The sweet spot between iPhones and iPads: the Dell Streak?

Dell have announced the launch of their Streak tablet, a device which they promise will hit the ‘sweet spot’ between smartphones and larger tablets such as the long-awaited iPad, released today.

There is of course a whole other debated required to see if such a ‘sweet spot’ exists in the first place; but regardless, the company’s first foray into the ‘on-the-go’ market is certainly an interesting one. The Streak is a 5-inch Android based Tablet that’s designed to empower users to access entertainment social media and a whole range of other services on the move. Set to launch in due, the company who are synonymous with no-frills PCs, claim the device will become a compact and powerful companion for people who want to expand their ability to access their digital lives. The 5-inch touch screen around which the Streak is built, is set to play host to the thousands of games, widgets and applications that are available via the constantly growing Android Market; all of which can be accessed via built-in Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G capability.

Under the surface the Streak leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor, a powerful set-up that combines pocket-portability with enough raw power to perform the kind of basic browsing you’d usually employ a laptop for. On the memory front there’s a built in 2Gb, which isn’t much, but can be expanded to 32Gb via Micro SD. There’s a 5mp digital camera (presumably an inclusion designed to appeal to those who are deterred by poorer performing camera’s on more popular smartphones) as well as built-in Google maps and navigational functionality. However, aside from that there’s really not much to write home about, save for the 5-inch screen that offers the full-screen browsing experience which seems to be Dell’s main selling point.

To be fair the screen is larger than almost any other smartphone on the market and also has more portability than the swathe of tablets that are currently entering stores, so the Streak really does operate a unique position that it’s manufacturers claim. However, it remains to be seen whether it’s a position that will appeal to customers. The Streak sacrifices both the portability and functionality of a smartphone, as well as the user-experience of a tablet; falling somewhere between the two it’s more of a mongrel breed than a best in show, and it’s hard to imagine who the device will appeal to.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but given Dell’s track-record you can at least expect the Streak to be affordable when it is made available via O2 and The Carphone Warehouse from June. Overall, it’s not the worst piece of kit you’ll see this year and the 5-inch screen is great; however I struggle to see the appeal in a device that’s trying to find a niche that isn’t there. Then again, they said that about the iPad and that’s already proving people wrong.