Dell's Mini 10v shown running a plethora of operating systems, Android Cupcake among them
Need some further proof that Dell is working on an Android-powered netbook? How about a video featuring Doug Anson, Dell's Technology Strategist, sitting next to a Mini 10v that's running Android? And it's not just any flavor of Google's OS -- oh no, this is the frosting-covered goodness of Cupcake. Sadly the demonstration is nothing more than showing the desktop with that big, iconic clock, but it's proof enough that Round Rock's finest are working on something special. Also shown are 10v's running standard Ubuntu and the Netbook Remix, but they don't taste nearly as good. Video after the break.
[Via Pocket-lint]
[Via Pocket-lint]



















In terms of size and power, Google is becoming the first corporation to truly rival Microsoft. Google maps, search engine, android, adsense and other services will soon be used by every household with a computer.
Android is better than Windows
Android is better than other versions of Linux
and Android is definitely better than the MAC OS.
Not for a netbook.
Not for a netbook.
And not for a netbook.
OK, I'm fairly sure you haven't tested android on a home COMPUTER enough to compare it to ANY other OS. What's with the fanboyism and the hating?
Android is not surpassing Ubuntu for Linux Home/Bussiness Software because Android it is not even out yet and Ubuntu is the most user/friendly linux out there as we Speak.
it is true they are "Becoming" Big enough to scare some people but not Microsoft yet because Android is not OUT yet for Laptops or Netbooks or Desktops!!!
No one is doing anything with Android other than showing that what they installed it on didnt explode when you started the computer!
Android as it is, was not designed for anything other than a phone.
But obviously not OS X as Apple are too restrictive to allow that to happen.
OS/X on Mini 10 probably WILL work as good as it does on the Mini 9 since most of the guts as far as we can tell are the same in the 10v.
Sure. Where's the default purchase option then?
Why the little jab at Ubuntu? I'd bet cash money that there's a lot more Ubuntu installs than Android.
Ubuntu is a good OS. I am going on a week of use and the only trouble I have is getting some flash based websites to work. (Youtube works but it is slow and websites like harley-davidson.com don't load enough to actually click on anything.)
If Ubuntu supported my broadcom wireless card, I would get rid of XP. But it doesn't so I will be using XP for all things wireless.
@Brent: Try this: http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43
I have Ubuntu on my Dell laptop. The out of the box broadcom drivers didn't work, but using the set available at that website was painless to set up. Give it a shot. It's let me use Ubuntu as my full-up main operating system with XP virtualized using virtualbox.org.
...I was an OSX user.
Also, have you tried to update the flash plugins available for linux? You might get better performance.
@Brent - Make sure you install flashplayer-installer from Synaptic so that you have Adobe's Flash Player installed. I'm not sure if Ubuntu uses the free/open-source Gnash player by default, but a number of sites don't work right using Gnash. If you have Adobe Flash Player installed, you should have much better luck. I'm having no problems with the H-D website...
Dell should fire the brilliant minds that led them to invest in an Android netbook idea.
awkward looking smile
Netbooks are a fad
Seriously? Is it the small, light, inexpensive, or great battery life part you think people will tire of?
I use my Dell Mini 9 (running OS X) every day and I love it. It's a great machine to curl up with on the couch or in bed for chatting or browsing. I think 10-12" netbooks are probably the sweet spot for most people and will be around for a long time.
"Technology strategist"? What a pointless job title.
My first gig out of college, I was an "Information Systems Specialist"... which is a lot better sounding than "COBOL Programmer". Eventually I became an "Advanced Information Systems Specialist"... but it still sucked.
Interesting move by dell, PC companies need to differentiate their products especially for the consumer market like to get away from the low margins business.
I am not shure if the Android OS is running on a regular atom procssor based mini or an ARM based one but will it's applications run well on an Atom based processor?
In this economy, its Android's licensing that makes its so attractive to OEMs ( not just computers but industrial machinery, home appliances, cars, scientific devices, on and on ). Android doesn't have the licensing fees, or legacy overhead costs like Windows CE.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_license
unless android is offerd as an option for people to pick when ordering a laptop/netbook it will go no where. linux is starting to become popular because hp dell and almost every computer company offers to install it out there. also it has to be easy to work. aka meaning no command line .
I didn't know David Wallace worked at dell. I thought he was the CFO of Dunder Mifflin.
Just be happy you don't work at the Buffalo branch!
Slumdunder Millfionaire!
