ASUS to Experiment with Android Powered Eee PC Netbooks

Sunday, February 22 2009

According to a Bloomberg report, ASUS is to embed a third operating system in its low-cost netbooks, currently known as the Eee PC. When Eee PC first appeared it was powered by a Linux distribution, after that Eee PCs were upgraded to Microsoft's Windows, and now the company is said to prepare an Eee PC version that will run Google Inc.’s free Android operating system. Samson Hu, head of the Taipei-based ASUSTeK Eee PC division, said in an interview yesterday that the manufacturer has already allocated engineers to develop an Android-based netbook and eventually by the year's end the final product may start selling. No other details were disclosed during the interview. Google introduced Android back in 2007 as a software system for mobile phones. Android is based on a Linux platform, meaning that it is open-source operating system that's completely free and can be upgraded in any way. Although designed for mobiles, the OS can be adapted for netbook-style products too, Google claims.

Source: Bloomberg

posted by malware - 4:03 PM | Related News |

User comments

by a111087 (February 22nd - 4:12 PM) - Reply

lunux is getting more and more attention

by xfire (February 22nd - 4:15 PM) - Reply

It would be nice too see how it turns out. MS must be making revenues from XP's in the netbooks. If Android gets popular......

by Swansen (February 22nd - 4:52 PM) - Reply

wow, this is intriguing, will be interesting to see how it turns out.

by PCpraiser100 (February 22nd - 5:06 PM) - Reply

Android seems great. Lookjs like the Eee PC like it :)

by farlex85 (February 22nd - 5:20 PM) - Reply

Nice, if Linux keeps gaining steam in the mainstream like this and mac releases a lower level notebook to further increase their sales, they may finally force MS to straighten up.

by Swansen (February 22nd - 6:04 PM) - Reply

by: farlex85
Nice, if Linux keeps gaining steam in the mainstream like this and mac releases a lower level notebook to further increase their sales, they may finally force MS to straighten up.

lol... yeah right. Even then, netbooks are a very small market, and most people shy away from them when they don't recognize what Linux is, and opt for XP. Why do you think Asus switched to started using XP more? to increase sales.

by farlex85 (February 22nd - 6:19 PM) - Reply

by: Swansen
lol... yeah right. Even then, netbooks are a very small market, and most people shy away from them when they don't recognize what Linux is, and opt for XP. Why do you think Asus switched to started using XP more? to increase sales.

Yes yes it will take some change, but remember what industry we're talking about. Things change quickly, cheaper mac's and more push for linux is a good start.

by Gam'ster (February 22nd - 8:26 PM) - Reply

by: farlex85
Yes yes it will take some change, but remember what industry we're talking about. Things change quickly, cheaper mac's and more push for linux is a good start.

I agree, but windows 7 ( so far ) will take some beating. I use linux daily but the win7 beta im also using is very good.

by Swansen (February 22nd - 8:33 PM) - Reply

by: farlex85
Yes yes it will take some change, but remember what industry we're talking about. Things change quickly, cheaper mac's and more push for linux is a good start.

OS X isn't that great, as far as security is concerned, its already proven its not as secure as Vista, (minus worms, trojans, blah blah) but there is also Macs are a very small market as well, comparatively, as well Apples doesn't have a network operating system. SO if you on the prowl for some ones information, your better off writing an exploit for a Microsoft product.

[QUOTE=Gam'ster;1225845]I agree, but windows 7 ( so far ) will take some beating. I use linux daily but the win7 beta im also using is very good.[/QUOTE]

if you like bloated software, but back on track, and the reason XP is used on netbooks is because it is light enough to be able to run on limited hardware efficiently, over Vista and 7, which just aren't a possibility. That said, i imagine one of the reason they are looking at Android is because of how minimalist it is, as well, it will be fairly popular, i imagine even more so once Asus configures it correctly.

by ktr (February 22nd - 9:04 PM) - Reply

Look at this: http://venturebeat.com/2009/01/01/android-netbooks-on-their-way-likely-by-2010/

An EEE PC already running Android.

by farlex85 (February 22nd - 9:11 PM) - Reply

by: Swansen
OS X isn't that great, as far as security is concerned, its already proven its not as secure as Vista, (minus worms, trojans, blah blah) but there is also Macs are a very small market as well, comparatively, as well Apples doesn't have a network operating system. SO if you on the prowl for some ones information, your better off writing an exploit for a Microsoft product.

OS X doesn't have to be that great, it's popular. :laugh: Seriously people don't care about why it doesn't need anti-virus, bottom line is right now it doesn't, nor does it need to be defragged or cleaned like windows does, and it has the benefit of everyone with a mac telling them it's the best thing since sliced bread. All's they need is a more attractive price and droves start hunting them down (see iphone). Most people who know their way around a pc find many things about linux attractive but stay away b/c of ease of use and compatibility. The market is there, it just hasn't been catered to yet.

by xfire (February 23rd - 3:19 AM) - Reply

when it has google tag attached to it people will scurry to get it.
Half my friends were suprised that Linux had a GUI and wasn't just a terminal.

by cdawall (February 23rd - 3:21 AM) - Reply

by: Swansen

if you like bloated software, but back on track, and the reason XP is used on netbooks is because it is light enough to be able to run on limited hardware efficiently, over Vista and 7, which just aren't a possibility. That said, i imagine one of the reason they are looking at Android is because of how minimalist it is, as well, it will be fairly popular, i imagine even more so once Asus configures it correctly.

ummm windows 7 will run on netbooks just fine i run it on a mini box i have with the same specs as a netbook

Atom N230
intel mobo
2GB of DDR2
250GB hard drive

never once had it lag run it as a download box its great

by mlee49 (February 23rd - 3:23 AM) - Reply

I'd like to see Asus put Android on the new Nuvifone G60

by Swansen (February 23rd - 3:41 AM) - Reply

by: xfire
when it has google tag attached to it people will scurry to get it.
Half my friends were suprised that Linux had a GUI and wasn't just a terminal.

Most definitely, a year ago when i was talking to my dad about Linux, he thought the same thing...

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