ANDROID, Windows, Moblin, --- Trend....Ease....Hype....War

               The  netbook has started a new craze, and created a new war zone for big software players to test their muscles. Google wants to take on Microsoft with Androids, Microsoft wants to deliver and maintain its dominance with improved Windows 7, and to add to the race we got one more player Intel with Moblin. I am not amazed by the fact that Intel is marking the presence, but by the fact what took them so long? The day linux was creating space for its concepts and existence, so was the business scope for big software names to penetrate the Microsoft world. Microsoft has better hold of desktop OS market with their experience and expertize, others don't want to take on Microsoft, with modified Linux distros because of their business agreements and dependencies. Intel is playing well with PC hardware makers like HP, Dell, IBM, etc. keeping them in check with finance offerings and the nearest competitor (AMD) out of  the big share. Intel is a smart kid, manages the show but is Mr. invisible. The future is very interesting as every one wants to have a grip on netbook and smart mobile device markets, innovation is at peak, users are getting choices to make, every one is contributing, every day is a new offering.

              I tried to check the netbook market and the software products in offering (can't buy a thing don't have budget). I began with OS. The major player is Windows XP, though Microsoft declared this OS obsolete, they had no other better offerings for netbooks. Netbook beginners had some choices with androids, linux variants but they picked Windows XP at large, thanks to ease of use, acquaintance and performance. Windows vista was a rejection, blame the resources it needs, then Microsoft promised for a better netbook product  with windows 7, seems they kept their word, I liked it. But I wont go far with Windows 7 as anyways everyone will get a feel of it. Lets check the happening competitors, Apple (I am not considering now, no budget for ill priced products), Google (Android), Intel (Moblin, Atom processors), Motorola (Droid) etc. There are numerous  variants of linux in offerings (ironically Linux OS is standing last in the race) and all resembles each other; just different GUIs.

             I tried checking both Android and Moblin on my PC in a virtual environment (no matter what u say about netbook, ultimately  it is PC, just lighter). I downloaded the latest ISO in offering for both the OS and tried creating the virtual machines.

Moblin: -  At first gave some trouble while installing, as needs PAE to be enabled. Here it is, typical Intel product, using the processor. I am unable to figure out one solid reason why I need to have dependency  on my processor, for the concept like netbook?  I enable the PAE for the virtual machine processor and tried installing and it was successful. Now its time to boot the installed OS, i ended with the screen displaying "moblin", but no display, no error, OS hanged. I think this specifies well, either have a right hardware for this OS, or else have a right OS. Installation part of this OS was very  neat, friendly and quick, but still think Intel needs to work a bit hard, no worries Microsoft did blunders too, experience is a teacher.

Android: - I downloaded the live android ISOs from the Google code web pages, to try and check , what it got? A very small download (happy), no installation and quick boot (happier, even typing the word "boot" takes longer time) and all is OS and its functions are working well (happiest). When Google made the claim for making OS for netbooks, I was afraid, but trusted and Google kept the brand trust with Android. I can't discuss everything here, but a look at what I would prefer to have in my smart hand held or net savvy device. The intention with Android seems very clear, online to be working.

The booting: - I got two superb options to check the resolution of my preference as per my screen and just hit 'enter'. I don't mind having option at the beginning but why do  i need to make a choice every time when i know my  preference? so a crazy part, but looks good, boots very quick.

The Home Screen: -  Its android so  no more desktop now it home screen, very simple very clear and re-arrangeable so typical Google. At the top  is the big Google search bar, just type in and you are on web start searching. In case you you want to browse specific URLs go for built in browser which is quick and simple.

Browsing: - The browsing part is very interactive, like we have on our regular PC, type in and Google suggestion starts helping you with options. The most important thing is caching of the information i.e. browsing history, the Google search application is well integrated with the built in browser, so any  history part of the browsing can be easily revisited. The only part of the browser which I have trouble understanding is, why is the status bar growing in yellow in the address bar, is accompanied by the similar round icon on the right corner showing the activity status. Two symbols for one task ?

The Control Panel and Application: - The GUI of the android is well arranged and easy to use, no complexity, but too  much of digging when it comes to hunting a particular setting. Digging for options is a real pain sometimes, but usually  its one time configuration so  its up to the user, I would have preferred maximum of three layer option digging not more. The slider panel of the android adds charm to the GUI and so does the cool icons, the GUI is effective on touch panels.

But Google GUI trouble is visible in any of its applications, you start a application there is no exit button u got to use the menu  button of your device, do the Google to manage your android, or if on a net book  use ESC key to go back by one or press the key 'D' then escape. I tried to test this fact, and to no amusement lot of query with the same question on many forums. Google atleast place a help  icon !!!

The applications are easy to  configure as all the options are well  placed, from mail settings,  to  language settings,  device control options like fonts,  keyboard, third party application install etc. The password part with any  web based Google application allows one to see the text  he has entered in the password field and then hides it with the asterisk (*) symbol, I wont prefer this; the text has to be hidden from the time its typed, but it would be of some help  to  some users, other wise the basic look for the email account setup make the working easy.

The most important part of any  operating system is how easy is it to manage the applications installed on it. The android has good set of applications pre-loaded, so  one can easily make going, provided the application are web based. When I visited the application control or management panel  of the Android, I was dissapointed to see the the vertical scrolling and the linear arrangement of the options, since no one is doing any changes here except selecting the application to get to its settings part, it should be an icon based interface just  like the control panel. The interactive part of the Android looses points here.

The good thing about the application management part when it comes to the basic feautes of the operating system, user gets good amout of control, selecting languages, enableing or disabling the user dictionary and so do  modifying it, selecting the keyboard features and managing different settings of the same (lot of options, beyond the scope for me to disscuss), etc.

One of the best features of android is to  select the application you want on your home page and link a short cut with it. One can associate shortcuts with any  application.+

One can go look for the applications available for the Android operating systems, though usually  you wont prefer to over load your Android enable device by  downloading the application, check the web application to get the the best  out of Android.

The performance of the Android is a concern, I have noticed  some hiccups during my  application testing  applications response testing & some times machine runs slow, when taken off from a long idle mode, etc. but considering the start Google got one. I am expecting something better solutions, as Androids are still  having Linux core, Google needs to work  better on this part, if they don't the competition will make sure they will.

Time to shut the machine down,  it was a nice experience to check how effective a small and light operating system can be, and why  bothering buying high performance PC when all is going web.

Time will mature the netbook operating systems like windows 7, Android, Moblin, etc.