Computer maker Dell today launched its first U.S. smartphone, becoming the latest technology giant to enter the competitive mobile handset market. The Texas-based firm has named the device "Aero." It sports a 3.5 inch screen and runs Google Inc.'s Android operating system.
The device is priced at $99.99 with a new two-year contract from AT&T Inc. and $299.99 without. Interested users can place the order for Aero via Dell's website.
Dell has timed the launch perfectly as the company is willing to cash in on the expanding competitive smartphone market ahead of the holiday shopping season. Industry tracker iSuppli predicted earlier this summer that the global smartphone sales would touch 506 million units within four years,
Notably, Aero is not Dell's first smartphone. The company launched its first smartphone called the "Mini 3i," in China, late last year. The release of “Mini 3i” sparked rumors that Dell would soon release smartphones in other markets. It is unclear how well the Mini 3i did in China.
The Aero would support Adobe Systems Inc.'s Flash. Notably, Apple’s iPhone does not support Flash. Dell Aero will use AT&T’s network and it will come loaded with the standard suite of software, including Gmail, Google Maps, Google Search, YouTube, Google Talk and the Android Market.
The Aero also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a GPS receiver. It may be noted that Dell is an old player in the PDA market but the company halted selling its Axim Line when smartphones started getting popular across the globe.
