First iPad Competitor Available Tomorrow: Dell Streak

Android powered devices are about to flood the market. If Apple is planning a mini-iPad, Dell already has one ready. Dell's Steak will pose stiff competition to the 'rumored' iPad mini.
 
Most users who were amazed by the touch-based iPad, but did not want to be trapped in Apple's walled garden have an option now. Orders for the Dell Streak Tablet open up for U.S. priority pre-sale registrants  August 12. General availability follows a day later at www.dell.com/mobile.

The Dell Streak is available for $299.99 with new two-year AT&T contract, and $549.99 without. Customers who purchase the Streak, and signed up during the pre-sale program, will receive a free second-day shipping upgrade. Customers who redeem their pre-sale coupon can purchase a Plantronics Bluetooth earpiece for 99 cents while supplies last.

Dell Streak comes with integrated Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation, street and satellite views; a full screen browsing experience with a 5-inch capacitive multi-touch WVGA display; easily integrated social media apps: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube; high resolution 5 MP camera, VGA front facing camera, removable battery, built-in Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth connectivity options; 2GB of internal storage provides plenty of space to access and download Google Android Market’s many options.
 
Dell steaks packs Android platform complete with Android Market and Dell user interface enhancements; powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor; 3G + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth; user accessible Micro SD expandable memory available up to 32GB. Store up to 42 movies or 32,000 photos, or 16,000 songs with a 32GB Micro SD upgrade.

One of the drawbacks (which may be advantage for others) of the Streak is the form factor. It doesn't offer the same screen real estate as does the iPad; but then we are comparing it with the 'rumored' iPad mini, which is extepected to have a 7" screen.

On the brighter side, you can make calls from Dell Streak, something you can't even dream on iPad.

Dell has offered what Apple will offer in iPad over 3-4 years, asking for 're-payment' for the entire device every time they add a feature. Isn't that outrageous?

Except for the screen size, Dell Streak beats iPad in every aspect. Only if it had an Apple logo, it would have been a 'revolutionary, magical' device, too!