Wow. Nice work, Dell. Way to drag the Mini 3 launch out for what feels like an eternity. First, the early ’09 rumors (here and here). Then, the August 2009 leak. Next, China Mobile unofficially outed the smartie. And now, finally, an official confirmation straight from the horse’s Dell’s mouth. Dude China / Brazil, you’re gettin a Dell!
Earlier today, Dell formally announced its entrance into the booming smartphone market along with two “blockbuster” partnerships with two of the world’s largest mobile operators, China Mobile (China) and Claro (Brazil). Considering the recent launch of the DROID, here in the States, and the iPhone’s rather dismal launch in China a few weeks back, one might think Dell’s timing is rather suspect…but only time will tell.
So why a smartphone and why now, Dell?
“Our entry into the smart phone category is a logical extension of Dell’s consumer product evolution over the past two years,” said Ron Garriques, President, Dell Global Consumer Group. “We are developing smaller and smarter mobile products that enable our customers to take their internet experience out of the home and do the things they want to do whenever and wherever they want.“
Ah, so your pretending its 2007. Gotcha. Anyhow, all jokes aside, the Dell Mini 3 Android smartphone is here. According to Dell,
The initial Mini 3 smart phones are designed around the Android platform to best deliver power, flexibility and customization opportunities for both users and carriers. Dell’s Mini 3 smart phones reflect the elegant look and style that demonstrates Dell’s commitment to design innovation.
Based on the language of this presser, it sounds like the Mini 3 comprises a whole series of Android smartphones, rather than one particular handset. All we really know, at least from this official word, is that the China Mobile Mini 3 will be based on OPhone platform, a customized version of Android. Other than that, all we know is that “[d]etails of phone models will be announced on a partner-by-partner basis when devices are available in stores, anticipated in late November for China Mobile and year’s end for Claro.”
That’s about it for now. We’ll all just have to sit tight and wait to see what happens next, like when the Mini 3 will make it stateside and how much it will cost, among other things.