The Lightning is Dell's Windows Phone 7 answer to the onslaught of Android phones that have been hitting the market like Google's Nexus and its own Dell Aero. The Dell Lightning will come with the standard level of features required by Microsoft for adopters of the Windows Phone 7 operating system. This smartphone will carry a 4.1 inch WVGA multi-touch screen joining the emerging ranks of touchscreen devices now on the market. The Lightning is a quad-band GSM handset and will operate on the 3G networks of AT&T and T-Mobile.

The fourth quarter 2010 launch date means the specifications are likely to change. The available information is from Engadget who received leaked specifications from Dell.http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/dell-lightning-the-ultimate-windows-phone-7-device-leaks-out/ Stay tuned to this page for the latest news, updates, and feature changes over the coming weeks and months as the release date nears.

The Dell Lightning follows the standardized configuration required by adopters of Windows Mobile 7 OS. The expected configuration is a 1GHz Snapdragon QSD8250 processor and a Samsung WVGA 4.1-inch OLED display. Memory consists of 1GB of flash with 512 MB of RAM plus 8GB of storage on a MicroSD card. Additional features include a 5-megapixel camera, , GPS, accelerometer, compass, FM radio, and video playback. There will also be full Flash support for those who have shied away from Apple devices who won't be getting Flash any time soon (if ever). The Lightning browser is expected to have support for Flash, Flash Video and Silverlight although there is some confusion as to timing as Microsoft says Windows Phone 7 handsets shipped for the holiday season won't have Flash.http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20003150-85.html Connectivity is through US telecommunication providers AT&T and T-Mobile 3G via the quad-band GSM available through this Lightning handset.http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/dell-lightning-the-ultimate-windows-phone-7-device-leaks-out/

The interface contains the required with (Windows Phone 7) Back, Start, and Search buttons.http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20003150-85.html The users will have various multimedia and entertainment features including Zune and Xbox Live integration.

Windows Phone 7 is a major redesign and the "look and feel" along with the way it works will be very different from earlier versions of Windows Mobile OS. http://www.enterprisemobiletoday.com/news/article.php/3878031/Dell-WP7S-Lightning-Strikes-Electrifies-Buzz-for-New-Windows-Mobile-Software-Platform.htm The first major change is to move away from the traditional business user to the individual consumer enabling Microsoft to take on the Android market. Second, there will be a standardization of hardware to allow more consistency for both the user experience and developers. For example, there will be three standard buttons that need to be on the phone. Third, the user interface becomes more touch-like rather than the look of Windows XP. Fourth, forget about using your older mobile applications.

While Microsoft is a minor player in the mobile phone world, it still extends its reach through intellectual property confrontations with small phone makers using Android OS. http://blogs.computerworld.com/16025/microsoft_marches_on_android_and_linux Windows Phone Developer Community Technical Preview (CTP) for Windows 7 released on May 3.http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2010/05/latest_windows_1.html

Associated Content packages the known information about the Dell Lightninghttp://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2937368/the_dell_lightning_phone_review.html?cat=15

The HTC Mondrian touchscreen device likely running Windows 7 may be released prior to the launch of the Dell Lightning. It is expected to have a 4.3 inch WVGA display powered by a 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.http://www.sellmymobile.com/news/htc-launch-two-new-handsets-892/