Dell Streak Thread

[cbn]

I'd rather see $20/month data and prepaid voice as a combo that could be used. Or straight up data only and use VOIP for all calls for free.

Are any carriers close to doing that?

In other words we pay the full price for our hardware, but get the service cheaper.

 

[jalaram]

Just got the email with a presale order code. I was interested in it, but I'll pass on it.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Just got the email with a presale order code. I was interested in it, but I'll pass on it.

Yep, I'll be keeping an eye on the Dell Outlet though, I wouldn't mind picking one up unsubsidized for a lot less cash, but no way in hell am I going to sign up for ATT or pay 549 + shipping + tax on one... Especially with the reviews I'm reading.

 

[preslove]

Yep, I'll be keeping an eye on the Dell Outlet though, I wouldn't mind picking one up unsubsidized for a lot less cash, but no way in hell am I going to sign up for ATT or pay 549 + shipping + tax on one... Especially with the reviews I'm reading.

Dell outlet is exactly why I want dell to be a big player in the mobile market.The prices for unsubsidized devices needs to come down a good 20% - 30%

 

[Pliablemoose]

Dell outlet is exactly why I want dell to be a big player in the mobile market.The prices for unsubsidized devices needs to come down a good 20% - 30%

I was just thinking the same thing, Android has essentially commoditized handsets, or will very soon, now it's time for the carriers to stop the data plan rape...

 

[preslove]

I was just thinking the same thing, Android has essentially commoditized handsets, or will very soon, now it's time for the carriers to stop the data plan rape...

There should be an opening for it if they don't have to subsidize each customer with $250-$400. Hopefully there will be enough competition to make this lead to lower data rates, rather than just better profits for the damn telcos.

This is why I'm so critical of apple and want their high margin business model to keep them to a ~20 to a marketshare. Not because I'm a pro-google fan boy, but because I want commoditized handsets (like today's commoditized computers) and the resultant lower prices. I hope Microsoft succeeds, too, so that this trend intensifies further. I like razor thin profit margins

 

[AstroManLuca]

Hopefully there will be enough competition to make this lead to lower data rates, rather than just better profits for the damn telcos.

LOL

I agree but that will never happen. Rates always go UP! Profits always go UP! Consumers always get DICKED!

 

[cliftonite]

I would be interested in something like this (~5inches or so) if I could get a data only plan and use VOIP for voice. Is this even feasible today? If the skype app comes out from Android could you have it running 24/7 and receive calls seamlessly? I only use about 100 to 200 min for voice and something like this would be perfect for me.

 

[jalaram]

I had heard of a trick with people using an iPad microsim (that has data only) in an iPhone 4. I wonder if it would work here as well.

There might be a thread in the Apple forum about it.

Yep, here.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I would be interested in something like this (~5inches or so) if I could get a data only plan and use VOIP for voice. Is this even feasible today? If the skype app comes out from Android could you have it running 24/7 and receive calls seamlessly? I only use about 100 to 200 min for voice and something like this would be perfect for me.

I have a friend who does that with his Nexus One. He has a data-only plan through T-Mobile and uses a VOIP app for calls. Don't remember which app he uses. All I know was he was able to set up his existing home VOIP service to work through his N1.

 

[SunnyD]

I have a friend who does that with his Nexus One. He has a data-only plan through T-Mobile and uses a VOIP app for calls. Don't remember which app he uses. All I know was he was able to set up his existing home VOIP service to work through his N1.

SIPDroid kicks ass. Coupled with pbxes.org, you essentially run your own VOIP pbx. T-Mo's data-only plan is actually relatively cheap compared to AT&T and VZW, and fast too.

Only thing I didn't like when I tried using VOIP on my MyTouch was the latency... over WIFI no less. But after thinking about it, it may actually have had more to do with the MyTouch being underpowered. But a 90 minute call for free was nice.

 

[cbn]

There should be an opening for it if they don't have to subsidize each customer with $250-$400. Hopefully there will be enough competition to make this lead to lower data rates, rather than just better profits for the damn telcos.

This is why I'm so critical of apple and want their high margin business model to keep them to a ~20 to a marketshare. Not because I'm a pro-google fan boy, but because I want commoditized handsets (like today's commoditized computers) and the resultant lower prices. I hope Microsoft succeeds, too, so that this trend intensifies further. I like razor thin profit margins

After doing some searching, I believe MetroPCS is an unsubsidized network (someone correct me if I am wrong).

$50 a month prepaid with unlimited everything (calls, text, data) vs $70 a month for Sprint or Verizon. That comes out to $480 savings over 2 years.

Virgin mobile prepaid is only $25/month for 200 minutes and unlimited text and data, but for some reason you must use one of their phones (this obviously kills it for people who like the idea of commodity handsets).

 

[SunnyD]

FWIW, looks like it comes with a 16GB MicroSD card.

Congratulations! You have finished personalizing!

