Android netbook on the way

New netbooks that feature Google’s open-source Android operating system may appear before the end of the year, according to technology research firm Ovum.

The company says that because the laptop market is becoming increasingly complex, and that Windows has overtaken Linux as a popular operating system for netbooks, a sub-$200 device should appear soon.

“A new generation of lower priced but less comfortable/capable netbooks will emerge later this year. At $200 or less, they will cost about half the price of current netbooks. Both hardware platform manufacturers and device manufacturers (such as Freescale Semiconductor and Asus) are keen to develop them.”

But the firm also says that open-source operating system Android will appear on netbooks towards the end of the year.

“Linux vendors should focus on the netbook as an appliance and on specialised distributions, especially Android (which is currently focused on smartphones),” the company said.

“From that perspective, Android benefits from increasing support from developers/ISVs. Google strengthened its position with the February 2009 announcement that it will now allow developers to charge for applications on Android market.”