Two
computer manufacturers have unveiled new
PCs which will operate on Google’s Android operating system.
Acer and
Asus this week have both launched models featuring the
Google platform. Acer, the world’s third largest
laptop and
desktop PC manufacturer, is to launch their
netbook by the end of the year, aiming to take advantage of festive expenditure. Asus, meanwhile, revealed an
Eee PC netbook operating Android on a Qualcomm-based hardware platform rather than the more customary
Intel .
An Acer company statement read declared its belief ‘that the Android operating system will contribute significantly to the worldwide netbook market growth’. The company also announced it would be joining the Open Handset Alliance, which regroups hardware manufacturers with an interest in Google Android.
Netbooks have proved hugely popular since being pioneered by Asustek, and currently provide as much as 25 per cent of
notebook sales. With the economic downturn restricting consumer spending, netbook sales are expected to growth further, which could see Google’s Android system become more prominent.
The use of Google Android will provide another annoyance to
Microsoft, which recently fought off competition from
Linux . Should the netbooks sell in considerable numbers, Intel could also surrender some of its market share to Qualcomm.