Android on netbooks is simply one of those things the entire industry seems to be dabbling on. Acer, who’s pretty much been upfront about their efforts on that end since the start, are now claiming they’re looking towards a third quarter launch for their first Android-based Atom-powered machine.
Since it will use Google’s free mobile OS, the Android netbooks should prove at least a bit cheaper than those running Windows XP, apart from shipping without the bloatware (I pray to God) every boxed machine seems to be coming with these days. Of course, whether Android, which was originally designed for mobile phones, can handle the same complexity of applications that Windows XP on a stripped-down machine can manage is still up in the air. With a huge outfit like Google behind it and the support of the open-source development community, companies like Acer are counting on Android growing into a complete computing suite.
Microsoft, of course, has long boasted of the reality that many netbook users want the familiar experience of Windows to go along with their portable computers, with the $25 tithe being too nominal a price point not to get it. It’s not an argument that’s without merit, too, considering how other Linux distros have failed to steer the market away from the company.
Personally, I’m expecting Android to change the netbook game. Fostering lower requirements than Windows, the OS will likely pave the way for even cheaper, stripped-down machines. If Google can churn out the basic desktop apps (email, word processor and spreadsheet), instead of having to do it online (3G data plans aren’t cheap, after all), I can’t imagine this being anything but a hit.
As for Acer’s Android netbook, I’ll eagerly await.
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