Ever since Dell announced that they were discontinuing the Axim line (was that really almost two years ago?) there have been persistent rumors of a Dell smartphone running Windows Mobile.  Every time this rumor crops up, Dell wastes no time shooting it down.  Well, now the yes, no, maybe so Dell smartphone is rearing its ugly head again.  According to a report in the Wall Street Journal (paid subscription site):

Dell Inc., aiming to rev up sales as its mainstay personal computer business struggles in the recession, is preparing a move into cellphones as early as next month, said people familiar with the matter.

The Round Rock, Texas, company [Dell] has had a group of engineers working on the phones for more than a year from an office in the Chicago area, these people said. They produced prototypes built on Google Inc.’s Android operating system and Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Mobile software, these people said.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I am a bit skeptical.  First, we’ve heard this all before.  For all we know, these rumors could be getting circulated by a wishful-thinking Dell fan.  Additionally, the smartphone market has changed drastically since the Dell Axim line went the way of the Dodo.  On the other hand, if you took a Dell Axim-like device, running the Android Operating System…well, I’d certainly take a closer look.  For now, until we see an actual device…this one will remain tucked away in the I’ll believe it when I see it column.

[via WMexperts]