Asus to Launch Android-based Smartbook Next Year

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Asus is planning on launching a super cheap 'smartbook' in the first quarter of 2010 and word on the street is that the machine will run Google's Android OS.

Liliputing cites Asus CEO Jerry Shen as saying the company plans to launch a smartbook in the first quarter of next year. The site goes on to define smartbooks as low power, 3G-enabled ultraportable laptops with ARM-based processors and says that it's not clear whether Asus' new toy will be run on Windows, Linux or Android (despite the company having briefly demonstrated an Android smartbook earlier this summer). Said smartbook packed a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, GPS, 3G, WiFi, and integrated graphics. Pricing for the device is said to be around the $180 mark.

The news comes not too long after Acer launched its own Android netbook. The company's dual-boot netbook runs the Google OS as well as Windows XP. The netbook uses Android as a quick-boot OS to allow the user quick access to limited functions without having to spend time waiting for Windows to load.

Jane McEntegart
12 Comments Comment from the forums
  • BoxBabaX
    smartphone in the first quarter of next year. The site goes on to define smartbook

    Both should be smartbook right? An Asus phone would be cool :)
    Reply
  • akhodjaev
    DO you need to wear contact to read what is on that screen?
    Reply
  • JMcEntegart
    boxbabaxBoth should be smartbook right? An Asus phone would be cool
    Right you are, sir. It gets quite hard to keep track of all these buzz words. Fix should be live any minute. :)
    Reply
  • The netbook uses Android as a quick-boot OS to allow the user quick access to limited functions without having to spend time waiting for Windows to load.

    I thought Asus had learned by now that it wasn't beneficial?
    A Linux OS only slows booting Windows, and the majority of the people want Windows, not a half assed OS that is only able to browse the Internet!
    Reply
  • Jerky_san
    Thats not a bad deal if the gps works really well..
    Reply
  • WheelsOfConfusion
    If it's a smartbook,the only "Windows" it could boot is Windows CE. None of the recent Windows runs on ARM processors. Kinda defeats the point of running Windows if it's just the smartphone version of it.
    Reply
  • wildwell
    I'd be fine with just Android or Ubuntu on a sub $200 "smartbook" like that. It's not like you plan to do 3D development on it or anything.
    Reply
  • wira020
    I can pretty much say that this could kill Atom in the future..

    Lets face it.. It should be able to do what netbook can do.. and pretty much faster given the lighter OS.. and it should fulfill its purpose of LIGHT workload..
    Reply
  • doc70
    just call it a netbook and leave it at that...
    Reply
  • Atticah
    so it would use 3g network meaning internet is free?
    Reply