Lol, Round Rock's finest. That isn't exactly a high standard.
I'm still not getting the excitement over Android on a netbook (and this video certainly didn't do anything to change that). What would I do with this that would be any different from how I would use any other flavor of Linux?
Now, if it were a touch screen device, then it might make sense...
it will make sense once Google springs the trap, chrome, android, and gears.
google runs the internet
google gets you to view the internet through chrome
google then starts running apps through gears on your desktop
google convinces you to install android, the FREE operating system that integrates immediately and efficiently with all of its applications
google eats microsoft
Interesting...... Its a far cry from happening. If google were to get bigger and get in bed with some serious suppliers then I think itll be complete. I see what you mean though. I didnt realize how they made all their money until I used something other than the search engine and saw how many services they offer. Services that work.
It will take a long time to switch users over and google is going to have to charge something eventually as well make something that can install everyday product. Even most of the new generation doesnt have a clue about Open Source. To them OSX is mind blowing. Until they see the price differences.
No OS X? WTFACK.
Because it's still technically a breach of the Apple TOS and illegal.
breach of TOS != illigal
breach of TOS != illegal
I'm positive its done. just they didn't get it on camera ;)
This is an honest question - why would I want to run Android on a laptop? Presumably the majority of Android apps are heavily geared towards a phone interface, and will therefore feel unnecessarily restricted on a device with a large screen, full keyboard and trackpad (not to mention being optimised for a touchscreen). Similarly, any laptop-oriented Android apps will be next to useless on a phone?
I really don't see why you'd choose it over XP or Linux - so why the excitement? As I said earlier, I'm not trolling - I'm just not sure what I'm missing here!
It's not for a big, full size laptop, its for a low cost, low power consumption net book.
XP, obviously, is very expensive for the OEMs, and that expense get past onto the Consumer.
A full Linux install chews up the battery much more quickly than Android. Smaller battery also equals lower cost.
As far as apps go, you seem a little stuck on the now negligible value of locally installed, OS specific application - those are extinct. Google Gears makes web apps equal to, if not greater than, local installs, in the context of low cost net books.
OMG I LOVE the iconic OVAL clock!
I wish my iPhone had an oval clock!
Android is so much better then the iPhone OS!
Maybe someone can make an app with an oval clock?!
Maybe iPhone OS 3.0 will have an oval clock??
Who cares about copy&paste, give us an oval clock!
Round clocks have jumped the shark!
Oval clock FTW!!!!!!11!!!!
'But does it have an oval clock' is the new 'But will it play Crysis?'.
But seriously; am I the only one bothered by the 'stretched diplay'? The local PC resellers here all have these nice widescreen displays, but all of them have these stretched icons of demo movies with stretched people in them.
That's just stupid.
iPhones might not have an oval clock but soon they'll have a glowing Apple logo on their back sides!
"We have no current plans for any android products... but I wasted my time just porting it over anyways..."
Anyone else believe this one? LOL
The first mini10 was a big mistake, why we have to pay for a HDMI output with a computer that cannot move hi-res video?
Why they abandon the chipset that allows to use it with OSX?
The new back is a step back that puts where it should be: a logical evolution of the mini9 .
Since when a pc manufacturer has to prove that their pcs work with linux?Why they show Android if they are not working on it?
The hidden message is "Mini10v is a good hackintosh".
Obviously they cannot invite people to break OSX license showing a video of OSX installed on a Dell.
I almost forgot it.
Señor Dell, if you read this : 1360x768 screen option also on the Mini10v, please...
+1. I was excited when the 10v was announced with the GMA 950 and was limbering up my "buy now" finger, but upon checking the specs I see that they don't have the high res screen option that is available for the 10. Disappointing.
The cupcake is a lie.
LOL ... I see what you did there.
Ubuntu Netbook Remix FTW! :)
Who cares about the OSes they have installed. The initial Mini10 was landlocked at 1gig of RAM. Can the Mini10v *finally* upgrade past 1gig? 2gigs, perhaps?? I can't find that info anywhere...
Having spent a couple of fairly aggravating months with Android (on the T-Mobile G1), I don't relish the thought of using it as a desktop or netbook OS. No thank you.
what's wrong with Android?.
Yes, the 10v has upgradeable RAM (although its buried pretty far in there). Someone on the mini 9 forum (google it) posted a repair manual for the 10v.
My understanding is that the 10v has user upgradeable RAM, but it requires some disassembly of the laptop. It's still better than nothing.