Dell Mini 5 – In an interview with Neeraj Choubey

On June 7, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by
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I got to know about the new product of Dell, Dell Mini 5. I had a chance to glance at the highlights of an interview of Neeraj Choubey, G.M. of tablets, Dell Communications Solutions group. And I was actually wondering if they are launching a phone or a tablet.

Neeraj said it is the most important product of the year and stated it as ‘category killer”. The device is actually the first five inch android tablet which can also be used to make calls. The device is a combination of both, a phone and a tablet – to make the mobile internet accessible, camcorder, camera, media player and GPS navigator. This is why I was amazed about it.

Then I was wondering if iPad and Mini 5 would be competitors for each other but then reading further I found Choubey saying that the two have different target audiences. iPad is not a phone and is good only for those with a handbag.

In his interview, he said that the product was developed on customer demands, and falls in the category between a smartphone and a netbook. Dell in future also, will be working on customer feedback to implement it in their product development.

Other than the screen size of five inch and market support, there are some other features which make Mini 5 stand out. Mini 5 has a front-facing web camera and users will be able to do peer-to-peer video conferencing. The device also encompasses augmented reality and photo-editing. Dell is thinking of something exciting for developers to work on. This follows a simple rule of management, “if your employees are happy then your customers will be happy”; Dell is just implementing that.

The next point made by Choubey went with my expectations (and I am very happy about it) that the device targets largely tech-savvy people (although the fact is but obvious) who value using alternative devices. According to a survey by Dell, people were not happy about how websites looked on devices, so Dell increased the screen size (wow! Customer satisfaction)!

Dell created a device which is not just a combination of a phone and tablet but of many other devices. It can work for you as cell phone, an e-mail device, a PND device, a GPS navigation device, a video camera and a point and shoot.

The initial device is blessed by Google and can access Google Mobile Services like Gmail, Marketplace and all the normally expected stuff.

Choubey was however reluctant in sharing that what percent of applications in market will be compliant with Mini 5. He said that when Mini 5 is in market, it should work with it. The device may not work with applications incompliant to Google’s coding guidelines but he assured that he will work with developers to make sure they work with the device.

At the end, what’s more amazing is that this is only a beginning of a new series. Let’s see what more Dell has for us in store.

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Leaked info on Dell Mini 5, may be renamed ‘Streak’

On March 13, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by rohit
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Some leaks are being flooded on internet about the Mini 5 phone of Dell. The internal document of the company says the phone will also be carrying some feature integrations with a host of services from Amazon.
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The leak mentions that the phone may be available in several “premium finishes.” It also says that the Android-powered tablet will be available in few attractive colors and designs.

Apart from the personalization options of Dell’s Mini 5, the leaked document didn’t mentioned anything else about the upcoming tablet. It reflected information on the features of the phone like the front-facing video camera, capacitive touch-screen and dock connector. Well, the leak did inform more interesting tidbits than the earlier leak.

From the leak it is also learned that Dell may be having content partnership with Amazon. May be Amazon’s Kindle, Video services, MP3 and Kindle reader app will be integrated in the phone.

It seems as if the partnership of Dell with Amazon for Mini 5 is to compete with the upcoming iPad. The tablet of Apple has the iBooks and iTunes Stores. Hence, the Amazon integrated services will help Mini 5 to give some similar features as of the tablet.

The leaked document of Dell also refers to this Snapdragon-powered device as the ‘Streak’. This is the same name that first surfaced late in 2009. However, it is still known whether this is only an internal codename or an official change.

The documents even don’t tell anything about the launching date of the device.

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Mini 5 – Launch of new Smartphone by Dell

On March 10, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by
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Dell has been a major player in the laptop segment and the personal computers for many years .With the launch of the new smart phone Dell Mini 5, Dell is going to enter a totally new arena.

Looking at the phone’s picture, I first got confused whether it is really a phone or a small tablet PC. Well, the size of the phone is too big to be like a smartphone.

I got to know that on Monday, Dell along with China Mobile gave some new details about the Dell Mini 3i smartphone. The smartphone is going to be launched in China for sale by the end of this month.

The various features of Dell’s first smartphone, the device based on Android include:

  • e-mail
  • instant messaging
  • MMS messaging
  • SMS messaging
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • Dedicated Volume Keys
  • Micro SDHC Card Slot
  • 3 Megapixel camera
  • GPS capabilities
  • Mini USB connector
  • GSM with Edge
  • 3.5-inch, 640×360 capacitive touchscreen
  • Accommodation of Micro SD card expandable up to 32GB.

