Exclusive: Dell Aero hands-on and UI walkthrough (video)
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted March 29th 2010 3:33PM
posted March 29th 2010 3:33PM
Update: We've just been contacted by an AT&T spokesperson and told on no uncertain terms that the final version of the Aero will definitely have the Android Market, so that's a relief -- and it also means we should be able to get our hands on Maps, even if the firmware doesn't include it.
Update 2: We've also had Dell reach out to us, who adds that "since the Dell Aero is not generally available, this is not representative of the final product." Seems like the software deficiencies here have riled up carrier and manufacturer alike, which is probably a good thing.
So here are our main takeaways about this device:
- The form factor is very, very sleek, though it feels surprisingly light compared to a Nexus One or Droid.
- The UI has been completely reskinned, and there are multiple skins available -- but also missing is Google Maps, Gmail, and a handful of other Google-centric features...
like the Android Market. - It looks like AT&T and Dell want to turn this device into a glorified featurephone, which is a huge downer -- it's definitely loaded with AT&T bloatware.
- Dell has merged the home button and back button into a single target on the left side of the phone -- long press for home, short press for back, and it doesn't always feel very natural.
- Screen responsiveness wasn't super tight, though this is still an unreleased version, so we suppose that could change.
All in all, the Aero was somewhat of a disappointment for us. It seems that AT&T is doing just about everything it can right now to rob Android of its nerdy core and replace it with stripped down (and frankly boring) featurephone skins. We really hope that the carrier wises up and lets some "pure" Android fodder hit its airwaves -- because this is no way to treat a 'droid. Hey, at least we can still hold out hope for the Mini 5.
I'll pass.
This phone is serious FAIL. The terrible virtual keyboard alone makes it a no buy, but the fact that it is un Google'd makes it probably the worst Android phone to date from a major company.
Is it only me that is yawning at all these other phones after seeing the EVO 4G?
@Chopes Good God, AT&T is the butcher of Android phones. =\
@HerbieDerb Well the Evo isn't the end all. The Droid, Nexus One and Incredible are still phenominal devices.
@Chopes I seriously wonder what AT&T's motive is for this. Isn't Android free? You don't pay extra for all the extra features, but you do pay software engineers extra to go about the extra work of removing things. It really makes no sense. Is this just an attempt to water down Android in light of the iPhone?
Well I guess this is a clear indication that AT&T direction with Android won't be picking up the X10.
@Chopes no joke, all i read was "reskinned" and "featurephone" and i knew it was going to be balls
@treats worst? you mean, it beats the backflip?? Oh god, that's terrible.
I wish AT&T's iPhone exclusivity ends right now, before they cannibalize more android phones.
pal :)
@coolpal no wait.. if iPhone exclusivity ends and if it lands on VZ, then they'd have no reason to tout the droid as the iPhone killer and hence start putting their crap on droids.... oh god, why has it always got to be loose..loose situation for the customer?
@treats
God, can we all stop using 'FAIL' now. 'This phone is serious FAIL' really is painful to read.
As for the phone, well, I loved my Axim X51v and actually took notice when it was announced Dell had a phone on the way. And then this is released........HTC Legend it is then.
@coolpal they definitely arent doing android right.
I was just watching a jfk documentary and am in conspiracy mode, but I think att is in cahoots with apple on this one.
@coolpal
Lose lose. :-)
@N900 they can't touch my nexus One. I am sure that makes them all the more upset that Google sells att band n1
@Darkseider Sure.. theyre great smartphones, but EVO 4G is in the superphone category.
@Luxury Guy The problem I have is this: the, "Google Experience" Android device isn't entirely open-source, and an entirely open-source version of Android doesn't (and legally can't) provide the Google experience (apps/store/etc). The open-source version is the no-strings-attached version that you can safely put on any phone, while the Google experience is kinda what is most wanted but requires contacting Google to understand the conditions under which you can distribute their software. Irritating.
@Chopes Long press for home, short press for back.. but what about long pressing the home button to see the most recent 6 apps used?
@Chopes
Welcome to the dumbphones on the future. Powered by Android.
I believe these were inevitable. Just like Windows runs on the most powerful gaming machines and the weakest of netbooks, so does Android run on the beasts (Evo 4G, N1) and what used to be Nokia's kingdom (your run-of-the-mill feature/dumbphone).
@sweetelectro Even if this were tied for the nicest phone in the world I'd boycott on principle and hope all others do as well. AT&T needs to be brought back down to Earth, where serving customers is of utmost importance.
In related news: don't F^(# up my Mini 5.
@Chopes This phone could be great, I just don't like that extra added bulge and 'it' being tied to AT&T.. that's all. Opinions: http://bit.ly/dell-aero-verdict
@HerbieDerb Almost :) It's just that HD2\EVO 4 are kinda...too big to be called a phone..PDA is ok, but they're definately not of a (smart) phone size. It's only my humble opinion, but HTC Desire (Nexus One) has just of the right dimensions. In every other aspect EVO4 excels any other smarthphone on the marke, no doubt.. As for this..experiment..FAIL
Looks like an elongated Pre kinda....
WHAT!
WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD AT&T RAPE THIS POOR PHONE.
Google is what gives Android life. Without it, you may as well use Java.
And I thought the Motorola BACKFLIP was as bad as it could get.
@RockNStuff
That's what ATT does...
