Asus delays 'smartbook' release
Android implementation slows down release?
Asus has push back scheduled plans to launch its first "smartbook" early next year.
Asus confirmed in October 2009 that it would launch such a machine during Q1 2010.
However, Judy Wu, a market specialist at Asus, today told Register Hardware that the company will now not unveil the netbook until Q2 2010.
She didn't give any reason for the delay.
It’s currently unclear if the machine will land in the UK, though, because Wu added that, in Asus’ opinion, the emerging markets and Asia-Pacific region represent the biggest opportunities for smartbook sales.
What technical characteristics define the smartbook? According to Wu, such machines should have screens measuring between 5in and 7in. She wouldn’t be drawn into defining the optimum smartbook processor, though the term is generally used for netbooks running ARM rather than Intel Atom CPUs.
Exactly which OS will feature on Asus’ first smartbook is also still undecided. Wu admitted that “Android is an option”, but stressed that – for unspecified reasons – choosing the Google OS may slow down the machine’s development. ®
COMMENTS
get over yourselves
Microsoft doesn't have to "lean on anyone". XP took over the netbook "ecosystem" because customers wanted XP.
Us nerds/geeks/technically-adept-consumers just aren't a big enough niche to match the demand from ordinary users.
Windows port for ARM?
Microsoft does have an ARM port -- of CE (Windows Mobile). Smartphones (and a lot of "dumb" phones) all run ARM. It's just seriously showing it's age. I'm honestly very surprised they didn't at least buy out one of the makers of WinMo skins so they could release a more modern-looking Windows Mobile 6.5 then they did.
NT kernel (Win 7 or whatever) on ARM? That'll be a real tricky port. And the results might not be so good -- x86 emulation would allow it to run a lot more apps but be very heavy (recall, the ARM is like 600mhz-1ghz as installed in most devices now, with a target of maybe 1.5-2ghz in the next year or 2). Otherwise if it only supports native ARM apps, there'll be very few applications available. Windows on ARM will have to stand on it's own merits, there will be minimal momentum from the already existing program base.
To be honest, Microsoft tends to hype up ANY project they are working on. And I've not heard a peep of a ARM port from anyone. I honestly don't think they are seriously working on this. They COULD be leaning on Asus though, but if they are I don't think it'd be to delay ARM-based systems -- it'd be to not produce them at all.
Android delay...
is caused by waiting for monkey boy to tell'em they can't use it (if they want remain in MS good books).
maybe
Anyone else
Getting suspicious that a certain company from Redmond are leaning on manufacturers to delay release until they have an ARM port ?
