The reason for the delay is that the Streak is the most successful pre-sale device that the computer maker has ever offered, according to Dell blogger Lionel Menchaca. "There are many pieces that need to fall into place to release a product like this, and the reality is that we need more time to work out some things," Menchaca wrote Monday.

Definitely a Need

Once Dell launches the device in the United States, the main question will be to what extent it impacts Apple's iPad sales, given that the Streak will offer similar features but be small enough to carry just about anywhere. IDC Research Manager Francisco Jeronimo expects to see the iPad and the Dell Streak successful in two different market segments.

The iPad will be the choice for people with "a clear preference for a bigger screen" who primarily wish to use their devices at home, Jeronimo said. However, another segment of users will be attracted to a smaller go-anywhere device that sports a screen large enough to view web pages in their natural form -- something they are unable to do on a smartphone.

"For these users, the Dell Streak will be a much more attractive proposition," Jeronimo said. "There's definitely a need on the market for a mobile device that falls midway between a netbook and a smartphone."

Unlike the iPad, the Streak will be able to place and receive calls as well as offer support for Adobe Flash 10.1 multimedia files, Jeronimo noted. So Apple "will have to be more competitive because the other device will be a much better value for the money and Apple cannot rely only on its brand," he said.

No T-mobile Certification

The carbon-black Streak destined for the U.S. market is expected to emulate the version released to the O2 network last month, which features a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset with a one-gigahertz processor ; 2GB of internal storage as well as 16GB of microSD memory; and a five-megapixel autofocus camera with dual LED flash. The device will also sport 3G HSDPA and Wi-Fi radios, together with a Bluetooth chip for wireless gear such as the Plantronics headset currently featured on Dell's pre-order page.

On the software side, the U.S. Streak release will initially run Android 1.6, but an Android 2.2 over-the-air update is slated later in the year, Menchaca wrote. The U.S. device is also likely to follow the lead of the O2 model by integrating Twitter, Facebook and YouTube social-media apps as well as turn-by-turn navigation, street and satellite views courtesy of Google Maps.

Dell plans to offer a mobile application store with apps especially for the Dell Streak, which is slated to become available to U.S. customers in an unlocked mode. On the downside, the U.S. version of the Dell Streak will not be certified for T-mobile. "At this point, we do not have plans for supporting T-Mobile's 3G network," Menchaca wrote.

Harri-o:

Jon:

brainfreezeltd:

Peter:

DellMan:

Marcus Higgins: