Yes, you read that right. The Dell Streak 7 has hidden phone functions and can sort of make calls.
That's the secret phone app you're looking at above. It's nothing fancy because the UI either isn't enabled or simply isn't in the system, but a dialer from whatever keyboard you're using will appear when you tap the bar below the Tablet, Call log, Contacts, and Favorites tabs at the top and let you input a phone number. Dashes are automatically inserted too.
The phone app also supports screen rotation and has a dedicated voicemail button and a call button that can be used to bring up the last number you dialed (for quick redialing).
If only calls could be properly made and received. You'll see what I mean in the video below.
If you're not into videos, then you just missed seeing my HTC EVO receiving a call from my Streak 7. Well, sort of. After the Streak 7 dialed and the call seemed to fail, the EVO started ringing.
Unfortunately, that's as far as I've gotten on my own. When I answer the call, there's no sound on the other end. There's actually no sound on either end. I haven't been able to get the Streak to receive a call either, even though the caller hears the phone ring and can even leave a voicemail message.
The solution could very well be right there in the system, as I found lots of phone-related activities that appear to do nothing when I try to use/enable/tap them, but I seem to have run out of the luck I was having with my trial-and-error method.
Assuming that it's really possible to get the phone fully functional, I've got more info in this Dell Streak 7 phone hack thread in the forum for anyone who wants to help.
Thanks to Fone_Fanatic for the original build.prop and EMList tips!
Send one to Steve. If there’s a way he can do it.
jenn is best
If the Streak 7 can be hacked to make legit calls, im sold. Only dealbreaker is if i cant use my existing tmobile unlimited data plan.
This tablet makes me so sad… so many missed opportunities.
Just curious.. Can you use the sim card from you 5″ Streak AT&T device in the 7″ Tmobile device, or is the Tmobile card not accessable?
Jenn, you may look at some of the work done by people who have the Samsung Tab on T-Mobile. I think I remember reading that T-Mobile IMEI blocked their version of the Galaxy Tab from voice services.
I’d take a gander that if true, then T-Mobile would do the same thing for the Streak 7, so I’d imagine that in order to see if the voice truly works you’d need to get it unlocked somehow and then pop in an AT&T sim.
I’m sure the hack for voice-capability will be forthcoming shortly, which makes it somewhat annoyning that the introductory US price ($450) for this NEW device is $100 LESS than what they’re STILL charging for the OLD device north of the border — @#$%@ &%^&$* . . .
agree, phone number is probably dialed using data, and once it tries to connect, if your SIM doesnt have voice, it terminates call. Probably more than just that too, issues w/software. Excited to see this and big congratulation Jenn!
Nice Job!
Couldn’t this just be a portal for administrative functions on the device? Why create a new input method when you can use the same one that phones do….
someone who has one of these and some idea how to use adb etc PLEASE drop into irc and let me have a play, i suspect fix may be something simple
or just donate a free dell streak 7 to dj_steve
The SIM does have voice. I took it straight out of a BlackBerry with voice+data.
The Streak 7 is locked to T-Mobile. I have not tried to unlock it yet.
Admittedly, this is rather beyond any “expertise” I might claim, but might there be something about a BB sim that prevents it from working? Would it be worth the effort to try your Streak-5 sim?
oh boy, Engadget flood inc!
I just bought this unit last night.
I like it but I have mixed feelings about it tho.
I do not like the lower resolution on this. The galaxy tab is superior in that regard. I also wish dell would’ve taken the extra step to retool some of the core apps like the contacts, notes, calendar, etc.
I DO however like that this tab is slimmer…the galaxy seems a bit more stocky.
….oh it f/c allot on me too when using apps, but it stopped.
so far this thing reminds me of my mytouch phone minus the cal feature
oh..
I see..
even better.. so looks like its probably software related, hopefully can just port a phone.apk, either tab or streak, may be easier than starting from scratch. Either way I will love to see this.
Excellent find!
Slightly Off Topic here…But is there an unwritten/written rule that American Movies, Pics have to use the 555 area prefix?
Just curious as the main pic shows 555-etc etc
@TJ The phone companies began encouraging the producers of television shows and movies to use the 555 prefix for fictional telephone numbers, roughly during the 1960s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/555_%28telephone_number%29
Thank you “Manwell”.That is why I am at Streak Smart, you answered that question instead of vomiting on the person who asked. Wish some of the other forums were as good as this one. Peace
can you sms text (with out the phone feature) on the streak 7?
If it works not using loudspeaker only function ala the Tab then I sold. The ability to make private calls would be great!
It already has a phone.apk hidden in the system apps, so I am hoping the fix is easy.
Couldn’t you simply use Google voice? That works via 3G on my regular streak.
Or maybe GV is not using 3G?
