Dell enters the smartphone market

Computer company Dell is attempting to enter the smartphone market with a new device that could hit the streets as early as this month, according to media reports. On 30 January the Wall Street Journal reported Dell engineers have been tinkering on the device for just over a year, and have even built prototypes on Google’s Android software. The report states the model may include a touch screen with no physical keyboard, while another may include a sliding keypad.

But some are questioning the move.

John Spooner, analyst for Technology Business Research, told informationweek.com that any Dell phone would have to be “really, really good”.

“If they want to compete with the iPhone versus other Windows mobile phones, which is less lofty of a goal, then they’re going to have to make it really simple and easy to use; and that’s a real challenge.”

Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney also told informationweek.com that “it would be one of the riskiest moves Dell has ever made,” as it would be entering a market dominated by companies such as Apple and Research In Motion.

“If they don’t have something that’s spectacular, than it’s going to be a problem.”