Beijing-based Ingenic, the maker of the Xburst MIPS processors found in those inexpensive Linux-based sub $100 - $150 7" netbooks is reportedly working on an Android port for their Xburst series. While it is not clear if the port is for a new processor, it would not be a surprise if it is for their Jz4740, which is used by a lot of the netbook manufacturers. If so, the port should be able to run on existing Xburst netbooks with the Linux 2.6 kernel.
It would be interesting to see if the bundled Webkit-based browser will be able to support Flash, a feature that is glaringly missing in the current Xburst models. More importantly, will ordinary users be able to install Android on their own - given that the current models don't provide a straightforward of flashing the ROM nor even terminal access?
Timetable is projected to be a couple of months. That is not a bad wait - considering we may just yet end up with an Android netbook that is cheaper than most Android mobile phones. :)
Friday, May 8, 2009
Ingenic Porting Android to Xburst
Thursday, March 26, 2009
TomTop Sells 7″ Xburst Netbooks For USD209
From Tech Review Daily -
TomTop Wholesale Center, which sells a whole range of China-made products from digital cameras to mobile phones to laptops, etc. is selling to Non-Wintel netbooks for only USD209 each, with free shipping. Despite its corporate name, the price is applicable even for single quantities.
The two units have very similar specs -
CPU: XBurst 400 MHz CPU 32
Operation system: LINUX
Memory: 128M RAM
Storage Device: 1GB NAND Flash/2GB NAND Flash (SLC)
LCD Size: 7″ PANEL
M+D36atrix: 800*480
VGA: NO NEED
LAN: 10/100M Ethernet Access
WIFI: 802.11b/g
Keyboard: standard enlish 84 key,support external keyboard
Mouse&Touch pad: build-in touch panel, set two shortcut key,and support usb port mouse
USB Port: USB 1.1 *3.0
Card Port: SD CARD
Build-in camera: NO
Sound effect: In focus Audio;Build-in stereo speaker;External Microphone,but only for record
electric current: Stand by:5MAH
Battery: 2100MAH
Last time: 3 HRS
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Oh wait, haven't we posted this before? Oh yeah, we did - see blog post here. Hmmm, apparently, or rather obviously, Tech Review Daily liked our post enough to copy it verbatim. 
Oh well, it is not the first time we have been victims of piracy and certainly it won't be the last. At least, more readers get to enjoy our posts. :)
BTW, thank you, grinlantern, for notifying us.