Last year the interwebs were abuzz when HTC's 2010 roadmap managed to get itself leaked. The images and specs from the pamphlets were viewed on just about every tech publication in existence, and were referenced for several months to follow. Whether or not it was leaked intentionally is inconsequential, as the hype it created for the HTC brand was something no advertising dollars could have bought.
Today, the atmosphere feels quite the same as Engadget has uncovered what appears to be Dell's roadmap for upcoming devices. But unlike the HTC version, which was blurry with low quality renditions of the devices, Dell brings us crisp images, clear details, and a better picture of how they intend to approach the market - with the boundless power that nature commands and the grace most men only dream of. Not to mention, it answers most of the "regular" questions (carrier, specs, etc.), with the exception of launch date and pricing.
The roadmap packs in four phones and two tablets, most of which will be running Android OS. Don't think for a minute, though, that Dell plans on sitting on the sidelines and watching the Windows Phone 7 (still used to saying "series") craze pass them by this holiday season, because it looks as if they have a WP7 phone planned as well. In an effort to provide you, our beloved readers, with the valuable information you seek in one seamless package, we have compiled pertinent information about each device below under the appropriate headings. Stay tuned for part two, which will cover "Flash," "Smoke," and the company's tablets!
Lightning
The lightning is the only device on the roadmap designed specifically to meet the requirements of the new Windows Phone 7 operating system (notice on the spec sheet they call it Windows Mobile 7). It boasts a 4.1-inch WVGA OLED capacitive touchscreen, 1GHz QSD 8250 Snapdragon processor, full QWERTY physical slider keyboard, 5 megapixel camera, 1GB Flash ROM, 512MB DDR SDRAM, GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi. From the looks of it, the device is set up to work on both AT&T and T-Mobile's 3G networks. The Lightning is targeting business professionals or 'Life Maximizers' if you will (remember Miles and Anna?) who desire "multi-purpose, always connected functionality." Engadget has the release date "pegged at Q4" of this year and also note that there is some indication that the Lightning will get an upgrade to LTE at the end of 2011.
For more information and pictures on the Lightning, go here.
Thunder
The Thunder is the only device on the roadmap that doesn't come with a detailed spec sheet. But fear not, we still have plenty of information to send your way. As you can see above, the thunder is an impressive looking device which, like its WP7 brother, is sporting a 4.1 WVGA OLED display backed up by Android 2.1 (perhaps Froyo by launch?). The device comes loaded with all your social networking and media needs such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Hulu, to name a few. But don't get too confused because Dell wants you to know that the Thunder is "not all looks & play." It also comes ready to handle "a full complement of email services, including ActiveSync, so you can take care of business on the move." "Lightning fast 7.2Mbps HSPDA" and "integrated WiFi" are other features listed to compliment your on-the-go, high-speed business needs.
The Thunder's target audience, according to Dell, is "creative explorers and affluent professionals (sounds kind of like Apple to me, just a thought). Though the spec sheet for this device seems to be missing, Engadget is speculating that it also comes equipped with the now standard 1GHz Snapdragon processor. There's also mention of an 8MP camera and "on-device image editing" software. The Thunder is expected to be sold via AT&T sometime in the Q4 timeframe of this year, with an LTE model coming in 2011.
For more information and pictures on the Thunder, go here.
Via Engadget
For more on Dell's 2010 product roadmap:
