Will Dell Make Smartphones?Will Dell Make Smartphones?

Apparently it is smartphone rumor week. Earlier today we brought you news that Nokia may buy Palm. Now rumors are flying that Dell may enter the smartphone market.Buzz about Dell and smartphones started after Dell hired the former head of Motorola's mobile phone business, Ron Garriques, to head up its consumer products group.

Frankly, this is a rumor I have heard before. I remember stories floating around that Dell would launch a smartphone as early as 2003. Just about every time one of these rumors broke, Dell would come out with a new PDA, but no smartphone.

But the timing now seems right. Thanks to the iPhone, smartphones are hot and other companies seem willing to take the plunge into the insanely competitive handset business.

Dell should be careful, though. The cell phone business is not for the faint of heart. Just ask BenQ Mobile.