. I'm pretty much choosing this or the HTC supersonic depending on what the WiMAX coverage in my areas of travel are like. I plan on using either with a bluetooth stereo headset, so the somewhat odd appearance of such large devices being held to one's head doesn't concern me.
2010 is shaping up to be incredibly exciting :)
@Serryl
i think taht holding a huge device to my head would be cool, i don't see what the big deal about it is, though of course maybe it's just me taht would like holding such a huge device to my head
@crazy4pie as long as the screen size has not direct correlation with the radiation output level, i want.
@ravissimo *no
I...this device looks nice. ATT... :(
Also,
I don't mean to be off topic but I couldn't think of anywhere else to ask: Does anyone know when HTC's conference is? Thanks.
@Steven
it's tomorrow.
Dell and Windows Phone 7 will have lots of fun together.
I actually think WP7 is a lot more suitable than Android for an MID.
@TareG Any reason why?
@Serryl
Because of WP7's Zune UI
Because of Android's connectivity-centric UI (Notification bar...etc.)
@Serryl Bet you didn't see that coming!
@TareG
I have to admit I like running a full winOS on my tablet.
However, WP7 looks like it can "scale up" much better for devices like the Mini better than stuff like the vanilla Android system or iPhoneOS.
@LAY
I disagree. I think that Android probably scales up better than than WM7. After all, we have already seen it running on netbooks etc.
@Wolfticket
I guess I meant more from the UI perspective as many of those that are using Android on tablet-type devices are just installing Android on it with the default gigantic clock and icon row interface, and even leaving the phone function accessible.
And with the iPad, we saw how it was just a blown-up iPhone homescreen.
Of course WP7 needs some tweaks for size, but it seems almost ready to go on a Dell Mini sized screen out of the box.
3 touch buttons...7series a possibility? Dell was mentioned as a partner?
Please, please, please let it be WinMo7 (or WinPho7Ser) and Verizon.
A boy can dream.
I honestly would not mind walking around with that beast in my pocket.
Win Mo 7!!
It's really a shame one of the really cool phones finally coming to AT&T is just too big to fit in a pocket.