In a move that is sure to give Microsoft a run for its money, Google has allowed its mobile phone operating system, Android, to be used on laptop computers.
Laptop makers Acer Inc. and Asustek Computer Inc. are both ready with laptop computers that will run on Google's OS. Acer's laptop will debut next quarter and Asustek has developed a netbook computer that will sell in the sub-500 dollar range.
The release of the Android OS is meant to eat into Microsoft's 90% world wide computer operating system market share. The operating system will be in direct competition with the soon to be release Microsoft 7. This is seen as a negative for Microsoft by industry analysts. Calvin Huang, an analyst at Daiwa Securities Group Inc, says “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.”
The Acer Aspire One netbook, running the Android OS, will be cheaper than it's XP counterpart, although the electronics between the two will be virtually the same. Both will use components like Intel Corp.’s Atom processor.
Many, including representatives inside Microsoft, see this as right to choose issue. Amelia Agrawal, a Singapore-based spokeswoman for Microsoft, said “Competition in the marketplace is good and people have the right to choose software that is best for them,” and “Microsoft remains confident that people will keep buying Windows, as evidenced by the robust Windows growth on small notebook PCs.”
Android is a open source operating system based on Linux. Open source operating systems are free and developed by hundreds of engineers worldwide. Google sees many advantages to using an open source operating system. They say “Anyone can take the Android platform and add code or download it to create a mobile device without restrictions. We look forward to seeing what contributions are made and how an open platform spurs innovation.”
Many believe with Google's pension for innovation, financial resources, and Android OS the company may soon become a driving force in the PC operating system market.
