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Rumors of Google and Dell iPhone Rival

An anonymous reader writes "Speculation is mounting that Google is plotting the launch of a mobile phone in partnership with computer giant Dell. Senior industry sources claim the two companies will reveal their plans at next month's 3GSM telecoms conference in Barcelona, although Google insiders deny an announcement is due in the near future."

6 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Because the DJ was such a success... by Overzeetop · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...and the Axim is the top currently selling pda from Dell.

    Half baked and abandoned hardware - yeah, that's what I really want in a device.

    Sorry, but there has got to be a better hardware vendor to choose than Dell for such a venture. Dell consumer is about high turnover and commodity parts that can be changed with the wind when prices fluctuate - not what I want in a phone builder. Doesn't Nokia or Moto want a piece of this kind of action?

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    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  2. Re:Hmm by Aphrika · · Score: 5, Informative

    You might want to sit back and have a look at this

    Yup, Dell hardware powers Google's search appliances (a PowerEdge 2950 to be exact wit ha funky yellow bezel), Google software comes on all Dells. While that's not big deal, there's even a Dell/Google Portal. Basically, they already have a partnership.

    Given that the last sentence of the linked story is incorrect - Dell currently does not manufacture its own range of handhelds - there's a good chance that there may be some flames accompanying this smoke, for the simple reason that Google aren't a hardware company. They play the tech market more like MS in that they supply software and services, but partner to build devices.

  3. Thing's that you're l'ble to read in the bible... by Simon+Brooke · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Ain't necessarily so.

    Specifically, Google has put a lot of weight behind Android. If Google sells an 'own brand' phone - even if it's a Google/Dell own brand phone - then that kills all other Android phones stone dead, because none of the other serious mobile phone vendors will want to be using a competitor's OS. So Google, who aren't stupid, are not going to do this.

    This rumour is one of two things:

    • Dell are bringing out an Android phone.
    • Someone is maliciously starting a rumour in an attempt to damage Android
    • And an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.
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    I'm old enough to remember when discussions on Slashdot were well informed.
  4. whatcouldpossiblygowrong? not much. by algae · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Seriously people, this tag is getting massively overused. Dell making a cell phone is not the same thing as, say, implanting neural tissue from a pig into paralyzed children or building robots with machine guns. The worst thing that could go wrong here is that Dell might make a shitty phone and lose money. BFD.

    Anyone else who's sick of whatcouldpossiblygowrong abuse, please go ahead and put in a !whatcouldpossiblygowrong into the tags box.

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    Causation can cause correlation
  5. Re:but does it run linux? by Albanach · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think the iPod's success is more to do with the user interface than the form factor.

    It doesn't look that different to other mp3 players, but the incredibly simple and intuitive interface made it accessible to millions of folk who would not have put up with the UIs of other portable media devices.

  6. Re:Competition is GOOD by prockcore · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You're lying on so many levels. Let us count the ways:

    1. iPhone is not available in Japan because it doesn't support wCDMA/EVDO
    2. iPhone can't be tethered.
    3. iPhone doesn't have 3G.
    4. Japan's fastest network maxes out at 2.4Mbs (and is not symmetric: 2.4 down, 144kbps up)
    5. Japan doesn't use euros.