Code | Life and Code

Intel recently announced that they are on track to release Android 2.2, codenamed Froyo, for their x86 atom processors. The implications of this to the netbook/table community are huge.

Microsoft has continued to push Windows 7, unfortunately not very well suited to tablets, as their primary tablet/net-book operating system. Windows 7 is great on a desktop or even on a laptop and tolerable at best on a low-power net-book, as a tablet operating system it falls flat on its face. The buttons are not at all well suited for a finger based touch environment, seen most readily in tiny, if you have normal sized fingers, window controls and the reliance on the start menu to launch programs not cluttering your desktop. In practice, on the Lenovo S10 3t I am writing this on, I find myself in net-book mode when working in windows and converting to tablet mode for Kindle for PC etc. Windows 7 is HEAVY, almost too heavy, for the Atom processors running most PC based tablets. In short, Microsoft needs a tablet OS to compete on tablets.

On the other side of this usability divide is Apple, iPad customers seem to be satisfied and, from my stint as an iPhone user, I will agree that the UI is very well suited to touch. Unfortunately, no PC based development tools mean that any developer rooted in a PC world cannot build for IOS.

Enter Android, the knight in green robot armor and the reason I am excited about Intel’s announcement. Unlike Windows 7, the Android OS is well suited to run on low power devices and offers a touch friendly user experience. Android development is not segregated to one platform as is iOS development, but freely given for development wherever the SDK will run. In addition, Android applications are written in Java which has a huge developer base, and on a device that has not been crippled by a carrier, you may install whatever Android software you wish. All in all, the Android OS is perfect for net-books and tablets, especially for those seeking a bit more freedom than iOS will allow.

Intel has made a great move here with Android, there is no reason why manufacturers would not build upcoming Atom powered portable computers, net-books and tablets, with Android. Unfortunately, for Microsoft this will equate to a loss of market share. It seems that Microsoft is struggling to stay relevant, especially in the non-business sector. I don’t really understand their reluctance to commit to a dedicated net-book/tablet OS. Android, however, promises what Windows 7 cannot i.e. speed, touch friendliness and the ability to run well on lower powered hardware.

With Intel’s promised release time frame rapidly approaching, the future looks bright for Android and tablet/net-book users.