Dell has announced that its Streak device is now available in two new colors. More importantly, the device is being sold unlocked and contract-free directly from Dell.com.
Dell's 5-inch smartphone/tablet can now be purchased in "Pure White," "Cherry Red," in addition to the black model that has been available since this summer. The three devices will be available exclusively through Best Buy in the US.
Unfortunately, these two new color options will both be sold running Android 1.6. You would think that Dell could include the latest Android version, but apparently the company prefers to push out an update instead. Manufacturing delays are something to avoid if a company wants to increase availability in time for the holiday season.
For those who don't want to be tied down to AT&T, the good news is that Dell is also now offering an unlocked (without carrier subsidies or contracts) Streak for $579 that will ship with Android 2.2 (codenamed Froyo). With Android 2.2, you'll get mobile hotspot capabilities, Adobe Flash, and multitouch. Right now the unlocked version comes only in black, but will presumably come in red and white in the coming weeks and can be ordered now. Even better, current Streak owners aren't being forgotten: the Froyo update is also currently rolling out in Europe, while the US will get the update some time in December.