Dell plans to introduce a smart phone using Google software on the AT&T Inc cellular network as early as next year.

With an AT&T deal, all four major U.S. cellular networks would carry phones using Google's Android operating system, a key step in the Internet giant's attempt to extend its dominance of the personal-computer world to mobile phones.

The phone would be Dell's first dive into the competitive U.S. cellphone market. The Dell device has a touch screen instead of a keypad as well as a camera and its is similar to a device Dell showed in China in August.

Dell's device relies on Android for behind-the-scenes technology that runs programs like a Web browser, music player and games. Google has been trying to expand Android's use for close to two years.

After a slow start, Android has been gaining steam in recent months. The software has slowly gained popularity as consumers come to expect mobile devices to act like computers. Google said this week that nine Android devices have been announced, across 32 wireless carriers in 26 countries.

The Dell phone would bring the system to AT&T, the U.S.'s second-largest wireless carrier by subscribers and home to the iPhone. On Tuesday, the largest U.S. carrier by subscribers, Verizon Wireless, said it would launch its first two Android devices this year.

By: DocMemory
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