Dell will reportedly launch a handset in China called the Mini3i that will offer a full complement of music, games and other downloadable content
NEW YORK, USA: Dell Inc is developing mobile devices for China Mobile Ltd, according to spokesmen for the computer maker, which has long been rumored to have ambitions in the smartphone market.
According to reports, Dell will launch a handset in China called the Mini3i that will offer a full complement of music, games and other downloadable content.
Dell said only that it is developing mobile products for China Mobile's network, but declined comment on the type of devices or the timing.
Spokesman Matthew Parretta said Dell did show off a proof-of-concept mobile device prototype at a Monday event for China Mobile's applications store.
Rumors have been circulating for months that Dell planned to launch a smartphone, as global sales of the devices continue to sizzle. The smartphone market grew 27 percent in the second quarter, according to research house Gartner.
Dell, the world's No. 2 maker of PCs, would be just the latest computer maker to embrace smartphones, which tend to carry higher margins than PCs.
Taiwanese rivals Acer Inc and ASUSTeK Computer Inc are also entering the market, which is dominated at the high end by Apple Inc's iPhone and the BlackBerry from Research in Motion Ltd.
CL King analyst Lawrence Harris said the Dell smartphone is reported to be a 2G device that runs on Google's Android platform. He said a 2G smartphone can work in China, where a 3G network is still being rolled out.
"It makes sense for a company like Dell to enter the smartphone market, but what they need to do is find something that sets themselves apart."
Showing posts with label Dell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dell. Show all posts
Dell Offers Bright-Hued Netbook Geared for the Crayon Set
Dell has launched the Latitude 2100, a netbook designed for the classroom with both students' and teachers' needs in mind. It comes with a germ-killing keyboard, a case that can take some rough handling, and a signal light that lets the teacher see when a student is online.
Dell's (Nasdaq: DELL) new education-themed netbook may look like it's aimed at kids, but it's really educators the Texas-based computer manufacturer is hoping to lure with the Latitude 2100.
The 10.1-inch netbook is designed specifically for school environments, with rubbery non-slip surfaces, an optional antimicrobial keyboard and a telltale network activity light along the top edge of the clamshell to alert teachers when little minds might be straying from their studies. It also lacks vents on the computer's bottom, a design feature meant to keep spilled liquids out of the case.
The computer can come with a touchscreen, which the company said is a first for an education netbook.
Classroom Visits Shaped the Feature Set :
Dell engineers began designing the machine after classroom visits showed technology wasn't making significant inroads into the classroom experience, Dell education strategist Mark Weston told TechNewsWorld on Tuesday, the day the netbook was launched.
Most schools Atlanta-based Weston visited still have just a handful of computers in the back of the classroom, he said.
"We have a connected generation that has to disconnect when they come to the classroom," he remarked.
Barriers to Adoption :
Weston and other Dell researchers asked why and found that concerns over cost, complexity and the ability of students to successfully use computers in the classroom slowed adoption.
"So, we went to the drawing board, and the product we released today is a direct response to what we heard from our customers," Weston said.
The netbook is powered by an Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) Atom processor; it comes either with a solid state drive or a traditional hard drive, and a card reader. An optional webcam is available. It ships with Windows XP Home, Vista Home Basic or Ubuntu Linux.
Dell also plans to sell a "mobile computing station," essentially a rolling storage and charging cart that can hold up to 24 laptops. IT administrators can manage stored netbooks by connecting them through the cart's Ethernet cable, according to Dell.
Colorful for a Reason :
One of the most obvious school-themed features of the netbook is color. It comes in Chalkboard Black, School Bus Gold, Schoolhouse Red, Blue Ribbon and Ballfield Green.
Teachers specifically asked for colorful options to help distinguish their classes' netbooks from those in other classrooms, Weston said.
Interestingly, Lenovo's education netbook comes in just one color -- neutral gray -- because teachers didn't want kids to tussle over favored colors, according to Maria Katime, a spokesperson for Lenovo.
Other Options :
Schools can equip the computers with quick-connect handles and shoulder straps.
The desktop experience on the computers is fairly standard, Weston said, adding that he's not sure which OS schools would prefer.
However, it is clear that netbook purchasers view price more consciously than other computer users, he noted.
