Dell Sparta and Athens netbooks, Looking Glass Pro and Streak variants teased on Android roadmap
By Richard Lai 
posted April 25th 2010 10:47AM
posted April 25th 2010 10:47AM
Good morning to you too, Dell! Android Central's just gotten hold of yet another leak from the Texan computer giant, only this time we have two new Android or Linux (as suggested by the Tux icon) Moblin devices. First, we have the Sparta "netbook tablet" featuring an 11-inch 1024 x 768 TFT display, ARM processor, optional connectivity modules (3G, WiFi, Bluetooth) and a unique swivel mechanism -- the screen appears to be rotatable within its frame. The second device is the Athens sub-0.9kg (1.98 pounds) netbook sporting the same screen size, ARM processor and optional connectivity modules. If all goes well, the Sparta and Athens should be launched in early and late Autumn respectively, but there's a lot more so keep reading after the break.
Update: thanks for pointing out the Moblin logo, thoughtmonster!
Update: thanks for pointing out the Moblin logo, thoughtmonster!
Another semi-new device is the 7-inch Looking Glass Pro Android tablet, which appears to be just the Looking Glass with an "HD screen" and digital TV tuner by default. The dotted line around this variant's roadmap window suggests its Q1 2011 release date isn't set in stone (if it ever comes out, that is). Regardless, we're rather puzzled by a couple of spots here: the 800 x 600 resolution contradicts with the 800 x 480 in the slides we received, and likewise with the August-October launch window here rather than the November launch date that we were told.
Last but not least, it looks like the Streak will be released in at least three flavors -- the US (T-Mobile) and European (Vodafone) variants coming in the summer, and a Chinese version shipping in Q4. All three major carriers in China -- China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile -- are abbreviated here, so maybe we'll see three sub-variants to cater the three 3G radios.
Now, we're not saying these dates are solid -- the previously-mentioned contradictions plus other bits and pieces here ("Bender" is the old name for ASTRO the file management app; "Windows Mobile" instead of "Windows Phone 7"; Moblin instead of MeeGo) are tell-tale signs that this is an old roadmap, but hey, at least we get to have a glimpse at the two new netbooks.
The sparta seems to have an interesting new form factor. Looks a bit fragile though.
And is it just me, or does the athens not have a proper keyboard? Virtual/touch sensitive, maybe?
@qakgob
Sparta 11' tablet : Q3 2011?!!
WTF!?
@wmac That's the fiscal year, still 2010 in reality. Just ignore that line and focus on the month line.
@qakgob
Spartan!!!!
Okay, I'll say it.
This is madness. (sigh)
@Smart People Play Tuba
THIS...IS...ATHENS!!!!
@qakgob : Sorry I cant wait that long. :(
Tonight, We dine in DELL!!!
@One Love
These are so far off in the future that I don't even know what to think. How long have we been hearing about the Mini 5? And it's still a whole year off? I can only imagine how it will be received then...
Seriously, why are these so far off? Are they at least planning to bump the specs up until then? Are these vaporware? What in the world is going on here?!?!?!
Tablets galore!
@JimmyBoy Tis a wee bit overkill.
THIS IS DELL SPARTA!
@semblance
*Kicks iPad onto well
@semblance
Ahu! Ahu! Ahu!
@semblance so after 300 Dell Spartas die, thousands of more Dell Spartas would come to kill ipad?
@ChazClout we'll have to see about that, Dell had some interesting designs so far but always managed to screw it up in the last moment ... but i'm optimistic !
@semblance
I see a distinct lack of Dell Blasphemy and Dell Madness. I am disappointed.
@Dking7 it would have to be like 8,000,000 ipads. Not one
@djabootie
Where, please tell me, where do you get that number?
@ChazClout There needs to be a video of that...
Show Thessaloniki some love too Dell
@Anastasios Toulkeridis
Until they make a kick -*ss movie with Great Alexander, don't expect much. By the way i'll buy both, because of their names! If they could also make another one called Corfu that will be the best.
This...is...TOUCHSCREEN!!
@Kimbernator
Dang. I thought I got it first.
Unlike the smartphones, this seems like Dell will probably get in and out of this weird market in a hurry.
Dell you dirty girl your pimping yourself out all over town these days..
Does anybody else worry that the time-line of months at the bottom is a wee bit off? (Aug 09, Jan '10, then, twelve months later, Dec '11?)
Not saying they couldn't have made a mistake, just saying it questions credibility of the source.
@mrpenguin
They are off a bit. Im shocked to see a road map into 2012. Do they not know the tablet landscape will have changed drastically in 2 years. Apples iPad will have a 2nd and 3rd generation out by that time. I don't know whats going on over there at Dell but those tablets need to be out by the holidays 2010 not 2012.
@mrpenguin I did notice that, too, but it's likely a genuine typo.
@eminisp The 2012 is just Dell's fiscal year -- the actual timeline only goes into 2011.
@Richard Lai
Thanks Richard for clearing that up.
this is blasphemy... THIS IS MADNESS!!!
windows phone spelt with a capital I
Dell, stop dragging your fucking feet. Get these products out to the customers. I just purchased a 17' Inspiron core i5 for a shade over $800. I love it so you have me interested in your future products. Capitalize off my positive experience and release your tablets already.
If Dell wants to complete in the tablet WAR they need to get a tablet out by the holidays/2010 not Q1/11. Preferably the Looking Glass. It "looks" nice and the specs are impressive. Consumers can change their minds quickly.
In 2 years WP7 will have taken off with many users so i should expect it to be in one of the Looking Glass models ready for me to pick up IF i haven't picked up something else..
@eminisp
Don't follow the FY time line...Just below Q4 FY 2010 is Jan'10.
FY is calculated differently and confusing.
Streak should be available soon (1-3 months)
@strikethree
Thanks bro. Rich cleared that up in another post but Thanks again.
@eminisp Agreed, I need a bird in the hand, not in the bush....
Dell just needs to try to steal the spotlight huh?
But, boy, there doing a ridiculously awesome job of it, and after I thought I was done with Dell FOREVER, here I am again!
O_O
Dell is unstoppable !
@bob e Unstartable more like - dropped $10Bn in revenue last year from the year before...
None of these are coming out this year? That's just depressing.
I decided to skip the iPad in hopes of being able to buy the Streak sometime before Summer this year. But, according to the chart, the Streak wont be out until May 2011. I may just breakdown and buy an iPad before then.
@Rubbinz ???? It says the Streak is coming out in June.
@jayayess1190 Check the timeline at the bottom of the graphic.
They'll need to get these products out sooner than that. But then again, this is an old roadmap...
@jayayess1190 Yeah noticed they're going by US "fiscal" years on the chart. Q2 Fiscal Year 2011 to be exact. Confused me for a minute as I worked for a foreign company that used a different system for their fiscal years. I need to stop reading charts in the morning.
Their first tablet won't ship until Q3 2011? With a lo-res (800x600) screen, no 3G/4G, and no other unique features... This lineup looks really lame. Even if that shipped today, it would be an underspec'ed iPad.
I'm surprised that Apple is so far ahead of everyone else in hardware specs. These companies all buy the displays, RAM, and components from the same suppliers, why can't Dell put together a comparable device within a twelve month window?
@giesen No that's the fiscal year. Just ignore the top line and look at the months.
@Richard Lai
The months are missing a full year. They show January '10, Feb-Nov (without years given), then December '11.
@giesen That would be a typo. Think they meant to put the 11 next to January instead of December.
Am I the only one that thought, "Android IS Linux"?
Dell?? THIS IS SPARTA!!!
*kicks Ipad into well
mwuhahahalololol