Dell May Be Developing a Line of Smartphones

If an unconfirmed report is correct, Dell is in the process of creating its first cellular-wireless devices.

Unfortunately, at this point details on this are extremely sketchy. All that is known is that unnamed sources at Taiwan handset makers have told DigiTimes that Dell plans to enter the smartphone market.

This company has been offering the Axim line of traditional Windows Mobile handhelds for several years, but hasn't come out with a new model since 2005. It is not known if any smartphones from Dell will also have the Axim name.

Additional Evidence

Although the DigiTimes' report is only a rumor, there is some hard evidence to back it up.

Dell recently hired Ronald G. Garriques, who formerly was executive vice president in charge of Motorola’s mobile device division, to head its global consumer division.

Speculation

Based on Dell's previous actions, the company is likely to outsource the design and production of any smartphones to Taiwan, with HTC and Wistron being top possibilities. Obviously, Dell must at least be in talks with companies in Taiwan, as their employees are the source of this rumor.

It's also likely that any Dell smartphone will run Windows Mobile, as that's the same operating system the current Axim models use.

Related Articles

• Brighthand Reviews the Dell Axim X51v