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ASUS is planning on launching a smartbook in Q1 of 2010. This smartbook is described as a low-powered, 3G-enabled ultraportable laptop with an ARM-based processor. It’s rumored to have a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor as well as GPS, 3G, and Wi-Fi capabilities.

It’s currently uncertain what operating system ASUS’ new smartbook would run on, but the claim is that it will run on the Google Android OS. Pricing for the smartbook is rumored to be set around $180 each.

Via TomsHardware.

A number of industry sources have confirmed that Google may be prepping a new Android phone and netbook combination. Northeast Securities analyst Ashok Kumar, in particular, claimed in a research note that Google’s phone will be available by the end of the year, with a netbook following suit by early 2010.

The smartphone will use an unnamed Qualcomm chipset, but the netbook will use Qualcomm’s much-touted Snapdragon processor. Both machines will run Android 2.0.

Google has, naturally, neither confirmed nor denied the report. While a number of Android phones out there are branded as being ‘with’ Google, the new device will supposedly be co-designed with Google taking a more powerful role than it has historically.

A Google Android phone will ramp up competition with Apple, from whose board Google leader Eric Schmidt resigned in order to avoid a conflict of interest following the announcement of the Chrome OS.

Via Electronista.

In late 2009, Hewlett Packard is rumored to be launching netbooks that are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor. Currently, Intel is the leading manufacturer of netbook processors, with their Intel Atom chipset.

Click on the following images to learn more about these netbook processors.

Via Barron’s.

Images via UCBerkeley and QCTConnect.

The first netbooks in 2007 were small, light, and cheap. As consumers’ tastes changed over the past couple of years, the average netbook size and price has increased slightly and netbooks have been equipped with faster processors.

Future netbooks are rumored to combine the best features of current netbooks and smartphones and will have new processors and operating systems as well. Here are some things to look out for:

1. Netbook processors: Netbook processors will be more powerful and have greater capabilities. Newer processors will use less power and thus allow netbooks to operate for longer periods of time. Some potential manufacturers for these newer processors include: Texas Instruments, Freescale, and Qualcomm. The Snapdragon processor by Qualcomm that only uses 500 milliwatts of power has acquired a good amount of attention and is something to watch out for in the future.

2. Netbook operating systems: Netbooks originally started out with Linux, but when Windows was available to be pre-installed, many more purchases of netbooks with the Windows operating software pre-installed were purchased. In the future, more netbooks will run on new(er) operating systems, such as Google’s Android.

3. Apple: There are still many rumors about if Apple plans on breaking into the netbook market. And then if it does, will it issue a netbook or some other related device? There’s always the chance that Apple could even come up with something to revolutionize the netbook market altogether. The company’s currently keeping mum about this, but we’ll keep you posted.

4. Other Developments: Netbooks will continue to evolve, and in general, will be cheaper and better performing in the future. Some things to look out for are the new Windows 7 operating system for netbooks and the development of Snapdragon-based netbooks.

5. Price: Pricing for netbooks is expected to drop in the future. There will also be more discount packages for these mobile devices. For example, in the future, ARM-based netbooks are predicted to be sold for roughly $200 and currently, cell phone companies such as AT&T sell subsidized netbooks for $50, with a two year monthly-data plan contract. (For now though, the latter is only in Philadelphia and Atlanta).

Despite all the signs of netbook evolution, some people are still skeptical about the future of these mobile computing devices. Any opinions?

Via PCWorld.

While only a few months ago analysts were predicting the demise of netbooks, nowadays – with everyone from Bandai to Belinea slapping together its own model – the future of netbooks seems far more secure. However, Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs sees even more gains in the near future, predicting that netbook sales will overcome notebooks’ quite soon.

Jacobs claims that his prophecy will be fulfilled “relatively quickly,” without specifying further.

It’s hard to judge his claim for now, but it will definitely work out for Qualcomm if Jacobs is right. The much-touted Snapdragon processor is expected to increase Qualcomm’s presence in the industry by the second half of this year, setting the stage for vicious competition with Intel.

And Qualcomm isn’t the only one expecting big gains for the netbook industry. The IDC expects 20 million of the small computers to ship this year, and ABI Research places the number at an earthshaking 139 million sales by 2013.

It’s difficult to make accurate predictions at a time where the economy is so unreliable, so it would be wise to take Jacobs’ words with a grain of salt. At the same time, it’s hard to ignore the writing on the wall. Will netbooks overtake notebooks? We’ll have to wait and see.

Via PCWorld.

Apparently, Intel isn’t too keen on upgrading the Atom CPU too quickly. Despite many projections that the new Intel Atom N280 would be a serious upgrade to netbooking, Intel fears that it might cannibalize the sales of its more profitable, faster processors.

As a result, they’re holding back on upgrades to the Atom in order to steer consumers towards laptops and desktops.

Intel has always assured people that the Atom wasn’t supposed to be a high performance processor. Paul Otellini, CEO of Intel, said that netbooks, to them are a “complementary” device to notebooks, meant for only casual Internet use. They’re even set to “take this a step further later this year by plugging the hole between cheap Netbooks and pricey ultraportables with a new processor for less-expensive ultraportables”. What does this mean? Netbook performance isn’t set to grow much more, at least from Intel’s side of things.

If Intel wants to force customers to do things it’s way, we can’t really say anything to that. It’s their choice. However, holding back might not be so attractive an option once a new VIA Nano netbook processor comes out, or the Qualcomm Snapdragon of later this year.

Via Dallas News.

Qualcomm intends to challenge the hold Intel has over the netbook world using the Snapdragon chipset to compete with the Intel Atom processor.

Paul Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm, thinks Intel wants to get into smartphones and MIDs at the same time the Snapdragon processor is released. Qualcomm’s prognosis is that 15 companies will launch MIDs and netbooks using the Qualcomm snapdragon in the first half of 2009. He’s confident Qualcomm will have a solid edge over Intel, knowing the capabilities of the Snapdragon. It’s hard to argue; the $350 million Snapdragon has some enticing specs, including quick-boot.

Qualcomm even demonstrated the Android platform by Google on its Snapdragon last week at CES in Vegas. An Android netbook has been a dubious idea for many, but the demonstration gives the concept a far more realistic edge.

The company says some manufacturers working with Qualcomm for Snapdragon devices include HTC, LG, and Samsung. Can you say smartphone?

Via FierceWireless.