The Dell Streak Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on August 15, 2010 6:59 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Dell
- Streak
- Gadgets
- Mobile
The Keyboard
The keyboard is what surprised me the most. With the 4.3” screen on the EVO 4G I found that typing was much easier than any other Android phone. With the 5” screen on the Streak you’d assume it would be even better. Unfortunately, at least with the default keyboard, that’s not true.
Instead of making the important keys larger, Dell chose to try and mimic a standard keyboard layout on the Streak. What you get is something that looks similar to a desktop keyboard, complete with numpad, but ends up more annoying to anyone who has had experience with a smartphone keyboard.
The caps, shift, arrow and alt keys on the left side of the keyboard shift everything to the right by enough room that I found myself mistyping a lot. I don’t doubt that it’s something you could eventually get used to, but even after using the Streak as my only smartphone I still have to type extremely slowly on it.
On the bright side, the larger screen makes the default keyboard feel far less overwhelming than it does on a more cramped display. I still don’t think it’s necessary to have alternate functions printed on each key. Simply having the keys change function when you hit the alt button should be sufficient and keep the keyboard a lot cleaner.
The dedicated numpad on the right of the virtual keyboard is a nice touch. I didn’t use it very often but enough times for me to appreciate it.
Multitouch isn’t supported by the keyboard so if you’re used to typing quickly on a physical smartphone keyboard there will be an extra steep learning curve.
The default keyboard predicts both the word you’re trying to type as well as the next word you may type based on the previous word. For example, if I type “I’m” and hit space the keyboard will suggest “bringing” as the next word. If I tap the spacebar, it’ll accept the recommendation and move on. If I start typing another word however it’ll toss the recommendation away.
I just typed the word You, the Streak's keyboard suggested in as the next word
This predictive strategy has the potential to be great, and it really is amazing when it works perfectly. It’s not limited to one word, it will keep predicting as long as it can, and the suggestions are all based on things you’ve previously typed.
The limitations however are numerous. The biggest problem is that the word prediction isn’t based on what you’re typing, or more specifically, who you’re typing to. Something I’d type in a text to a professional contact at AMD is very different than what I’d text to a friend of mine. For example, if I type “Hey” the next word suggested is “baby”, regardless of who I’m texting. This is a problem.
Here’s where the flexibility of Android is nice. I downloaded Swiftkey and quickly improved my typing speed on the Streak just by switching keyboards. Some may prefer Dell’s default keyboard but I don’t think scaling down a standard keyboard to fit the Streak’s screen is the best option.
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randomlinh - Sunday, August 15, 2010 - link
Hey, thumbs up for actually acknowledging HPalm still exists, unlike HP themselves.. heh.The Streak looks like it could have been the ultimate media device. Something to replace the iPod touch. Some of use still like having dedicated devices that don't eat away at the battery life of their smartphones. Oh I miss the days of 3-4 days battery life of dumbphones.
swang1942 - Sunday, August 15, 2010 - link
I don't think HP is ignoring Plam's existence, they are just laying low to cooking up something in their sleeve. As far as I know, HP is actively hiring mobile phone software and hardware engineers in Shanghai, China who are dedicated to Plam development. We shall wait and see what they can come up with.Rick83 - Sunday, August 15, 2010 - link
The streak seems to be pretty much a clone of what Archos released back in October or so of last year. Form factor is pretty much identical. While the A5 is still stuck at Android 1.6 and doesn't have a built in 3g module (but can tether via bluetooth, for internet access), it does have an incredible media player and hardware acceleration so it will even play 720p HD via HDMI. It also features a dock system so cost of entry is low, customizability high, plus there's an official open firmware available so you can freely install alternative operating systems (but will lose access to some drm functions).So it's definitely the most direct competitor for the streak at this point, until its successor arrives this fall. Would be great to get a back to back review, especially now as most of the teething issues the device had due to its early launch are resolved.
vol7ron - Monday, August 16, 2010 - link
This is the perfect form factor. I've been waiting for this much screen realestate. I'm not a kid anymore, so I don't care if a phone takes up my whole pant pocket - I don't mind a bulkier phone to put in my jacket pocket.If only it had the resolution of the iPhone, I am much more likely to watch a movie on a larger screen, than on a smaller one.
Sometimes I do my Insanity/P90X workouts off my phone too, this large screen size is going to be much better. -- still waiting for these smartphones to have pico projectors and louder speakers, though.
Souka - Monday, August 16, 2010 - link
Streak?I hope it doesn't come in a color like brown! ;)
donzi7000 - Sunday, August 15, 2010 - link
My Streak comes tomorrow. I consider myself an average user of a smartphone. I don't get too involved in which OS it has. I just want to be able to use the internet with ease and not take long to look up a webpage. I find all smartphones hard to use to browse the internet. I am hoping the Streaks larger size will allow me to leave my laptop at home. Having a locked phone doesn't matter to me at all. Aren't Iphones locked? When I get my hands on the Streak tomorrow I will find out if it works for my lifestyle or not. I don't care if Dell, Apple or Hasbro make a smartphone for me as long as it fits my needs.SirKronan - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
Enjoy your new streak! It looks like a really nice-big screen.I'm still waiting anxiously for Anand to review one of the Galaxy S variants!! Thanks for the good review on the Dell, though.
cameralogic - Sunday, August 15, 2010 - link
So Anand, just exactly how stupid would someone look if they held this big phone up to their head? I mean, is it big enough that one can expect snickers or gasps from the people at the next table when making a call? How 'bout a pic to illustrate the actual size of that thing in use?Perhaps a Streaker would be better off using bluetooth and keeping that whopper in their pocket...
donzi7000 - Sunday, August 15, 2010 - link
How about growing some balls and stop worrying about what people think of you?user_x - Sunday, August 15, 2010 - link
In cameralogic's defense, some us us have and because of that enjoy getting laid from time to time. I for one would like to know if holding this "phone" to my head in public will render my balls useless for anything other than taking up space between my legs. I don't care how funny or charming you are, some things looks so absurd that just about everyone will mock you. I fear Dell is testing the outer limits here.