Video: Compal demos Snapdragon smartbook running Android
June 5, 2009 at 2:02 pm
The smartbook moniker has only been created very recently, but judging by this year’s Computex show, it is set to become a firm part of the portable gadget landscape. This time around it is ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) Compal’s turn. They have demonstrated a smartbook device that is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and running Google Android.
Asus has also shown an Eee PC running Android and powered by a Snapdragon chip, however it looks like they weren’t ready to showcase this model themselves (the reveal was on the Qualcomm stand at the Computex show).
Compal has optimised the start-up interface and apparently further tweaks are on the way. The video shows just how quickly the internet browser loads pages. This smartbook is expected by the end of the year. Check out videos from TechVideoBlog and JKKMobile after the jump. Read more
BenQ plans Android netbook for 2010
June 5, 2009 at 12:21 pm
BenQ has confirmed that it will launch a smartphone and netbook running the Google Android operating system in 2010, according to Peter Chen, General Manager of BenQ’s Technology Product Centre.
This move would follow a number of companies pushing Linux-based operating systems, including Acer who plans to launch their own Android netbook in the next quarter (albeit with a dual-boot Windows option). BenQ already sells netbooks under its Joybook Lite brand running Windows XP. It also recently revealed the 11.6-inch Joybook Lite U121 Eco.
There are no details about availability, or pricing right now. This is not surprising given that its overall makeup is still on the drawing board. With a vague ‘2010’ release date, I imagine that by the time it is released, there will already be a number of manufacturers offering netbooks with Android and other OSes like Moblin or Jolicloud. It will be interesting to see what new stuff BenQ can bring to the table.
Via Digitimes.
Acer Android netbook to dual-boot with Windows
June 5, 2009 at 11:21 am
Acer is looking to play it safe with its planned Android netbook, due for release in the third quarter this year. The netbook will ship as a dual-boot system with both Android and Windows according to Acer Chairman, JT Wang.
Acer is looking to go down this route given that there are still questions marks about the Android platform on a netbook type device. From our point of view, it’s a bit worrying that we haven’t seen a proper netbook customised version of Android. The only demos shown up until now are ports of the smartphone version (typically v1.5). Read more
Video: Acer demos Android on Aspire One D250 netbook
June 4, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Acer has already confirmed that we will be seeing the Android operating system appear on an Aspire One netbook next quarter. To show how serious it is, the company showed off an Aspire One D250 netbook running Google Android at Computex.
The version of Android shown off appears to be the Cupcake version (v1.5), with no modifications for the 10-inch screen. Interestingly, a full version of Firefox running on Android was also shown. It is unlikely that previous versions of the Aspire One netbook will get Android OS options, I imagine that we’ll see a completely new model sporting Android.
The two videos below demonstrate that the start-up and boot down times are very quick. Overall it takes just eighteen seconds to start up and just one second to boot down. Read more
Video: ECS launches 8.1-inch T800 netbook running Android
June 2, 2009 at 6:41 pm
We knew that ECS was planning to launch three netbooks during Computex, however one that we didn’t hear about is the T800. The ECS T800 bears more than a resemblance to the Vaio P in design terms, although the similarities stop there. The T800 has an 8.1-inch screen and comes with a 800MHz OMAP3 3440 or 1GHz OMAP3 3450 processor. It also runs on Google Android.
Sascha from NetbookNews managed to go hands-on with a (non-functioning) prototype and it certainly looks the business. It’s very slim-line, measuring just 20mm in thickness (dimensions: 246 x 121 x 20-mm) and weighing just 800g (1.76lbs). In terms of specifications, it comes with 512MB of RAM, 2.5-inch storage (HDD/SSD), a pair of internal Mini-PCIe slots for WWAN cards, two USB ports, card reader and audio jacks.
The ECS will be released in the fourth quarter of this year and priced under $500. I imagine if some wireless carriers get in on the act, then there’ll be a significant discount albeit with a tied contract. Check out the hands-on video after the break. Read more
Acer to introduce Android netbook in Q3 2009
June 2, 2009 at 2:21 pm
It was not too long ago that Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci was talking about it being “too early to say if we’re going to see Android on a netbook in the near future.” However, Acer has now confirmed that we will see an Acer netbook running on the Android operating system by the third quarter this year.
“Today’s netbooks are not close to perfection at all. In two years, it will all be very different,” said Jim Wong, Acer’s global president for IT products, at a Computex news conference. “If we do not continue to change our mobile Internet devices, consumers may not choose then any more.” Read more
Asus Snapdragon-powered Eee PC running Android hands-on [Video Round-up]
June 1, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Asus has given hints in the past that it was considering releasing an Eee PC powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip (based on ARM). It has now shown off a prototype a day before the Computex show is set to officially start.
This smartbook (note: not netbook) has a fanless design given the very low power consumption. The prototype runs on a 1GHz Snapdragon chip and is capable of HD 720p video. The chip also has embedded 3G and GPS. This allows for an “always connected” experience, very similar to a mobile phone. Read more
Computex: Nvidia Tegra netbooks to debut with Windows CE
June 1, 2009 at 12:04 am
Nvidia will be showing off the first netbooks that run on the Tegra platform at the Computex show, which kicks off on Tuesday in Taiwan. The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics).
