Dell Tablet to Launch Next Year?

Dell could soon launch a five inch tablet running the Google’s Android OS, according to industry sources.

A definite announcement is likely to come at the Consumer Electronics Show 2010, in Las Vegas from 7-10 January.

The touchscreen device would fit into the new smartbook category; larger than a smartphone without the phone, but with its long battery life and all the internet capabilities of a netbook.

The Wall Street Journal reported on 30 June 2009 that Dell was going to produce a mobile internet device (MID), quoting “people familiar with the company’s plans”.

This prompted feverish speculation that Dell was on the verge of releasing a competitor to Apple’s iPod touch, but so far it has not materialised.

A prototype called the Dell Streak MID was reported in October this year, it had a 5mp camera, touchscreen keyboard, WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G WWAN connectivity.

The new rumoured tablet could be a production version of the Streak.

The upcoming CES and even more fevered speculation that the Apple tablet will debut at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2010,makes this latest flurry of rumours far more convincing.

Dell have not commented on the rumours, so consumers will have to wait until the New Year for more news.

Tomas Mowlam

—–

Image Credit: Mzio