Asus Dual-OS Devices Postponed Indefinitely

Intel’s plan to launch dual-boot devices has been ruined by Google and Microsoft. Dual-OS devices were one of the big stories at CES this year. Asus had announced the Transformer Book Duet, a laptop and tablet convertible that runs both Microsoft’s Windows and Google’s Android operating system. This device grabbed eyeballs at the CES and was scheduled for release this month. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Asustek has decided to indefinitely postpone sales of a tablet that runs both Google’s Android and Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. Strong opposition from Microsoft and Google was cited as the main reason for indefinite postpone of this device.

As pressure was mounting from both software giants, Taiwanese PC maker was forced to abandon its Transformer Book Duet TD300. This shows how Google’s and Microsoft’s influence over manufacturers extends beyond product development.Further, WSJ claims that it obtained an internal memo from Asus saying that the company will stop selling the dual-OS Transformer AiO P1801 and P1802 all-in-one PCs launched last year, because of Microsoft’s new policy. This new policy does not allow Asus to support dual-OS products. A similar kind of incident took place in Shanghai in September, 2012 when launch of a phone, jointly developed by Acer and Alibaba had been cancelled. The reason for this cancellation was told that Google had threatened to terminate its Android-related licensing with Acer.


A principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy, Patrick Moorhead, said in January that Microsoft does not want dual-OS devices to happen. And now, Google also wants all-Android devices. As for Asus, they might be at a big risk. But the software giants got it their way and wants consumers to choose only between Windows 8.1 and Android.

What is your say on this? Share with us in comments.

Source: #-Link-Snipped-#