DellMini3i
Latest
Dell Aero details confirmed with new leak: 624MHz processor, handwriting support, DRM
Compared to the other crazy handsets Dell leaked today, the Aero is definitely the runt of the litter. But with a leaked Q2 AT&T release date, the Aero will be first on our doorstep. What other juicy morsels have we gathered? On the hardware side, it's sadly a slow 624MHz Marvell processor that drives that 3.5-inch capacitive multitouch screen, but hey, like the Chinese model, it's planned to ship with a capacitive stylus for handwriting recognition. More interesting is software. Like Motorola's CLIQ, Aero comes with QuickOffice right out of the box, and supports Microsoft ActiveSync and Exchange to ostensibly keep in touch with your business. For the social crowd, there's on-device photo editing and "aggregated notifications" for the bevy of social networks Dell's agreed to support. While you probably knew the device would have a WebKit browser with Flash Lite, leaks reveal it will have a robust media player as well -- robust enough to have some sort of music streaming and download ability (PlayReady, anyone?) protected by Windows Media DRM. Though it's probably still Android 1.5 onboard, docs show Dell plans a "refresh" to Android 2.1 sometime between Q3 and Q4, but it's hard to say whether the Aero will get an OTA update, or whether only new Aeros will ship with Eclair. That said, given the relative insignificance of this handset compared to its new big brothers, we're more than willing to wait and find out.%Gallery-91354%
Dell divulges Mini 3 details, tablet (Mini 5?) caught running Android 1.6 (update: video!)
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-82286%
Dell Mini 3i officially set for imminent launch in Brazil and China
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.]
Dell Mini 3iX shows up at FCC, with WiFi and 3G in tow
Having already witnessed the case and UI of Dell's incoming Android invader, we can now pretty much complete the picture with the latest info from the FCC. Reassuringly, WiFi and 3G -- the two big modifications from the China-bound Mini 3i -- both make it onto US soil, leaving us with only the timeless questions of when and how much. The Chinese version of the phone runs a 360 x 640 resolution on a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, which makes for a nice base to get all that wireless communication (Bluetooth included) flowing. We can expect the Mini 3iX to find its way onto AT&T's awesome networks some time in 2010, joining a growing army of Android devices vying for your cash, love and understanding. [Via Unwired View]
Dell Mini 3i breaks cover for most complete photo shoot to date
It may have been briefly, sort of official before Dell decided to do some backtracking earlier this month, but it looks like the company's China-bound Mini 3i smartphone has now made yet another public appearance, and Sina has thankfully delivered what looks to be the most thorough hands-on with the phone to date. That, as you can see above, also includes a peek at the phone's Android-based and China-centric OPhone operating system, which ditches the familiar Android Clock in favor of new, different clocks -- and a slew of other interface changes. Hit up the link below to get started.
Dell Mini 3i is like totally not official, man
Oh, how we love PR people and their eternal clarifications on things. Apparently, the Dell Mini 3i's apperance at a China Mobile event on Monday was merely a proof of concept, and -- wait for it -- "it wasn't officially, formally introduced so much as it was waved around." Thank you, Dell, for our quote of the week. Unwilling to yet commit to the handset and specs on display, Dell is saying that it was there to support China Mobile in its role as a development partner rather than to promote any retail products. We wouldn't read too much into this supposed refutation -- if the phone were indeed a concept, that'd have been made clear at the show (and it wasn't based on the original report), and what we're experiencing now feels very much like post-event spin. [Via Mobile Review]
Engadget Podcast 159 - 08.14.2009
Get ready for a wild one, folks -- we recorded this week's Engadget Podcast with a live (chatroom) studio audience, and things got a little rowdy. Join Josh, Paul and Nilay as they run down the new Zune HD, Windows 7, two new Dell machines and three new Samsung cameras before finally -- at the urging of the crowd -- tackling the Apple tablet rumors. Definitely a fun show -- we'll have to do more like this in the future. Until then, what are you waiting for? Get downloading! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller Producer: Trent Wolbe Song: Powerglove - Tetris Hear the podcast 00:03:23 - Zune HD lands September 15th, up for pre-order today 00:19:55 - Windows 7 review 00:23:45 - How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it 00:28:05 - Dell's Zino HD crams desktop parts into miniature enclosure 00:38:46 - Dell's slim new Inspiron Z family is totally carb free 00:47:02 - Dell Mini 3i smartphone captured in pair of spy shots 00:54:20 - Video: Samsung's TL220 and TL225 cameras add a LCD in front to help with your self-portraits 00:55:20 - Samsung's new compacts in person: front LCDs, GPS and WiFi don't go to waste 00:59:50 - Samsung crams WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0 into well-specced CL65 point-and-shoot 01:08:15 - Apple might be planning keynote for week of September 7th, might have new products on offer Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com. Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadget
Dell Mini 3i smartphone captured in pair of spy shots
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]
