HP to test Android on its computers

Hewlett-Packard has announced it was considering using Google's Android mobile OS for its computers.

Satjiv Chachil, HP's PC division veep, stated the reason for the tests was "to assess the capability Android may have for the computer and communications industries."

Some other PC vendors like Asustek, and Dell have also reported they were testing Android. The first company said it was considering the OS for netbooks and their low-cost ilk, and the latter for "smaller-screen devices." And the only phone that already has the mobile OS is T-Mobile's G1 phone.

It has already been said by developers that Android is compatible with low-cost PCs as well as with mobile devices. Moreover, last week market watcher Ovum predicted Android-powered netbooks to begin appearing later this year. However, Ovum expects netbook buyers to be cautious of an unfamiliar OS using a relatively unknown distro of Linux, being more willing to purchase a well familiar Windows license. On the other hand, Android plans to improve trust to its brand name by offering a more tightly controlled user environment.