http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/ Engadget Comments for Acer launching world's first Android-based netbook in Q3 http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 6:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 3:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
That means, presumably that the screen will still be super low res. and Android will move at snail's pace and have crapy battery life.

Why not use the ARM based Snapdragon, as with the one showcased yesterday.

It's great that they're giving us the choice to avoid the M$ tax, but it'd be nice to avoid the Intel one, too!]]>Jun 2nd 2009 6:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
I reckon they thought twice creating this with ARM chip so that consumers can still install windows if they chose on the x86 atom, or am I completely way off the mark?]]>Jun 2nd 2009 8:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
That is a possibility. Although if acer is going to sell android side by side with windows models, it would be cheaper for consumers to just buy the windows models. AFAIK the cheap netbook xp license is only available through OEM's and customers installing it themselves would need to pay full price.

I believe that an ARM would be better suited here. Cut the ties from windows and leverage the power of a true mobile platform. I am also something of a netbook fundamentalist and think that xp on a netbook is wrong in principle. XP gives consumers the idea that netbooks should match laptops in form and function, when that is not the true meaning of the platform.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 1:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 6:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Office 2007 is more alien to its previous versions than OpenOffice is. And fact is, Linux hasn't failed: its penetration in the netbook market has simply levelled with that of the other markets. It had 100% penetration when netbooks launched but that, of course, wasn't realistic: that figure simply reflected the fact that there was no other choice. It's only natural that when Microsoft entered the market, it would gain its monopolistic market share. Moreover, the 'big developers' you're talking about have always been developing applications for the Apple platform; indeed, some even developed exclusively for Apple in the past, when Apple's market share was even smaller.
And lastly, a smartphone is a scaled down computer, so a beefed up smartphone is, guess what? A normal computer again.
]]>Jun 2nd 2009 7:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
It might be perfect for someone who wants to use it exclusively for surfing internet and nothing else at all, but that is it, in my opinion.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 7:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
You have to take into account the OS as well. Typically you have a different OS on a computer than you would a smart phone. Windows/Windows Mobile, OSX/iPhone OS ... Android on both smartphone and computer is interesting. I am guessing as it was built for the smartphone it probably wont be as useful on the desktop.

These manufacturers see an OS and a potential gap in the market so they will try and make good use of it. Doesn't mean that it is a good idea.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 8:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 9:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/I guess 'Desktop Android' is not going to be 100% the same as its smartphone sibling.

@poke
That's because no other OS has the flexibility of Linux, which scales from embedded versions for tiny devices to full-fledged desktop and server OSs. Mind you, I'm not saying that it is necessarily a good idea; all I'm saying is that the 'alien' and 'a phone OS and nothing else' points are moot.

@Alan
A netbook perfectly capable of running Ubuntu is much closer to a standard notebook than the original concept of netbook. 'Real' netbooks are, by definition, limited both in functionality and capability and have trouble running the full version of Ubuntu decently; a stripped-down version maybe, but then we're back to Android.

]]>Jun 2nd 2009 9:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
Microsoft used EXACTLY this pitch when it launched WindowsCE/Pocket PC/Windows/Mobile into the smartphone market. How's that working out for them? Oh yeah -- the user experience that people rave about it is radically different from the one they're used to.

Moral: suitability > familiarity.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 6:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
Taking a smartphone OS and installing it on a netbook is the unknown here. Microsoft didn't take a desktop OS and put it straight onto a smartphone.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 8:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
I wouldn't want an iPhone or BlackBerry OS on my laptop!]]>Jun 2nd 2009 9:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/As long as they don't whisper the dreaded Linux word which would be the kiss of death.

Push hard the great Android apps available, and how easy it is to download and install them.
]]>Jun 2nd 2009 6:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
I need my coffee.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 6:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 6:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 6:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 6:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 7:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 7:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
Whether it's Windows or Ubuntu, I want a grown up OS on my netbook (was using Ubuntu until I installed Win 7 on my Acer).]]>Jun 2nd 2009 9:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 7:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 10:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/That's the sound of linux stepping on Microsoft's toes again.
That's the sound of millions of MS fanboys saying "meh", and secretly wondering about their loyalty.
That's the sound of the slow cancerous death of Windows.
That is the sound of inevitability.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 8:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 8:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 9:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 9:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 3:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 3:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/even if this shits that you say are going to happen microsoft was that loyalty for human race history that you haters could not even dream of.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 3:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 3:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 8:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 8:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 9:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/skytones-alpha-680-tablet-android-interface-gets-underwhelming/]]>Jun 2nd 2009 9:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 10:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 10:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 10:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
http://www.netbookreviews.com/why-i-pre-ordered-the-asus-eee-pc-1008ha/

I'll take the Asus Eee PC 1008HA anyday :)]]>Jun 2nd 2009 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
Sometimes limits are good too - on a Windows XP machine you're going to stuff it with everything you're used to [even things you don't really want or need - familiarity can be a bitch] and then complain about how slow it is after a while. With Android, 100 free apps installed on an Atom/512mb of RAM I bet it's as fast as a fresh XP install.

What I'd like to see though - is what people will do without a taskbar. Although applications run in the background, you're still limited to one open program on-screen at a time, right? Unless they change that for the netbook experience, I imagine that will confuse people. Look at how people carried on about Windows 7 Starter having a 3 open app limit? [Not to confuse app with process]. On the Android you can't have your browser open AND do a word-proc. document simultaneously. Though you can do a word-proc. document or browse the net, and say, listen to music (which continues playing in the background, unless you purposely stop it).

For $99 I'd get one for sure. For more than that I'd get it if I was sure I could install Windows or Linux on there in case I didn't like Android on it.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 2nd 2009 2:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
Why I would want an OS like Android on a netbook

- Instant on. Yes windows and OS X wake pretty quickly, but at a cost of battery life.
- Long battery life. I want a netbook that can get through the day (16-18 hours) with moderate to heavy use.
- Applications. (Tons of applications available in the Android app store.
- OS designed for mobile use. Android was built with mobility in mind.

I don't need a full desktop OS on a netbook. I have a MacBook Pro for that.]]>Jun 2nd 2009 8:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/
The problem with this? Well, Atom uses more power than an ARM core would, and is probably overkill for Android. So the battery life WON'T improve with this model, when it might improve quite a bit with a design targeted at Android.

Some of the things might be overkill. Like the keyboard. What's the Windows key for? What about the Alt and Ctrl keys? Or the PrtScn button. Or Pause? Etc. You could probably do a better keyboard in a small space if you punted these keys. Maybe they'll find something useful to do with them, like launching applications or something. But probably won't feel right.

If this thing has a big hard disk, with spin up time and power consumption and all that, what is it for if you're running Android? The only reason you need a lot of storage on your "phone" is to store media--MP3s and Video. With crappy speakers, and it being too big to use in the car, or carry around with you, or go to the gym with, its not really an MP3 player is it? Would make more sense to just outfit the thing with a small SSD (16GB or something) and make the thing smaller, lower power, faster.

Then there's the question of Android applications. How many are going to adapt well to the larger screen size? And will there be the sort of web-browsing, music listening, video watching, flash streaming applications we've come to expect on netbooks? So far the video side of Android has been lacking from what I've heard (but haven't read a review of CupCake yet... have they fixed this?)]]>Jun 2nd 2009 9:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/acer-launching-worlds-first-android-based-netbook-in-q3/Jun 3rd 2009 9:45AM