Dell says it will launch smartphone using Google's Android mobile software

Dell Inc. plans to launch a smartphone with Google's Android mobile software on carrier AT&T Inc.'s network as soon as early 2010, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. That would mark Dell's first foray into the booming and competitive U.S. smartphone market, now fought over by the likes of Apple Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd. The Wall Street Journal, citing people briefed on the matter, reported that Dell's phone would come with a touchscreen and a camera. Last summer Dell confirmed it was developing mobile devices for China Mobile Ltd., but the company wouldn't say what type of devices or give any details on the timing. Dell spokesman Andrew Bowins declined to comment on the Journal report yesterday but said, "We are deeply engaged with our operator partners around the world to deliver mobile broadband enabled computing devices."