The guys over at Datamation have compiled a list of 25 open source applications that will work on an Asus Eee PC netbook. The list focuses mainly on Linux based applications, for the original Eee PC 701, but some are compatible with Windows and some apps solely Windows. Within the 25 open source applications, 19 of the apps will work on Linux based Eee PCs, with 10 of the apps made for Windows. Those who have a hackintosh aren’t left out either with 6 of the apps working on OS X. The applications are primarily for the Asus Eee PC, but with some also working on other netbooks.

The apps are listed in 12 different categories over 3 pages, ranging from documentation and drivers through to operating systems such as Eeebuntu and other utilities.

According to Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, “the Linux netbook market is not realizing its full potential” because the manufacturers are “employing an outdated business model.” Overall, he noted, the only thing the sorry state of Linux on netbooks is doing is giving Microsoft a chance to gain even more market share in a new category besides laptops and desktops, while the open source alternatives are being overshadowed as usual.

Zemlin mentions that with open-source code such as that in Linux, manufacturers are free to customize what can and can’t do in specific markets, and that they can “bundle a mix of services and web APIs, or have fulfillment mechanisms and set up a business relationship between operating systems makers, device makers and carriers” to make the most out of the open-source opportunity. Zemlin will continue to promote this idea at the Open Source in Mobile (OSiM) conference in San Francisco this week, where if it gains more traction, we just might see a change in the Linux netbook market soon.

Via The Register

Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer recently spoke about his company’s plans for the future, and he quite nonchalantly revealed that they’re waiting for Google to release a netbook version of their currently for-smartphones-only Android mobile OS. Google’s Android already competes with Windows Mobile in the worldwide smartphone market, and if this happens, then the two companies will have yet another arena to fight each other to the death in. At the moment, Windows XP has succeeded in wiping out Linux from the netbook space little by little, but Android, although also open-source, is expected to be a different story. Google probably didn’t have making a netbook version of its OS in mind when it started out on Android, but companies like Asus have already confirmed that products with this open source operating system are already in the pipeline.

Via Guardian

Freescale Semiconductor has announced plans to launch its very own Android-powered netbooks in the second quarter of 2009. These netbooks, projected to cost only about $100 (as opposed to the usual $200 cost of other netbooks), will be shipped primarily with Wi-Fi and without wireless 3G connectivity, according to a report on Reuters. I know, Android still has a long way off becoming the best known mobile OS for smartphones, so it would be interesting to see how well it performs on netbooks. Aside from Android, Freescale’s upcoming netbooks will also support third-generation operating systems from Phoenix Technologies and Xandros.

Reuters via Electronic Pulp

Intel is throwing in a new Linux-based OS for netbook users to enjoy, albeit only in alpha state, called Moblin 2. According to Ars Technica, this new OS is “designed to work on Atom-based netbook devices and it offers fast boot times and a unique Internet connection manager.” Currently, it comes with a standard installation of the lightweight Xfce desktop environment as a placeholder while it’s still in alpha, as well as programs like Pimlico and the aforementioned unique Internet connection manager. The release notes state that Moblin 2 has been tested and is known to work on the Acer Aspire One and the Dell Mini 9, and also for the Eee PC 901 (except for the wireless). If you want to mess around with this new netbook platform, check out the official Moblin 2 release announcement here.