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Dell Streak: Will it sell?

By | August 11, 2010, 7:36am PDT

Dell has delivered some key pricing details about its Android-powered Streak device, which appears to be a tweener between a smartphone and a tablet.

According to Dell:

  • The Streak will run you $299.99 with a 2-year AT&T contract and $549.99 without.
  • People that registered for a pre-sale can get the Streak on Thursday.
  • The general public gets the Streak on Friday.
  • The device ships with Android 1.6 and will get an over-the-air upgrade to Android 2.2 later this year.

The big question: You buying?

Poll

Will you buy a Streak?

I have my concerns about a 5-inch tablet. After all, you could get a Droid X with a 4.3-inch screen and the latest Android for $199.99 after rebates on Verizon. If you want a semi-big screen Android device the Droid X could trump the Streak. TechRepublic’s Bill Detwiler pegged the problem early on: The Streak is too much like a smartphone and not enough like a tablet. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes adds that the Streak is a device without a defined audience.

The Streak…

the Droid X…

Meanwhile, John Gruber notes that a new iPod touch is on deck. Dell’s Streak will compete with the tablet and smartphone categories because of its screen size.

There may be some initial demand for the Streak, but the real tell will be the sales after a few weeks and months. I have a hard time seeing the Streak hold sales momentum.

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Topics

Dell Computer Corp., Smart Phone, Streak, Tablets, Sales Strategy, Notebooks, Smart Phones, Cellular Phones, Sales Force Management, Handhelds, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Sales, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and SmartPlanet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic.

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Larry Dignan

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Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and SmartPlanet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic. He was most recently Executive Editor of News and Blogs at ZDNet. Prior to that he was executive news editor at eWeek and news editor at Baseline. He also served as the East Coast news editor and finance editor at CNET News.com. Larry has covered the technology and financial services industry since 1995, publishing articles in WallStreetWeek.com, Inter@ctive Week, The New York Times, and Financial Planning magazine. He's a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism and the University of Delaware.

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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
tomlin21-24319035676893835085146735905770 11th Oct
Enlightening guide, it chestnut ugg can be. It'll be regularly awesome to arrive across a piece of writing which may be effective.
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I think the Streak ...
P. Douglas Updated - 11th Aug 2010
... is an oversized smartphone and an undersized tablet. Besides, it does not pass the 'cool girl giggle test': i.e. would e.g. a college girl and her friends giggle at you, when they see you hold that oversized phone to your head?
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I certainly would not buy it... it's an in-betweener
Zoli Erdos 11th Aug 2010
The EVO and Droid X are already stretching the limit of what's pocketable ... then for more reading convenience we have the iPad. From the iPad I'd rather step up in screen size than down. I don't see much use for an in-betweener.
http://www.cloudave.com/link/will-the-dell-streak-flop-in-search-of-the-sweet-spot
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Streak:DOA
Dr. Figgnuttan 11th Aug 2010
Let's see, 1% to R&D. Worst CEO. Copy apple. Maby all the people who insist Dull is a good machine will buy it? Who really cares on this one? I have wasted a whole 4 minutes of my life typing this....on DULL no more opinions on worthlessness.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
rhonin 11th Aug 2010
@Dr. Figgnuttan
now if they gave it 2.2 and relabeled as AlienWare would you consider it?
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
pub007 13th Aug 2010
@Dr. Figgnuttan

"Copy apple"

You are, of course, joking.
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Non starter
wkulecz 11th Aug 2010
Without Android 2.2 at launch is DOA.

Android 2.2 blows away 2.1 and 1.6 is forget-about-it!
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
@WoodyCollins 11th Aug 2010
@wkulecz Agree!
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It first needs to be defined (understood)...
dave95. Updated - 11th Aug 2010
What is it? Is it a tablet or is it a smart phone? or both? Looks like it's straddling the line of both tablet and phone, which will easily confused consumers (DOA).

