ASUS Possibly Dumping Windows CE for Android
ASUS may be canning the latest version of Windows CE for Android.
Is ASUS tossing out Windows Embedded Compact 7 (CE) for Google's open-source Android platform? That may be the case for the EP101TC Eee Pad according to a recent visit to the ASUS headquarters. Currently it's unknown if the device will use Android 3.0/Gingerbread, however ASUS allegedly said that it was waiting for the OS to launch before releasing the tablet.
If that's the case, the ASUS EP101TC Eee Pad won't appear until the end of the year. Reports claim that ASUS will release subsidized versions to wireless carriers in December, and then follow up with an official unveiling at CES in January 2011.
So far specs are rather sketchy, but reports have indicated that prototypes are currently using Android v2.2. For now the device is still slated to feature a 10-inch touchscreen and a possible 10-hour battery. The tablet will also measure 12.2-mm thick and weigh around 675g. There's also mention of 3G capabilities.
News of the movement to Android isn't all that surprising. Just recently Nvidia VP of Mobile Content Neil Trevett said that Android was going to be the Windows of the mobile world. When compared to the Apple platform, he noted bigger benefits of Google's open approach with the Android platform.
Still, with a current established application base of over 70,000 apps--and the number continues to grow on a daily basis--the Android platform seems to be the likely choice for mobile devices.We'll see if the reports ring true when ASUS makes the EP101TC official by the end of the year.
- Motorola DROID Mini, DROID 2 Spotted
- Band-aids to Solve the iPhone 4 Antenna Problem
- Sony Restricts PlayStation 3 3D Games to 720p
- The Dream-Sharing Technology of Inception
- Consumer Reports Still Can't Recommend iPhone4
- Hacker Arrested for Schoolgirls Webcam Spying
- VOTW: Steve Jobs Portrayed as Dark Sith Lord
- Netflix Streaming Expanding Into Canada
- Google Gets its Last Shipment of Nexus Ones
- Nokia Seeking New CEO After Stock Drops 42%
- Amazon: Ebooks Topping Hardcover Sales
- Rock Band 3 Launching Oct. 26, Pre-Order Now
- Sony Files for Steroscopic Multiplayer Patent
- Really: Ex-VP Dick Cheney Probably Has No Pulse
- Playboy's Boobless Safe For Work Site Goes Live
- Xbox 360 S 4GB, Kinect All Officially Priced, Dated
- Boeing Phantom Eye Spyplane to Emit Only Water
- SoloPower Makes Home Solar Panel Installs Easy
- Lamp With Phone/PMP Holder for the Minimalist
I hope CE goes away and never comes back...
Android will indeed be the Windows of the mobile world , without its shortcomings (with platform freedom) .
WindowsCE has too many weaknesses. Either MS needs to fix those weaknesses, or do away with WindowsCE altogether.
Whatever they do, they better not get stuck in an embedded nightmare waiting for the ability to put the latest incarnations of FLASH and JAVA into the o/s like Archos and other android platform hardware in a hardware logjam that rivals all usa airplane traffic needing to land after the 9/11 attacks. I've been in the market for a portable internet media tablet that has the FULL FEATURES of a umpc, but none of the lack of software support of android and that seems to always be one or two steps away from truly happening.
If I want Windows on a Pad It's going to be Windows 7 (hopefully optimized for the Pad) and not some attempt at a mimicked version of Windows that I can't use actual Windows applications on.
If I get a Pad with a mobile OS it's going to be either Android or hopefully WebOS.
If I want Windows on a Pad It's going to be Windows 7 (hopefully optimized for the Pad) and not some attempt at a mimicked version of Windows that I can't use actual Windows applications on.If I get a Pad with a mobile OS it's going to be either Android or hopefully WebOS.
Stop calling it a Pad.
Microsoft does not have anything good in terms of an OS for tablet. Windows 7 was specifically developed for a desktop/laptop, so are a vast majority of it's applications. Windows CE based OSes just suck for pretty much everything.
I know Windows CE is.. less than great, but why not just offer one with Windows CE and one with Android? Give the consumer the choice (and hopefully not confuse them in the process.) If they love Windows to pieces, then they have the option to use Windows. If they love Android to pieces, they have the option to use Android.
Isn't that simple enough?
I know Windows CE is.. less than great, but why not just offer one with Windows CE and one with Android? Give the consumer the choice (and hopefully not confuse them in the process.) If they love Windows to pieces, then they have the option to use Windows. If they love Android to pieces, they have the option to use Android.Isn't that simple enough?
I really don't know if there's any consumer application base for Windows CE. CE tends to be for dedicated, embedded sytems running particular, often custom, software for a specific task. Think your GPS unit or scientific equipment.
Microsoft has already shown an inability to get developers to jump onto its bandwagon (Games for Windows Live anyone?).
Rather than use Win CE and HOPE developers jump on board, Asus might as well use Android, which already has a vast repository of applications. Sure, they could make a Win CE version too, but then they'd have to pay the Windows tax and hope people didn't return them when they find out there's no app store.
To ^^^ - you are absolutely right... but don't forget about 2 things:
1. more choice = more expensive support
2. everyone tries to be like apple - and tell you what to do
Will it be any worse? Will have to wait in order to find out.