A recently leaked image of a Sony Ericsson Android smart phone is gaining plenty of attention. The device is rumored to be a new handset that will not only have the Google open source operating system, but it will be able to be used as a mini tablet and also as a mini netbook.
These are made possible by a few basic features of the Android devices. The slide out QWERTY keyboard is the first part, while the large 5 inch display and the tilting upper face of the device make up for the whole ensemble. In many ways, there is plenty to be excited about with regards to the new Android device –if it turns out to be true. For now, we can expect plenty of focus on their new device.
Of course, Sony Ericsson is not the only manufacturer planning to strap in the Android operating system on a smart phone with a large screen. Dell has already released this Streak handset which comes with a 5 inch touch screen. The lack of a slide out keyboard and its overall looks makes it seem like a very small tablet as opposed to a phone.
Speaking of looking like a tablet, no other large screen Android device looks closer to the Apple iPad than the Samsung Galaxy Tab. As with all the other devices mentioned above, the Galaxy Tab is also a smart phone –the device allows for the making and receiving of phone calls, but sports a 7 inch touch screen display.
So far, the Galaxy Tab seems to be classified as a tablet –even the name says as much, but with the device’s ability to handle phone features, the line between tablet and smart phone is getting harder to define. And if this trend keeps up, there may come a time when there is no line at all.
Tags: Apple-iPad, Dell-Streak, Samsung-Galaxy-Tab, smartphones, Sony-Ericsson, tablets