March 3rd, 2009
The coming merger of Netbooks and handhelds
Intel is rolling out a new line of Atom chips, which power most Netbooks, for mobile devices.
With Android moving into Netbooks, you can expect a merger between the Netbook and mobile form factor very soon.
How soon? Try months.
Intel already has a manufacturing deal set up with Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) for the new Atom, and TSMC has gained control of AMD’s old manufacturing arm, The Foundry Company. Atom chips should be headed to OEMs within months, putting Androids into stores this summer.
Expect ASUS to be the epicenter for all this, as the company is planning both an Android Netbook and an Android handheld this year. But all Taiwan OEMs can turn around product within weeks, so there could be a lot of labels on that kit.
My guess is that by this Christmas it will be easy for you to get an Android-based “sort of like the iPhone” device, made in Taiwan and compatible with your Netbook, for the price of a two-year phone contract.
Dana Blankenhorn has been a business journalist for 30 years, a tech freelancer since 1983. You can follow Dana on Twitter. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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