The Wall Street Journal has filed a report indicating that PC manufacturing giant Dell will be releasing a 7-inch tablet “in the next few weeks.” The information comes courtesy of Amit Midha, Dell’s president of Greater China. “It [the 7-inch tablet] was showed off at Oracle World by Michael last week and we’ll be launching very, very soon—within the next few weeks,” said Mr. Midha. The president confirmed that the 7-inch offering would run Google’s Android operating system but noted that future products could (and would) be released running Microsoft’s Windows 7; Mr. Midha also noted that Google Chrome was still under consideration by the company. The Dell executive also mentioned that a 3-inch product and 10-inch tablet would be launching within the next 6 to 12 months as well. From the sounds of it, the tablet market will be a very crowded space by 2011… and that isn’t a bad thing.

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Today, Dell announced that their Aero Android handset would be available on U.S. wireless carrier AT&T for $99 with a two-year contract; $299 contract-free. The device has a 3.5-inch multitouch display, 624 MHz processor, quad-band GSM, tri-band UMTS/HSPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, micro-SD card slot (expandable to 32 GB), 1000 mAh battery, 5 megapixel camera with flash… and Android 1.5. The Aero has a pretty attractive spec sheet for a $99 handset, aside from the nearly two year old OS. Thoughts?

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It seems as though the mobile phone stork delivered a set of twins to Engadget… smartphone twins that is. The blog was gifted with two Dell Thunder Android smartphone prototypes, and they’ve done the honor of shedding some light on just what we’re looking at. The Thunder will pack a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor with Qualcomm Adreno graphics (think Nexus One), 4.1-inch touch-screen display, 512 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM, 8 megapixel camera with LED flash, and (possibly) a front-facing VGA camera. The two units were sporting different operating systems and screen resolutions. One unit was running a developer build of Android 1.6 while the other was running Android 2.1. As mentioned above, the screen resolutions on the two units are also not identical, one has a resolution of 800 x 600 and the other 1,280 x 768. The gang found evidence in the software of a CDMA test suite, indicating the potential for a Verizon or Sprint model, and one unit had AT&T’s HSPA 3G bands while the other had T-Mobile’s AWS 3G bands. Furthermore, the device has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1,400 mAh battery, and micro-SD card slot. The Thunder’s glass screen is also slightly beveled, which Engadget described as “as useless as it is cool.” So if you like Dell hardware, and the Streak is too much phone for you, what do you think about the Thunder?

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The gang over at ifixit have given the Dell Streak its official baptism by taking the gigantic handset right down to the screws. The team notes that the Streak contains a Snapdragon processor, a 5 megapixel camera that “closely resembles” the iPhone 4′s, Gorilla Glass, and a 2 GB non-user accessible micro-SD card. On a scale of 1 to 10, judging how difficult the device was to take part (10 being the easiest), ifixit rated the Streak an 8. Hit the read link to see the blog’s notes and the carnage.

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So sad. Your boy “Lionel at Dell” has tweeted to let you know that just because you paid full-retail price for a Dell Streak — $549 — that doesn’t mean you can take it to any network you want. The tweet reads:

Lots of folks are asking about the $549 version of #dellstreak. To be clear, it will not be unlocked. It is SIM-locked to AT&T.

There were hopes that since Dell, a third-party manufacturer, was also selling the phone via its online store paying $549 might score you an unlocked version. But alas… not. Anyone disappointed by this, or was it what you were expecting?

[Via Engadget]

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The folks over at Engadget were sent images (Mr. Blurrycam style) of the unannounced and unreleased Dell Thunder. The Thunder is reportedly an Android 2.1 full touch-screen device with a 4.1-inch screen (possibly OLED), 8 megapixel camera with 720p video recording, 800 x 480 resolution, and a 1400 mAh battery. No details were given about the processor speed or internal storage of the newly photographed device. Hit the read link to check out a few more images and a quick video.

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UPDATE: From Dell’s PR team: “We will ship [the] Streak to customers in the US with Android 1.6 and will offer an over-the-air upgrade to Android 2.2 later this year.”

Dell Creates Choice and Freedom to Talk, Watch, Surf, and Connect with New 5-Inch Tablet

“The Dell Streak has found a way to fit your whole world in a 5-inch screen. Its unique size will help people discover new ways to enjoy the web, connect with friends, and navigate their lives.”

