HP considers developing Google Android powered netbooks

It looks like Asus isn’t the only major netbook maker looking at Google Android as an alternative to Windows and popular Linux distros like Ubuntu and SUSE. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that HP is also looking at Android, an operating system Google designed for use on mobile phones.

Some hackers have already managed to get Android up and running on HP hardware including the HP 2133 Mini-Note. But this is the first I’ve heard of HP considering prelodaing the software on its machines.

It’s also a little surprising because HP has gone out of its way to use SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop for its higher end netbooks, due to the higher level of support Novell provides for SUSE. And HP created a custom version of Ubuntu called Mi Edition for use on lower priced HP Mini 1000 netbooks. So I don’t imagine that HP would be likely to offer Google Android on its current crop of computers, but perhaps we’ll see an Android version of the company’s next generation netbook later this year.

via Business Insider

Posted on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009, 5:41 pm by Brad Linder | 7 Comments

Ohio Red

What is the advantage of Android over other Linux distributions? Sorry to be ignorant, but I don't see any.
MikeTeeVee

I would expect Android to be used on cheaper/simpler netbooks than the ones that run Windows and straight Linux. Or maybe in devices that we wouldn't call netbooks.
Matthew.S

Perhaps the fact that Android has a built in app-store, which which will simplify the task of installing software on linux for basic users? Otherwise, I'm not sure what the advantage over ubuntu or the mi edition are.
http://www.pot.tv trey

Android is a mobile OS.
Sure, it uses the Linux kernel but the kernel is only a small part of what makes an OS.
You can check out the Gnu-Linux operating system map to see which part of the OS is the Linux kernel and the other parts of the OS. (you can usually choose certain components as opposed to teh Mac-Win one choice fits all)
http://www.makelinux.net/system/

Google has quite a bit more are proprietary and closed source bits than Linux free software.
You can write managed code in Java, controlling the device through the Google version of Java libraries.
If you write applications in C and other languages, you can then compile to ARM native code and run it which would be very interesting.

Having the familiarity of the your phone OS on your netbook seems to be a plus as well.

Personally, from what Ive seen so far Moblin2 from Intel will eventually be the superior Linux based option for netbooks and MIDs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moblin
oddone

It's an incredibly smart thing for Google to do, IMO. Your little smartphone lives in tandem with your little laptop, sharing apps, contacts, info, etc. And with their app store you have a complete experience, well controlled and safe for the average consumer.

I need to download the Android developer tools and get coding…this could be huge.
nicfer

I think Android would be cooler on the upcoming ARM netbooks. Since Microsoft doesn't seem to listen to that market, it would be the best choice.
nicfer

I think Android would be cooler on the upcoming ARM netbooks. Since Microsoft doesn't seem to listen to that market, it would be the best choice.

HP considers developing Google Android powered netbooks

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