HP Testing Google Android For Netbooks

When I read this story over at PC World this morning indicating that HP was testing Google’s Android for netbooks, several ideas crossed my mind. The first is that in these times of economic uncertainity, and when PC sales are dropping, HP may be looking for a way to distinguish itself from the pack. I also thought about the fact that Netbook sales would be on the rise because of their lower cost and that systems preloaded with Windows would cost more. I also contemplated how Linux, which is a polished OS, but still struggles against Windows systems in the Netbook market.

So the big question is can Android which is still under development really be used on Netbooks? According to the article at PC World it states the following:

Analysts said the move would allow HP to develop a low-cost netbook optimized for wireless networks that provides access to Web-based services such as Google Docs, but others questioned whether the Google software is ready for such a task.

“Right now Android is barely finished for phones,” said Avi Greengart, an analyst at Current Analysis. While it works well enough for T-Mobile’s G1 smartphone, the software was released only last year and “the UI still feels half-finished,” he said.

Though many of us, including myself, look forward to a day when Google will have a OS for our computers Android is not ready for prime time. I think it is just wishful thinking on the part of HP to use Android on their Netbooks.

What do you think?

Comments as always are welcome.

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