Engadget

Mini E field trial ends, for the 40 testers a search for a new car begins

Tim Stevens — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:36:00 EST

People who love a given car tend to keep that car for awhile, longer than they should sometimes, but that isn't always an option. Sometimes you have to give it back, and such is the case for the 40 "pioneers" who were among the first to get their mitts on and bums in the electric prototype Mini E in the UK. That fleet of test vehicles has been summoned back home, but thankfully not to suffer the same fate of the recalled GM EV1 -- most of which were crushed in the '90s. Instead, most of these Minis will find new homes among corporate vehicle fleets, though the testing program itself is largely over. From that program BMW learned that most drivers got along just fine, despite a complete lack of public charging stations, though some said cold temps put a crimp on the driving habits -- a possible counterpoint to one EV Mini tester on this side of the pond found. All that data is being used to tailor the upcoming BMW i3, which we've already seen hooning around in some rather frigid weather but won't be seen hooning on public streets until 2013 or so.

Mini E field trial ends, for the 40 testers a search for a new car begins originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Exclusive: Dell Aero hands-on and UI walkthrough (video)

Joshua Topolsky — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:33:00 EST

We took a look at the Dell Aero during last week's CTIA bonanza, but AT&T and Dell weren't exactly forthcoming with letting us take the UI for a spin. Luckily, we're pretty resourceful folks, so we've wrangled some face time with a functioning device, and walked away with some insight into the phone's unique personality. Read on after the break for a bulleted breakdown of exactly what this phone is all about, a video of the Aero in action, and make sure to feast your eyes on the gallery below.

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.

Gallery: Dell Aero hands-on and UI walkthrough

Continue reading Exclusive: Dell Aero hands-on and UI walkthrough (video)

Exclusive: Dell Aero hands-on and UI walkthrough (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Aero is 'the lightest' Android phone yet, poses for pictures

Vlad Savov — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:27:00 EST

AT&T's teaser site for the Dell Aero has gone live and we can now fill in a few more gaps in our knowledge about this forthcoming handset. It's looking every bit the renamed Mini 3 we thought it was, so click here and here to get a closer look at the body of the device. The official web mouthpiece confirms a 3.5-inch screen with nHD resolution -- which may or may not signify the same 640 x 360 as on the Brazilian and Chinese versions -- and one definite point of departure, a 5 (rather than 3) megapixel camera on the back. Claimed to be the lightest Android smartphone yet, the Aero will also come with WiFi and GPS built in, though its biggest attraction will undoubtedly be the thoroughly tricked out Android UI, which promises Picasa, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitpic integration right out of the box. Check out the gallery below for some hints of what that will look like.

[Thanks, Chilko]

Gallery: Dell Aero

Dell Aero is 'the lightest' Android phone yet, poses for pictures originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Aero is AT&T's second Android phone

Nilay Patel — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:04:00 EST

Looks like Dell's finally entering the modern US smartphone market with a renamed Mini 3 called the Aero for AT&T. There's some serious Android UI skinning going on here -- it looks like a riff on what we've seen on the Streak / Mini 5 -- but that's all we know specs-wise at the moment. To be honest, we're somewhat concerned that this custom UI skin will be built on top of Android 1.5 or 1.6 instead of 2.1, and that AT&T will mandate a Backflip-style app lockdown -- until we get some hard details all we have is this pic and our usual hope for the future.

Dell Aero is AT&T's second Android phone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell divulges Mini 3 details, tablet (Mini 5?) caught running Android 1.6 (update: video!)

Ross Miller — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:10:00 EST

We just got out of Dell's mobile roundtable, and despite an extended tangent on China's phone market, we did manage to get some details on its AT&T-bound Mini 3 and yet-to-be-officially titled "Streak" tablet. Let's get down to brass tacks here: the Mini 3's been customized with ActiveSync for our own (corporate) email systems. There is Android market, but for future reference, that's always going to be up to the carrier. As for naming the 5-inch tablet that's so far been rumored / codenamed the Streak, the company "might as well call it a Mini" said Dell, perhaps jokingly -- Mini 5, anyone? During a quick hands-on we got to check out the keyboard, which was very nice and included a numpad on the right in landscape mode (pictured). We also witnessed someone checking out the system details, and sure enough, this custom skin is running Android 1.6 -- no telling if that's what it'll ship with, though. There's also a front-facing camera on the Streak, and much to our delight, capacitive multitouch is alive and well on both devices mentioned here.

As for method of distribution, the company will sell phones via Dell's online store (in addition to the carrier stores), but whether or not they'll be unlocked is something the company will "most certainly experiment with that at some point, but that's not [its] first priority today."

Update: We've got some quick-and-dirty video of the customized Android UI and awesome keyboard -- it's after the break.

Gallery: Dell divulges Mini 3 details, tablet (Mini 5?) caught running Android 1.6

Continue reading Dell divulges Mini 3 details, tablet (Mini 5?) caught running Android 1.6 (update: video!)

Dell divulges Mini 3 details, tablet (Mini 5?) caught running Android 1.6 (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Mini 3 lightning hands-on

Nilay Patel — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:21:00 EST

Dell wouldn't let anyone get close to the AT&T-destined Mini 3 Android phone, but we just nabbed a quick hands-on with a powered-off burgandy metallic unit. It's certainly compact, we'll give it that. We'll have to see what that "Dell Android" skin is like in person before we form an opinion, though.

