Dell to roll out second tablet computer

Dell chief executive Michael Dell on Wednesday said the firm will release a second tablet computer to compete in a hot market dominated by Apple's iPad.

Dell made the announcement during an on-stage presentation at Oracle's annual OpenWorld conference in San Francisco and gave no details about the gadget, its price or when it would hit the market.

The Texas-based company did not respond to an AFP request for more information.

Industry insiders believe the new tablet will have a seven-inch (17.8-centimeter) touchscreen and run on Android software backed by Internet giant Google.

Earlier this year, Dell launched an Android-based "Streak" tablet with a five-inch (12.5-centimeter) screen and a camera. The devices connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi or 3G cellular networks.

Streak was for sale at Dell's US website on Wednesday for 550 dollars, but the price dropped to 300 dollars if buyers opted for two-year service contracts with telecom carrier AT&T. Streak tablets are also sold in Britain.

Apple's iPad has a 9.7-inch (24.6-centimeter) color screen.

AT&T said Tuesday that more than half a million iPads have been connected to its network since the device from the California maker of the Macintosh computer, iPhone and iPod went on sale in April.

A new Dell tablet would join growing ranks of contenders in a tablet market ignited by the success of the iPad.