It seems that everyone is talking about Android these days as we see more and more computer makers express their interest in seeing open sourced Android operating system on a Netbook. But where is it?
Now Acer have come out and said they will launch both a Netbook and a SmartPhone using Android by the end of this year.
Even though the current economic climate has curbed spending in most areas, sales of Netbooks and so called SmartPhones are expected to rise in the coming months and years.
Not surprisingly then, companies are trying to get in on the act. Only four months ago, Nokia, the largest phone manufacturer in the world said it was keen to enter into the laptop business.
At the same time we are seeing traditional PC makers keen to produce low cost Netbooks and move into the SmartPhone market, like Acer for example.
The head of Acer’s phone unit Aymar de Lencquesaing has confirmed that Acer will launch an Android based SmartPhone by the end of 2009.
They only moved into the mobile phone market after acquiring Taiwan based Eten Information Systems Company last year and have already launched four SmartPhones using windows.
“Late 2009, we’re releasing a SmartPhone… full touch, at the price of feature phones today,” de Lencquesaing told the Reuters Global Summit.
We all know that the Google’s open sourced Android system has been more associated with mobile phones but many companies and members of the public are keen to see Android on Netbooks too.
We’ve known for some time that Acer were keen to use Android in Netbooks but so far that hasn’t come to pass, until now that is.
The third largest computer maker has now said it will launch a low cost Netbook running on Android in the third quarter this year.
Part of Android’s attraction is the low cost as Android is free but also speed as it offers “incredibly fast wireless connection to the Internet” said Jim Wong, Acer’s president of IT global operations at the Computex trade show.
“For this reason, Acer has decided to develop Android netbooks for added convenience to our customers,” Acer said in a statement.
Acer won’t let go of Windows either, Wong told reporters, “We have to make sure the old choice doesn’t disappear”.
Yes, pretty soon we’re all going to be spoiled for choice.
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