While others (Hewlett-Packard and MSI for example) are currently evaluating the possibility of netbooks running Google’s Android mobile operating system, Chinese-company Guangzhou Skytone Transmission Technologies Co. Ltd. has announced that its Android-powered netbook will be available within the next three months. Nixon Wu, Skytone’s co-founder, made the announcement in a Computerworld interview. It is expected to sell for as low as US$250.
The Alpha 680 will be powered by a 533MHz ARM11 processor and the aforementioned Android operating system. It will also come with a 7-inch WVGA display, 128MB RAM (expandable to 256MB), a 1GB SSD (expandable to 4GB), Wi-Fi, two USB ports and an SD card slot. It will also come with a 2-cell battery, offering between two and four hours of battery life with Wi-Fi on. A 3G module will be optional. It will measure 21.6 by 15.2 by 3 centimeters and weigh 680 grams, making it smaller and lighter than the original ASUS Eee 701.
Currently in final testing, the final prototype should be ready in June. The Alpha 680 should then hit the street about a month or two later.