Come on! Dell's Mini 3i Android handset hits China

I’ve been speculating about the possibility of machine-making giant, Dell, going Android for sometime. Back in mid-June, the world had an apparent glimpse of an Android prototype — but I’ve been worrying (and, I do worry) that Dell might go the Windows Mobile route.

There’s nothing massively wrong with Windows Mobile nowadays. It’s mediocre/dire. It does the job. I just can’t hack the operating system delays that almost appear to have been built in.

For a while now I’ve also been telling people about the growth of Android. The economics are such that, as a manufacturer, Android is a very, very difficult prospect to avoid. Particularly when you’re sitting opposite a Microsoft representative telling you how much they want you to pay for their rubbishcomparatively annoying mobile operating system.

Now that the marketplace has hashed out the connectivity between the operating system and the hardware and proved the concept, it’s time for the giants to get involved.

I’m still waiting for news from the likes of Haier on Android, but meantime, news that Dell has dipped it’s 800lb gorilla toe into the water is very, very exciting. The prospect of being able to configure my mobile online prior to purchase (“yes I WILL have the 12 megapixel camera and YES, I will have the 48-hour battery”) is, I admit, a little bit far-fetched today.

MobileCrunch has pictures of the Mini 3i:

.. and also reckons the handset is 2g, 3.5″ touchscreen, on-screen keyboard, 950mAh battery, mini USB port and microSD. Oh, and no wifi.