Gallery: Dell Mini 3 lightning hands-on

Dell Mini 3 lightning hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Mini 3 headed to AT&T running Android

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:20:00 EST

We've already seen it in China and Brazil, now Dell's first modern smartphone -- the Mini 3 -- is headed to the US in the loving arms of AT&T 3G. We expect the specs to remain pretty much the same: 3.5-inch 640x360 display, Bluetooth, 3 megapixel auto-focus camera with flash, microSD, and GPS, though we'll have to wait to get that confirmed. And from the looks of that pic of a prototype supplied by Direct2Dell, this Android handset will be custom skinned for AT&T. Look for it to hit sometime in the first half of 2010. Bonus pic after the break.

Continue reading Dell Mini 3 headed to AT&T running Android

Dell Mini 3 headed to AT&T running Android originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell netbook modded into a rather large handset (video)

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:43:00 EST

Eager to get a hold on your very own Dell-branded Android smartphone? This guy here took matters into his own hands with nothing more than his modding skill, his imagination, and a Dell Inspiron Mini. Of course, this thing won't exactly fit in most pockets, but as a curiosity (and a conversation starter) it performs admirably. Have you ever seen a 10.1-inch novelty handset in action? Now's your chance -- peep the video for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Dell netbook modded into a rather large handset (video)

Dell netbook modded into a rather large handset (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Mini 3i OPhone detailed ahead of this week's China Mobile launch

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST

After so much speculation and rumor, it's hard to believe that Dell's first modern cellphone is ready to launch. And while we've already seen the official press release announcing the Mini 3 for Brazil and China, today we get a followup release with a bit more detail. As expected, the Chinese Mini 3i variant is quadband GSM/EDGE only (no 3G) and packs a 3.5-inch nHD, 640x360 touchscreen display just like that found on Nokia's N97. The 58.35 x 122 x 11.7-mm OPhone will ship in "Red Passion" and "Oiled Bronze" colors packing Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel auto-focus camera with flash and video capture mode, microSD slot, and GPS with pre-loaded maps. And in case you're wondering why China first, that's easy: Dell's going after China Mobile's 500 million subscriber base when its first handset hits authorized stores later this week.

Dell Mini 3i OPhone detailed ahead of this week's China Mobile launch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Mini 3i unboxed in China, capacitive stylus included

Richard Lai — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:39:00 EST

One lucky Chinese blogger was kind enough to share his Dell Mini 3i unboxing experience beyond the Great Firewall, just a tad before Dell officially announced their first-ever smartphone. What's interesting is that the China Mobile version comes with a special stylus for the capacitive touchscreen -- a very handy tool for writing Chinese -- but there's been no mention of this accessory for the Brazilian 3iX. Dell's also bundled a 3.5mm adapter for the mini-USB port in case their handsfree isn't good enough for your audiophilic ears. Yeah, too bad about the missing headphone jack, but don't let this deter you from checking out the Mini 3i's full glory after the break.

Continue reading Dell Mini 3i unboxed in China, capacitive stylus included

Filed under: Handsets, Others, China Mobile, Android

Dell Mini 3i unboxed in China, capacitive stylus included originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Mini 3i unboxed in China, capacitive stylus included

Richard Lai — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:39:00 EST

Continue reading Dell Mini 3i unboxed in China, capacitive stylus included

Filed under: Cellphones

Dell Mini 3i unboxed in China, capacitive stylus included originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Mini 3i officially set for imminent launch in Brazil and China

Vlad Savov — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:31:00 EST

It would appear those leaked and unintentional early peeks at Dell's first foray into smartphones did not happen in Brazil and China by accident. Hans Erickson of Dell Latin America has announced the decision to "give priority" to those two countries, who will be first to experience the Mini 3i's Android glory, with China receiving devices "in the coming days" and Brazil getting 'em later this year. Interestingly, China Mobile will be making do without 3G, while Brazil's Claro will be offering a 3G-enabled handset. Dell remains mum on pricing and the rest of the spec, though all the information so far indicates that Brazilians will be able to buy the same WiFi-packing FCC-certified 3iX handset that's heading to the US. Either way, we've got another heavyweight's presence in the smartphone market, and we'll be even happier once we know what Dell's value-add will be.

Update: Official Dell press release is out making it clear that this is just the "initial" smartphone from Dell.

[Thanks Marcos R.]

Gallery: Dell Mini 3i official pictures

Filed under: Cellphones

Dell Mini 3i officially set for imminent launch in Brazil and China originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Mini 3i smartphone captured in pair of spy shots

Donald Melanson — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:23:00 EST

Well, it's looking increasingly like those very first shots of a rumored Dell smartphone that cropped up way back in June were indeed the real deal, as two separate sets of purported spy pics have now turned up showing an identical-looking phone. Better still, they also show the device powered on, offering us our first look at Dell and China Mobile's customized Android interface for the thing. The Boy Genius Report also goes one step further with a complete list of the phone's purported specs, which includes quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity, a 3.5-inch 640 x 360 display, a 3-megapixel camera with a flash (and support for 30 fps video), Bluetooth, A-GPS, and a microSD card slot for expansion, to name a few features. Head on past the break for one more, equally blurry shot, and dive into the links below for a few pics and details.

Read - Cloned in China, "Dell Mini 3i spy shots"
Read - Boy Genius Report, "Dell's smartphone pictured again, spec'd, other Android details"

[Thanks, xleung]

Continue reading Dell Mini 3i smartphone captured in pair of spy shots

Filed under: Handsets, Others, China Mobile

Dell Mini 3i smartphone captured in pair of spy shots originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dell Mini 3i smartphone captured in pair of spy shots

Donald Melanson — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:23:00 EST

Continue reading Dell Mini 3i smartphone captured in pair of spy shots

Filed under: Cellphones

Dell Mini 3i smartphone captured in pair of spy shots originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments