First of all we hear from the third largest computer vendor, Acer, that they are interested in producing a Netbook using Google’s open sourced Android operating system. Then we hear from Acer that maybe Android isn’t ready for Netbooks yet.
Time moves on a bit and reports start appearing that Acer is definitely going ahead with its plans for a Netbook running on Android and it will be ready in the third quarter of 2009.
Not only that but we also hear rumours that this much anticipated new Netbook will more than likely feature a dual operating system with both Android as well as Windows XP.
To be fair, this speculation probably came about as a result of Acer displaying an Aspire One machine running both Android and Windows XP at the Computex electronics show in Taipei in June.
“Acer will be able to promote Android as a value-added feature” said a Digitimes report on the subject.
The exciting thing about this move was that consumers were actually going to get the best of both worlds, the reassurance of compatibility with XP and the benefit of all the Apps that come with Google. A safe bet all round.
However, Acer then said the Netbook would only come with Android. They have another similar model of the Aspire One that runs on Windows XP.
Ok so we can handle that, we are just keen to see how the first Android Netbook is going to be perceived and basically, if it’s going to be any good.
Then in the last few days Digitimes reported that although Acer had planned an earlier launch of the Android based Aspire One Netbook, “further evaluation has found demand for an Android Netbook is not strong enough and it has therefore decided to postpone the launch of the model”.
That wasn’t what we wanted to hear. All we want to know now is this. Are we going to see an Aspire One Netbook with Google’s Android operating system or not and if so, when?
Hopefully PC world has the right answer. They reported today that in response to other reports mentioning a delay or the launch, a representative of Acer has come out and said that Acer remains on track to launch a version of its 10 inch Android Netbook sporting an Intel Atom processor in the third quarter of this year.
Yes, we can heave a sigh of relief again. However, even if that sounds pretty promising, with all the crossed wires, rumours and speculation, I guess we can’t really be sure until next month.
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