WAS AT TMOBILE TODAY PLAYING WITH THE DEVICE… I REALLY LIKE IT BUT HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO USE IT AS A PHONE. LIKE @MODACO SAYS IM WONDERING IF I CAN JUST USE GOOGLE VOICE TO MAKE CALLS ON THE DEVICE> DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE?
can do sms or texting …thank
T-Mobile (US) sells it with free unlimited domestic texting — so my guess is yes.
Dell Streak 5″ is garbage why buy more Dell Gargage?
Still running Android 1.6 and AT&T Don’t even puts it on their web page.
WHY BUY MORE DELL GARBAGE?
Thanks for the tip Jenn. I ended up modifying that prop file last night to get my streak showing the phone app. I’m just waiting on TMo to finish processing my unlock code request and send it out to me today. Once I have it unlocked, I’m going to try it with an Etisalat card in UAE and see if that works. It may just be something they are not unlocking with the service for TMo, but as you mentioned above, you have tried it with a voice plan card. I’ll try my luck with this other service here and let you know what happens. Since I have plenty of extra time on my work trip, I might be able to hack the app a bit to provide some results. Thanks again for showing us they left things installed.
I really wish this thing made calls. I want my all in one device now!!
Pleaseeee as a Dell streak 5 user on tmobile this edge shit sucks! I really need voice calls on the 7 . Someone help us!
Go away with your nonsense. The hardware is great and with DJ_Steve’s custom rom the software is too.
If this thing made calls I would buy it and hack it to have an internal mic and earpiece. I don’t get enough flack from my friends for my huge phone.
I own a house full of “Dell GARBAGE” and love every piece….I’ll just wait it out…it will come to pass.
Yes, the sexiest piece of garbage I ever had!!!
dude your completely on the wrong product. they are talking about the streak 7 not 5. get your info straight.
Hey Jenn how did you get the phone dialer on the bottom tabs i cant figure it out can you email me and let me know thanks.
Bottom tabs? Are you talking about the launcher dock?
somewhere on xdadevelopers.com you can find a hack on how to make calls from the streak 7 and galaxy tab… a manager at a tmo location met someone who came in to his location who was making calls with it.. just a hint.
Although there is a dialing pad maybe try downloading a dialer with root access which Google does support. However it will void the warranty
Is there any update on this?
My WiFi DS7 does have a SIM card slot although it was just a piece of plastic stuck on it.
since all the software in system is the same as DS 5 all the necessary apps is there, a bit of hardware add onto it would be another way to get this working?
Its not im running vodafone and it works great????
you ain’t smart enough to use smartphone if u are calling dell streak a garbage.
better use those cheap nokia/samsung phone. easy to use and needs no update.
click on contacts on the screen and then phonebook. U will get the dialer .
Why on earth would Dell lock the Dell Streak 7 only to TMobile? Furthermore, why not design this 7-inch tablet to be able to make real phone calls? How is it possible to manufacture a 5″ Dell Streak with mobile phone technology and omit that same capability from it’s larger sibling? Ridiculous. If I could plug my ATT SIM into the Dell Streak 7, and make actual mobile phone calls, I would purchase Dell Streak 7 in a heartbeat. I have owned several Dell Streak 5s in the past 2 years; with varying levels of luck (hardware & software problems), and as much as I was dissatisfied with the overall performance of Dell Streak 5, I still have to admire the designers for creating such a robust form factor. Don’t give up the ship, Dell! You can do it!
Just FYI, this was applicable for HTC Flyer (worked great)
http://www.pdaviet.net/showthread.php?143523-M%E1%BB%9E-CH%E1%BB%A8C-N%C4%82NG-PHONE-SMS-CHO-HTC-FLYER
Note: Vietnamese translator is needed .
Just FYI, this was applicable for HTC Flyer (worked great)
http://www.pdaviet.net/showthread.php?143523-M%E1%BB%9E-CH%E1%BB%A8C-N%C4%82NG-PHONE-SMS-CHO-HTC-FLYER
Note: Vietnamese translator is needed .
Send email to UnlockCodeRequest@dell.com with your IMEI and request an unlock code. I bought a T-Mobile Streak 7 without contract and they sent me a code. They might not send code if you bought your Streak 7 under contract. I put my AT&T sim card in and the data worked but there was no phone which is how I ended up on this site.
by the way, you will be prompted to enter the code after you install the sim card
Why would they build a device like this without phone capabilities? That’s just plain dumb
greed. pure and simple. they want you to pay more money.
Dell streak 5 is amazing.Mine have android 2.2. That AWESOME
Can you take screenshots once the streak 7?
install 2.3.3 with ICS and u’ll love it even more..lol
Team,i know this is very old thread .But i am sure one of us might have found out the solution to make calls from dell streak 7 by now!!
Please help i have honey comb 3.2 GSM unlocked device!
I’ve got also an Dell Streak 7 with honeycomb 3G. Please advice us how you can enable the phone function. Thanks.
Google voice. Thats how you phone functionality. check out —–
http://forum.xda-developers.com/
they are a great bunch of people helping us the little people “fight the man”