WP7 Powered Venue Pro from Dell Experiencing Delays Already
Dell’s Venue Pro is one of the most anticipated Windows Phone 7 devices but it is taking a beating—shipping delays are its newest problem. The Venue Pro hit stores yesterday in small quantities with T-Mobile lined up as its first carrier in the US. Almost immediately, reports of a Wi-Bug hit the Internet. The smartphone also entered the unusual WP7 microSD situation when it was confirmed that it does indeed use a microSD card as its internal storage. Now UK retailer Clove Technology is listing “Stock delayed until January 2011” next to the phone after being one of the first to offer pre-orders on it. So what’s up with the Venue Pro?
Clove Technology is the first retailer to say that they don’t have any yet. WPCentral is also reporting that customers of the company who pre-ordered are receiving e-mail notification of the delay. When you figure that January is more than a month away, you have to wonder what is up. You would think that’s enough time for them to build the phones and ship them to stores. HTC’s HD7—another in the first batch of WP7 smartphones—is also having some pre-order difficulties according to the site.
Could Dell be delaying its shipments to fix the Wi-Fi bug that manifests itself when users try to connect to protected Wi-Fi networks? That makes sense but it would be nice if Dell would come out and say something. Leaving us in the dark just makes us anxious. January is a long time away.
Those lucky enough to have received their Venue Pros on schedule have confirmed that yes, Dell’s jump into WP7 also uses a microSD card reader to provide its internal storage like many other WP7 models. Most of the other models have microSD card slots hidden and require some taking apart to swap for larger storage. Dell put theirs right under the battery and slapped a warranty sticker on top of it. It’s like they are taunting us. Lift the sticker, swap out the card and you void the warranty. Seriously Dell?
The Venue Pro is a good smartphone. It is unfortunate that its experiencing so many problems in its first few days. Hopefully the supply problems clear themselves up or are blown out of proportion. If Dell is delaying this, would you really want a smartphone that can’t connect to any Wi-Fi networks you use? Is Dell being a jerk for not even bothering to hide the microSD slot? Let me know in comments. That’s what they are for after all.
Tags: WP7, Wi-Fi, delay, dell, Dell Venue Pro
They have delayed the release of the Dell Venue Pro from dell.com I called to place an order and the sales person told me that they found out just this morning that they would not be shipping the phones but took down my information to call me when they are available. He also said it was not know when that would be.
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The exact eamil from Clove on the delay:
Especial the line about the SD slot is frightening.
I cancelled my order for now.
Thank you for ordering a Dell Venue Pro, it is appreciated.
We do today, however, have some important news. We have been informed that the first stock of the Dell Venue Pro to arrive in the UK has been delayed until January, due to a supply issue with components.
This is a problem that is plaguing many other manufacturers too, so Dell is not alone. We appreciate it does not ease the situation, but reconfirms the issue globally.
In addition there has been some confusion over the on board memory and microSD slot on the Dell Venue Pro. Despite being told earlier that it will have a microSD slot, it has been confirmed that the stock set to arrive in January will have NO microSD slot, but will have 8GB of internal memory.
We are very frustrated by the delay and change in specification but pass this information to you at the earliest opportunity.
Unless we hear otherwise from you, we shall now hold your order until the stock arrives and ship it when it does become available.
We thank you for your custom and understanding.
The Clove Technology Sales Team.
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Dell’s official release for the phone isn’t until next Monday. The phones with the problems were display units, previously used by engineering–and weren’t supposed to be sold.
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Dell is done…wait for 2011 to get a WP7 right after we witness an actual OS update from Windows and observe the outcome of that…make sure all devices (regardless of carrier) do receive timely update as apple does or would it be just another android (controlled by hardware, carriers etc). Too many unknowns and no one asked these questions prior to launch…Things arent always as they seem.
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