Comments on: Dell's rumored smartphone: Look out RIM

After targeting the enterprise for so long, it just makes sense that that it would be the Dell phone's first target, as well.

[denisgoodwin]

what exactly would providing a link to Dell servers offer to a smartphone user? RIMs connection is based on a fast connection to a companies mail/calendar/contact infrastructure, not some vague connection to a server. If MSFT couldn't provide some value-added services from the software side (active directory, exchange, etc..) in Windows MObile, what can Dell offer? The iPhone's exchange integration is actually easier to implement than RIMs - no hardware needed. I hooked up to my exchange servers in less than 2 minutes. I really don't see Dell bringing anything to the table here as they have no software hook into anything useful. Dell's star is falling faster than MSFTs....

[wjsteele]

I'm confused by your statement, I've been using Windows Mobile for years and we've always had connectivety to the back end exhcange server/active directory infrastructure. In fact, WiMo had it BEFORE RIM did. RIM's system used a proprietary network until then and the e-mail had to be forwarded to the RIM servers for delivery. We used to be a RIM shop as well.

Perhaps DELL is going to connect it to services that they will provide, like Hosted Exchange or some of the hosted CRM stuff msft has. If DELL became a service provider as well, it could turn out to be a real nice package deal.

[denisgoodwin]

regarding my WinMo comment, what i meant was the MSFT hasn't offered much more capability than RIM or apple with regard to exchange type functionality to differentiate their offering from RIM and APPL.....so where does that leave Dell?? i think nowhere......

[Starfires]

They would be okay if Smartphones become ubiquitous like laptops. Then hardware features could determine choices, the software platforms being universal enough to allow this. But now they are a relative rarity and the iPhone has made great strides- almost as great as the iPod. People really aren't sure how to use them and aren't aware of just how much is possible on them- hence the popularity of Netbooks filling the gap for a smaller, smart machine.

BlackBerrys are relatively simple, much like other cellphones- so a smartphone is a mismatched competitor. The only way that Dell could do this is by convincing companies that their employees really need such features, that it would make them more productive. This is a bit ahead of it's time.

[pj4614]

Dell's only value was in manufacturing a good product just in time and cheaper than others. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't think Dell has ever added any value to products other than consistent quality workmanship and price. Others figured out that game long ago and PC prices dropped as companies serving the Microsoft ecosystem figured out how to compete with Dell on production terms. There is no innovation and nothing of unique value from Dell.

If they enter the phone market, again there will be no innovation or value unique to Dell. They will merely manufacture a product serving the Win mobile or Android operating system and drive down handset costs. So what? Look at recent graphs showing Apple's profits per phone versus those selling in volume. True long term value lies in creativity, ingenuity, and uniquely satisfying the needs and desires of consumers.

Dell would be better off trying to sell some of its excess manufacturing capacity and expertise to Apple. Dell smart phones would just be stupid.

[SkateNY]

Dell has never pole vaulted over others' technology in any significant way. It's just not in their DNA. They're good copycats, and they have a great deal of leverage to get components at a bargain price, but no one ever accused them of leading the market in design or innovation. That's not going to change just because they need to stop bleeding cash.

I do sympathize with their shareholders. Things are not going to get better for them for a very long time, if ever.

If I were Michael Dell, I'd sell the company to HP, buy an island in the South Pacific, and never be heard from again.

[Hep Cat]

A Dell smartphone would be pretty funny, but I agree with others here who argue that it's just not in their DNA. Remember the Dell DJ? Software is the differentiator in the Smartphone market right now; Dell doesn't have the in-house expertise nor the ability to guide a vendor toward making great software. Without that, they'd be just another Windows Mobile vendor.

[jumpjetta]

It'll most likely be another Windoze Mobile clone. As such, it will be third-rate.

[Kahukusweet]

What's the writer talking about? Phones don't connect to servers, they connect to software. Exchange is already in that spot and it don't matter what server it running on.

Btw, michael dell does own a nice bit of the pacific, it's not south, but it's the Four Seasons resort on the big island of hawaii, as well as a $70 (est) million spread nearby at kukio.

[johnnykuz]

Dell bringing value to an enterprise just because they already have Dell servers? Ain't gonna happen. It'll be just another WinMo device. You write as if Dell has special software expertise..... they don't. The only way to bring value is with their own smartphone OS and that's definitely not in their DNA. They may be able to build 'em cheap (that IS their DNA) but that's as far as it goes. Trying to compete against AAPL & RIMM in the smartphone market is wishful thinking. They're not good enough to pull it off.

[iBuzz]

They will have to distinguish themselves by not using Blackberry's trackball or iPhone's touchscreen. My guess is that they'll bring back the scroll barrel from the Dell DJ. LOL

[mobilemavy]

Gee, what if it's a steaming pile of cheap plastic stuffed with a windows product? someone would actually want that?? the dellphone, good for some 2009 yucks before they swirl down the drain of empty suits and incompetence.

