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HP showed off an Android-powered smartbook tonight that was running on the Snapdragon platform. We lit the HP rep up with endless questions, but all he could tell us was “It’s a tech demo”.
We were lucky enough to hold the device and play with it, but the rep didn’t want us checking the settings to see which version of Android it was running. Based on the icons we saw on the desktop, this device was definitely running a custom version of Android 1.5 or 1.6 (but not 2.0).
The only details that were shared about the device were its 10 inch resistive touch screen and weight of 2.2 lbs.
In my short time with the HP smartbook, I would say it is leaps and bounds above any Android tablet/netbook/smartbook. The device featured a completely custom UI that was tailor made by HP. The keyboard also included Android specific buttons for search, menu, and back.
Since this was only a tech demo HP would not comment on pricing or availability, but I have a feeling we will see it launched with a 3G chipset and supported by a United States carrier.
Check out the short video and pics we captured of the device.
Comment RSS9 Comments
Wow. That’s pretty impressive. Surprisingly so, when I heard about this my first reaction was that it was going to be pretty poor. They’ve done a great job with their Android version.
It has to be 1.6 – the Quick Search Box is there, but not Android 2.0 icons.
The critical often-overlooked component in small touchscreen netbooks is the hinge.
If the hinge allows the device to be fully opened, “flat”, then you have a device that you can strap to a clipboard or fit in a binder and use as a half-slate-with-keyboard-panel that can be held easily in one hand and operated with the other.
If it doesn’t open flat, then you probably need to rest the thing on a surface, and then hold it in position or anchor it somehow so that you don’t knock it over when you’re prodding the screen. Holding a partially-opened netbook with one hand while poking the screen with the other is a pain. It’s really gotta be able to be flat for the concept to work.