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Computex is a little less than two weeks away but with the information from various segments of the ecosystem, it appears that netbooks will be a feature of this yearŠö Computex. Everyone from chip companies to device OEMs to software providers will be touting their innovations for this developing segment of the market, which today is currently dominated by the Intel Atom processors, Windows XP, and form factors that look like little more than scaled down notebook PCs.



Many of the innovations are aimed at addressing the limitations of the first generation of mini-notes, including limited performance (particularly video and graphics), limited battery life, and limited connectivity, most of which is due to the semiconductors used. Cost, however, will also be an issue many hope to address with the aim of reducing prices to consumers and carriers, which are quickly emerging as the most important channel for mini-notes and all mobile devices.



Computex will also be the first opportunity to gauge the adoption of GoogleŠö Linux-based operating system (OS), Android. Although Android may not currently be the best Linux solution for mini-notes because of its maturity, the new OS appears to have the power of the Google brand and the momentum of the industry behind it. Google is also the closest thing we have to an independent third party driving an innovative OS solution, a necessity I have advocated for many years. However, the fact that Android is architecture and application independent, is backed by the vast Google financial and technical resources, and should support GoogleŠö innovative applications as well as applications from many other web resources also bodes well for its potential success.



Not to be outdone, the ODMs and OEMs will also be highlighting new mini-note product designs. Many of these will challenge the design requirements placed on netbooks by Intel, as well as the form factors of this product category by blurring the lines between mini-notes and other product categories, including the hot PC segment ?thin & light notebooks like the MacBook Air and HP dv2.



What is not clear is the reaction and support by the carriers. As indicated earlier, carriers have become a critical channel and business model determinant for mini-notes and all Internet connected portable devices. Not only can the carriers determine the growth and success of the segment, but they can also determine which technologies thrive in this emerging segment. Much as they do with handsets, the carriers can dictate the technologies and features of a platform that tie closely to their applications and business models. Thus far, carriers have not driven technical requirements for mini-notes, but this could change as they seek to provide product differentiation.



Also missing from the netbook equation is the solution sell. Thus far, all efforts appear to be aimed at creating devices that have good graphics and video performance, all-day battery life, and Internet connectivity anywhere/anytime with browser-centric user interfaces (UI). Now, the ODMs/OEMs, as well as the entire ecosystem, need to take this new class of Internet-centric computing devices to a higher level and preload the applications aimed at the intended usage models, optimize the applications for the platform, and integrate the applications into the UI. Even if those applications are just links to web-based tools and services like YouTube, Twitter, or Google Docs. The mini-note ecosystem needs to break the PC model of just providing a device and start providing a complete solution. Can anyone say iPhone? Although I don«æ expect to see this transformation at Computex, you may see some small steps in that direction.



I would like to say more about some of the great announcements and technologies you will see at Computex, but our friends have a nasty little thing called a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that prevents me from doing so. All I can say is that in the midst of this downturn, innovation is alive and well. Business and consumers alike will eventually benefit from it through more innovative devices, unique designs, and lower costs.