Android duels with Windows 8 on Samsung hybrid

Windows 8 and Jelly Bean make on odd couple. But Windows may be the odder of the two in an increasingly mobile world.

Samsung on Thursday announced the Ativ Q laptop-tablet hybrid running both Windows 8 and Android.

While it appears to be a Windows 8 laptop first and Android device second, the fact that Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) is only a tap away signals that Samsung believes consumers need a pathway out of Windows to a more mobile-centric world.

Not unlike what Hewlett-Packard has done with SlateBook x2 laptop hybrid. Though in HP's case it's an Android-only affair.

The take-away is that these aren't phones or stand-alone tablets, but capable laptops running Android.

CNET's hands-on of the Ativ Q says it's an easy toggle between the two OSes.

"Switching between the two operating systems is a simple task of hitting a tile on the Windows 8 desktop," CNET's reviewers conlcuded. "The switch takes a couple of seconds at most and thankfully doesn't require a restart."

Windows 8 and Android also share file folders, so, for example, anything you save in your Android gallery will be available in your pictures folder in Windows.

And all of this Android goodness is being offered on one of Samsung's boldest designs. Asides from its shape-shifting capabilities, the 13-inch machine boasts a 3,200x1,800-pixel resolution display, topping anything out there to date, and packs Intel's newest Haswell processor.

HP, for its part, is even more in your face about Android than Samsung. The tagline for the Android-based SlateBook x2 is "100% tablet, 100% notebook, 100% Android." No Windows 8 here.

The message is that customers are spending more time on mobile OSes like Android and less time in Windows. So putting Android on a workaday laptop becomes inevitable.

Carsales races onto Windows 8 with new app

The new app will work on all Windows 8 desktops, laptops and tablets, and follows a total download number of over 1.5 million individual downloads for the website's Android and iOS apps.

Ryan Svaghi, Group General Manager told iTWire Windows 8 definitely had demand for an app.

"Mobile is a increasingly important channel for carsales, doubling in the last 2 years. Windows 8 is a great alternative for consumers and one that is available across tablets, laptops and desktops”, Ryan Svaghi, Group General Manager Carsales.com told iTWire.

Svaghi also praised Microsoft’s local Windows 8 team for its role in the carsales.com.au Windows 8 app roll out.

“It is clear that the Windows 8 team is building a high quality offering for its user base,” he said.
"The carsales.com.au Windows 8 app utilises the Microsoft operating system’s unique ability to pin live search results to the desktop. In the initial release of the carsales’ Windows 8 app, priority has been given to search and viewing of cars for sale. More features will be added via regular updates including a wider suite of research tools and editorial."

“In launching a native Windows 8 app, carsales.com Ltd is again leading the marketplace,” Ajay Bhatia, CIO of carsales.com Ltd said.

“With Windows 8 devices gaining momentum in Australia, we see our new app as a key alternative for consumers,” he said.

Meanwhile Tina Flammer, Windows Business Group Lead, Microsoft Australia welcomed carsales.com Ltd’s launch of the Windows 8 app.

“We’re excited to welcome carsales to Windows 8 in Australia. With over 200,000 cars to choose from buyers can find the car for them with ease in this innovative Windows 8 app.”

“The Windows 8 platform has an ever-expanding number of high-quality apps that we’re incredibly proud of, and this new addition is testament to that,” she stated.

Like the carsales.com.au iOS and Android apps, the Windows 8 app is available free of charge.