NEWS

* Orders for the Dell Streak Tablet open up for U.S. priority pre-sale registrants at www.dell.com/mobile this Thursday, August 12. General availability follows a day later at www.dell.com/mobile. * The Dell Streak is available for $299.99 with new two-year AT&T contract†, and $549.99 without. Customers who purchase the Streak, and signed up during the pre-sale program, will receive a free second-day shipping upgrade. Customers who redeem their pre-sale coupon can purchase a Plantronics Bluetooth earpiece for 99 cents while supplies last.

HITTING A SWEET SPOT

The Dell Streak, a carbon black Android-based tablet with a 5-inch display, is designed to provide an excellent “on-the-go” entertainment, social connection, and navigation experience. The spacious 5-inch screen is ideal for experiencing thousands of Android Market widgets, games and applications, all without squinting or compromising portability. Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth capability and available 3G connectivity brings easy access for downloading and listening to music, updating social networking status in real-time, and staying connected to friends and family through e-mail, text, IM, and voice calls.

On-the-go students, mobile professionals, and active families will find Streak’s web-browsing capabilities as natural as a laptop. The 5-inch screen is large enough to present Web pages in their natural form, create a comfortable viewing experience, and make turn-by-turn navigation simple. The Dell Streak is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor to combine basic functionality and benefits of a laptop in a pocket friendly size.

The Dell Streak was designed with the future in mind to support future software, application and platform upgrades.

QUOTE:

“The Dell Streak has found a way to fit your whole world in a 5-inch screen. Its unique size will help people discover new ways to enjoy the web, connect with friends, and navigate their lives.” – Ron Garriques, president, Dell Communication Solutions

DELL STREAK FEATURES:

* Integrated Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation, street and satellite views * A full screen browsing experience with a 5-inch capacitive multi-touch WVGA display * Easily integrated social media apps: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube * High resolution 5 MP camera, VGA front facing camera, removable battery, built-in Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth connectivity options * 2GB* of internal storage provides plenty of space to access and download Google Android Market’s many options * Packaged with cushions made from 100 percent sustainable, compostable bamboo

DELL STREAK SPECIFICATIONS:

* Android platform complete with Android Market and Dell user interface enhancements * Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor * 3G + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth * UMTS / GPRS / EDGE class 12 GSM radio with link speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps* * 5 MP Autofocus camera with dual LED flash. Easily point, shoot, and upload to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and more * User accessible Micro SD expandable memory available up to 32GB*. Store up to 42 movies* or 32,000 photos*, or 16,000 songs* with a 32GB* Micro SD upgrade

Does size matter to you? The bigger the better perhaps? Well, Dell may have crafted your next smartphone, the Dell Streak. We’ve been messing around with our very own Streak and thought we would put together some initial impressions for you. Want to see and know more? Hit the jump and lets do this thing!

The Streak is built as a data first device for users who want to view full-HTML webpages, watch videos, and play games on a great screen… the fact that the device functions as a phone is sort of an added bonus. Here is the official stat sheet for the Dell Streak: 5-inch WVGA touchscreen (with Gorilla Glass), 800 x480 resolution, 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, HSPA 7.2 Mbps radio, 1530 mAh battery, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi b/g, 5 megapixel rear-facing camera, VGA front-facing camera, HMTS 2100/1900/850 MHz, GSM/EDGE 1900/1800/900/850 MHz, and Android 1.6.

The first thing you are going to notice about the Dell Streak is — obviously — its size. This puppy is wide, it actually makes the DROID X and EVO 4G feel puny. The good news is that the sheer size of the device is slightly masked by how thin it is. The device certainly will fit in your pocket (not if you wear tight fitting jeans), although you may not want to leave it there for fear of hearing: Is that a Dell Streak in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? We’re still getting acquainted with our Streak, so we’re not ready to pass judgment on its size quite yet.

On the right side of the device is (from bottom to top) a dedicated camera button, power button, volume up/down keys, and 3.5mm headphone jack. The top and bottom of the device are absent of keys or switches, and the right side has a proprietary Dell 30-pin dock connector that closely resembles Apple’s 30-pin connector.