DELL STREAKDell Streakedit

ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEMWARRANTY AND SERVICE1 Year Limited Warranty and 1 Year Advanced Exchange Service
Color and MemoryCarbon, 16GB Memory

 

[preslove]

After doing some searching, I believe MetroPCS is an unsubsidized network (someone correct me if I am wrong).

$50 a month prepaid with unlimited everything (calls, text, data) vs $70 a month for Sprint or Verizon. That comes out to $480 savings over 2 years.

Virgin mobile prepaid is only $25/month for 200 minutes and unlimited text and data, but for some reason you must use one of their phones (this obviously kills it for people who like the idea of commodity handsets).

The problem with most of those regional/smaller carriers is that they don't have free roaming, which really sucks because smartphones are at their most useful when traveling. Hopefully, as smartphones get commoditized a new carrier can come in, or someone like MetroPCS can scale up. I know that Cox cable is actually looking at starting their own data network, maybe others will enter the fray.

At least T-Mobile has a non-subsidized plan that is about $20 cheaper a month if you pay full price for their phones. It would be great if Verizon and/or Att followed, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[SunnyD]

Oh you guys are gonna like this. (More info in a moment... haha, nice teaser isn't this?)

Okay... here we are.

2:39:01 PM - Dan - Howdy. Have a couple questions about the upcoming Dell Streak
2:39:52 PM - Dan - First question is when customizing it doesn't explicitly state it, but on the review page it mentions it comes with a 16GB SD Card, is that true?
2:39:52 PM - E&A_Abraham - I'll be glad to assist you on that.
2:40:09 PM - E&A_Abraham - yes there is standard
2:40:12 PM - Dan - Okay
2:40:39 PM - E&A_Abraham - what's the best time and number to call you tomorrow for order
2:40:58 PM - Dan - Second question, I understand that the unit is SIM locked to AT&T. Will Dell be providing a method to remove the SIM lock for the unsubsidized units?
2:41:34 PM - E&A_Abraham - yes
2:41:40 PM - E&A_Abraham - we'll provide the unlocked version
2:42:46 PM - Dan - Really? Hopefully clarification then - will the unsubsidized units available tomorrow be useable on any compatible GSM network then (with obvious technical restrictions)?
2:43:05 PM - Dan - Or are you implying that an "unlocked" unit will be available at a later date?
2:44:34 PM - E&A_Abraham - that's correct
2:44:59 PM - E&A_Abraham - since as of the moment we're providing 'at and t' units
2:45:45 PM - Dan - So the latter then? An "unlocked" version will be forthcoming at a later date? Apologies for the reiteration, I just want to make sure I have all the info correct.
2:47:35 PM - E&A_Abraham - the Unlocked Phone will be provided either tomorrow or on a later date

Also, NO price break on EPP.

edited: formatting

 

[cbn]

Too much bezel. I like the idea of 5" device, but it should be pretty much all screen.

I know the iPad and HP slate have bezels so a person can grip the device (two handed) without touching the screen.

With that being said, is something like Dell streak small enough that palming the device is comfortable?

 

[s44]

You all see the 2.1 leak?

 

[jalaram]

I was reading about it on the MyDellMini forums

Video tour

Discussion

 

[cbn]

The problem with most of those regional/smaller carriers is that they don't have free roaming, which really sucks because smartphones are at their most useful when traveling. Hopefully, as smartphones get commoditized a new carrier can come in, or someone like MetroPCS can scale up. I know that Cox cable is actually looking at starting their own data network, maybe others will enter the fray.

http://globalresultspr.com/metropcs-skip-3g-with-lte-rollout

Perhaps more importantly, MetroPCS warned in its SEC filing that its forthcoming LTE network might not wow users with lightening-fast downloads.
"In some cases, because of the limited amount of spectrum available to us in certain metropolitan areas, we will be required to deploy LTE on 1.4 or 3 MHz channels," the carrier said.
Michael Thelander, founder and CEO of Signals Research Group, explained that 1.4 MHz is the smallest channel that can be reasonably used to deploy LTE. In comparison, Verizon Wireless plans to devote up to 10 MHz to LTE. Because MetroPCS is squeezing LTE into such a narrow spectrum channel, the carrier likely won't be able to provide data speeds beyond what are available through today's 3G networks.
"With a skinny LTE channel, it's not really going to be better than HSPA," Thelander predicted. (Today's 3G networks provide around 1 Mbps downloads, while Verizon said it will provide around 8 Mbps via LTE.)
However, Thelander noted that MetroPCS' spectrum holdings range from 700 MHz to 1700 MHz to 1900 MHz, which means the carrier may be able to mix and match bands in order to provide faster speeds (though it also will also be forced to mix and match equipment, which could be an expensive proposition).

Bad news. It sounds like MetroPCS 4G might not be much faster than 3G according to this article.

 

[cronos]

2.1 on AT&T Streak (actual release version, not the beta streak)

http://www.streaksmart.com/2010/08/how-to-get-android-21-on-the-att-dell-streak.html