Dell is poised to launch several smartphones and at least one handheld internet access device this year, all of them based on Google's Android OS, company insiders have claimed.

The two leaks came from groups of seemingly unconnected people either “familiar with the company’s plans” or “people briefed on the matter”, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

While the Dell Android smartphone mole couldn’t add anything more than a potential launch date to rumours that have been doing the rounds for months, two moles connected with the PC firm told the WSJ that they’d seen early prototypes of a Dell MID (Mobile Internet Device) running Android.

The pair claimed that the MID is slightly larger than the iPod Touch. Yet another Dell mole added that the PC firm may begin selling the unnamed gadget later this year.

It’s worth noting that this last Dell mole stressed that the MID’s launch timeframe could be delayed for unknown reasons, or scrapped altogether.

If the sale does go ahead, though, then Dell has considered selling the Android gadget through network operators, it was reported.

Dell’s been more officially linked with Android before, but across a range of devices. For example, just last month Doug Anson, a Technology Strategist at Dell, released a video blog of the firm’s Mini 10v netbook - reviewed here - running Android’s Cupcake OS edition.

A loose-lipped Dell business partner also recently revealed that Dell plans to launch an Android-based netbook. But Andrew Bowins, a Dell spokesman, later said that its partner’s announcement was “made in error”.

Dell’s never officially confirmed any plans to launch a mobile phone or MID – let alone anything based on Android. ®