Acer's dual-boot Android and XP netbook launching in August?

You remember Android right, Google's other OS that actually exists? Well, Acer's set to launch what could be the world's first Android-based netbook in August. At least that's what DigiTimes is reporting second-hand via Chinese-language Apple Daily. While two suspect sources won't turn a rumor into fact, Acer's already on record with plans for an Android netbook in Q3 in dual-boot XP configurations. So hearing that Quanta and Compal will have these out smack in the middle of the quarter isn't much of a stretch.

[Shane @ Jul 13th 2009 5:44AM]

hmmm never even used android on a phone but i sure do love google. :P

[cloud858rk @ Jul 13th 2009 5:45AM]

I'm still baffled why anyone would sell Android on a netbook instead of a more suitable Linux distribution.

[Charbax @ Jul 13th 2009 7:02AM]

3X CHEAPER
4x longer battery life on regular 3-cell batteries.
2x more compact
2x lighter
HDMI ports allowed, new funky internal HSDPA usb ports design allowed, DVD rom allowed, more RAM allowed, more hard drive storage allowed

Those are just some of the advantages of ARM processor based netbooks can have over Intel Atom based netbooks. Android is best designed to work on ARM processor based netbooks.

A full Google Chrome can also work on Android based laptops, which is why I say that Chrome OS is most likely just Android 2.0 with a bit more optimizations for non-touchscreen large keyboard/mouse user interfaces of laptops versus pocketable tablets.

[cloud858rk @ Jul 13th 2009 8:28AM]

I think your comment missed.

[Magallanes @ Jul 13th 2009 10:26AM]

3X CHEAPER is true.

Linux cost $0
Android cost $0

Linux x 3 = Android.

[Miles @ Jul 13th 2009 5:46AM]

Useless.
Why would I want a phone OS on a netbook?

[Eddie.exe @ Jul 13th 2009 5:48AM]

I ask the same. Also, wouldn't it be more expensive? What with two OS from big companies and what not.

[HereAndNow @ Jul 13th 2009 6:03AM]

What if the netbook would support cell phone calls, SMS/MMS, LBS, etc., as a result of running Android on it? Now I would essentially have a smartphone with a larger keyboard & screen...with lots of great Android apps.

THAT would be a REAL differentiator, for Acer!

Plus, the mobile operators would likely embrace it, since they would be able to generate revenue from cell phone calls, SMS/MMS, LBS, etc., in addition to data contracts.

[Jarhead111 @ Jul 13th 2009 9:23AM]

@ Eddie.exe

Android is Open-Source, and therefore free. The cost would remain the same.

[andreas @ Jul 13th 2009 6:36AM]

Is it just me or does the android logo look a bit like a Cactuar there?

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/1/13/Cactuar.png/180px-Cactuar.png

[Magallanes @ Jul 13th 2009 10:36AM]

Yes, it looks Cactuar

[blah @ Jul 13th 2009 6:01AM]

android = arm
xp = x86

dual booting android and xp = ???

[HereAndNow @ Jul 13th 2009 6:04AM]

Android also supports x86.

[Eddie @ Jul 13th 2009 6:01AM]

I love Android on my G1...but I really can't imagine using it on a netbook. I'd rather stick with windows.

[HereAndNow @ Jul 13th 2009 6:07AM]

The beauty is that you would have both. If you want/need to use Windows, you can. Otherwise, Android offers you the benefits of fast boot & runtime, super long battery life, touch-optimized UI, location-based services, cell phone calls, SMS/MMS, multi-media playback, and access to all the other cool apps in the Android Market.

[LondonConsultant @ Jul 13th 2009 6:28AM]

In the real world, the sweet spot is a Windows 7 netbook with an Android emulator application (ie running on Windows 7) that has access to the Android Market.

[ray k @ Jul 13th 2009 9:13AM]

@ LondonConsultant:

YES. THIS IS RELEVANT TO MY INTERESTS.

[michaeljking2007 @ Jul 13th 2009 6:24AM]

Will Flash video be available for Android in time?

[HereAndNow @ Jul 13th 2009 6:25AM]

I can see Acer continuing to offer Android on their netbooks, even after ChromeOS begins to shift.

Why not?

Acer would have a netbook perfectly suited for mobile operators, because:

1. Android enables the support of cell phone calls, SMS/MMS, LBS, etc., from which mobile operators can generate additional revenue.

2. Operators will already have Android smartphone experience & apps that can be utilized on other Android-based devices.

As much as I like ChromeOS, I think Android also has a great future in smartbook/netbooks/MID/eReader/etc. devices (especially with a broader range of display resolutions supported in Android 2.0). I guess it will be up to the device vendors to decide which one makes more sense for they type of device they are trying to build.

[Charbax @ Jul 13th 2009 7:08AM]

I'm pretty sure Android 2.0 and later is the same as Chrome OS beta and final releases.

No reason why the full Chrome browser cannot be made to work in powerful Android ARM based devices.

No reason Chrome OS wouldn't have instant-on, connected standby, VOIP, IM and other of the advantages that Android OS already has.

No reason Chrome OS wouldn't support the minimalistic and secure Android applications.

Chrome OS is just a temproary name Google uses as their large screen project.

[adamz @ Jul 13th 2009 10:34AM]

I think HTC already did this better with the HTC Shift dual-mode Windows Mobile & Windows Vista Netbook/Tablet PC. The Windows Mobile part is capable of syncing with the Windows Vista part, and still offers all the advantages of Windows Mobile when not booted to Vista. Android doesn't sync with anything besides Gmail... certainly not a Windows XP installation.

[DanielT @ Jul 13th 2009 8:42AM]

Thank you engadget for the super cute article picture!

[JMoney6409 @ Jul 13th 2009 12:33PM]

Why are they riding unibrows?

[Ed T @ Jul 13th 2009 10:45AM]

LOL - this is Google sticking it to Ballmer again. Ballmer was trying to squeeze a few more bucks for W7 licenses out of the netbook OEMs, and here comes Google probably giving them Android for nothing. Now Ballmer will have to cut the license fee for W7 or maybe even pay them some money to drop Android.

I love it -- down-n-dirty Karma for one Steve Ballmer!

[mike @ Jul 13th 2009 1:30PM]

I'll wait patiently for my Windows 7/Android machine thanks.

I do love all the people asking why/how a phone OS should be good on a desktop.
It is more a question of how long it will take to be buttressed in the open source community into something more than capable of the task.
It's like telling somebody who says, "One day my kid will be in the NBA as he plays basketball all the time with his friends outback." that their kid will never be in the NBA as he doesn't dribble well enough and he's only 5'2" tall.

- Mike

[JustDon @ Jul 13th 2009 4:06PM]

It will be interesting to see what these Android machines do over time. I hope that it will be successful, but I think the jury is still out.