The Android operating system could be about to expand its reach by going into a market, which so far, has been almost entirely dominated by Microsoft. Two weeks after Archos announced its plans to launch an Android-based tablet phone at the end of this year, Asus, which was the first company that launched a netbook (mini-laptop), could be considering installing the Google operating system on its new products.
According to a Bloomberg report, Samson Hu, the head of the Eee PC division, told that some engineers of the company are working on an Android-based portable device that could be launched before year’s end. The project has nothing to do with business deals with Google or something similar. Besides, probably it would be only an experimental product, since Asus is still deciding on whether or not to launch it to the public.
However, many analysts point out that it would make sense for Asus to make an Android-based netbook, since Android is an operating system based on Linux, and therefore it would allow the company to maintain this product category as a low-cost category for its customers.
Also, these same analysts consider that there are many hopes pinned on Android because it is an easy to manage system that allows users to surf Internet and use online services in a simple way, at least when using an Android-based smartphone.