They're partners with yahoo.. SO yahoo searches=money for ATT
They had damn well better not touch the Desire or i'm out...
@RockNStuff
Android fan here and prod owner of my Nexus One, all I can say is WHY? Why Dell allowed that? AT&T is SERVING APPLE, and making all they can to destroy Android.
I think if you really want this phone with more features, just wait for a rooted version anytime by those great community of independent developers out there.
Whatever, Android will survive and surpass their enemies.
GO ANDROID, just dont play the game with AT&T
OK so the predictions were true. This is yet another fail on AT&T's part with an Android device. Now the question begs to be asked and now becomes a valid question. Is AT&T purposely gimping their Android offerings to make the iPhone look better/more appealing?
Short answer: Yes
@MrHashbrown
More like best answer is Yes
@Darkseider
Well, to my recollection, Ralph de la Vega said at CES that their new business model was to offer "apps (crapware) to everyone, even featurephone users" and that they'll have certain phones that are meant to fill the gap between smartphones and featurephones, to act "as a stepping stone to the iPhone." This is pretty much what I see happening - Android being gimped to perform like a high-end featurephone, but not directly compete with the iPhone. At least that's what I saw with the backflip.. but this thing? How the fuck do people get programs on this if Android market isn't there, and you aren't allowed to put 3rd party apps on it from an untrusted source?
@Darkseider whatever it is I am pretty sure that apple is behind it in someway. Even if they haven't told att to cripple these android phones I bet att is doing it to keep exclusivity. In the long run it is going to kill att. We all know that apple wont stay in best with att forever and they will be forced to partner with more if not all the wireless carriers to compete with android and soon wm7s later this year. By that time att will have a few android offerings that are crippled and people will be able to gettheir iPhone elsewhere it will kill them if being way behind in infrastructure hasn't already.
@jroff Well if what you speculate is true then AT&T is doomed to failure in the smart phone market. Putting all your eggs in one basket, iPhone, will only end in failure. The other carriers are seeing and reaping the rewards of Android phones. I guess that's what AT&T doesn't get. It's not the carrier as much as it is the Android platform that makes it appealing. Same apps on every phone regardless of carrier. Switch carriers and your paid apps are still there to download on your new toy. What Android does is remove the vendor lock-in and allow consumers to purchase the device of their liking on the carrier of choice.
@Darkseider
Yeah, it's definitely an idiotic move, and it really makes me wonder why they are so against having competing devices on the same carrier.. It's still pure profit if you have a fanboy war on your network, as long as you're providing all the handsets. It's so boneheadedly simple that it really makes me question AT&T's motives and Apple's influence..
@jroff The only other thing I can think of is if they did have and offer truly competing Android devices similar to the Motorola Droid, N1, etc... Their network would not be able to handle the increased demand. Seeing that the iPad is contract free BUT is still anchored to AT&T if you want 3G access. At this point it is pure speculation as to whether it is AT&T's doing, Apple's doing or a combination of both but something is definitely amiss over at AT&T Wireless, that is for sure.
@Darkseider AT&T has been crippling their branded phones firmware long before the iPhone existed. You're giving Apple too much credit.
There was so much promise for this phone. I was really kinda hoping Dell stole your idea Josh of being able to make custom phones like you can do with their computers and that this was the first (big) step. Doesn't look like it, though, does it? Sad. Very Sad. Couple that with AT&T not wanting to offend Apple due to the iPhone and iPad and AT&T will be looking pretty Android-less, or Android-crippled anyway, for some time.
I don't know. UI blunders like the "short press for back, long for Home" don't bode well, regardless of how the carrier further mangles it.
@Information Central Oh definitely, this is a case of both Dell and AT&T messing this up. *sigh*...
"All in all, the Aero was somewhat of a disappointment for us."
that's all I needed.
It's not very attractive to say the least. Besides, screw Aero, if I ever get an Android phone I am going to skin it with my own interface. I never do default.
I can't help but notice the slide to unlock screen in the gallery. Should we conclude that Apple will be suing Dell now? Since AT&T helped with the skinjob, maybe a reason for Apple to break the exclusivity clause?
AT&T: The new Verizon
@n8equalsd
No, Apple is the new Verizon.
AT&T is Apple's guy with the blunt stick, the thug to the don. Just like the Don who is respected, the thug does the dirty work and gets his cut.
They are surely anti-androiding the Android OS. Google needs to put the kibosh on this strategy. Then again, they could use this to their advantage...
This doesn't really even qualify as an android phone
I think the Mini 5 will be much more suitable for all of us..
@commenter7 Yeah. You will have a 5 inch screen to see more of AT&T's butchery at once.
@commenter7 Seriously they better not fuck the dell mini 5 up, but I am really thinking that they will. What a shame.
@commenter7 If AT&T craps up the Mini 5 as much as they did the Aero and Backflip, well...
Damn! My hopes are dashed.
Downrank me if you want, but this is terrible.
@sonola777 Dude I'm right there with you; this thing is ass. It's like if you took a lolipop and sprinkled salt all over it.
The "dots" next to "Device search" and "Web search" on the Search widget seem to be designed for stylus use. I like the idea of separating both searches, but the implementation is poor, and the same could be said about many UI elements in this phone.
Manufacturers: After Android 2.1, you don't really need to change anything about the OS.