Dell Streak 5 inch Smartphone Tablet PC (3G, 16 GB, WVGA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5 MP Camera) - Black

I bought the streak after my heart got broken with the Palm Pre - loved it, but the battery life was absolutely rubbish!!! Went for this (after shrugging of the iPhone 4 - a no-brainer and I am soooooooo glad i didn't get it!); flirting with the idea of the HTC desire, but i wanted a large screen gadget, with apps, ease of use, qwerty keyboard, that played movies really well...oh and made calls too!
this is the 1st phone that I am absolutely proud off!!
Yes it comes in android version 1.6, and yes updating to 2.1 is scary business (still haven't upgraded, tried it 2ce and was traumatised as i lost all my info and had to restore to factory settings and then restore to my last back up - meant i lost a few things along the way), but the online chatter is that the 2.1 upgrade has been pulled and we are told that "Froyo - 2.2" will soon be available -so fingers crossed there. and that is the extent of the bad news! This is a great phone, why Dell isn't shouting about it beats me - but i am secretly glad, because it makes finding this phone sweeter.
Also support for this is brilliant. My tablet kept freezing and i had to send it in for repairs, got a new tablet in 2 weeks. There is a forum on Dell site for advice and tips and you can contact Dell directly as well.
If you want a tablet that makes sense to spend money and does not need justifying (still cannot figure out why I need to get the iPhone - or the kindle!) does all that the iPad and Kindle does and makes call - this is it!

I've had this device for around 3 weeks now. I bought mine through O2. I've gone for the Data only + texts options at £25.00 p.m. 2 year contract.

When tablets first started doing the rounds in the computer shows in the beginning of the year I've been totally hooked. I've watched loads of videos of prototype models, offering all sorts of innovative technology. So I was pretty excited that we would see plenty of devices out by summer.

However, a lot of those original prototypes have now fallen away. This void was filled by some cheap but interesting Tablet devices from China. I bought one of these on Amazon JSM 7" Touchscreen Tablet. It was always going to be an experimental purchase. At £124 I felt I would be able to see for myself how a Tablet might fit into my life. The full story of that purchase is in my review for the JSM.

Doing the rounds also at the show was this Dell Streak. Judging from the immediate reaction of those at these shows you could sense it was going to be something really special. Dell broke away from the convention of supposed correct Tablet size and went for 5 inches.

Further background to my choice was my HTC Hero Android phone at 3.2 inches. A fantastic phone with truely smooth capacitive touch. Capacitive is using your finger touch to navigate. A resistive touch can use both stylus and finger. Resistive is a lot less smooth and requires a firmer touch.

The phone has been brilliant with instant access to the Internet. However, I've been finding the small screen frustrating. I only use it outside the home not at home. So I wanted a bigger device. What I've learned from the Hero is how amazing it is to have instant access at all times at your fingertips. As I have pockets of time during the day around my appointments I do have time to research, surf and update.

I found the 7 inches of the JSM a good size but felt it would be possible to go a bit smaller and still have a larger viewing experience. I took it everywhere with me but found the need to always have a wifi point the Achilles heel. So when O2 had the device in their shops I was very curious about 5 inches.

The O2 experience was brilliant. I knew within seconds the device was in another class to the JSM. I was immediately impressed with the readability of the text. The touch too was really sensitive and responsive. I was able to do a very quick evaluation as I'd owned 2 Android devices. All the things that were easy to read on the JSM were easy to read on the Streak. Only the Streak was miles ahead on quality of build and fluidity.

After the second visit I bought one through O2 online. This is locked into a contract unlike the Amazon one. Buying in the shop one can get return issues if you don't like the device. I had a nightmare with Lemon.

The device goes everywhere with me. The biggest lifestyle change is I use it a lot at home. Its just more comfortable in a comfy chair with the device. Its completely private as well.

Here are some core features:-

Good:

- Ereader

With light turned up to full it can be easily read outdoors. Kindle works really well on this device. Buying books couldn't be simpler. It works with another popular ereader called Aldiko. Because its light one can hold it for long periods of time. It works in both Portrait and Landscape mode. Ereading is a marvellous experience. To be able to download a book of your liking instantly is amazing.

- Twitter

If you use twitter its made for twitter. Really easy to read the Tweets and just as easy to write them. Twitter is the place I use the most. All the info on Tablets can be found on Twitter once you follow the right people. Its how I keep up with trends on all sorts of subjects, including barefoot running:)

- Facebook

I have a facebook account but don't really use it. The Streak can have a permanently open and updated widget(mini window) of Twitter and Facebook. It works beautifully.

- Email

Once again one can have a widget with multiple accounts open. This is really convenient and is one of the really good business reasons to have such a device.

- Games

This device has an accelerometer. That means it can turn the screen according to your movement. Android games are really far behind Apple but there are still some pretty good games out there. Once Android takes off more games will appear. At the moment there hasn't really been a killer device on Android to justify game makers putting in the extra effort. But as the later part of this year there will be a plethora of Tablets coming out, games will increase dramatically.

- Typing

Download Swype. Go onto youtube and look up swype keyboard. Its amazingly easy, superfast and accurate. I only use swype. The standard keyboard is good but using swype in portrait mode is effortless and enjoyable.

