Dell is said to be working on a pocket-sized device that can browse the internet using Google Android software. It is rumored to be just slightly larger than the Apple iPod Touch. If this pushes through, it will be Dell’s first mobile internet device (MID).
There are still no concrete details with regards to the device but some sources say that Dell’s MID might be introduced to the market later this year.
Development of the device started when Dell scrapped their plan of making a music player that would compete against the Apple iPod.
Dell is said to offer the mobile internet device through cellular carriers, as in the case of their netbooks. Not too long ago, Dell was rumored to be working on an Android phone, but even their investors are not enthused with it. Their track record when it comes to devices other than PCs is not that impressive.
Speaking of smartphones, is it the right time to switch off the laptop and get a smartphone instead, such as a T-Mobile G1? Mobile phones these days can allow you to do tasks such as check your emails and browse the internet.
A Google Android phone has various apps that can help you do your job. It can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi network or through cellular data network. One such example is the Firethorn’s Mobile Banking app, which supports most of the major banks like Citibank and Chase. If you need to edit some Word or Excel files then you can use the DataViz Documents to Go. The downside of this app is that you can only view PDF and PowerPoint files with it. DataViz does promise that future updates will allow you to edit these files.
Other disadvantage that mobile internet devices have, compared to a laptops, is that the screen is quite small. You can strain your eyes with prolonged use of such devices. If you need to send an email or surf the internet to kill some time, then you can use a smartphone. But if you need to do some real work, it is still recommended to use a laptop.
Dell’s plan of making a mobile internet device might stir some hype from techies but it is neither a mobile phone, nor a laptop. It sits in the middle of the gap. Practical consumers might want to go for a netbook if they’re on the market for a highly internet device which they can still get some work done on.
