Dell's New Android Smartphone Light On Details
Sure, Dell made a splash Friday with news that the Mini 3 would be sold in China and Brazil by the end of the year and that it would be the latest in a line of hot smartphones to run on Google's Android platform. Dell confirmed Mini 3 after weeks of rumors and even a leaked photo or two, and will partner with China Mobile and America Movil's Claro unit to bring the Mini 3 to potential subscribers in China and Brazil -- two undoubtedly hot smartphone growth markets.
But beyond Android, all potential users have to go on is a small picture on Dell's Web site of the Mini 3 itself, which is of a black device with rounded edges and a touchscreen. It appears to be the same device that popped up in leaked photo images back in August.
In a statement released Friday, Dell said that "details of phone models will be announced on a partner-by-partner basis when devices are available in stores."
Unless Dell has some kind of smartphone blockbuster on tap, providing so little in the way of details could prove fatal to Mini 3's prospects -- it's not only making a little buzz amid the deafening roar of the overall smartphone market, it's barely able to announce itself over the shouts of other, more heavily marketed Android phones like Motorola's Droid.
Either way, it will be a while before U.S. customers even get a look at the Mini 3.
Rumors persist that Dell will launch the phone in U.S. and European markets in 2010, and Dell did make mention of its various telco relationships in both of those markets in its Mini 3 press release.
But for now, Dell, you're a smartphone also-ran. At least until we see some details.