The phone is quadband – GSM/EDGE and its weight is around 105 grams. The phone includes a three megapixel camera with all the latest features such as:

  • Zoom
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • video capture
  • Capabilities of Photo editing

The resolution of touchscreen is 640 x 360 pixels.

A high definition screen of 3.5 inch was already confirmed by Dell earlier this month. Under the cover, OPhone software of China Mobile is used to run the mobile. The Ophone software is a modified edition of Android operating system by Google.

Another feature I liked is that the Dell’s New Mini 5 will be able to provide access to online store, as other Android phones do provide. The online store, in this case, will be Mobile Market of China Mobile. People could download games, applications, ringtones and wallpapers.

This is really exciting that on the home screen, users will be able to execute different applications and can keep latest information about the stock prices, news, sports score, weather etc.

Dell said that for the past one year it has been in collaboration with China Mobile. The collaboration was for the evolution and development of the new Mini 5. The collaboration has proved good for us. China Mobile and Dell have also worked together earlier for the integration of a 3G data card. The data card was for the Chinese Market for Inspiron Mini 10 netbook by Dell. Dell says that China Mobile has more than 500 million customers, and is the largest provider of mobile service in the world.

Above from all these facts about Dell and China Mobile, what matters to me is that I will be able to hold such an exciting phone in my hands in a short period of time.

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Early preview of Dell Mini 5

On March 3, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by rohit
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New details arrives of Dell’s Mini 5 tablet after an early preview of the device. The entry of the company seems of becoming successful in the tablet world. Even though the handset is having a 5-inch screen, 90 per cent larger than the smartphones, but it is easy to hold and the device is easily put in a pocket.

Persons who have tried to appreciate the Mini Five says the device is too big to be used for long time as only a phone.

In the pre-release state, the software of the Dell Mini 5 shows its preponderance as a tablet computer device over the phone features.

At the CES, the previewed model spotted and also what has been found in recent photos that there is a new taskbar-like layout in the device to move the application launcher, acts as a home screen switcher and also as notifications into separate sections. We found that the custom gallery application and the web browser of the device supports multi-touch, but it does not include the Google Maps in this feature. For instant messaging services Meebo is there and for all the Office document editing Quickoffice is pre-installed. The voice control of the device is controlled by Nuance.

The operating system is powered by Android 1.6 at present, but while shipping starts in spring Android 2.x will come preloaded. For social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter, basic widgets are pre-loaded.

There has been complaints regarding the keyboard of Mini 5. It is appreciated to be useful for thumbs but the landscape mode of the device is considered to be difficult to handle because the number pad requires the handset to be resting flat on a desk for comfortable use. Moreover, as the rival iPad can be used from any orientation, the Mini 5 provides landscape layout in only one orientation.

If we look to the hardware part then it is seen that the Snapdragon processor is fast. Since, the device has only 2GB of permanent space, so the storage may be a bit of problem.

The launching details have yet not been officially intimated, but it seems that if it is launched in similar time span to the rival iPad, it may offer lower price because of limited storage and smaller screen.

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Size, the question for Mini 5 and Apple iPad too

On March 2, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by rohit
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The screen size of Dell’s Mini 5 is similar to a small kindle at 90 percent larger than smartphones with 3.5-inch screens. People may mess up it between a phone device and a kindle. It can be used as a reader and also a large Android phone device. With two cameras, it can be used as video conferencing as well as small enough to be used as a camera.
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If we talk about the iPad, it is too big to keep in your pocket with 10-inch screen. Yes, it can easily replace a kindle, but for this two factors are to be considered. First, a data plan and second, a power source to make it last to the duration which Kindle does. Not to forget, Kindle also comes with free lifetime data.

Dell Mini 5 has one biggest advantage over Apple iPad and that is its phone features. Moreover, even if the iPad had a camera, it would have been very big to use it as a camera.

Hence, in short it can be said, if I carry with me a smartphone, a laptop and also a Kindle then Dell Mini 5 is the perfect answer to it. It is similar to big iPhone, but more affordable. Even for many folks, larger screen on an iPhone could be a great help if one does not struggle with some small type.
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Analyst feels that to hit the price points, Apple crippled the iPad. Apple can be taken to granted that it can do better with back end, but here, if we talk just hardware to hardware, then Mini 5 has an advantage.

