Android Smartbook Acer's Secret Weapon

Oct 30 2009, 9:55am CDT | by Robert Evans

Asus has delayed their Android-running Eee PC several times, but it now looks like they are getting ready to follow through with a launch early in 2010. This Android device will run with a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, and is being marketed as a smartbook. Asus has high hopes for the gadget, and called it their “secret weapon” in a statement to Shanzai (via Gizmodo).

The itty-bitty smartbook could be a breakthrough in the development of netbooks. With the introduction of CULVs and other ultra-portable notebooks, netbooks have shifted towards smaller, lower-priced machines. When consumers buy a netbook, they want a device that is good for browsing, word processing, and social networking. A netbook needs to boot fast and have great battery life. That is pretty much it.

The Android Eee PC should be very battery efficient, thanks to its ARM-based processor. This thing is basically a high-end Android smartphone in the body of a tiny netbook. Oh, and it's only going to cost around $180. The cheapest you can find most new netbooks is $250-$300. If Asus brings a fast efficient netbook to the table for less than $200, they'll have a hot seller on their hands.

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Robert Evans
The excitement about new smartphones, tablets and anything mobile drive Robert to unearth the latest rumors and developments in this fast moving space. He adopted 4G as soon as it become available and knows where the mobile market is going.
Robert can be contacted directly at robert@i4u.com.