Rumours are flying about global PC and laptop manufacturer Dell - the latest technology company to spark speculation that it is moving into the mobile phone world.
The talk surrounding Dell has been on and off for a long time, but a few weeks ago rumours sprung back into action that the PC giant was definitely considering a smartphone release incorporating its PC technology in a pocket-based setting. Tech blog engadget rounded up the evidence today, reporting that the Wall Street Journal announced Dell is "preparing a move into cell phones as early as next month".
The blog notes that with February comes the Mobile World Congress, an event where mobile manufacturers show off their latest designs and newcomers to the market announce their arrival. Even Dell's employees aren't immune to scrutiny: two ex-Motorola staff - the former head of the company's phone division and another previous Motorola employee who is in charge of Dell's netbook division - have been singled out as another indicator of the company's plans.
The netbook leader's mobile plans are significant because popular smartphones like the iPhone and the BlackBerry are deemed netbooks by their respective creators, Apple and Research in Motion. The Wall Street Journal also reported that sources described a range of smartphone prototypes that have been built by Dell, running Google's Android and Windows Mobile operating systems.
The shrouded smartphones include a keyboardless touchscreen and a sliding keyboard model. Mobile World Congress will take place in Barcelona in February 16-19.
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