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The notebook maker is turning its back on Android and looking to run MeeGo OS.
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| Image: Taiwan Media |
Running on low power Intel Atom family of processors announced in April this year, the new device will be known as Iconia M Series and powered by its MeeGo OS, a world first for tabs, announced yesterday at Computex in Taipei.
Intel’s MeeGo open-source software platform was co-created by Nokia and Intel’s Linux-based platforms Maemo and Moblin, tipped for launch in 2012, has arrived somewhat earlier than expected.
The brave move comes as Acer look to differentiate itself in a market flooded by Android tablet clones although it’s not the first time the Taiwanese brand has dipped its toes into multiple OS. Earlier this year it launched the 10.1 inch Iconia Tab A500 running on Honeycomb and also Windows 7 W500.
Weighing in at 700g, the touchscreen Iconia M500 will go on sale worldwide in the fourth quarter of this year, said David Lee, Acer assistant vice president of mobile computing, although no indication of pricing yet.
“The tablet is a combination of the MeeGo platform and Intel’s Moorestown low-power processor, and we’re still tuning its touch interface to achieve better user experience, ” Lee said at Intel’s netbook and tablet keynote.
Intel will also be hoping the Atom’s ability to run multiple OS will give it an advantage over chip maker rival ARM, who to date has dominated the slate market for chips, and plans to unveil more than 10 tablet models powered by the latest “Oak Trail” version of its new processors at the Computex which is ending on Friday.
Nokia N9 was set to be the first first MeeGo smartphone device until it was canned following its partnership with Microsoft.
