HP and Dell Considering Smartphones

Both Hewlett Packard and Dell have recently looked into the possibility of releasing smartphones, according to the Taiwanese website DigiTimes.

HP recently asked several Taiwanese ODMs for price quotes to make it a smartphone. This included High Tech Computer, Compal, Asustek, and several other companies known for designing and making electronics.

Reportedly, Dell has also made inquires but has not gone so far as to ask for price quotes.

It is not known for certain what operating system these would run, but considering that both companies have strong relationships with Microsoft, it seems very likely to be that company's Smartphone 2002. Several of the Taiwanese ODMs are already making handsets based on this OS.

Of course, both HP and Dell already make handhelds that run the Pocket PC operating system. However, neither makes a model that runs the Pocket PC Phone Edition, which has been specially designed for data-centric wireless handhelds.

DigiTimes quoted unnamed sources and this information has not been confirmed by either Dell of HP.

About Smartphone 2002

Smartphone 2002 is a version of the Windows CE operating system specially redesigned for mobile phones. Handsets running this OS have a 220-by-176 pixel screen and a joystick for user input, not a touch screen. They can access email and the Web, make phone calls, play games, and run other types of applications.

Related Links

• New Smartphone 2002 Handsets Coming