After the news of the Skytone Alpha 680, the world’s first production laptop to run Android, more rumours have popped up today, that seem to confirm Google is making its big play to take a big swing at Microsoft’s domination of the PC-operating-system market. Only this time, the rumoured new laptops aren’t from some tinpot Chinese manufacturer; they’re from some big names in the separate worlds of laptops and mobile phones.
First up is Dell, who occasionally get a bad rap by people, although I can’t figure out why because I’ve got two Dell PCs and they’re both brilliant.
Anyway, according to The Register, the rumour comes not from Dell themselves, but from a separate software developer who issued a press release saying they’re porting over Flash onto Dell’s new Android netbook. The press release was swiftly retracted, with both parties claiming the press release was a mistake… however, it’s VERY notable that they didn’t say they’re not doing an Android lappy, the seeming emphasis being more on the timing of the press release, than on the fact the info was mistaken.
That’s close enough for a rough confirmation, for now, anyway. Mini 9 with Android on, perhaps…?
The other rumour’s a bit closer to home, because although Dell are a good company to get gear from, they’ve got eff-all to do with mobile phones. It’s a bit more mobile-phone-related, as it states that HTC are going to be making an Android laptop. Not only that, but the rumour, courtesy of TMOToday, goes on to say that HTC will be building it for none other than T-Mobile, and they’ll be including 3G connectivity in it.
Ooh, a network-supported, Android laptop, with built in mobile internet (it’d better be HSDPA or there’ll be trouble)? Now that could sell! I imagine it as sort of like an HTC Magic that they’ve stuck a bike-pump in to inflate it, then welded a keyboard to. Or, if you like, the T-Mobile G1 on ‘roids…
More news as it happens! And be sure to subscribe now to get all the latest action from the world of mobile phones!