Some school districts may choose to mesh the netbooks with a local cloud-computing service, storing apps on the network to keep hardware problems to a minimum, Weston suggested.
Dell has a partnership with Stoneware, a cloud-computing service provider.
The Latitude 2100 sells for US$369 and up.
Dell Unveils World's Thinnest Laptop
Dell unveiled its "luxury" Adamo laptop on Tuesday, calling it the world's thinnest notebook as it seeks to compete in the high-end ultraportable market defined by Apple Inc's MacBook Air.
The sleek, aluminum-encased notebook is 0.65-inches thick and comes with a 13.4-inch screen and a 128-gigabyte solid-state drive. Shipping begins on Tuesday.
Starting at $1,999, the Adamo is positioned as Dell's new high-end brand. Another configuration will sell for $2,699. The device comes packed in a clear case along with an optional branded sleeve or tote bag from designer luggage and handbag label Tumi. The Adamo is meant "to make a design statement, to surprise people that this is a Dell," said marketing executive John New. "This is for the customer that has that discerning taste, and is willing to pay a little more for that." Dell has been working to generate buzz for Adamo, Latin for "to fall in love with."
Word of the PC began to leak late last year, and the company hosted an event in January in Las Vegas where it provided a fleeting glimpse of the laptop as it was held aloft by a model. Apple helped launch the so-called ultraportable category last year with MacBook Air which, at 0.76 inches, previously laid claim to the title of world's thinnest. The Adamo at 4 pounds is heavier than the Air, which weighs 3 pounds and is priced from $1,799. Most PC makers, including Lenovo Group, Hewlett Packard Co and Sony Corp also sell ultraportables.
Dell has been trying to reinvigorate its consumer brand amid efforts to diversify its revenue base. Business customers make up around 80 percent of Dell's revenue, while PCs account for roughly 60 percent. Last week, Dell launched the $799 Studio One 19, a touchscreen all-in-one PC meant for family use in the kitchen or the living room. The Studio One 19 will be available first in Japan and then in other countries later in the spring.
The sleek, aluminum-encased notebook is 0.65-inches thick and comes with a 13.4-inch screen and a 128-gigabyte solid-state drive. Shipping begins on Tuesday.
Starting at $1,999, the Adamo is positioned as Dell's new high-end brand. Another configuration will sell for $2,699. The device comes packed in a clear case along with an optional branded sleeve or tote bag from designer luggage and handbag label Tumi. The Adamo is meant "to make a design statement, to surprise people that this is a Dell," said marketing executive John New. "This is for the customer that has that discerning taste, and is willing to pay a little more for that." Dell has been working to generate buzz for Adamo, Latin for "to fall in love with."
Word of the PC began to leak late last year, and the company hosted an event in January in Las Vegas where it provided a fleeting glimpse of the laptop as it was held aloft by a model. Apple helped launch the so-called ultraportable category last year with MacBook Air which, at 0.76 inches, previously laid claim to the title of world's thinnest. The Adamo at 4 pounds is heavier than the Air, which weighs 3 pounds and is priced from $1,799. Most PC makers, including Lenovo Group, Hewlett Packard Co and Sony Corp also sell ultraportables.
Dell has been trying to reinvigorate its consumer brand amid efforts to diversify its revenue base. Business customers make up around 80 percent of Dell's revenue, while PCs account for roughly 60 percent. Last week, Dell launched the $799 Studio One 19, a touchscreen all-in-one PC meant for family use in the kitchen or the living room. The Studio One 19 will be available first in Japan and then in other countries later in the spring.
Dell Launches Inspiron Mini 12 in India
Dell has introduced the Inspiron Mini 12 netbook in India.
The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 will be available through select Croma Stores in India before the end of January fo Rs. 31,000 .
"The Mini 12 is designed specifically for mobile, hi-def lifestyles" said Girish Mehta, Director of Consumer Marketing, Dell India. "With its slim lightweight design and 12" widescreen display, the Mini 12 is the ideal on-the-go Internet companion for today’s mobile generation".
With a starting weight of 1.24kg and only 0.92 inches thick, current standard features on the Inspiron Mini 12 include Windows XP Home, built-in webcam, 1GB of RAM and 80 GB hard drive. It also features built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b/g wireless and a 12.1-inch WXGA display.
