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.

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.

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.