MSI, others to showcase Android-based netbooks at Computex?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Apr 23rd 2009 1:57AM
posted Apr 23rd 2009 1:57AM
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I've never seen or used Android in person -- would anybody who has explain how/why it would be better than a traditional flavor of Linux? Just the buzz? Brand? Or is there some real, tangible reason?
If it was a convertable tablet design the UI of Android would make sense. Other than that, it's a nice OS for a limited device, and a cheap notebook/netbook that could run the Android apps would be useful. Though I'm not sure it would be more useful than a straight up PC..
Its not, but Google wants people to suck their balls more often because its ego needs a boost after the phone UI kinda flopped.
Can someone explain to me in fairly simple terms why people are so interested in A) Android, and B) Android on Netbooks ?
Serious question. The evidence seems to show that people largely aren't satisfied with all the basic functions unless they're wrapped in Windows. And more tech savvy eople who could actually handle a non-windows OS on their netbooks all seemed pretty happy with Ubuntu Netbook Remix...or can likely put whatever distro they want on the hardware. So why all the hype for Android ? I can't imagine it has as large a software library as Windows or even (Debian) Linux at this point...
Any info appreciated :)
(I ask this because I've got my figurative finger poised over the purchase button for a Sylvania g Meso Netbook (hey...I'm a non-conformist) for ~$250 and I want to know if *I* even need to factor in the potential for Android on Netbooks before I push the button)
If it was cheaper than the other netbooks out I might be interested. It will have to have an ARM CPU to be running Android, and that tends to mean it will be super low power. Power levels like a phone, but with a huge (compared to most phones) netbook screen, and everything but the cellphone from a mobile phone.... could be nice. Could be alike a cheap answer to the HTC Shift.
If they launch it at the same price as the X86 PC compatible netbooks running XP/7, there's little point considering it.
They are not interested in either. And in the USA very few people are interested in Netbooks either. sure tech people on the blogs may be but not the mainstream and that is where the big products are. and microsoft is dominant because it hits mainstream people. Android is no threat to them.
...or you could just compile/rework it for x86... Hell I believe it's in cupcake that google wrote in code to make it work with the x86 architecture.
Personally I feel lack of Divx/Xvid playback on Android means it will be less popular, that`s what i`m using my netbook alot of the time for so if they want it to be a winner in that arena they have to do better than Linux, which already does all that stuff anyway
I guess for a super super super lite netbook this would be ok...
Oh, and that angry Android on the Windows logo is WIN!!!!!!!!!
I don't really understand how Android is any better for netbooks than any other type of Linux, or even GOD FORBID IT Windows XP.
I don't think it is better for the consumer, but it is better for the manufacturer.
When windows is placed on a netbook, the manufacturer needs to pay MS for a license.
When linux is placed on a netbook, the manufacturer doesn't have to pay for the OS.
When android is placed on a netbook, the manufacturer *could* be paid by google.
The reason why it would be in google's interest to pay the manufacturer is because it locks the user into gmail, google maps, google apps, google search - which all generate ad revenue. (and a monopoly, eventually)
For MS, once the OS is sold, there is no more revenue stream. For google, paying to put the OS on the netbook is not a huge loss compared to the gain they can get in ad revenue and mindshare.
I can't remember where, but when android first came out, there was a semi-official thing from google explaining how it was going down this path to push google services and search... nothing more.
this last bit is kinda troll bait, but it is another way that google can look like they are offering something great while screwing open-source people who help work on their code (mozilla -> chrome, linux -> android)... basically monetizing other people's work.. ah well
@Jay: you do realize that's the entire point of something being open source right? So that other people can see what you did and build off it? And before you say anything, yes, that does include commercializing it(just read the GPL)
But, but god and his servants say that netbooks are junky!
Android on the Atom should be called "Automaton".
+1! Or Lal.
so, this would be a bigger version of the G1?
I'm very interested in Android on a phone, but I can't for the life of me think why I would want Android on a netbook and not Windows 7.
A whole OS running on X86 hardware where everything runs through Java, YIKES! and what happens when i plug in a bluetooth dongle or a 3G dongle, oh yeah just like linux NOTHING! if you want a small computer then android really doesn't offer much.
Linux has Bluez. Windows has many different bluetooth stacks.
I once used a fujitsu siemens machine that came preloaded with XP and a trial-version of the toshiba stack. Noticed it expired and could only be extended 1 month, (after the initial 12 month trial time) You would expect hardware you have paid for would be supported at no additional cost, but someone must think otherwise.
Worked out of the box in Linux btw, so your claim doesn't hold water.
I understand less from your post, hopes teh internets shits on your salad Mr. Spam-man.
Great another useless OS, it's ok I'll pass waiting for Window 7 instead.
why would you not want XP and not be compatible with the world?