Lets call it like it is: The Dell Streak is a result of Android not quite being fully ready for tablets (maybe 3.0). Google still limits Android Market access to devices that meet certain hardware requirements (mostly Android Phones). So to take advantage of the all important Android Marketplace and compete with the iPad, we have this strange in-between Streak device.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrlinux 11th Aug 2010
@dave95. Well let's look a littler closer the Streak is not even 2.X yet. The price is outrageous, this thing will die like the Kin because of the cost and nothing else. I would not pay 300 dollars for this device with 2yr contract even if it were on my favorite carrier.
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Very true
dave95. Updated - 11th Aug 2010
@mrlinux

I was just stating the reason I feel the Streak was born. It's not because Dell researched and found a need for such an in-between device, but they had no choice if they wanted to meet Google's early hw requirements to get official App support. My guess anyway.

It's priced much higher than other well known Android smart phones. Higher than the iPhone. Who would buy this as their primary phone, with 2 year contract? If you purchase it without a contract, it stilll can't compare to the iPad as a tablet. 1.6 OS. The screen is stuck in landscape mode, while many current Android Apps are portrait. So you will be contantly rotating. It would make for a nice browser but not at $500 +
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Will it sell?
davebarnes 11th Aug 2010
No.
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No, it has already been surpased
pmcgrath@... 11th Aug 2010
Well, as much as I like Dell, I don?t see this going anywhere. Maybe it made sense during the planning stage when the alternative was just the smallish iPhone, but it should have been killed as soon as the 4.3 inch phones showed up. While a different device than the iPad, which I consider a coffee table device, it?s just not big enough to differentiate itself from the bigger phones. It?s also too expensive. $199 WIFI only and I think they would move some units but not at $550. And what?s up with the AT&T deal? That right there is enough to kill anything not coming from Apple
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@pmcgrath@... I agree about the AT&T issues, but disagree about the difference between either a 4" or 4.3" phone and the 5" Streak. Many, many users who have used both agree that the 5" screen size is the absolute minimum to have a great web browsing experience without having to constantly pinch/zoom. That's huge. They also say it's much easier to do email, better at playing games, and easier to read GPS navigation maps. That 1" or .7" difference is huge, huge, huge!
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It won't sell
geolemon 11th Aug 2010
It's oversized as a phone, and undersized as a tablet.
Maybe this won't be true for women with purses, but this will universally be true for men with pants pockets!

I think anyone handling a Droid X will already say "Wow! this is huge! I'd really have to think about this, that screen is nice, but that really pushes the limit... may be a little too far..."

And since the Streak is even LARGER... not good for pocketability, in very practical terms.

Maybe sight-unseen customers won't realize this?
And since Droid X isn't available on AT&T... AT&T customers may feel locked in?

IMO, a 4" Streak would be ideal. They've missed the mark in both directions with the 3" and 5" versions being available.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@geolemon A 4" screen is still not big enough for great web browsing. You still can't read a whole page and therefore have to pinch/zoom. Dell has explained their reasoning for the 5"size. It's based on tons of user experience testing with browsing and such.

Many people are shocked that you don't have to pinch/zoom on the Streak to view web pages in their entirety. Even Mossberg, the Apple fanboi from the WSJ, was surprised that he could read a full size web page on the Streak without pinch/zooming.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
rdupuy11 11th Aug 2010
5" phone is great to me, I want a phone/tablet. I don't want to carry both, and you have to angle towards the small end of the tablet range to make it truly portable...what you don't have to do is have android 1.6 and a low rez screen. They just missed the mark on that, but otherwise, it was a great idea.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@rdupuy11 I agree with the software issue, but that can always be upgraded so going forward that's not a problem. You can actually upgrade to 2.1 already.

I disagree with the screen resolution issue. Why do you consider it low rez? In comparison to what? For it's size, the resolution is more than fine. I don't hear people complaining about the low res on the iPad, and yet, it has a lower PPI than the Streak. iPad=132, Streak=187.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
neilpost 11th Aug 2010
I think it will join Dell'x Axim range, in the junk pile very quickly. Unfortunately the Axim was best of breed, the Streak is not.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
ctleng76 11th Aug 2010
Why would I pay $299.99 for any smartphone? To add to that it is way too big to be considered a practical phone.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@ctleng76 It's a tablet first, phone second. Nonetheless, I still plan on using it as my only phone because I plan on carrying it wherever I go. However, I wish it was $100 less, or sold completely unlocked.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
sloanster Updated - 11th Aug 2010
add in Att bloatware and restricting all the great features... It will make a great paper weight...give me a rd one...heh, heh
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@sloanster Surprisingly, no bloatware on US Streak or restrictions.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrlinux 11th Aug 2010
Maybe it will sell to the 6'8" crowd (Big hands)
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Will it sell? Not at those prices!
padapa 11th Aug 2010
$550 w/o a contract? You have to be kidding ... iPad at $499 (WiFi only) vs a Streak at $550 ... hummmmm NO!