[bennett54]

I would not buy a smart phone that was conceived and developed in Texas.
Plain and simple.
I would buy the iphone over the Dell product even if it is inferior.

[codynews]

Uh, that seems reasonable. I'd ask you "Why?" but I don't even want to know... I can only assume someone from Texas kicked your dog or something.

Cody

[sting7k]

Dell already tried and failed at both PocketPCs and MP3 players. What is the point of them making a smart phone. They should just stick to computers and make them better.

[hardmanb]

It would seem to be a real stretch to bring out a smartphone to directly target RIMM, and questionable at best. RIMM is very good at what they do, and firmly entrenched around the world.

Dell does not have the innovative talent, software platform or talent, ecosystem (iTunes, AppStore) or customer satisfaction/loyalty to compete with Apple. They also don't have the time, while bleeding cash and value, for a long and expensive learning period.

Dell's expertise lies in manufacturing cheap and inexpensive commodity boxes, automated manufacturing and supply chain management. Unfortunately this is a overcrowded, low-margin, economically weakened segment of the business. Dell's future looks bleak.

[david4711]

This is officially the dumbest article ever. See all comments above.

[afterhours]

Dell's hardly the default for the enterprise. Going cheap, maybe. HP, Apple and SUN, please. TOC is far superior for those over Dell hardware. Dell is DNC - do not consider. Cheap never pays for itself.

[smartypants61]

What a bunch of posts! Either you are all consumer driven phone users or you lack imagination and see no need for improvement. Not a positive comment in the bunch! There is a huge amount of room for improvement for enterprise clients. The number of items that can't be be opened on a blackberry is remarkable for a business device.

So here are some ways dell can truly achieve the improbable, some said, some new:

focus on the business customer where performance, not fashion dictates purchase orders,
have a platform that supports key ms office products, pdfs, jpeg, bmp, and 99% (by volume) of attachments sent to clients. support one or two other business platforms if the market is there,
horspower to attach to servers using VPN technology,
Flip design using approx 4 X 3" design (11 X 7mm) with full size screen when open and small outer screen for phone for use when closed,
QWERTY & Trackball, doubt the mini trackball is exclusive to RIM - They work and people like them already,
WLAN capable, dockable
GPS enabled
Frint functionality
Fax to phone/phone to fax ability
Mini USB and USB or USB to mini converter
SD card capable
Comppatible with all carriers datatplans and transmission technologies in US and most of teh world,
essentilly everthing I need to do not only all e-mail work but all laptop work as well.
camera for video confence call

I can do 3/4 of my job remotely now on a single device, we need to be shooting for 100% here for Dell to be innovative. Tall order made easier by focusing on 1 or 2 customer subsets. Don't try and please everyone. Just the ones you can. Focus on bundling with other products and services, and Dell has a shot, a real one.

Apple is not the target here.

[Get_a_life_Leo]

If Dell did produce its own smartphone, it would be an indicator of desperation. They depend on shifting PCs and do a reasonably good job at that. If the PC world is insufficient to support them, then they should consider their options but going up against RIM would be suicide. Further, what possible advantage would Dell have in applying their customize-to-order model to a prepackaged WinMo smartphone that would be competing against 10+ other manufacturers who have been doing this as their main business for 10 years? Maybe Dell should buy Palm while it can afford it? Second thoughts, that would doom the Pre.

[ReasonableGuy]

Dell can make cheap. It does not do quality. If Dell enters smart phones it will have to compete with RIM, Apple, Palm, and Google. All of those companies write software, and do a pretty good job of it.

Dell doesn't do software, it relies on Microsoft. Unless Microsoft does a compelling upgrade to Windows Mobile, what will Dell have to offer? Just another cheap smartphone. Plenty of those on the market using Windows Mobile and other OSs already.

[ddmatt]

Really? Is anyone that concerned about what kind of phone a Ron Garriques company is going to make? how do you think the Razor went from first to worst? Ron "slash the prices" G-money.....that's how. This guy couldn't successfully market a phone if someone else designed it, branded it, marketed for him, and all he had to do was not ruin it......oh, wait, he already proved he can do that.

[startouch]

I DONT EXPECT MUCH FROM DELL , BUT YOU NEVER KNOW !? I REALLY WANT TO MAKE VIDEO CALLS LIKE ON MY LAPTOP OVER WIFI . BUT I THINK ILL WAIT TILL THE "LG" VIDEO WATCH PHONE COMES OUT !(BUT THAT MIGHT BE SOME TIME HEAR IN THE SLOW U.S.A. ) WELL ALL HAVE TO MOVE TO EUROPE OR ASIA TO BE TEC-FORWARD......