A few days before the launch of Windows 7, Acer has released the first netbook to ship with the Google Android operating system. And a juicy tidbit has come out of an early review: Android comes with Mozilla Firefox for Web browsing, not Google’s own Chrome browser or the Android browser that comes on mobile phones.

Although Google Android is an operating system designed to run on smartphones, it's also possible to run it on netbooks.

Guanzhou, China-based Skytone announced the Alpha 680, a 533MHz ARM11-based netbook with a 7-inch touchscreen that appears to be the first commercial netbook running Android.

When it comes to Netbook software, most pundits focus on Windows XP vs. Linux. But there's mounting evidence Google Android could be the Next Big Thing on netbooks - potentially putting the squeeze on Windows and Ubuntu. Here's the scoop.

Cutting costs is crucial for computer manufacturers and the buying public, which explains the flourishing popularity of Netbooks -- mini-sized and budget-priced laptop computers. But how can manufacturers dice the price even further? Hewlett-Packard might have the answer: use Google's Android OS instead of Microsoft's Windows. The combination is perfect for three reasons.

Looks like the Android netbooks are coming: Toshiba introduced their Dynabook AZ Series which is equipeed with an Android 2.1 OS. Toshiba AC100 The AC100 is a mobile internet device with a 10.1 inch LED screen and "up to 8 hours" of battery life. According to Toshiba, it "combines smartphone functionality with netbook usability".

An Indian Web site has confirmed ASUS is developing a version of its Eee PC Netbook to run Google’s Android software. Personally I think the better story is what ASUS has against Ubuntu, but that’s just me.

China-based HiVision is readying an Android-based "PWS700CA" netbook with a 600MHz Rockchip ARM9 processor and a 7-inch, WVGA touchscreen, and according to one preview, it's likely to sell for under $100. HiVision also recently introduced a Linux-based "PWS700B" netbook, as well as an "EB-0600S" e-reader, says the company.

As previously announced at this years Computex trade show, Taiwanese firm Acer has now officially released its first Aspire One netbook running Google's open source Android mobile operating system (OS).