The one with a contract stands a chance ... a SMALL one!

It needs to be $349 w/o a contract and $199 with a contract.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
Nsaf 11th Aug 2010
@padapa I agree...maybe even $149 with a contract.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman Updated - 26th Aug 2010
@padapa I agree it should be less, but don't compare it to the cheapest iPad. That's not a valid comparison based on specs. A more appropriate comparison is to the 16gb 3G iPad which is $629 and you can't upgrade the storage capacity, it has no cameras, and isn't a phone.
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Dell Streak, Will it sell?
Nsaf 11th Aug 2010
I signed up to pre-order on July 28th, but when they fumbled with the release date, I got myself a Samsung Vibrant at the regular price and I am quite happy that I did. I think that 4" is just the right size for a smart phone. $549 on ATT is just way too expensive with all their restrictions and the device is running 1.6..Can't wait that long for an update.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@Nsaf 4" is too small. Too much pinching and zooming required to view web pages, navigation, email, e-book reading. You've short changed yourself because of your impatience.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
tlwisner@... 11th Aug 2010
AT&T. Oops. Android 1.6. Oops. I guess I will order my Droid 2 today.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
prof.ebral 11th Aug 2010
No one wants this. I am big fan of DELL, but I don't see this finding a landing pad in the consumer market. It's sad because they attached themselves to AT&T instead of just creating a WiFi based device that works with Skype. It's too damn big to be a phone.

Dell needs to put money into R&D. They have Idea Storm, this was not an idea I saw on Idea Storm. I am not sure where this came from, but I am disappointed. sad

I personally do not see where this devices excels in anything. It's just a weird amalgamation of phone / tablet.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@prof.ebral 5" is the perfect size for a all-in-one go everywhere MID. Size is relative. Who would have thought that we would have 3.5"-4.3" screen cell phones today just 5 years ago. Palm and then Apple changed all that with their 3" Treo and 3.5" iPhone respectively.
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Giant Cell Phone To The Head
cyberslammer 11th Aug 2010
Hello? 1985 anyone?
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Not at all
Gizmotiff 11th Aug 2010
Why would someone want such a big phone? Or such a small tablet?
The good thing about it is that it is two in one which will run with some ppl. For some of us, iPad works the best as a neat cool device to carry around. Plus this thing ia not appealing (looks wise) anyway.

GIZMOTIFF
www.gizmotiff.com
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@Gizmotiff Most people I know with an iPad "carry" it mostly around the house. What good is that? If that's the case, just get a netbook which is much more useful since it's s full fledge computer.

The Streak is one of the best looking devices around. I'ts as thin as an iPhone 4 and sleek black. Better looking than the first iPhone.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
Gizmotiff 27th Aug 2010
@mrxxxman The point is that the Streak is too cumbersome (big and small) to be a phone and a tablet. I want to use a phone which I carry around in my pocket (for streak I think I would need a huge pocket) and a tablet sleek enough to be carried wherever, be it around the house or while traveling and at the same time easy to work on (Size of streak does not help there too).

I am not against the idea of combining the two with a good form factor. It's just the size that doesn't work! It is not practical enough.
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I have to agree with others here. It's DOA.
bhartman36 11th Aug 2010
If the iPad is an overgrown iPhone, the Streak is the big brother to an Android phone -- and that's not necessarily a good thing. There's nothing wrong with Android, but this "tablet" is like an awkwardly-tall middle school student: Too big to be cute, but too small to be considered grown-up.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@bhartman36 It's ultimately portable and does everything you need ergo the form factor. Contrary to Apple mantra and brainwashing, there is no need for carrying around two devices with two data plans. Just use the Streak with one data plan and you're set to be completely connected 24/7 if that's what you want or need.
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Early adopter sales, but not long-term
common sense 11th Aug 2010
I was considering it: need a GSM phone for Europe travel and the Droid "Pro" has no possible delivery date yet, but I would need to wear a ScottEvest to carry it around, and the 1.6 is another showstopper. (The big screen could replace a GPS in the car.) If Dell offers it on the EPP for a nice discount I might do it anyway, or just go for a Samsung Captivate. The Droid X is still small enough to pocket, but CDMA is deal-killer for Europe even though it makes my frequent Japan trips easy.

