Acer to Launch Android Powered Notebook Next Quarter
Google's Android software has officially become a threat to Microsoft's domination in the computer operating system smarket. Android was originally designed to power smartphones but Bloomberg reports that Acer Inc. plans to release an Android powered low-cost notebook next quarter. One analyst told Bloomberg that the competition could force Microsoft to lower prices on Windows 7, which hits stores on October 22nd.
Acer Inc., the world's second-largest laptop maker, will release a low-cost notebook powered by Android next quarter, Jim Wong, head of information-technology products at the Taipei-based company, said yesterday. Asustek Computer Inc., pioneer of the sub-$500 laptops known as netbooks, also has developed a model that runs on Google's software, Chairman Jonney Shih said.
The adoption of Android-based netbooks may eat into Windows's share of about 90 percent worldwide for personal-computer operating systems. Google's move escalates pressure on Microsoft as it prepares to introduce Windows 7, said Calvin Huang, an analyst at Daiwa Securities Group Inc.
"This is a negative and may force Microsoft to lower the price of Windows 7," said Huang, who covers the computer industry from Taipei. "More and more vendors are adopting Android and non-Windows in their products, so this is a very good chance for Android to penetrate the PC market."
More laptop and PC manfacturers than just Acer will have to turn to Android for the threat to Microsoft's Windows to be realized. Google may be going after Microsoft but Microsoft is also going after Google. Microsoft is stepping up its efforts to steal search marketshare from Google with the launch of Bing.
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