As a Google Android user on my T-Mobile G1, and a user of PDAs and mobile devices dating back to the first Apple Newton MessagePad (1993),  I’ve watched the microcomputer market makes huge leaps in technological growth while never moving forward in user efficiency.  Every model of PDA, notebook, and mobile internet device I’ve used has ended in long term failure: they’re just too bulky in OS, too lacking in useful hardware functions, and overall just bloatware trying to compete for the “most features” in a large market.  The Apple Newton MessagePad was my favorite group of devices, and I can only dream that Apple eventually makes a large screen iPhone.  What prevents me from loving Apple devices is vendor lock-in and the limitations Apple places in picking what applications their users can put on the device.  I’ll never be an Apple fanboi.

Google’s Android operating system, on the other hand, has made proven steps towards efficiency.  T-Mobile’s G1, which runs the Google Android operating system, has many limitations, all put in place by T-Mobile themselves.  When a manuacturer releases a cell phone or a mobile device, without the same limitations, I believe I will finally see a killer product that I can call perfect.

I use a netbook now, an old Sony microlaptop.  It works fairly well, with Windows XP running decently.  In the past 2 years, though, I’ve slowly moved away from being tied to the Windows OS and Windows-based applications.  I’ve moved almost all of my Microsoft Office needs to Google’s free and fantastic “cloud-based” applications connected with Gmail.  The spreadsheet has 70% of the features I need.  The document writer is perfect for me.  I never have to worry about backing up my data (although I do), and I can access it from ANY computer and almost any operating system, regardless of where I am in the world.

The biggest limitation for me with the T-Mobile G1 is the screen size.  The perfect mobile screen size, for what I do, is around 6.3″ diagonal.  I don’t need a 14″ screen or even a 9″ screen for most of what I do — even graphics design.  I don’t need a huge hard drive because all of my applications are stored in Google’s cloud services.  I don’t need much in the way of external devices, so a single USB port is perfect.  If I can have a decent amount of memory (1GB - 2GB suffices), access to the web via a 3G SIM card (I’ve NEVER needed WiFi, 512kbps up and down is more than enough for even large files), and a usable way to access Google Apps online, I’m golden.

But will Android running on a Netbook mean a market that can be tapped will appear?  I’m not so sure.  Most people are fine with their cell phones, even older models without touch screens or interactive application support.  I’d gather that most T-Mobile G1 users are not power users, with no need for Bluetooth tethering or Google Application support (the current T-Mobile G1 does not support Google Apps very well as it is read-only).

Still, Google and hardware manufacturers have something great available: an Operating System that is truly “open,” without the bloat of Windows or OS X or even Linux.  On a netbook device, one doesn’t need endless APIs, and the Google Android OS allows for developers to add what they need, if they need it.  The basic API contains almost everyone an “on-the-go” entrepreneur or business manager needs.  It works fine for bloggers, for writers, for journalists.  It’s adaptable to being useful for cocktail servers, commissioned sales people (car dealers, appliance dealers, etc).

Google’s biggest selling point is the current lack of bloat.  Their operating system focuses on giving the user a high speed interface to data online, and it works.  My G1 flies when I need to check a variety of websites, RSS feeds, email accounts, and data online.  Other than the limitations for Google Apps access, and the small screen size, the device saves me countless hours a week not having to be tethered to a Windows XP machine.  I’ve reduced my need for a large XP desktop by over 50% in the past month that I’ve been using the device.  If someone offers to sell me a device with a 6″ or so screen, excellent battery life, and 3G access to the web, I’m sold on it.  I’d pay $1000 for such a device, which would pay for itself in weeks of added efficiency.

Yet I think the long term failure point will be bloat.  Manufacturers love bloat because it means they can advertise more junk to consumers who don’t understand that efficiency is the key to profitability.  I can only hope that the Android OS continues to stay open, with developers and end users given the chance to remove bloat that they don’t need.  We’ll see. 

Other blogs and newsites that are talking about similar opinions:

GigaOm: Tablet-format Cellphone Netbooks — On Deck for 2009?

C-Net Crave: Apple Tablet PC is real, says Asus (2007)

VentureBeat: Android netbooks on their way, likely by 2010

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