Acer Review, Asus Review – Netbook 10

At few days ago at IDF, Intel proposed an app store exclusively meant for Intel Atom-based netbooks. Their vision is to create an Apple-iPhone-esque store filled with third party developer apps ranging from entertainment, games, multimedia etc. etc. and etc. These apps will work on all Atom-based devices regardless of the operating system and software.

While details of the distribution of the apps are not determined, Intel is considering a 70-30 pay off with developer. Well, we did mention that Intel was interested in the open source world back in June.

If it works, it will definitely infuse a new breath of life into netbooks – a market that is facing a potential threat with the rise of the CULV market. Acer, Asus and Dell must think so as well, and all three manufacturers have agreed to partner with Intel on making this app store happen.

Savior of the Netbooks?

A netbook-specific app store would spur innovations in technology for sure. Developers will probably place priority on creating  lightweight super-efficient apps specific to the needs of netbook owners. We may see light weight apps to print wirelessly (the iPhone has this); planners and calendar-esque apps that easily sync between computers; apps that search for the nearest Wi-Fi/restaurants/restrooms…. basically anything that currently exists for the iPhone plus more.

I envision such apps benefiting small netbooks the most – think 10″ and smaller – as well as netbooks with low capacity SSDs. The apps could be a mixture of cloud-computing-apps (Google Docs, web-based apps) and desktop apps (an offline version of Aviary perhaps). I’d love to see something that enhances the webcam and the speakers.

It would also be interesting to see how each manufacturer approaches the app store. Will they pre-load some apps on their netbooks to increase the perceived value? Will they sponsor some apps, for instance an Asus Wi-fi Locator? Will they buy out the apps and incorporate them into their own software bundles?

But wait a minute….

Weren’t other attempts at recreating the successful Apple app store model not-so-successful? The Blackberry app store hasn’t made a blip in anyone’s radar recently, the Android Market wasn’t quite as glamorous as Apple’s app store, and news about Nokia’s Ovi, Palm’s sotre and Mircosoft’s Windows Mobile app store haven’t really crossed into the mainstream (aka, I haven’t heard much about them since they launched). So the app-store model isn’t a guarantee of success.

Isn’t Intel phasing out the Atom line of processors?

Uh…. PineView is coming out in 2010 after all. Or is it not? Intel also announced something about a second generation of Atom processors at IDF. Damn you Intel, and your mixed signals! We’ll write a follow up on this when things are more clear.

Aren’t you forgetting the biggest obstacle barring the Intel App store from success?

Oh right, the REST OF THE INTERNET! Netbooks are after all mini laptops, and can download and run light weight softwares that are already available. Cloud computing has been gaining a lot of momentum in recent years, and everything cloud computing is lightweight and easily accessible for netbook owners. Not to mention they’re probably using these softwares already.

Bottom line

There’s a lot Intel needs to take into consideration with the launch of the App Store. If done right, it may be a super hit. One thing it does have going for it – hype. People are likely to check out the Intel app store (especially if Acer, Asus and Dell are involved) and all the various apps. They’re likely to find apps that solve problems the didn’t realize they had. Sure solutions may already exist, but the app store could end up being the primary destination where people find out about these apps.

The bottom line really is – time will tell. The chances of success will be apparent in the months leading to the launch of the store itself. Until then, I quite approve the concept. You?

Related posts:

1. What MS Office 14′s Entry Will Mean for Netbooks
2. Silicon Alley Insider air their Netbook ignorance
3. Top 5 Reasons People Choose Netbooks Over Notebooks
4. Smartphone Plus Netbook Equals Qualcomm’s Smartbook
5. Students want smaller, lighter netbooks which last longer

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