Is Dell readying a new mobile device?
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Dec 10th 2007 9:44AM
posted Dec 10th 2007 9:44AM
There appears to be some speculation floating around that Dell is about to cannonball itself into the mobile pool, big time. According to whispered rumors from dark hallways (AKA Forbes), the company is putting together a smartphone / multimedia device which might be rearing its head sometime early in 2008. The device -- being developed with the help of Taiwanese company Quanta -- will sport video and audio playback, as well as internet functionality. The rumors are strengthened by the company's addition of former Motorola cell phone executive vice president Ron Garriques, and with the dropping of its PDA and DAP products, there's certainly a gaping void left open for a new device. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that Dell's recent acquisition of Zing and trademarking of the "Zingspot" moniker suggests the company is getting into content distribution -- perfect for a shiny new convergence device. Only time will tell if the PC powerhouse can get into the very-crowded smartphone game, too.[Via InformationWeek]
Not crowded enough, in my opinion. And if they "bring it" with Windows Mobile, even less so.
Confirmed! Found out a few weeks ago a neighbor of a friend of mine is one of the heads of this new project in Austin. Dell has set up a whole new division for this.
C'mon, man. "A neighbor of a friend of mine?"
I know... I know... it sounds suspect, but I'm serious. I'm actually going back over Sunday and I've asked my friend to try and dig up some details from him. I actually live down the road from Dell and worked there a few years back, as did most everybody around here.
I hope they make one that looks like the brilliant AXIM (with its big VGA touchscreen) only with a sliding QWERTY keypad.
DELL, do a qwerty. Do a qwerty.