Dell Streak ‘Pocket Tablet’ launches on Rogers

The Dell Streak. What an interesting journey this odd device has had. Originally previewed by Dell as far back as CES in January, this 5” Android phone launched in Europe in June. Initial enthusiasm for this device was dulled by the fact that Dell inexplicably decided to launch it with Android 1.6, but the overall consensus was that the hardware was well made, and it would have potential with an OS upgrade. Then, after much confusion about whether Dell would sell it unlocked in the US, the Streak launched in North America, locked to AT&T, at the beginning of August. To add insult to injury it STILL came with 1.6. By now all the interest in the Streak had pretty much faded away…and when Samsung announced the 7” Tab, Dell had a product that didn’t seem to fit anywhere – too big to be a phone, too small to be a tablet. Finally, a few weeks ago, out of the blue, it was leaked that Rogers would be selling the Streak soon.

Well today is the day, and the Dell Streak is available from Rogers for $149.99 on a 3yr plan. It can also be bought directly from Dell on their website for $549.99 with no contract, but still locked. The Streak has a 5” 800 x 480 Gorilla glass screen, 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, 512MB RAM, 2GB internal MicroSD, user-accessible MicroSD (with a 16GB card included), 5mp Camera and a front facing VGA camera.

Rogers is going to market the Streak as a ‘mobile pocket tablet’, I guess to clearly differentiate it from the other ‘full-sized’ tablet that they will be selling soon, the Samsung Tab. Sadly just like the US model the Streak will be shipping with Android 1.6 (yes it’s November 2010, and Android 2.3 is about to arrive!), but an update to Android 2.2 from Dell is coming soon. This update will include Dell’s new Stage UI and launcher, which look pretty good from the video of the leaked beta that can be found here. If they manage to get this update out before the end of the year the Streak still has a chance to do well, since it will be much more reasonably priced than the Tab. However Dell only has a small window of opportunity to capture Android fan’s attention before newer, better, small tablets are announced.

More information can about the Rogers Dell Streak can be found at Dell here and Rogers here.

You can read the official press release below:

CANADIANS ON A STREAK WITH INNOVATIVE DELL POCKET TABLET, EXCLUSIVELY AT ROGERS

First mobile pocket tablet comes to Canada with Rogers

TORONTO, Nov. 10 /CNW/ – Rogers Communications Inc. today announced it is bringing another first to market, adding more choice for Canadians with the launch of the Dell Streak mobile pocket tablet, featuring a 5-inch display that combines touch screen entertainment, gaming and navigation experiences.

According to recent data by Juniper Research1, annual shipments of tablet devices will hit 81 million by 2015. With built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth capability and available 3G wireless connectivity, the Dell Streak, while the smallest tablet available in Canada, makes no compromise in delivering a high quality viewing experience. Leveraging the strength of Rogers’ 3G reliable wireless network and joining Rogers’ high definition device lineup for gaming, photos and entertainment, the Dell Streak’s high resolution 5 MP camera and 5-inch multi-touch high quality WVGA display enables full-size web page browsing and integrated Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation, street and satellite views.

“The tablet category is changing the way people interact, transact and stay entertained,” says Raj Doshi, Vice President, Mobile Product Management, Rogers Communications Inc. “The Dell Streak represents an innovative offering, giving customers the next-generation experience of a tablet with the portability and connectivity of a smartphone. Rogers is pleased be first to bring the Dell Streak to our customers and further extend our leadership as the carrier with the most Android choices in Canada.”

Designed with the future in mind, the Dell Streak will support over-the-air updates including Android platform upgrades, Adobe Flash 10.1, video chat applications enhancements and other software innovations.

“The Dell Streak does something no other tablet does – it delivers your whole world on a 5-inch screen that easily fits in your pocket. Its unique size will help Rogers’ customers discover new ways to enjoy the web, connect with friends, and navigate their lives..” – Michael Tatelman, Dell vice president and general manager, Dell consumer sales and marketing.

The Dell Streak is available today exclusively through Rogers for $149.99 on any three year voice and data plan, backed by Rogers’ exclusive Handset Protection Guarantee Program in the event a customer’s device becomes lost, stolen or broken. Terms and conditions apply, see rogers.com/protection.