NEWS: Dell’s Streak to Hit the Market — Is It an iPad Challenger?
After release date delays, Dell’s Streak is finally ready to hit the market.
The smartphone-tablet hybrid will be available to customers who pre-ordered on Thursday, with general online availability on Friday.
The Streak is Dell’s first entry into the smartphone/tablet market and is the first contender to directly attempt to compete with Apple’s iPad.
Smaller in size than the iPad, but bigger than a traditional smartphone, the Streak is considered something of a hybrid device. It features a 5 inch touch screen, WI-FI capability, 3G connectivity, the capability to make phone calls, and Google’s Android OS.
Like the iPhone and iPad, the Streak will be supported by AT&T and retail for $299 with a new two year contract or $549 without a contract.
Many users had hoped that Dell would not follow in Apple’s AT&T footsteps and might make the Streak available on another network such as T-Mobile. That, combined with the high price point and release delays, has put the Streak in a tough spot even before its release.
The Streak may not be helped by its unique position in the market either. Despite technically being a tablet, it’s only about half the size of the iPad. There is concern that smartphone users may find it too large, while those who would prefer to use a table might not think it’s big enough.
With data usage over AT&T’s network already at a premium, adding on a data heavy device such as the Streak could overtax the system. Many iPhone and iPad users have complained over the speed and reliability of the network, which could impact the Streak as well.
Still, the Streak could be positioned to make headway in a market that is set to become much more competitive in the coming months. Microsoft and HP are among those set to release tablet style devices in the coming months, featuring versions of Windows and WebOS. The Streak runs the increasingly more popular Android OS, and its status as a hybrid doesn’t put it in direct competition with other tablets.
Dell’s gamble could pay off, if there’s a large enough customer base looking for something between a smartphone and a tablet. If the Streak can overcome its early bumps in the road, Dell may have found itself a niche in its first foray into the smartphone/tablet market.
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