I’m still trying to figure this one out, but Lazard Capital Markets analyst Daniel Amir said in a research note this morning that Nokia will offer an Android-based netbook in 2010. But think about this for a second: the netbook is rumored to be based on an ARM processor, despite the fact that Nokia is teamed up with Intel. Never mind the Android OS detail. Granted, that partnership is mainly based around the development of the Moblin operating system. But then why not use Moblin? Or what about Nokia’s own Maemo OS? Something tells me the details regarding the Nokia netbook aren’t completely accurate, though they are apparently “confirmed.”
The netbook is supposedly going to be offered through carriers which wouldn’t surprise me. But while Amir figures Nokia will be facing “an uphill battle” given the relative dominance of PC players in the netbook market, I disagree. Nokia, despite being the number one smartphone seller in the world, has been working hard to create a successful web-based service called Ovi. I for one have been pretty impressed with its mapping prowess (courtesy of a NAVTEQ purchase) and some of the navigational features on its newer phones.
A Nokia netbook might just find a niche apart from all other netbook makers-people who drive for a living maybe?