Introducing the Dell Mini 3
Cell Phones December 11th, 2009
Dell is back in the mobile gadget industry. Long after their last Pocket PC, Dell has come back with a more updated device; a smart phone. After all, it was smart phone technology that eventually made the Pocket PC obsolete. The company is definitely moving in a different direction now.
Unlike Dell’s other products, the 3 in this smart phone does not refer to the screen size (like the Dell Mini 10); the Mini 3 has a 3.5 inch screen instead of 3. But the name is not the only standard convention that no longer applies to this device, even its market placement and the sales strategy applied for this phone is unique when it comes to Dell products.
Instead of seeing a UK and US release, this smart phone will first land in China and later, a revised 3G model in Brazil. China Mobile is currently the world’s largest mobile phone carrier with millions of users and the Dell Mini 3 will be released in China under this same carrier. Since China has yet to have an established 3G network, the China version of the Mini will be without 3G capabilities.
The OPhone
Another unique trait with the China version of the Mini 3 is that this version will not be using the original Google Android OS; instead, the phone will be using a modified version of the Android. This China-revision is called the OPhone and while it is based on the Google OS, it visually resembles the iPhone OS more. This graphical shift also gives the OS a better interface that is suited for applications. With the OPhone mostly relying on applications to extend its functionality (and access to China Mobile’s own version of the app store), the China Mini 3 is best suited for general use and entertainment. It lacks 3G so the networking capabilities are a little limited.
Outside China
This phone has yet to see a release outside of China, but Dell has confirmed that the first country it will land in is Brazil.
The mobile phone will be launched by Claro –another large scale mobile phone carrier with at least 4.2 million subscribers; Claro is also under American Movil. The pattern of Dell’s strategy with this new phone seems to be making success not through the sheer amount of sales instead of boosting market hype with high end specs. Only time will tell if the idea will pay off, so far, Dell’s marketing department seems to have lot of faith in the idea.
Since Brazil has 3G (thanks to Claro), the version of the Dell Mini 3 to be launched in Brazil will have 3G capabilities. Also different is the operating system. Instead of the China OPhone, this Claro-released device will be using an Android OS; though no details if the Android will be skinned by Dell and regarding what version of the Google OS will be used.
The rest of the world will have to wait if Dell will actually bring the phone to other countries, though they might release a completely different device. They already have 3G net books out and it is quite possible that the rumors about a Dell smart phone for the US and the UK last October may be referring to a different device.
By: Simon Drew
About the Author:
Unlike Dell’s other products, the 3 in this smart phone does not refer to the screen size (like the Dell Mini 10); the Mini 3 has a 3.5 inch screen instead of 3. But the name is not the only standard convention that no longer applies to this device, even its market placement and the sales strategy applied for this phone is unique when it comes to Dell products.
Instead of seeing a UK and US release, this smart phone will first land in China and later, a revised 3G model in Brazil. China Mobile is currently the world’s largest mobile phone carrier with millions of users and the Dell Mini 3 will be released in China under this same carrier. Since China has yet to have an established 3G network, the China version of the Mini will be without 3G capabilities.
The OPhone
Another unique trait with the China version of the Mini 3 is that this version will not be using the original Google Android OS; instead, the phone will be using a modified version of the Android. This China-revision is called the OPhone and while it is based on the Google OS, it visually resembles the iPhone OS more. This graphical shift also gives the OS a better interface that is suited for applications. With the OPhone mostly relying on applications to extend its functionality (and access to China Mobile’s own version of the app store), the China Mini 3 is best suited for general use and entertainment. It lacks 3G so the networking capabilities are a little limited.
Outside China
This phone has yet to see a release outside of China, but Dell has confirmed that the first country it will land in is Brazil.
The mobile phone will be launched by Claro –another large scale mobile phone carrier with at least 4.2 million subscribers; Claro is also under American Movil. The pattern of Dell’s strategy with this new phone seems to be making success not through the sheer amount of sales instead of boosting market hype with high end specs. Only time will tell if the idea will pay off, so far, Dell’s marketing department seems to have lot of faith in the idea.
Since Brazil has 3G (thanks to Claro), the version of the Dell Mini 3 to be launched in Brazil will have 3G capabilities. Also different is the operating system. Instead of the China OPhone, this Claro-released device will be using an Android OS; though no details if the Android will be skinned by Dell and regarding what version of the Google OS will be used.
The rest of the world will have to wait if Dell will actually bring the phone to other countries, though they might release a completely different device. They already have 3G net books out and it is quite possible that the rumors about a Dell smart phone for the US and the UK last October may be referring to a different device.
By: Simon Drew
About the Author:
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