ASUS Eee Pad EP101TC opts for Android, dumps Windows Embedded Compact 7
By Vlad Savov 
posted July 20th 2010 6:27AM
posted July 20th 2010 6:27AM
posted July 20th 2010 6:27AM
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Why can't Microsoft shorten their product names? I find it really disorientating, and I'm sure the regular consumer would too. Not saying this has anything to do with ASUS' decision, it's just an observation.
@lexitu
Um, Microsoft doesn't sell Windows Embedded Compact 7 to end users, so it doesn't really matter what they name the OS.
@lexitu They did! Originally it was Windows Embedded Compact 7 Series!
@CDice
It does in a way, they are buying a machine running Windows Embedded Compact 7 and this is part of the consumer's choice.
@lexitu
Um, no, it doesn't. Just like it doesn't matter to the end user that Windows Phone 7 seems to also run on Compact 7, or that iOS is unix-like.
@lexitu
To clarify, I mean it won't be advertised, so who cares how long the name is. Name it XenuFailsScience224, and it doesn't matter. Case closed.
@CDice
Most of the time I prefer the longer product names.
At least you can get an idea what Windows Embedded Compace 7 is, iOS4 could be a space ship...
@CDice
Not sure why you're so one sided on this. It DOES matter.
I could buy a device with Windows Embedded Compact 7, or I can buy a device with Android or iOS4.
What was that first one again? I know it's some kind of Windows. Is it the same as Windows CE? Windows 7? Windows Phone 7? etc.
There is a value to consistent and simple names for things. The consumer isn't buying the OS, but they are buying a device with OS a, b, c, etc. on it. It DOES matter to some degree.
@lexitu WEC7. Done.
@MechaPumpkin
I agree completely, but WTF is IOS4 to your average user? You might as well just punch your keyboard.
The only one that got it right is Android. One word, sweet, memorable.
IOS4 and WEC7 need a rename.
@Ducman69 I keep it simple.
OS4 and Compact 7.
@Ducman69 Uh huh! People out in the real world have no clue that Android is a mobile OS.
@MechaPumpkin My wife or mother will not care. They will only wonder how much it will function like an iPad. The OS might be important to a few, but to most it will not matter how long or short the name is. Quickly, what is the name of the OS on a Blackberry? I have no idea.
@vqro
I disagree, most people now know what Android is. Maybe last year you would have been right but the market penetration is quite high now.
@lexitu disorienting*
@maveric101
Both are acceptable. 100% sure.
@vqro I know, people come up to me and say: I got a droid!! Then I say good for you, which one? Then they say: I don't know, but it's a droid. Then I say there are hundreds of Android phones.
Why can't they just call it Windows CE 7?
Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact Seven Series®
Microsoft© Windows® Embedded Compact Seven Series® Professional Premium Plus Extended HD Operating System Edition® for Touch Screen Tablets and Mobile Phones™ 2010
@vqro
Local carriers in our area advertise the phones as "Android Phones" and they have big banners with Andy all over them (although they probably don't know his/her name). But I suppose if the big carriers never mention Android then the average consumer won't know what it is either until they actually start using it and make the connection between the name and the cute, green robot.
@MechaPumpkin iOS4 is short, but isn't less confusing then the long names of Microsoft.
Android keeps on adding ginger, reasonbread, froyo, donut or some other weird kind of food. It makes no sense to me...
@johnsry blackberry os
sexy :)
Maybe then we will see a strong competitor to the iPad.
Sucks for Microsoft though. They really need to get their act together.
Wow... I know this is only a shot.. but if this is how the U.I. looks like.. I have to admit... android step it up! looks good! I wanna know more..
Android is good! the only thing stopping them is reliability and their U.I. before it was awful... Froyo is looking great. I can see google eat up the phone industry like they do to everything else.
@jahkamren lol i do believe that is the compact 7 ui in the picture...
@briguy266 it's ASUS' custom shell.
@briguy266
oh....
ummmm...
well...
in that case i hate it..
lol
i feel stupid...
@Win7GT
Right; Windows Embedded Compact is a platform, and any manifacturer is supposed to put its own layer on top.
Asus was already supposed to bring ALSO an android tablet to the market: are we sure they're dropping the WEC7 one instead of just rearranging their roadmap?
Windows 7 for tablets with a simple homegroup app would be very good. you could then sit in the living room and access your ebooks and music on pc. of course you can do it with dlna etc. but for network laymen, windows 7 homegroup is a dream. i wish they put it in windows mobile 7 too.
@mahmut i mean it would be a dream come true. damn denglisch!!
Nice.
Personally, I still think ChromeOS would be a better match.
@gerrrg
Though I love the idea of Chrome OS, I personally think that at this stage in the game Android is the ideal choice.
1) Chrome OS isn't ready. It is still evolving and hasn't been finalized (AFAIK).
2) Web Apps are not sophisticated enough to replace native apps just yet. I know this will change with HTML5 and NaCl/PNaCl, but they are not here yet.
3) You can get Chrome OS functionality with the Chrome browser. I think I recall hearing that Android was going to get a native port of Chrome, thereby inheriting Chrome OS functionality -- the best of both worlds.
I'm all for Chrome OS, I believe it will be a radical paradigm shift that will shake up the computing world, by moving services to the web. However, it's a bit too soon to start releasing it en mass. As web developers step up their games and release new and exciting apps, chrome OS will become more relevant to the consumer.
@gerrrg
I think I would personally prefer the latest Ubuntu Netbook Remix on this device. I would actually be able to use it for productivity related tasks!
@gerrrg Why not chrome browser on Android?
@dementedacademic
Because it doesn't exist, and because Chrome seems the target for netbooks and tablets while Android seems squarely aimed at smaller mobile screens.
@MagnetMan
If you want productivity just buy a netbook.
Tablets are for internet, pictures, movies and maybe eBooks and simple games.
@MagnetMan
also: nobody likes Linux
@GGG
before some wise guys show up: yes i know Android is some kind of Linux, but you know what i meant
@gerrrg Chrome's not built around the concept of touch devices. Chrome is designed to be built into devices as a desktop replacement/supplement. For example, you'll probably see netbooks with Chrome that are "instant on" devices. Hit the button and you're good to go. You may see motherboard manufacturer's installing chrome in roms on low end (or even high end) motherboards as an optional "instant on" for people who just want to check their e-mail without booting a full OS. And I'm sure we'll see a thousand tiny Chinese all-in-one ARM computer on a chip boxes with two usb plugs, an hdmi plug, and an on button.
@MagnetMan
> 2) Web Apps are not sophisticated enough to replace native apps just yet. I know
"Native Apps" are overrated and mainly necessary because mobile browsers are what is lacking.
make this transparent like in Iron Man 2 and this beauty is $old
What a shame ASIS, I was looking foward to this.
Atleast you still have a few of the Bamboo laptops running Windows 7 that I would love.
@mackenziepricee ASUS*
@mackenziepricee
The 12" EP121, sister to this product is supposed to run full Windows 7.
Very good move, & will make this device cheaper because the os is free.
I love that green robot. It is so cute.
@JXCGunrunna
And if you were going to Comic Con, you'd be able to buy one:
http://blog.dyzplastic.com/2010/07/do-it-yourself-androids-coming-soon.html