When I first saw the Dell Streak ‘tablet’ the first thing which struck me was how small the screen was going to look compared to the iPad which, like it or not, is what most buyers are going to compare it with.
At 5″ the screen is the same size as my old Ameo which was usable but not exactly desirable for long periods of time.
Still Android is pretty popular so I figured the Streak would have a potentially large customer base, that is until I saw it was only running Android 1.6 meaning newer apps may not work on it and it doesn’t have Flash – one feature which could potentially see it draw custom away from the iPad.
The latest version of Android is apparently promised for later this year but after my experience with the HTC Hero I wouldn’t be prepared to buy any Android device on the mere promise of an OS upgrade.
Then I saw the price: £449 for the SIM-free version – that’s £20 more than for a WiFi-only iPad or a £80 cheaper than the cheapest 3G version.
When the wider public are confronted with a choice between the iPad with built-in iTunes support, ability (over WiFi) to access the BBC iPlayer and an ever-growing catalogue of big name games, and a device offering a smaller screen, less big name content and a seriously out of date operating system I just can’t see them opting for the Streak.
On the other hand, the Streak does have memory card support, a camera and the ability to make calls. Problem is, as I know from using the Ameo, larger, 5″ devices do NOT make good phones and you look a complete pillock walking down the street using them as one.
It’d be great to see the multi-device tablet market finally take off but I don’t think the Streak is the device to make it happen.
can the ipod make cell calls? That’s why.
No, but then why would you want it to – I understand smartphones, I understand tablets but the Streak is trying to be both when it just seems to be an oversized mobile phone.
You look like a pillock also when you walk around town touching your iPad, no?
For me, the sum total reason to buy a device such as a Streak or an Ipad, is, ‘how much would I use it?’ and ‘would it really be a device that changes my daily routine?’.. Not: ‘is it the perfect experience?’ in what is an imperfect, but needfully practical world. This definition of practicality is different for different people. Some don’t mind the sacrifice of porting around an Ipad in a backpack or portfolio, and whipping it out whenever they need it, to read newspapers, books or websites at their intended size. Great for students, people who shuttle around a constrained area, or those who are relatively static…. not so great for the majority of busy, on-the-go people who barely have time to carry around a cup of coffee and a donut between the bus, bathroom, cubicle desk and luncheonette. I and others have tried over and over to force a really cool device into our lifestyle (I’ve owned portable devices going all the way back to the Apple Newton, HP Jornadas, Sony Clies, Palm, Blackberry, iPhone, etc). And now I own an iPad – it’s the coolest thing around, but unless you have specific lifestyle parameters that fit the small segment that can really integrate it into their lives, give it time and you’ll see. – for the first 6 months you’ll look for every excuse you can to use it, practical or not, even if you have to change your routine. the second 6 months you’ll gravitate back to your routine, use your cell phone for browsing on the go because it’s always there anyway, use the laptop for business because it’s best for that, and use the iPad on the weekends. The third 6 months you’ll start to look at the iPad like a white elephant. The Streak is too expensive, currently lacking updated software, and Dell is questionable in terms of quality and support. However I think the form factor, or something slightly larger that can still fit in a pocket, will stick as a happy medium for a large group of users. I and others need a multi-use device that is truly portable and has a decent sized screen for aging eyes – I could care less what I look like walking down the street with it up to my head- we’re not still walking down high school halls wondering how others are judging us – I don’t need a pink, neon jewel-covered fashion statement of a phone for others approval, I need something i’ll use. But you’re right, the Dell may not be it – I’ll get one anyway and see.
Well. I think dell streak is better than iPad. As it is portable so i can carry every where. And we can use the skyfire browser which is help to view the flash enabled websites. We can make video calls( I’m in australia and our network support video calls) and finally its a good way to view websites and movies in 5 inch screen with Gorilla Glass.
“…The first thing which struck me was how small the screen was going to look compared to the iPad which, like it or not, is what most buyers are going to compare it with.”
Wh… wha…huh??
The Dell Streak is a phone. The iPad is not.
The Dell Streak fits in your pocket. The iPad does not.
How can these 2 be compared? They’re nothing like each other. Might as well compare the Dell Streak to a car or a tree.
If you want to compare the Dell Streak to something, compare it to the iPhone… which does make calls… and does fit in your pocket.
Why would you want to carry around 3 devices . .
1) a tablet (weighing 1 pound)
2) a camera (weighing 1/2 pound)
3) a phone (weighing 1/2 pound)
when you can gave it ALL (and more . .i.e, video conferencing, web videos-Flash) in a single device weighting only 1/2 pound?
To me . .there is no contest here!
Jose – you would indeed, that’s why I don’t walk around using it
Tim – it’s not being sold primarily as a phone heRe in the UK, it’s being sold as a tablet therefore people will compare it to the iPad. Personally I think it’s more comparable to the Ameo which I love but would never consider to be a tablet.
Sarah – I’d carry a camera if I wanted to take decent pictures, mobile phone cameras are never great IMO.
JayW your comments were great up until your last line: “I’ll get one anyway”
After all of that text, you let yourself down by that one statement. You made great points, but at the end of the day, Dell won’t care a hoot about the points you raised if it’s getting your money. So you might have well started and finished with “I’ll get one anyway” because all the preceding text is now redundant.
Well I’ve had a Dell Streak since the first week it came out in the UK. I replaced my Iphone with it. It did take a week or two to get used to, its size is an issue, as was the learning curve. Now though i feel In wouldn’t want to replace it with anything. Sure, its a bit dorky on the head, but the email use, messaging, twitter use / app use etc. makes up for it. I I work on the go alot and don’t have a fixed office anymore.
It’s the bees bony bits.
The Dell Streak was never needed imho as the HTC Desire and even the iPhone (spit!) do far more and don’t look so stupid when you actually want to use them as a phone. The iPad is a total fad though and will be selling cheap on ebay second hand by Christmas I’m sure.
Btw your contact page (form) is broken – could you email me in the meantime as I have something I would like to discuss with you?
Hi Adam. I recognize my last line about getting a Streak in spite of some possible drawbacks may seem like a bit of a paradox. But the Streak is the only thing out there at the at the moment with this form factor. I should have said ‘if they offer it in the US for $199 with a 2 yr contract I’ll try one and see’ (although I am predicting more like $299). Until another manufacturer comes out with this form factor soon, I’ll put up with the possible limitations for now.
The Iphone has a smaller screen, then the streak. For someone like me who does not always think smaller is better the streak is what I have been waiting for, that’s why I never bought the Iphone. You can get it free in the UK on a pay monthly tariff
@CarpeUK Sure – i see it may be attractive as a larger screened phone but it’s being marketed as a tablet which puts it into competition with the larger screened iPad where I can’t see it doing too well TBH.