Dell Smoke InDepth Review Specs and Pricing

Overview of Dell Smoke

The Dell Smoke is an ambitious, yet ultimately unrealized smartphone project that attempted to merge the best of both the smartphone and messaging device worlds. Initially conceived with a unique design incorporating a QWERTY keyboard, the device was positioned to appeal to business users and messaging enthusiasts who required the functionality of a smartphone combined with the tactile feedback of a physical keyboard. Although the device was never officially released, understanding its intended features gives us insight into Dell's strategy and vision for mobile devices during that era.

Design and Build

The Dell Smoke was designed with a compact form factor, combining a traditional smartphone layout with a physical QWERTY keyboard. With dimensions of 120 x 59.8 x 10.5 mm, it was intended to be both slim and easily portable, fitting comfortably in the user's hand. The focus on providing a physical keyboard was significant during a time when touch screens were becoming the standard, thus highlighting Dell's dedication to offering an alternative for those who preferred tactile feedback.

Display

The device featured a 2.8-inch TFT screen capable of displaying 256K colors. Despite its relatively small size, the display aimed to provide clear and vibrant visuals with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. This pixel density (~143 ppi) was modest by today's standards but was quite typical for smartphones of that time, ensuring that the basic needs for browsing, texting, and navigation were adequately met.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Dell Smoke was planned to utilize the Qualcomm MSM7230 chipset, featuring an 800 MHz Scorpion processor and an Adreno 205 GPU. This combination was intended to offer sufficient power for daily tasks such as messaging, browsing, and multimedia consumption. The inclusion of a microSDHC slot for expandable storage also indicated flexibility for users requiring additional space for apps and media.

Camera Capabilities

The planned 5 MP autofocus main camera suggested a focus on providing reasonable photographic capabilities for a device of its class. While the specific video recording capabilities weren't fully detailed, the presence of a 5 MP sensor indicated that basic video capture would have been a feature. Additionally, a secondary front-facing camera was proposed, although its specifications remain less defined.

Connectivity and Networking

In terms of connectivity, the Dell Smoke would have supported GSM/HSPA technologies, making it compatible with a range of networks. The proposed 2G and 3G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 850/1900/2100, respectively) exhibited an intent for wide compatibility. Meanwhile, with HSPA speed support of 14.4/5.76 Mbps, users could have anticipated reasonable data transfer rates for browsing and app use.

User Interface and Software

The device was planned to run on Android 2.2 (Froyo), an operating system known for its improved performance and capabilities compared to previous versions. Android Froyo introduced new enhancements such as USB tethering, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, and better performance optimization, which would have made the Dell Smoke a competent device for both work and leisure.

Battery Life and Features

A removable Li-Ion 1170 mAh battery was another practical element of the Dell Smoke's design, offering users the possibility to carry spare batteries for extended usage. The proposed battery life indicated standby time of up to 576 hours and talk time of up to 6 hours on 3G networks, which would have been considered adequate for moderate usage during that time.

Additional Features

The device would have incorporated several additional features, such as a stereo FM radio with RDS, a microUSB 2.0 port for connectivity, and A-GPS for positioning services. Other intended features included a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio versatility, along with sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass for enhanced interaction and application use.

Conclusion

Though the Dell Smoke project was ultimately cancelled and never made it to market, its design and proposed specifications provide an interesting look at the smartphone industry's direction during its conceptual phase. The combination of a physical QWERTY keyboard and Android operating system represented a bridge between traditional mobile communication tools and modern smartphones, illustrating Dell's attempt at pioneering in the mobile device landscape. The vision embodied by the Dell Smoke continues to underscore the ever-evolving nature of technology and consumer preferences, reminding us of the innovative phases that have shaped the mobile world as we know it today.