Who will be first to market with an Android powered netbook? According to Always Innovating, their first Touch Book will become available between May and June 2009 and will run Android. While it will ship with a custom version of Windows called Touch Book OS, the device will be capable of running many other OSes, including Google Android, Ubuntu, Angstrom, and Windows CE.
The device features a touchscreen that can be detached from the keyboard. Each component contains its own battery, but when they are combined it boast up to 15hr battery life. It is also interesting to note that the device will feature Mozilla’s upcoming mobile browser, Fennec.
AI Touch Book
A few of the features of the device include:
- 9.4″ x 7″ x 1.4″ for 2 lbs (with keyboard)
- ARM Texas Instruments OMAP3 chip
- 1024×600 8.9” screen
- Storage: 8GB micro SD card
- Wifi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth
- 3-dimensional accelerometer
- Speakers, micro and headphone
- 6 USB 2.0 (3 internal, 2 external, 1 mini)
- 10h to 15 hours of battery life
For now, it looks like users will be on their own in the beginning with Android. Much like other devices, it will be up to the open source community to support it. I asked if the Android OS had been successfully ported to the Touch Book and here is their response.
We haven’t extensively tested Android on the Touch Book, as we’re only going to be selling it with the Touch Book OS. We only mention Android to tech-savvy users who are interested in experimenting with other operating systems.
If you would like to get your hands on the device, it can be pre-ordered now on AI’s website. The stand alone touch screen goes for $299 or you can get the combo with keyboard for $399. I have a feeling this is the first of many netbooks we will see geared towards Android in 2009.
7 Comments
Oh my freaking crap. I WANT I WANT I WANT!!!
Cool device! And price is good too, I’d like one
I hope the limited supply is still ganna be there in July at my birthday. So then I’d have an HP Touchsmart, AND a touch book. Haha.
Custom version of windows huh? Try again man. Its a custom version of LINUX. very close to Ubuntu. Good luck next time.