Dell and HTC are at the centre of speculation this week concerning the separate launch of high-profile mobile devices. Dell is reported to be working with Foxconn Group to develop Windows Mobile-based smartphones. Dell already makes laptops. A rumoured announcement in support of Google’s Android mobile platform never materialised at last month’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, but analysts have been mulling the prospect of a first Dell handset ever since the company last year hired former Motorola executive Ron Garriques to be the president of its global consumer division.

On the subject of Google, reports suggest HTC may become the first handset maker in the world to launch a mobile phone developed around Android. According to numerous reports, the Taiwanese manufacturer has already developed the phone, called ‘Dream’ and featuring a large touchscreen and full QWERTY keypad. It is rumoured to hit the market near the end of this year. As well as HTC, Samsung, Motorola and other handset developers are part of the Open Handset Alliance, dedicated to furthering the Android software.