Linux News: Mobile: Is Dell Building an Android PDA?

Description

Is Dell Building an Android PDA?

Dell is reportedly developing a pocket Internet device that runs on the Android operating system but has no phone capabilities. Such a device could score in cost and convenience categories, but questions remain about what kind of connectivity options it would provide. Is the PDA dead and gone, or will Dell and Android be able to breath new life into it?

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Here's one of the many questions facing device makers targeting the mini notebook and netbook markets: When business users or consumers want to access the Web on the go, will they be willing to set aside a smartphone or cellphone and instead log on using a next-generation PDA ?

Dell (Nasdaq: DELL) may be wagering the answer is yes. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday the company is developing an Android-based, non-phone device that will run on the ARM architecture instead of an Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) Atom mobile chip. The report was based on interviews with people familiar with the plans.

Dell declined to respond to inquiries on its plans to market such a device.

"Developers looking for a lower-cost solution will turn to ARM (Nasdaq: ARMHY) and Android. On the carrier side, they realize shipments are falling off," Richard Shin, analyst for IDC , told LinuxInsider.

Smartphone Alternative?

Little is known about Dell's reported plans for a new category of pocket-sized communication ...

Original URL

http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/Is-Dell-Building-an-Android-PDA-67473.html

http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/Is-Dell-Building-an-Android-PDA-67473.html