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<p>Acer, of the world's largest laptop and netbook manufacturers, has pushed back the launch of a dual-boot Android/Windows XP netbook due to a lack of demand. <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090728PD206.html">According to</a> a DigiTimes story:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>...further evaluation has found demand for an Android netbook is not strong enough.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Surprise, surprise.</p>
<p>What's interesting is that a lot of things had been said about an Android-based netbook <a href="http://econsultancy.com/blog/4183-google-chrome-os-bloggers-versus-techies">were said</a> about Chrome OS. In December 2008, Kevin C. Tofel of GigaOm <a href="http://gigaom.com/2008/12/23/a-netbook-with-android-far-fetched-or-coming-soon/">wrote</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>Clearly, Android is Google-centric and therefore optimized for a heavy web experience. In its current iteration it has a solid web browser, although the search giant could tailor a version of Chrome for a netbook-sized screen. It has a drop-dead simple and seamless software store in the Android Marketplace for third-party apps. Plus, it’s not a clunky desktop operating system that’s been sliced, diced or remixed for the smaller screen.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Solid web browser. Drop-dead simple. Nice idea. Sound familiar?</p>
<p>When Acer announced its plans for the Android netbook, Clay Dillow of FastCompany <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/clay-dillow/culture-buffet/acer-release-android-netbook-escalating-googlemicrosoft-market-share">took it further</a> and brought on the now-routine Microsoft '<em>threat</em>' talk:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>But the introduction of Android, originally developed as an OS for smartphones,
to the netbook market could present a major threat to Microsoft's bottom line in
that sector. Microsoft charges about $20 per netbook for use of its Windows XP
operating system. Google charges nothing, making Android an attractive option
for netbook makers competing to offer the least expensive option. </em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Of course, Android isn't an attractive option for netbook makers if nobody wants it. The fact that Acer reportedly couldn't muster up enough demand for an Android netbook that could dual-boot Windows XP is, in my opinion, an even stronger rebuke to Google's efforts since it likely shows a total consumer disregard for Android. The message: what's Android and why would I want it?</p>
<p>With Microsoft launching Windows 7 before the year is out and Google Chrome OS not expected to be released until 2010, I don't think Google's prospects are good here. Don't be surprised if hardware manufacturers who have signed on to support Chrome OS take note of Android's fate in this market.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jyri/">jyri</a> via Flickr.</em></p>
<p>Acer, of the world's largest laptop and netbook manufacturers, has pushed back the launch of a dual-boot Android/Windows XP netbook due to a lack of demand. <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090728PD206.html">According to</a> a DigiTimes story:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>...further evaluation has found demand for an Android netbook is not strong enough.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Surprise, surprise.</p>
<p>What's interesting is that a lot of things had been said about an Android-based netbook <a href="http://econsultancy.com/blog/4183-google-chrome-os-bloggers-versus-techies">were said</a> about Chrome OS. In December 2008, Kevin C. Tofel of GigaOm <a href="http://gigaom.com/2008/12/23/a-netbook-with-android-far-fetched-or-coming-soon/">wrote</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>Clearly, Android is Google-centric and therefore optimized for a heavy web experience. In its current iteration it has a solid web browser, although the search giant could tailor a version of Chrome for a netbook-sized screen. It has a drop-dead simple and seamless software store in the Android Marketplace for third-party apps. Plus, it’s not a clunky desktop operating system that’s been sliced, diced or remixed for the smaller screen.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Solid web browser. Drop-dead simple. Nice idea. Sound familiar?</p>
<p>When Acer announced its plans for the Android netbook, Clay Dillow of FastCompany <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/clay-dillow/culture-buffet/acer-release-android-netbook-escalating-googlemicrosoft-market-share">took it further</a> and brought on the now-routine Microsoft '<em>threat</em>' talk:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>But the introduction of Android, originally developed as an OS for smartphones,
to the netbook market could present a major threat to Microsoft's bottom line in
that sector. Microsoft charges about $20 per netbook for use of its Windows XP
operating system. Google charges nothing, making Android an attractive option
for netbook makers competing to offer the least expensive option. </em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Of course, Android isn't an attractive option for netbook makers if nobody wants it. The fact that Acer reportedly couldn't muster up enough demand for an Android netbook that could dual-boot Windows XP is, in my opinion, an even stronger rebuke to Google's efforts since it likely shows a total consumer disregard for Android. The message: what's Android and why would I want it?</p>
<p>With Microsoft launching Windows 7 before the year is out and Google Chrome OS not expected to be released until 2010, I don't think Google's prospects are good here. Don't be surprised if hardware manufacturers who have signed on to support Chrome OS take note of Android's fate in this market.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jyri/">jyri</a> via Flickr.</em></p>
2009-07-28T17:47:21+01:00
1
1
html
<p><strong><img alt="" height="116" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3381980500_e65ed41b83_m.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right;" width="174" />There was a considerable amount of excitement when Google announced Chrome OS. Many felt that it was a significant development that would not only have an impact on Google's future, but on Microsoft's future.</strong></p>
<p>But the fate of one Android-based netbook may be a sign of things to come for Google's OS efforts.</p>
<p><strong><img style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3381980500_e65ed41b83_m.jpg" alt="" width="174" height="116" />There was a considerable amount of excitement when Google announced Chrome OS. Many felt that it was a significant development that would not only have an impact on Google's future, but on Microsoft's future.</strong></p>
<p>But the fate of one Android-based netbook may be a sign of things to come for Google's OS efforts.</p>
false
4309
<p>Econsultancy has published a <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/mobile-marketing-buyers-guide">Mobile Marketing Buyer's Guide</a></strong> which is aimed at those who are investigating the market for mobile marketing platforms, with profiles of 14 leading suppliers and an analysis of market trends. See also our <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/mobile-statistics">Mobile Statistics Compendium</a></strong> for data, facts and charts relating to mobile.</p>
<p>Econsultancy has published a <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/mobile-marketing-buyers-guide">Mobile Marketing Buyer's Guide</a></strong> which is aimed at those who are investigating the market for mobile marketing platforms, with profiles of 14 leading suppliers and an analysis of market trends. See also our <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/mobile-statistics">Mobile Statistics Compendium</a></strong> for data, facts and charts relating to mobile.</p>
Lack of demand for Acer's Android netbook: a sign of things to come for Chrome OS?
false
2009-07-29T09:35:18+01:00
lack-of-demand-for-acer-s-android-netbook-a-sign-of-things-to-come-for-chrome-os
2009-10-13T10:26:53+01:00
1177