We shall not assume that iPad will fail. The big question is that whether a small product can replace a phone, the name of which is not a kind of embarrassment. Are the name of 5-inch product named Mini or a 10-inch product named iPad is a mistake?

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AT&T may offer data-only service on Mini 5

On March 2, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by rohit
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Is it that the Mini 5 of Dell will be only a data replacement for your smartphone?

General Manager of Dell’s tablets division Neeraj Choubey confirmed recently to Laptop Mag that the company is in negotiation with carrier AT&T to make the Mini 5 device reach to the end consumers.
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Choubey said to the magazine that one can hold this Android-based handset on their head or even attach Bluetooth headsets to make or receive calls. He adds further that the device will have a front-facing camera in it so that it eases the video calls.

Till now AT&T has not officially announced a partnership with Dell so it is tough to evaluate whether the carrier will require a voice plan also with the data service. Usually it is seen that AT&T has gone for both with all its smartphones.

Right now it seems that AT&T will go with a data-only tablet plan because many people may find this 5-inch Mini 5 tablet computer too bulky for a phone. Moreover, let us also refer the case of Apple’s iPod which is going to be offered only data service.

Speaking truth, the Dell’s Mini 5 is actually having an awkward size. It will never accommodate the pants pocket and this is creating some sort of skepticism.

Analyst Van Baker gives the right comment while talking to the media. He said the Mini Five will be sitting uncomfortably between large-screen tablets like iPad and smartphones.

This does not mean that Mini 5 will not be having its own market. It has some really positive features and one of the main features is one can make VoIP calls from this device. Choubey adds that the device may appeal to “this quintessential soccer mom” by consolidating the functions of a navigation device, a Flip camera and a cell phone into one product.

More to this, Dell will be benefiting from the Android Market and also with its smooth operation. Whatever it is, if Dell could shrink the device little more, many more users would be very interested.

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Last quarter income down, but Dell well tuned for Mini 5

On February 28, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by rohit
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Dell faces a drop of six per cent in its income even though there is a good level of demand by consumers for netbooks and laptops which have brought up shipments.
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Dell announced this drop recently and contrary to it there has been signs of more spending in the critical business sectors.

In the recent quarter the earnings of Dell fell to $334 million, which is 17 cents per share.

However, the revenue of the company was increased by 11 percent to $14.9 billion and the gross profit margin was 17.4 percent.

In the holiday season it was noted that consumers bought low cost netbooks and laptops. This has made the shipments to be higher by 29 percent. It is said that these low cost notebooks and laptops gives less profit to the company.

The recent dismal results of Dell are sharply in contrast to Apple. It has been seen recently that Apple has taken the high road if we talk of personal computers and other products.

Though Dell has a hold on much higher market than the Apple overall, but the company has been fighting in lower margin end of those business that it has pioneered.

Well, the forthcoming tablet products of Dell may do some magic in the graph of income. The Mini 5, which is the first of the tablet series, is going to be launched very soon and it will be competing Apple’s new iPad neck-to-neck.

Mini 5 is also a mobile apart from being a table computer where as the new iPad of Apple is a web-enabled tablet device. Mini Five has only 5″ screen, much smaller than the iPad. Mini 5 will be using Google’s Android operating system.

One more pinch of information to share here. Recently the competitor HP had also announced a strong PC and business server sales, which is a trend that has been also reported by Intel just last month.

Let us know what you think whether Dell’s income will have a magical rise with the launch of Mini 5.

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Mini 5 vs. iPad of Apple

On February 28, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by rohit
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Let us have some comparison between the Dell Mini 5 and the Apple iPad, both are much talked about these days. First let me convey what I found in Mini Five.
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The Dell Mini 5

Mini Five loads Google apps and it is easily scaled in 3.5” screen to a 5” screen. Dell Mini 5 is easily put into belt pouch, though of big size. The life of battery in this Tablet Computer seems same to what we have seen in a screen phone, but it is better than an iPhone for browsing, gaming, watching videos, and also the typing part.

The screen of Mini 5, at 5″ the screen, looks about 90% larger and this in fact makes a lot of things better. For the purpose of multi-tasking the device has two cameras. One of it is of 5 mega pixel accompanied with twin LED lights and also digital zoom. The other camera is made for video conferencing.