The software on the device is actually quite nice, even though it is Android 1.6. Dell has done a great job tweaking Android for the device without completely molesting the interface. The icons are stock, notifications are stock, and aside from some modifications to built in apps — to optimize them for the 5-inch viewing palette — most of them are stock as well. Even seasoned Android veterans will get a kick out of how much information is displayed on the screen by default, after all… there is a lot of potential on a 5-inch screen. They keyboard is pretty easy to type on thanks to its size, the landscape version even includes a number pad!

The phone is made to be used in landscape mode, which is made clear by the fact that the soft-key icons are oriented toward the landscape view and the home screen does not rotate to portrait. Applications all rotate with the phone’s built in accelerometer just fine, but we have a feeling this landscape only home screen — a la Nokia N900 — will be a turn-off for some people.

Like we said, we’ve only had this monster for a short while, so we’re still in the discovery process. In the meantime we’ve got some additional images for you to analyze. Enjoy!

In a sort of puzzling YouTube post, Dell did a quick demo of the 5-inch Streak running Android 2.1 (Eclair). The handset, according to Dell, is supposed to get Android 2.2 sometime after launch so we are a bit confused as to why 2.1 is even on the table. We suppose it is a good sign that Dell’s Android team has 2.1 running on this beast, but seriously Dell… bring on Froyo! Also, the device will retail for $299 with a 2-year AT&T contract and $549 full retail. We’ve got the tripod-less video ready for you after the break.

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You can’t pre-order yourself a Dell Streak anymore, but that really doesn’t matter all that much. According to the company’s website, you can purchase your new Dell Streak — regular order style — beginning tomorrow. The Streak’s pre-order page has been updated, and now reads:

Our Dell Streak pre-sale sign-up opportunity is no longer available. Please visit www.dell.com/streak tomorrow to purchase your Dell Streak.

Anyone have plans to pick one up?

UPDATE: Our friends from Dell were kind enough to reach out and let us know that the Streak will in-fact not be released tomorrow. Apparently — according to Dell — the web team was testing “future” versions of the Streak webpage and several pages accidentally went live for about an hour (including the one pictured above saying you can purchase the device tomorrow). Dell still has not provided an official release date for the 5-inch handset… back to the waiting game!

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Anybody out there looking for an Android smartphone with a 5-inch screen? Dell has updated their official Streak webpage to let you know that the Android phone, with its massive screen, will be available in late July and that there are pre-order opportunities available. You can hit up the read link to give Dell your information for the chance to: have an exclusive 24 hour pre-sale purchase window, get a free upgrade to second business day shipping, and purchase a Plantronics Bluetooth headset for $0.99. Who’s getting one of these massive phones?

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Although Dell has never appeared that enthusiastic about Google’s Chrome OS, the Texas-based company does have plans for the Google netbook OS. Amit Midha, the head of Dell’s South Asian division, told Reuters on Monday that Dell is in fact working with Google on the OS which is set to begin rolling out this fall. Although Midha wouldn’t get much more specific than that, it certainly seems possible that we’ll see Dell be amongst the first companies to release hardware pre-loaded with Chrome. As Midha put it, when it comes to Chrome, Dell wants to be “one of the leaders.”

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What’s better than buying an HTC Aria from AT&T for $129.99? How about buying it from Dell for $0. Dell is offering the HTC Aria, on contract, for $0 and a free activation and free shipping. Sweet. If you’ve got a hankering for Android, and are an AT&T customer, hit up the read link and check out the deal for yourself.

Thanks, Michael F.!

UPDATE: The deal is only for customers opening a “new AT&T account.” Not nearly as attractive as we had originally thought.

UPDATE 2: After much speculation Dell’s PR team has let us know that, “the current pricing for the HTC Aria at Dell and Wirefly.com is free for new and existing AT&T customers.”

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We told those pesky grey marketers that they’d better get a move on if they were hoping to make a few quick bucks importing the Dell Streak into the U.S. Today at D8, Dell announced that it will be bringing its gargantuan 5″ Android smartphone/tablet to the U.S. on or around the end of July. At that time, $500 will get you unlocked Streak complete with a 5″ WVGA display, 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, 16GB of internal memory, 7.2Mbps HSDPA, and 1GHz Snapdragon processor and Android 2.1. It will be available directly from dell.com

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