There's so much chatter about Android netbooks nowadays that I'd pretty much have to dedicate myself to that topic alone in order to cover it all. Plus, I figure less than half of the stories will pan out. I'm not writing a gossip column, so I do my best to stick to the facts. Still, I am an Android fanboy, and the juicy stuff gets my attention. Here are the best and most credible bits I've come across recently.
On May 7th, Google placed an ad on Craiglist by which they sought netbook testers for the week of May 11th. Sessions would be video recorded, and the participants would receive $75 - the signing of non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs, required. Unfortunately, although this was reported by cnet on May 8th, I didn't catch it until Phandroid ran the piece on the 12th. Too bad, because one of the testing locations is within reach of Mr. Noah Kravitz. Anyway, this is one of more exciting bits of Android netbook talk I've seen.
On May 6th, Business Mirror reported that Hewlett Packard is studying Android for use on netbooks. The article linked to doesn't say as much about HPs plans for an Android product as much as it does about Google's intentions, quoting spokeswoman Katie Watson as saying, "The Android smartphone platform was designed from the beginning to scale downward to feature phones and upward to mobile Internet devices and netbook-style devices.? So, for the few people out there who still say Android ain't gonna make it on netbooks - get ready to eat your words (and recognize how flexible open source software can be).
And finally, an image dump. Android fanatics are well aware of the Skytone netbook. But until recently, we haven't been offered any truly sexy shots. Thanks to Scott Webster of Android Guys for posting the following snaps. I want one of these so bad.
