January 29th, 2009
WSJ: Dell eyeing smartphone biz
Dell is preparing to enter the increasingly crowded smartphone business, according to a Wall Street Journal report that cites anonymous sources. The report says that a team of engineers in Chicago have developed prototypes that work on Windows Mobile and Google’s Android operating system.
The report also notes that one model is a touchscreen model with no physical keyboard and another had a keyboard hidden under a sliding screen. But the report also notes that Dell hasn’t finalized its plans and still could scrap the entire project. For some time, Dell has been experimenting with new product lines as the core PC business continues to struggle. The WSJ writes:
A smartphone push would come as the company tries to remake itself following its plunge from its perch as the world’s biggest PC maker two years ago. While Mr. Dell has sought new growth through consumer PC products and tech services, the turnaround has been uneven. Dell has suffered layoffs and hiring freezes, and last month announced a management reorganization in which two top executives left the company.
Yesterday, Dell said it plans to take a $280 million charge related to layoffs and stock option expenses for the fourth quarter. It will report quarterly earnings on Feb. 26.
Previous coverage:
Cost cutting pays off for Dell; IT spending, demand ‘challenging’
Dell shuffles management deck; Focuses on global units
Dell: How bad is it?
Sam Diaz is a senior editor at ZDNet. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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