Augen’s $99 Android Netbook: Worth It?
How cheap netbooks can get? Apparently, it is possible to manufacture a netbook that costs less than $100. Augen also has a $150 tablet for those who don’t want to spend a bit more on an iPad. You do get what you pay for here. Augen Genbook does not have any features you would want to write home about. It has a 400MHz CPU, a 7 inch, 800 x 480 pixel display, and 128MB of memory.
Acer To Form Wireless Partnerships in the U.S.
We have been hearing a lot about Google Android showing up on future netbooks but it seems the new Acer netbooks won’t be adding Google Android to their fold. But there are strong indications from Acer officials that there is a deal in the works with Verizon over wireless support for Acer netbooks. Acer networks are currently being offered by AT&T for a little discount, but the company is hoping to reach out to other wireless carriers in the U.S. to bring subsidized netbooks to more people. I am not personally a fan of these subsidized netbooks, but it’s good to see consumers having more options when it comes to netbooks.
What I was disappointed about was Acer’s commitment to Windows XP. Windows XP is not that expensive and may be popular, but that doesn’t mean Linux should be ignored here. Here is what an Acer official had to say about this issue.
XP is a good solution for the price performance… If you look at it, the number of devices that are sold with Linux is very small.
There is no question that XP is a decent OS, but many prefer Linux to Windows XP and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a free OS. So it’s a little bit disappointing to hear Acer commit to Windows for now. But you can always put Linux on your machine all by yourself.
Your take: should Acer bring Android to its netbooks?
HP To Offer Android Netbooks?
Talk about a shocker. Just a few days after many analysts predicted that Android won’t be much of a challenge to Windows in the netbook market, HP is making plans to bring Google Android to its netbooks. Google Android is based on Linux and has been already tested on a few netbooks. HP is currently studying the matter, but it is not hard to see HP introducing android netbooks in the future. For starters, it’s a brilliant move that puts Windows-based netbooks on the back foot. Windows 7 may be a good OS, but not everyone is going to like the platform. And Linux based netbooks can be potentially cheaper, making them attractive to folks who want to get their hands on the technology and save money in the process.
When will HP introduce android netbooks? That’s hard to tell. Currently, HP is studying the matter. That means the earliest we can see android netbooks is fall of this year. Now that’s something worth waiting for.
Android Coming To Netbooks?
Google Android has generated a lot of buzz in the mobile industry. The G1 phones are not only attractive but are run by Google’s mobile OS. They may not be as hot as the iPhone, but Android is still very much in demand. After entering the mobile market, many analysts are now excited about the possibility of Google entering the netbook market. The Linux-based OS can provide netbook owners with security and the productivity tools they need to ditch Windows XP (or Win 7.0).
There are some skeptics out there who argue Windows will dominate for years to come. I am not so sure. Netbooks may be capable when it comes to create and consume content for the Internet, but people know they are not buying a super laptop with netbooks. Netbooks are highly portable computers that suit folks who live a mobile life. As much as these guys care about bells and whistles, price is the most important aspect to them. If you could get an Android netbook for $100 less than it’s Windows counterpart, wouldn’t you?
Microsoft has argued for long that Windows is a better and even cheaper solution that Linux. I never quite understood their logic and don’t think they have an answer for Linux. Microsoft will be formidable but if a company is able to bring the netbook prices down by another 20+% by offering Android or Ubuntu, you can expect many to ditch their Windows and jump on Linux bandwagon. Will it happen in 2009? Pr0bably not. But we can always dream.
Your take: do you like to see Android on your netbook? Why?
