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Dell's Android-based Streak mobile device took its inaugural bows on Telefonica's O2 mobile network in the United Kingdom on Friday. Equipped with a five-inch multi-touch screen, the hybrid tablet/smartphone is the first offering from O2 to become available to subscribers under a data-only plan.

U.K.-based O2 subscribers signing up for a 24-month data plan priced at $36.38 per month -- or an integrated data/voice plan priced at $50.93 per month -- will get the new mobile device free. The Dell Streak, which is slated to become available on AT&T's U.S. network in the latter half of July, also can be purchased from O2 as a no-contract, pay-as-you-go device priced at $580.67.

Although Apple's iPhone did not have a single competitor for a long time, the iPad will have strong competitors -- and the Dell Streak will probably be one, noted IDC Research Manager Francisco Jeronimo. "This does not mean that Apple won't be the leader in this segment, but it will have to be more competitive because the other devices will be a much better value for the money and Apple cannot rely only on its brand," Jeronimo said.

Finding A Niche

The IDC analyst also thinks there is definitely a market need for a mobile device that falls midway between a netbook and a smartphone. "We will see different form factors being launched throughout this year, with different screen sizes and running different operating systems," Jeronimo said.

Henry Dewing, a principal analyst at Forrester Research, also sees a market need for devices like the Dell Streak that promise to enable mobile information workers to communicate and collaborate.

"This device is important because it is small enough to carry, yet large enough to see video and other digital media," Dewing wrote in a blog. "And it has the hardware features to support collaboration via...

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