Dell Mini 9 Android Claim

Mobile software developer Bsquare has potentially spoiled Dell's release plans by saying it was porting Adobe's Flash Lite animation plugin for Dell netbooks running Google's Android platform. The company specifically references the Inspiron Mini 9 and suggests that the 8.9-inch portable is the likely main target for the OS. Whether Flash Lite would appear in-browser, or when Bsquare expects the port to ship on a production netbook, isn't mentioned.

Dell hasn't responded to the apparent confirmation of its plans, which were rumored just weeks ago but have received few details. Most expect companies like Dell, Acer and others to adopt Android as an alternative to Ubuntu, SuSE and similar more conventional Linux distributions as it's much easier to use while still embracing open-source and support for largely unrestricted apps.

A Dell Android netbook would potentially help Linux regain ground against Windows, which now controls the majority of the netbook market after Microsoft deliberately underpriced Windows XP to reduce the cost advantage of Linux and entice PC makers into offering usually more expensive but also more familiar Windows models.

By Electronista Staff