Despite the poking & jokes, ATT has been no worse the my wife's Verizon service--it's Verizon's CEO who suggested that his custoemrs shouldn't have expectations like being to actually USE their phone in their own house.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@common sense Those are nice vests. wink The 1.6 software is a Red Herring because it can be updated. Actually, you can already update it, unofficially, to 2.1. Many users have already done it and are even happier with the Streak. It's improved a number of things including overall performance. It's great for GPS in the car (there is a kit) and for walking around if you are unfamiliar with city area. Much better for gaming, e-book reading and web browsing than Droid X or Evo 4G.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
glopez123 11th Aug 2010
What is this ? is dead before birth with Android 1.6.

Sound to me just like HP/Compaq did with the iPAQ years ago, promises of Windows Mobile updates that never came.

What a shame?
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
tproveau 11th Aug 2010
Too pricey for the size. So is the iPhone 4 for that matter.
It's basically an iPod touch type of device with 3G I guess? If android matures quickly and there is a larger one that competes with the iPad then I might buy one. I have the iPad 16 gig wifi and I use it a lot. It is my newest computing device and I use it a lot more than my pc since I
Bought it. I am an avid PC builder/repairer since 1995 and like my computers but the convinience of the iPad and the screen quality and apps available have made it a very very slick device. I do hope someone comes out with a good android tablet as well, but it sure is slow coming.
The streak will probably be short lived like it's name.
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yes if . . .
hansonjb 11th Aug 2010
--it fits in my pocket and is easier to type on than the droid x.
--it gets 2.2
--i can see it, hold it, test it in my hands. if i have to order it off a web page, forget it.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@hansonjb Agreed. Leaning very heavily toward the Streak, but I want to hold it and see how it feels see the screen myself. Compare it to bigger phones and see the difference. I have rarely, if ever, bought a device this expensive without first seeing it in person.
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The Streak is too much like a smartphone and not enough like a tablet.
krismartin56 11th Aug 2010
"The Streak is too much like a smartphone and not enough like a tablet. "

That statement says it all.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@krismartin56 How so? What makes a device a tablet? Is is just the size? The definition of tablet is in flux for now especially with the introduction of the Streak.
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i got the non-phone version of that
KBot 11th Aug 2010
its called an Archos. The thing's ginormous. At some point you have to choose between phone functionality and screen size. It seems like the world went from huge phones to tiny phones to huge phones again.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@KBot That's true but the size differences have happened for very different reasons. The phones were big first because of the tech. As the tech components shrank so did the phones. With the advent of the Treo and then the iPhone, they started getting bigger again because they were no longer just being used as phones, but as multimedia/data devices. The era of tiny phones are gone forever. Now it's an issue of how big they will get. I predict 5" or 5.5" screens will be the max size for all-in-one MIDs. We won't even be calling them phones anymore in 5 years.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
Masari.Jones 11th Aug 2010
$549 without a contract? I rather buy an iPad.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
mrxxxman 26th Aug 2010
@Masari.Jones and you'll have to get or have a phone too. How much more expensive will that be? And you can't upgrade the storage capacity either, no camera, no GPS unless you get the more expensive 3G iPad. Not the smart thing to do.
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
paul2011 11th Aug 2010
Looks like this device is DOA. It is too expensive and with old android. Streak should be priced 299 or less without contract and Android 2.2 should be on it.
Haven't they learned anything from MS KIN fiasco?
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RE: Dell Streak: Will it sell?
tomlin21-24319035676893835085146735905770 11th Oct
Enlightening guide, it chestnut ugg can be. It'll be regularly awesome to arrive across a piece of writing which may be effective.

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