'Android' Eee PC: The un-Intel Netbook

An Eee PC Netbook based on a Qualcomm processor that runs Google's Android operating system looks promising as an alternative to the millions of Netbooks out there tethered to Intel Atom processors and Microsoft Windows.

An Asus Qualcomm-based smart-book is a promising alternative to Windows-Intel Netbooks

(Credit: Asus)

Asus was showing a Netbook at the Computex conference in Taipei running the Android OS on top of Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor, according to this TweakTown video.

When Asus plans to ship a Netbook based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor isn't clear and Asus is not disclosing its plans (later this year?), but it becomes even less clear when you add Google's Android operating system to the mix. Michael Rayfield, an Nvidia executive, doesn't expect Android Netbooks to appear commercially until next year.

What is clear, however, is that these Netbooks are different from the Windows-Intel variety. Qualcomm is calling them "smartbooks" rather than Netbooks to draw attention to the fact that they will operate more like smartphones: standard 3G connectivity, always-on, and all-day battery life.

And what makes this Asus demonstration at Computex interesting is that all Asus Netbooks to date have run on Intel processors. Obviously, Asus thinks the Snapdragon technology is different enough to warrant a separate design.

Other specification for the Netbook include a 10-inch screen, a built-in Webcam, and a universal 3G radio that supports UMTS and CDMA networks on all frequencies used globally, according to an IDG News report.

[forever4now]

Smartbooks will be able to support location-based apps, cell phone calls, SMS, automatic screen rotation, etc., if they are equipped with all the typical smartphone hardware (e.g. GPS, accelerometer, compass, etc.). This type of functionality will really differentiate smartbooks from netbooks.

If smartbooks are running a smartphone OS, like Android, they could become a big hit with mobile operators, since the operators would be able to generate revenue from:

1. data contracts.
2. phone calls & SMS.
3. app purchases (e.g. operators get a cut from Android Market app sales).
4. value-added apps & services that leverage the capabilities of these "smartphone-like" devices.

Smartbooks/netbooks running a desktop OS don't offer these same revenue opportunities, for the operators.

[krylosY]

Now We're Talking! Yeah!

[kcotham]

Isn't the Snapdragon processor an ARM design? Or did it originate elsewhere?

[Pishkado]

ARM designed the basic architecture. ARM does not manufacture processors. It licenses the ARM architecture to other companies. Over a hundred semiconductor firms besides Qualcomm (including, through a historical quirk, Intel) hold licenses to make ARM chips. Many of them actually do.

[kcotham]

I am well aware that ARM does not manufacture processors. I was asking if the Qualcomm chip was an ARM design.

[alxlr8]

Snapdragon is an ARM compatible CPU designed by Qualcomm using their architecture license. The actual micro architecture is called Scorpion, and is a very nice, high performance part. Just look at the frequencies it achieves.

[t8]

If a netbook is Windows and smartbooks are Android/LInux, then I will be smart and buy a smartbook. Faster, cheaper, and more innovation.

[MrZook]

I like the compatibility of Windows but I would really rather have a faster OS that XP Home.
The combination of Android and a touchscreen PC or tablet is enticing.

[divisionbyzero]

Asus beat Apple to the punch. I assume Apple will roll something similar out. An iPhone-like laptop that's priced slightly less than a MacBook and runs on ARM with the iPhone or maybe even MacOS X.

[mtnredhed]

The snapdragon (and most of the current ARM derived family) big selling point is frugal power usage, even compared to the atom line. The bonus is that Linux has had a mature ARM port for quite awhile which the Google can leverage. The speedbump is will consumers accept a non-M$ gui. So far, that's not really worked out for HP/ASUS and I assume the others who used a custom spun linux "desktop" to run their early netbooks.

[Randys2cents]

The big question is wether Apple will introduce their AppBook before the SmartBook hits the shelves?