HP have built their latest netbook device that actually is a smartbook crammed in to a netbook if that makes sense. The device is called the Compaq AirLife 100 and it runs the Android OS, is powered by a Snapdragon processor (rumoured) and uses an SSD for storage.
The new device, perhaps a smartbook, includes always on connectivity and can run all apps that Android based phones do to allow for email and instant messages to be sent along with access to social networks, media and other information you typically keep on your phone.
By mixing the phone with a netbook profile it allows for a larger screen, measuring 10.1 inches and a larger keyboard that measures 92% of a full sized device.
Storage on the Compaq AirLife 100 is provided by a 16GB internal SSD (solid state drive) and an SD card slot is also found on the smartbook allowing extra capacity for storage if needed.
The AirLife 100 has a touchscreen that uses haptic technology allowing browsing through menus by touch to be achieved.
“The browser has become the home page of a large number of users, and the new Compaq Airlife 100 is the next step in the evolution of portable computers designed specifically for the web,” said Charl Snyman, vice president and Director General of HP PSG in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). – Translated quote
The SmartBook has Instant-on allowing quick access to email and documents as and when needed. Connectivity wise it has wireless built in (probably 802.11b/g rather than n) and it has integrated 3G allowing it to be connected on-line where ever a mobile signal is available. A VGA webcam is also included and the battery is good at powering the device for up to 12 hours of usage on a single charge. Press Release can be found here.
I do have to say that I am disappointed that they didn’t make this device as a “convertible” laptop – in which you can twist the screen to make it into a psuedo-tablet. The Android OS is meant to be touch-based, so a tablet form would have been natural. (I do see that it has a touchscreen, but the keyboard is great to have, but can also get in the way if you don’t need lots of text-based input)