Lactus Technology

Dell's unnamed gadget is reportedly in development since last year.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009: Dell is reportedly working on a pocket-sized Internet device that would run on Google's Android operating system. Fashioned after Apple's iPod Touch, Dell's unnamed gadget is in development since last year, according to a media report.

The Wall Street Journal said, "Two people who saw early prototypes described the device as slightly larger than Apple Inc.'s iPod Touch, which is similar to the iPhone but does not have cellphone capabilities. Another person who was briefed on the company's plans said Dell may begin selling the device later this year, though this person said the plan could be delayed or scrapped entirely."

Dell may use chips based on designed licenced from ARM Holdings PLC, people familiar with the company's plans told the paper. The company does not currently make any devices that use ARM-based chips.

In March this year, speaking at Computerworld in Tokyo, Michael Dell, who is CEO of the company that bears his name, confirmed that his company was working on a smaller form-factor device. "It is true that we are exploring smaller-screen devices," he said. "We don't have any announcements to share today, but stay tuned as when we have new news we will share that with you."

Dell had also said, "We already have agreements with many mobile carriers around netbook devices, so it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect that we would have smaller mobile Internet devices or smartphones in the future."

Earlier this year, Dell appointed Ain McKendrick to oversee its mobile Internet devices (MID) production.

The Texas-based company is also rumoured to be working on several Android-based smartphones that it plans to start selling later this year.