The Dell Streak is really cool. It’s a small, strange device with a great screen and points to future devices in the same vein. Is this device perfect? Not quite, especially for the non-subsidized $549 price tag.
Fitting somewhere between a large smartphone and a small tablet PC, the Dell Streak was recently launched in the US. The Streak has a small 5" screen, and does not seem likely to trouble Apple’s iPad except for the fact that it can also make calls and send text messages.
It’s a bit too big to be a phone and a bit too small to be a tablet. It is usable for ebook reading and video viewing, but it isn’t ideal for either of those purposes. In fact, I’m loathe to recommend it as an ebook reader simply because the screen is a tad too small.
The device also suffers from Android refraction. Because it’s running 1.6 – with an expectation that Dell will roll out 2.2 in the next few months. Also, 1.6 doesn’t support Flash or tethering.
In short, if you’re looking for a very powerful, very compact Android tablet, this is probably your best and safest bet.
