Last year when Ron Garriques joined Dell from Motorola, rumors started that Dell might come out with a cellphone/handset.
Back then I wrote that Dell as a company doesn’t have what it takes to build a successful handset (market). Sure, they can continue to piggyback on Microsoft and release Windows-based PDAs, but that is not the same thing, and not a successful route. And even with those PDAs they were not successful at all.
Today I read about the rumors that Dell might come out with an Android-based handset. When I read that, I am thinking, good for them, that is what it takes for them to become relevant in what is the next phase in personal computing; think open, embrace, look ahead, innovate, and lead-not follow. Spend the time and resources on mobility, which is the future. It is already known that for many, and especially new generations, and around the world, the first and only computing device they will have is the mobile handset.
But that is a big change in philosophy for a company like Dell.
Then I read that Google Mobile Phone Plans Not True, says Dell.
Yes, I was right, that is a big change in philosophy for a company like Dell.
So today I’ll repeat what I said last year, that Dell will continue to lose ground and not be exciting. It must spend the resources and money on innovation, R&D, and change the old ways. Push into the handset space, directly or indirectly, which is the future of personal computing, and not treat this space as TVs or desktops or an experiment. Lead, don’t follow. Making this change in vision does require new blood, from the outside.
As a separate thought, I wonder if the Dell management (with Garriques) might be considering buying Motorola’s handset division, which spin off is being is rumored on the Web?
ceo