Dell Joining the Google Android Game

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The Google (GOOG Quote) Android smartphone market is set to get a little more crowded as Dell (DELL Quote) prepares a U.S. entry.

After introducing its first cell phone in China this year, Dell is reported to be working on an Android-powered device for AT&T (T Quote) that could arrive early next year, according to a story by The Wall Street Journal.

Dell's shrinking share of the PC market has put pressure on the tech giant to find new areas of growth, like services -- exemplified by the Perot Systems (PER Quote) deal last week -- and in mobile devices.

Industry observers expected Dell to push into phones after it hired Motorola (MOT Quote) executive Ron Garriques two-and-a-half years ago.

Dell's decision to go with Android increases the pressure on Motorola and its effort to rebuild itself around the Android software.

The move would be more good news for Google and its strategy to extend its search business beyond the desktop to mobile devices.

-- Written by Scott Moritz in New York