John S. Wolfe

The new Dell Streak cellphone, on sale in the UK, is larger than the BlackBerry Storm.

Apple’s iPad has been called a revolutionary device – more versatile because of its size than an iPhone but light and not as cumbersome as a laptop.

Available for only a month or so, its uses have not yet been fully explored. Is it a handy screen to watch movies or surf the Internet while you’re on the couch or at a Starbucks? Is it a replacement for a TV? Could it be the device that improves industries like health care and manufacturing?

Skeptics see the iPad’s size as its ultimate drawback: It’s too big – even at 9.7 inches diagonally — to carry conveniently.

Well, Dell – yes, the computer company – has entered the cellphone market – in the UK.

Last month it began selling the Streak through the O₂ telecom, the nation’s largest.

As the photos show, the Streak is larger than a standard U.S. smart phone. It measures about 5 inches by 2.5 inches. The screen covers most of the phone’s body, and when seen in person appears large enough to watch videos without squinting.

According to a salesman, the Streak is gaining some converts. While the size makes it a bit unwieldy to hold against one’s ear, many individuals are simply using a headset or earpiece and keeping the phone on the desk or car seat.

The Streak is only slightly wider than the BlackBerry Storm.

The Streak uses the Google Android operating system, which means its browser is fast and its array of applications is vast. It features icons for each app like most smart phones.

It includes a 5.0 megapixel camera, a flash and a user-facing webcam. It comes with a 16 GB or 32 GB memory card.

Dell is marketing the Streak as “Not too big, not too small, just right.”

The phone retails for about $500.

The UK is seeing a surge in the popularity of smart phones.

The iPhone is a frontrunner, boasting better actual phone service than in the United States. The iPhone 4 is expected to sell out nationally after it goes on sale June 24.

But the HTC Desire – similar to the new Sprint HTC Evo in the U.S. – is proving to be a hit. It is also an Android phone. In fact, the Android operating system is rapidly competing with Apple for cellphone domination.

Windows-based phones are falling to the side. The Sony Ericsson Xperia is about the most popular one left; it features an 8.0 megapixel camera with 8x zoom.

Interestingly, BlackBerry — with its own proprietary operating system – is hanging in there in the UK.

It’s not the Storm that is selling; it’s the standard BlackBerry with the browser and small keyboard.

And who’s buying it?

Believe it or not, teens.

It seems they are taking advantage of the unlimited BlackBerry Messenger texting service. Hmmm.

So, do you think Americans will ultimately go for a larger-screened smart phone like the Streak or stick with the iPad?