- Screens

If you've not seen it before let me describe it. Imagine you're on you PC and its touch sensitive. With one swipe across the screen a completely new screen appears. This device can give you multiple screens.

- movies

I don't usually download movies but when I've watched youtube or movie trailers I been totally impressed. Remember too you can hold this device close to you, closer than the Ipad. Its 220 grams which is really light. It has a youtube app that can play all youtube videos. Flash videos don't play at the moment but will do when the new version of Android comes out version 2.2. Dell will update that over the Internet. Its painless but one needs to backup data. However, a browser called Skyfire can do the flash videos. Also i've downloaded an app that can store youtube videos. Most useful when you want to show someone something or learn from. I've currently got videos on Easy Freestyle Swimming [DVD] , barefoot running Born to Run: and Tai Chi Beginner Tai Chi [DVD]

- Camera/video/Webcam

5mp camera with a massive viewfinder. Its one of the best camera interfaces out there. Takes great pictures. It also has a webcam. So skype fans this is a dream.

Going to take a short break while I hold my device again.....

Ah that's better now I can continue....

- News and Sport

There are loads of mini Apps that you can read your news. Anything goes really. The Apps bring the news in a neat compact format that allows you to sift through very quickly. On Twitter I follow about 8 sites that deliver up to date Formula one news. Twitter then offers a link to get further information which expands into a webpage.

- Android Market

Unlike a lot of the Wireless Tablets available, if you have a proper data plan with a provider you get onto Android Market. Without this access finding apps to run on the device is awkward. Just about anything you can think of as a useful program can be found on Android.

- Navigator

Although I haven't used it I've read that this feature alone is worth buying the device as the screen is 5 inches. GPS Navigator for your car.

_ Google Maps

Also amazing program. Most useful. Street view is also available.

- Phone

I don't have this device as a phone but as soon as my other contract runs out I will transfer over to this device. From what I've read its a good phone as good as any out there. With smartphones getting bigger all the time the size of the device isn't even that noticeable. If people look its probably out of curiosity, knowing its more than a phone.

- Note taking

As someone who likes to write out thoughts I found this device perfect. Using the Swype Keyboard its effortless and one can keep going for quite a while. There are some bluetooth keyboards that work with this device. I intend to get a foldup keyboard sometime in the future. I've downloaded some great note taking apps, diaries, and calenders that link in with the device calender.

- Music Player

I think the sound from the headphones is great. Its a full blown mp3 player. What's great is all your albums are really easy to read and be displayed.

- Photo Viewer

This is a great device for displaying photos. It can be Instant as well.

- Portability

Its so thin and easily fits into my small bag I carry with me. I had a look at an Ipad over the weekend. After 2 minutes I struggled to test it out further. I got bored with it. It didn't appear to do anything more than the Dell Streak. Also it would be too big to carry around with you all day. Its not discrete. Its obvious what it is. I must admit I was really surprised that I didn't feel this, 'I must have it' gadget pull. Not after owning my Streak. I am left a bit perplexed about the Ipad viewing because I was thinking prior to that , a bigger device might have a fuller experience at home. At home I have a dedicated PC on a table which we all use. Scattered around that is a laptop each. Comfy Surfing is perfect with the Streak. Ipad had no phone, Camera or webcam. Those will come out later I assume.

Overall its difficult in one sitting to describe all about this phone/Tablet. Its breaking the mould on what can still be considered a phone. If they get too big use a bluetooth headset. Personally I've no problem with the size as a phone. It certainly serves as a Tablet. Read more ›

Having bought this last week I have to say I am mightily impressed. The device itself was surprisingly thin, a little large as phones go but fits in my pocket okay. The build quality is very good especially the Gorilla glass (extra tough) screen. I have mine updated on Android 2.2 which i thoroughly recommend and I have downloaded a number of apps which i was very impressed with. The internet is mega quick, the touch screen responsive and the battery life holds up but apps like Juice Defender are recommended. Although there are several phones with similar operating systems and features, I found this phone in particular, easy to use and the large screen certainly makes a difference! I love the fact I can sync facebook with all my contacts, have email and facebook as live streams on different screens and can watch videos, stream radio etc. the only downside really is how big it is (even though quite thin) but then with people having ipads etc i dont think this is a stigma anymore. In terms of practicality I still think the benefits outweigh this potential negative according to some people but as tablet computers go it is pretty small!! Again another android feature but makes a difference for practical purposes is Swype for text and emails...once you get used to this it makes typing so much easier....I have mentioned this because I have always found touchscreens lose the ability to just pick up a mobile and quickly send off a text. With the Dell I find I have to press the on switch to come out of standby mode then type my password then do my message...but the swype feature is very good and makes this process easier and I am sure most touchscreens are similar in terms of usability. Battery life cannot be put as a negative really as it seems like most smartphones are similar although not sure what the new apple iphone is like? As I said though if you download a battery saving app you can get a whole days usage...for example yesterday...had it on from 8am until 10.30pm using battery app..this included a couple of hours usage for calls, news, internet etc and only then did battery life fall to about 20% left. Overall very good device which will last