THE PREVIOUS post explained how Chromebooks/Chrome OS make the long-dreamed-of goal of GNU/Linux on many desktops a reality. But several years ago Google explained how Chrome OS and Android are connected. In short, the main distinguisher is the screen or input methods (size, interface, etc.); Android is now overseen by the Chrome OS manager. The assumption at the time was that Android should target mobile/small devices, whereas the other should target systems like notebooks/laptops. Convergence of those two was not ruled out.
Well, it sure seems like Android and its apps pool are growing so mature and vast that there is now temptation to put Android on the desktop. It's not a dumb idea anymore because the interfaces are rich (multiple virtual desktops, heavy apps with many hooks for hardware [1,2], extensive hardware support for peripherals) and security is earning reputation [3]. It's not just about cost [4]. Android rose to dominance [5] owing to technical advantages which in due course made it preferable for heavier hardware like Intel motherboards [6] and cars [7].
HP [8], AMD [9], Intel [10] and Acer [11] now champion a fascinating new trend by demonstrating a strategy for Android on the desktop. Exciting times! ⬆
Related/contextual items from the news:
Google now has access to a tremendous cache of data and it can use that data in any number of ways to make money as part of its advertising model or separate from it.
The free OS opened up this tremendous opportunity for Google, one they might not have even realized at the time, thinking only they needed to get into mobile any way they can.
And today, with all that data, they have a tremendous market advantage if they can figure out how to monetize it. All because they gave away their phone OS for nothing.
With Android landing on all-in-one computers and Windows extending its reach deeper into the mobile world, the platform world is tightening into three key teams: iOS and OS X, Windows, and Android.
Chrome OS, BlackBerry, and the other minor players have derivative unit volume, and can therefore be discounted in our larger image of the market.
To compare those three groups yields an irksome, yet interesting, picture. Gartner recently released a set of statistics and prognostications along those operating system niches, stacking the groups against one another. The fine folks over at Redmond Magazine did us the favor of graphing the results.
The DreamTab is an edutainment collaboration between Fuhu, developers of the popular Nabi line of Android kids tablets, and both Intel and DreamWorks Animation. Designed for ages 5-7, the tablets will be available in 8- and 12-inch versions with full HD IPS resolution, and will ship with 16GB or 32GB of flash storage.
Targeting the business community HP has unveiled the Slate 21 Pro AiO (All-in-One) desktop running on Android 4.3 at CES 2014. The desktop is aimed to find use in office, education and kiosk environments. Given that most businesses run Windows applications, the system will be capable of running these too.
Intel didn't make a big deal of it at its CES press conference, but the chip giant announced that, with the help its OEM partners, the company will soon release PCs that run both Android and Windows 8.1 at the same time. They weren't the only ones with dual operating systems. AMD announced that with its partner BlueStacks, it will bring the complete Android experience to Windows- based tablets, 2-in-1s, notebooks and desktops.
The $1,099 monitor packs in a quad-core processor and a 2,560x1,440 touch screen.