Google's OS comes to the Laptop

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Google's Linux-Based Android OS,meant originally for cell phones, is being put onto a few netbooks that are coming out. It could get ugly folks, as this effectively puts Google into an OS war vs Microsoft.  In addition, some new processors designed for netbooks won't even run Windows, so Android is the best option.

Of course, if it works for laptops and netbooks, it could be made to work with all computers.

Original article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aaNxkUvBLWdM&refer=worldwide

[Gremlin]

I saw this on Slashdot earlier. I'd love to get my hands on it, just to irritate my father who works for Microsoft. Haha.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Personally, I think competition's always a good thing.  They're already saying Microsoft may drop the price for Windows 7 as a result.

[thalaw2]

There are some reports that MS has already made changes in its selling strategy for Windows 7.  I think what's really keeping them afloat at home is gaming.  Once Linux is able to run games as smoothly as Windows....it's over.  All MS will have is a huge footprint in the international market and most countries won't pay those high prices for an OS.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Android could prove to be the unified platform needed for Linux (because Android is Linux-based) to become a real game machine.  And like all Linux variants, and all Google software, it's free.  Of course, that's only if it makes the jump to more powerful laptops, then to desktops.

But then again, it could be a lot of hype for nothing.  We will see.

As it is, Microsoft appears to be trying to re-write parts of Windows 7 so it will run on the new dedicated netbook processors, which no version of Windows is currently compatible with.