Dell Readies Android Phone

Dell's long-rumored foray into smart phones is about to come to fruition, with some help from Google and AT&T. That's according to a report in the Wall Street Journal Wednesday.

The paper said that Dell is working on an Android-based phone that will be carried by AT&T, which will feature a touchscreen interface and compete directly with the iPhone. The phone, which lacks a name, would debut as soon as early next year.

The announcement, coupled with the announcement this week of Google's deal with Verizon, means that the Android operating system will soon be available on phones from all four of the largest carriers in the U.S.