The lack of an x86 processor, means that Windows XP/Windows 7 is not an option. Instead, these netbooks will be running the Windows CE operating system. Nvidia says that at some point down the road, it hopes to use Google Android instead. Read more
Qualcomm plans new breed of netbooks dubbed “smartbooks”
May 29, 2009 at 8:48 am
Qualcomm has formally announced that it will release a new class of gadget called smartbooks, which are powered using its Snapdragon chipset. As the name suggests, smartbooks will fit somewhere between the traditional netbook form-factor and a smartphone.
Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor offers the brains and connectivity (both Wi-Fi and cellular 3G, not to mention GPS and Bluetooth) for a smartbook on a single chip, allowing for smaller devices. The device that will be always connected via 3G and boast significantly better battery times than seen in most netbooks. These devices will run Linux or a mobile operating system and last eight to 10 hours on a single battery charge. Whilst most netbooks include Wi-Fi connectivity, 3G or GPS integration is very much an option, if it exists at all. Read more
Video: Dell Mini 10v shown running Android Cupcake OS
May 20, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Dell has demonstrated a number of different operating systems that can run on the Dell Inspiron Mini 10v netbook. Three were shown: the first was standard Ubuntu, the second being Ubuntu Netbook Remix and the last (and most interesting) running Android v1.5 (Cupcake).
Doug Anzon, who is one of Dell’s software gurus, was quick to point out that there are no current announcement plans for Android. However, the speculation that Dell may be producing an Android netbook will only increase following this demonstration. Especially since his role is to investigate “future technology options” in Dells products. Check out the video after the break. Read more
First pictures of Skytone’s Alpha 680 Android netbook
May 12, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Skytone’s Alpha 680 7-inch netbook with 800 x 480 resolution screen won’t get too many people excited, especially with its anaemic specifications, its appearance is more symbolic than anything. It is the first known Android netbook and also one of the first ARM-powered netbooks we’ve seen.
We have already seen a video demo of the Alpha 680’s Android OS in action and we now have some pictures of the netbook in the flesh. These particular photos show a bright red 680 complete with swivelling screen as well as game controls mounted on the screen.
The Alpha 680 is powered by an ARM 11 533MHz processor, 128MB RAM and 1GB of flash storage as standard. An optional upgrade to 256MB RAM and 4GB flash storage is possible. For those that want more, a SDHC slot is also supported. The unit is expected to launch within the next three months for around $250. Click through for some photos of the Alpha 680. Read more
Pegatron prepping ARM-based netbooks for Asus
May 12, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Asus’ CEO, Jerry Shen, recently confirmed that it was unlikely to adopt ARM/Android netbooks this year. Part of his reasoning was that most consumers are still used to Windows and that the first quarter of 2010 would provide more of an opportunity for alternative processors.
Well it looks like ODM Pegatron Technology is preparing to manufacture these ARM-based netbooks, but is waiting for the green light from Asustek. Pegatron has not received a schedule to mass produce these ARM netbooks as Asus is still apparently monitoring trends in the market place.
Pegatron also has a 7-inch ARM-based netbook and recently received orders from Chinese white-box vendors to sell the device for under $200. It seems, however, that there is low demand for Linux based products in Asia, therefore Pegatron plans to concentrate on the European and American markets.
Via Digitimes.
Dell finalising an Android netbook?
May 6, 2009 at 5:48 pm
There has been much talk about Google Android’s operating software being ported over to netbooks. During this time there has been numerous speculation tying Android to most of the major netbook vendors including Asus, Acer, MSI and HP. Up until now Dell has been tight-lipped on its Android plans, but unsurprisingly it looks like a Dell Android netbook may be on the cards.
Bsquare, a software company that provides software for embedded devices, has put out a press release saying that it will be porting Adobe’s Flash Lite 3.17 technology onto Dell Netbooks running Google’s Android platform.
“Integrating Adobe Flash technology with the functionality of Google’s Android platform on the full range of Netbook devices will allow our OEM customers to meet the high expectations their customers have of this new industry segment,” said Bsquare’s CEO Brian Crowley.
There was little other information in the press release. The fact that Dell may be working on an Android netbook can’t be a surprise to anyone. Acer’s product manager, Jim Wong, recently confirmed that pretty much every major netbook manufacturer is testing Android on netbooks right now. All we await now are some official announcements.
Via Engadget.
T-Mobile planning Android netbook?
May 6, 2009 at 2:22 pm
T-Mobile is to team up with HTC to produce an Android netbook according to TMOtoday. The news would seem to make sense if true. T-Mobile collaborated with HTC to create the T-Mobile branded G1 smartphone, which uses the Android platform. Also, with a number of mobile operators already selling subsidised netbooks, the move to create a branded netbook with embedded 3G connectivity would be a natural progression for wireless carriers.
Whilst no release date has been leaked, an end of year launch has been hinted at. Apart from that there is little to go on. We are already expecting to see a number of Android netbooks to be announced at Computex Taipei in June. If this rumour turns out to have some truth to it, I for one, certainly will not be surprised.
Via Phandroid.
ASUS: No ARM/Android netbooks until Q1 2010 at the earliest
April 30, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Asustek reported its first quarter results today and some interesting news came out from the investor conference. According to Asus CEO, Jerry Shen, it will continue to use Microsoft Windows in its Eee PC netbook line in 2009. The CEO also confirmed that there are no plans to adopt ARM-based processors for its netbooks this year.
“Windows is what most consumers are used to,” said Shen. He then went on to say that the first quarter of 2010 will provide “more of an opportunity” for rival operating software as well as alternative processors. Read more
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