Dell's 5-inch Android tablet ready in UK

Dell today finally pledged itself to a launch for the Streak. The 5-inch Android device (sometimes known as the Mini 5) should now reach the UK first and will ship as a carrier-backed device first: it will be available initially through O2 and Carphone Warehouse to use its built-in 3G. Dell UK will carry it later that same month; the US is downplayed in the launch and won't get the device until later this summer.

All countries get the same design, which has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and a multi-touch, 800x480 display that Dell believes is large enough to show many sites at full size. It runs a custom version of Google's mobile OS optimized for the larger screen size and supports modern Android features like voice commands and Google Maps Navigation. Only 2GB of storage is built-in, but Dell hopes to compete on sheer features with a microSDHC card slot, a 5-megapixel rear camera with flash, and a front VGA (0.3-megapixel) camera for video chats or live streaming.

The Streak is Dell's first entry into the tablet space and is due to be part of a larger family that the company hopes to use against both the iPad and iPod touch. A 7-inch tablet so far nicknamed the Looking Glass is due in the fall and could be accompanied by a 10-inch model early next year.

By Electronista Staff