We warned readers multiple times in recent weeks that Google Android and Canonical’s Ubuntu were on a collision course. We mentioned the competition would involve Ubuntu and Android on netbooks and mobile Internet devices (MIDs). Now, even Asus is fanning the competitive flames between Ubuntu and Android.

Reports first surfaced around October 2008 that Asus was planning some sort of Android-based device. Now, in an interview with Bloomberg, Asus officials say they may ship a netbook with Android preloaded sometime this year (2009). That’s right: Perhaps the world’s best-known netbook brand is giving Android serious consideration.

We’re not surprised. Neither are savvy Ubuntu and Android backers. I warned just last week that Android may push Ubuntu off of some netbooks. And WorksWithU contributing blogger Christopher Tozzi on Feb. 3 discussed whether Google was a friend or foe to Ubuntu.

But don’t worry: WorksWithU isn’t pressing the panic button over Android. We do think the Google operating system and related online app store will keep Canonical on its toes.

And that’s a good thing. As we learn again and again in the software industry, aggressive competition drives innovation.

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7 Comments on “Google Android vs. Ubuntu Linux: Once More With Passion”

  1. zaine_ridling Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    I agree, although I think Android will be limited to the least capable devices. As netbook power and capacities grow, Ubuntu will be fine.

  2. Thibauld Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 10:08 am

    If android is to succeed as a netbook, it will need to leverage all existing opensource applications (imho). If it does, then they will be playing on the same level field as ubuntu and I cannot see how they could do better in the long run… Like the above comment, I think Android might position itself on the least capable netbooks.

  3. aikiwolfie Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    Android as a netbook OS will succeed. It was designed with netbooks and MIDs in mind and not just smart-phones. The Android Market will provide the applications. Users used to Windows won’t be averse to paying up cash to access applications. And of course Google has all of it’s “cloud” based services as well.

    There’s no doubt in my mind Android will be a strong contender. Especially when touch becomes a common feature.

  4. Antonio Roberts Says:
    June 7th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    I think there needs to be some teaming-up of Ubuntu and Android, at least in making software and services cross platform. It’s good to see now that Android apps will be native on Ubuntu starting from Karmic

  5. Dryco Says:
    October 1st, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    “Related posts are coming soon”, “Feb. 23rd, 2009″
    Hey people! Come on! It is 2011 now!! When will the related posts come??

  6. Janardan Says:
    November 17th, 2011 at 12:25 am

    I am a satisfied user of Ubuntu for my desktop and also notebook- able to access thousands of software on line.
    wish to know what android ‘market’ can offer extra to beat ubuntu

  7. Joe Panettieri Says:
    November 17th, 2011 at 8:46 am

    Dryco@5: This story originally surfaced on our old site, WorksWithU (WorksWithUbuntu). When we closed that site and moved the content over to The VAR Guy, related posts feature didn’t work with migrated content.

    Janardan@6: Android market doesn’t need to do anything extra to beat Ubuntu in the tablet market. It’s already happening…
    -jp

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