The Apple iPad

Few things which comes to my mind first while writing about Apple iPad is that it lacks of multi-tasking and have heard of flash complaints many a times. Moreover, the iPad does not have any camera. The main problem that can be evaluated here is that the iPad even does not replace anything, and in fact not even a Kindle.

The battery life of kindle lasts for almost two weeks, but this is not the case of iPad. The battery of it discharges the same day, better to say, it can carry-on only in single digit hours.

The Wi-Fi version of it better works at home or and the WAN version needs another data service. So, you will still be carrying your smartphone for making calls and your laptop for the work purpose. If you are carrying you laptop then there is no need of carrying iPad for browsing.

Wrapping Up

According to me Apple should have come up with a 5” iPhone and not a 10” iPod, initially at least. Mini 5 seems to be attracting folks more who wanted something bigger than 3.5” Smartphone.

The type of screen version that iPad has is going to struggle as a reader. In it the browser is crippled vs. a Netbook or Notebook (no flash). It is too big for your portable media player.

Put your thoughts too here whether you would prefer 5″ or go for 10″ iPod.

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Mini 5 price still undisclosed, but may oscillate around iPad

On February 28, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by rohit
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When someone speaks of tablet computer, the first thing that comes to our mind is Apple’s iPad. Well, this does not mean other companies are not busy bringing up their own version of portable computing goodness.
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The first effort of Dell in the world of tablet computers named (beta) Mini 5 is a 5-inch capacitive touchscreen of a slice of glass and plastic, which Michael Dell says it will hit the market in a couple of months. Not only this, this device is just a first in a series. According to Neeraj Choubey, general manager of tablets in Dell’s Communications Solutions Group, the company is going to have a family of such tablets. He also says that this 5-inch screen is just an example and they are going to bring to market variety of screen sizes. If this is going to happen then the other versions of Mini 5 may have larger screens in future. It may also be closer to the iPad. Let’s wait for the varieties.

Dell ventured into the mobile market some three years ago. Today the smartphones of Dell are available in Brazil and China market. The company had also given hopes to bring in North America a version of it.

Not to mention again that the device will have quick access to websites such as YouTube, MP3 music store of Amazon and also the e-mails. Presentation maker, spreadsheet and documents are also there.

Analyst Baker says, “If the Dell Mini 5 is this small and it is pocketable, then why isn’t it a phone?.. If I am going to carry a second device, it better have something that’s a significant advantage over what I can do with my phone. With the iPad, the value proposition is a much larger display.”

He adds further, “That type of model — the way iPad was able to do with AT& T — will become more prevalent with these tablet devices… It allows the carrier to increase number of devices per user.”

The price of Mini 5 is still undisclosed. Well, it may be oscillating around apple’s iPad price, may be. The iPad is introduced at a $15 for 250 MB. For $30 a month one is offered unlimited usage with no-contract data plan for use with the iPad.

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Mini 5 – A device optimized for media consumption

On February 26, 2010, in Dell Mini 5, by rohit
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In our previous post about the Mini 5 of Dell, there was one question raised in our mind, on behalf of the consumers, that whether people are really proceeding to decide to buy this handset instead of smartphone. We found answer, somewhat, to this in wired.com latest article on Gadget Lab. The article carries what general manager, Neeraj Choubey, of the tablets division told.
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Neeraj Choubey: “It’s a device optimized for media consumption… It will offer the full web-browsing experience so you have something that you are holding in your hand that replaces everything the smartphone does and takes on quite a bit of the features of a laptop.”

Well, this may not be entirely true if all the services are not available on the handset because the Mini Five will be having easy and quick access to your e-mail, the MP3 store of Amazon for music, YouTube, etc. Not to forget the features of spreadsheet, documents and presentation maker. These features and some other such as voice recognition support will be common characteristics in all the tablets from Dell.

Even though pregnant with so many features with neck-to-neck competition with other smartphones in the market, analyst Van Baker contradicts Neeraj Choubey. He says, “If all you are bringing to the market is another media-playing or handheld-gaming device, then it’s not going to work… It’s all about the services you have behind the device.”

One thing is sure in Mini 5 that Dell is betting to offer a compelling value for proposition to all the business users. It bets that this tablet will not be just a coffee-table device. In fact it will be a powerful productivity tool.

One more best feature to take note of this tablet mobile what Choubey says is at very basic level one can share content across devices easily and also have it in the cloud.

Let us wait and watch and also wish that commitments do take perfect shape when the Mini 5 comes in consumers hand.

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