BenQ Also Getting on the Android Bandwagon

Stepping in the footsteps of Acer, one of the world's leading vendors of portable computer systems, BenQ has also announced its plans to adopt Google's smartphone OS, Android. The consumer electronics vendor is also planning to introduce netbooks running on the aforementioned operating system, as early as 2010. The announcement follows several statements from other leading netbook vendors that have expressed their intention to adopt Android as an alternative operating system for their upcoming computer systems.

 

Despite the announcement, BenQ hasn't delivered any specific details regarding the technical specifications of the future netbooks or smartphones, leaving plenty of room for speculation. However, the company is likely going to play the sit-and-watch game, following the market development and the consumer demand.

 

The announcement follows the release of another new netbook designed by BenQ, dubbed JoyBook Lite U121, which has been meant to provide users with a choice for a Linux or Windows XP operating system. Much like every other similar machine on the market, the U121 is built on the successful Intel Atom platform, featuring a low-power Atom Z520 (or Z530) processor in an 11.6-inch chassis, larger than on conventional netbooks.

 

The Android operating system has been developed by Google for handheld devices such as smartphones, providing phone builders with an alternative to other operating systems, like Symbian. The platform allows for an easy interaction between the device and the end-user, enabling fast access to web browsing.

 

Although most of today's netbooks are designed using Microsoft's Windows XP OS, a number of users are expressing their preference for a Linux-based one. However, most consumers have preferred using the more popular Windows XP OS, which has enabled Microsoft's to claim it holds the majority in the fast growing netbook sector, leaving little room for the competition.