It's been a while since we've heard much about the
Dell Streak / Mini 5, but it seems like the plus-size phone (or mini-size tablet, whichever you prefer) went on a bit of an undercover media promotion tour last week: Viacom MTV exec Greg Clayman tweeted that it's "amazing," while Rob Enderle brought one to the set of John C. Dvorak's Cranky Geeks and said it would launch for around $300 on contract. What does it all mean? We're assuming it's being shown off in an effort to drum up some content partnerships: we've
already heard about tie-ins with Amazon's MP3, video, and Kindle stores, and we'd bet that Dell's also going after newspapers, magazines, and video sites hard in an effort to push back at the
iPad -- especially since the company is planning to bring out an
entire "family of tablets" in the future. Or... it's nothing at all, and AT&T is going to completely
wreck this thing before it launches, like it did with the
Aero. Dreams or nightmares, the choice is yours.
posted April 11th 2010 3:23PM
Cool Beans.
@SolidSnake
Just let me buy it at dell.com w/o Contract
@SolidSnake
Indeed, although it might just be a teensy bit too big for me to carry around. I will have to get my hands on it first to check it out, though.
@SolidSnake What version of android will thus be running?
@RLBurkes
anyone you want ;-)
@etwashoo
......and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, Dell, Don't cripple it and send it to a slow, miserable death by only providing AT&T 3G frequencies.
T-Mobiles 'Even More Plus' deals will be sweet with one of these, and I will buy one of these in a heart beat if it comes with the magic 1700 Frequency!
@SolidSnake
Meh, it's just a huge Droid ;)
@RLBurkes
Judging from the search widget I'm guessing 1.6.
Evo 4G is nicer in my view.
@quasistellar just put it in your fanny pack... we all know you have one
@Mrtoocool looks like the same search widget I have on 2.1
@lazaro
Yeah but the app icons (Gmail, Youtube, Maps etc.) look a little different on 2.1
@SolidSnake Just release this sans-carrier lock and we're all in for this device. and oh, don't remove the flash. http://j.mp/mini-5-tablet-by-dell
It would be smarter for Dell to market this as a MID with phone functions. (IMO)
@grahamj Smakit s7 is a huge android lol look it up
I can't wait for this to be released so I can finally play with it!
@Petfiji
that's what she said.
@think before you react
+1 Sir.
@Petfiji
This is my next device for sure.
Not interested in how much the carrier will rip me off to sign a contract, just put it on the Dell website and let me buy it like any other pc.. i mean MID!
@think before you react +2 That was the best "that's what she said" I heard all week.
@think before you react
A genuinely good one!
Lol that Cable looks very similar to that of Apples.
@MoonWalkerCTE
To me it looks similar to the cable for their old PDA line.
@MoonWalkerCTE
Urgh. Mini usb or no!
@Apple Google Microsoft
Agreed. Mini USB or I don't buy it
@Apple Google Microsoft
Ignorance ftw, miniUSB may be convenient for charging and file transfer, but if you want a device to have lots of different accessories, the ~30-pin connectors is more economic, and it's actually a sign that Dell may have big plans for this, although I do highly agree that someone should develop an open 30-pin cable format
@JeremyBenthem
I like where you're going with that. I don't mind a dock connector if it spurns a quality lineup of accessories. I do hope that Dell using a proprietary connector is evidence that they have long term plans for this product. But I would hate to buy one along with accessories and have dell discontinue the line a year later. Product commitment is their biggest hurdle I think.
@Evan how old is old. Before the iPod line?
@MoonWalkerCTE
I think in this case, "old" means "discontinued"
@MoonWalkerCTE
Wikipedia says that the first Dell Axim's showed up in 2002, while the iPod third generation didn't show up until 2003. Plus, I know the old Palm Pilots had these kind of connectors and they're way older.
Why does it use an Apple style connector? What is so wrong with Mini USB?
@LowSky
if i remember correctly it has both
@LowSky Is Apple-Style connector a new euphemism for proprietary? ;-)
@LowSky
If I recall, they're using a proprietary cable because they plan on selling accessories for it. They have an HDMI output dock lined up for it already.
Great idea if you have the market saturation that Apple does with it's iPod/Touch/iPhone/iPad products. But for Dell jumping into the market, would've been better off with mini/micro usb and a separate hdmi port.
@weg yes. but when it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, its probably a duck. USB is the standard that makes tech junkies live easier. When companies insist on their own its only to sell more crap things we dont need or that we already have 5 different things that do nearly the same thing
@LowSky
That way you cant escape to use their accessories...
@LowSky
This thing needs USB3.
@LowSky You can't push hdmi over usb.
You got tablet in my phone! You got phone in my tablet!
Since the HD2 and the Evo 4G aren't being sold in Canada, I sure as hell hope this is.
@Nitesh Same here.
Its interesting to note that all the tablets that are coming out (except courier) are focused on entertainment. Those tablet guys finally found a marketing ploy which will save the form-factor.
I think tis one as a shot at a piece of the tablet pie because it's running Android. The only think that worries me is the Android fragmentation and what kind of custom software will be available for the device.
I honestly think Google should create tools to make it easy for developers to build cross hardware/vendor/platform software.
One package with Interfaces built for phones, tablets, and other...
@dxdragon
well they say theyre trying to reduce it, and id like to see what ideas they come up with, its nice to keep all android updates on the same pegging :)
especially when buying something as pricey as this, youd want it to be at its peak :P
the window of anticipation is closing rapidly on this thing.........RELEASE IT ALREADY DAMMIT! I hope they're not trying to release it the same time the iphone 4G or EVO 4G is being released. that could end up being an EPIC FAIL for Dell!
@NELLZ3000
Yeah this definitely needs to happen quick. I used to want it because it had the best specs a phone could have, or close, plus it had a huge screen.
Now that the HTC EVO is coming out I have to rethink. Is the extra .7" of screen space worth missing out on standard connectors, HDMI out on the device, 720p recording, more ram, a smaller bezel, and of course 4G?
.7" is more then you think on a device this small, but if they are the same price, then I'm going for the EVO. I might go for the EVO even if it's more expensive.
Why did you mess this up Dell? I would have bought your product at any price a month ago. I was so excited for giganti-phone.
Is this a phone too or just a tablet? I'm interested. Looks nice.
@juliojorgeortiz
Its. Phone too. Lets hope its not butchered.
@juliojorgeortiz
apparently its a phone tablet.....or a tablet phone
@commenter7
I'd say a 'Phablet' :P
I wish they hadn't used a proprietary connector.