There apparently is competition coming the way of Apple’s iPhone and iPad in the US, with Dell set to release its Android-based ‘Streak’ touchscreen tablet-cum-smartphone in the country on Friday, August 13!

Priced at $299 with two-year AT&T contract or $549 contract-free, the 5-inch Dell Streak tablet will be available directly from Dell – for presale on Thursday and for general public on Friday.

However, Android aficionados who have already registered for presale priority will get the first chance for ordering the tablet, along with free two-day shipping.

Officially announced by Dell in May, the Streak garnered significant hype at CES in January, with Lionel Menchaca, chief blogger for Dell, noting that it has been in tears that a single Dell product has been generated noticeably substantial buzz.

In fact, the Wall Street Journal has already proclaimed the Dell Streak as “the first major competitor” to the iPad; thereby hinting that the forthcoming tablet device has the potential to be a flagship Android device.

At present, the Dell Streak – which has been described both as an over-sized iPhone and a mini iPad – will be powered by the older 1.6 version of Android; with over-the-air upgrades to Android 2.2 ‘Froyo’ and Flash support reportedly on the cards later this year. While the Streak was originally demoed in Cherry Red color, the tablet will initially be available only in Carbon Black color.