CES 2014: Intel pushing for 'dual OS' platform shared by Windows and Android

One of the emerging trends this year at CES 2014 are devices and PCs that can run Google's Android OS and Microsoft's Windows OS side-by-side or simultaneously.

Intel, whose new Atom processors are powerful enough to run Windows 8.1 and legacy PC apps can apparently run Android on the same devices, which means either a bonanza of versatility for owners of these devices or a messy problem looking for a solution. Intel's just shown off a slate during their keynote that can change from Android tablet to Windows 8 tablet with a switch of a button. Asus has similarly unveiled a notebook that can switch operating systems as well. While this is exciting news and speaks to the level of engineering as well as the processing power of these new devices, questions on whether this will lead to confusion or more fragmentation cannot be avoided. Also, imagine the number of software and app updates you'll have to go through with these dual OS devices. 

Ubuntu for Android turns multi-core smartphones into desktop PCs

Ubuntu believes that multi-core Android phones can be PCs too. Ubuntu for Android enables high-end Android handsets to run Ubuntu, the world’s favourite free PC desktop operating system. So users get the Android they know on the move, but when they connect their phone to a monitor, mouse and keyboard, it becomes a PC. Interesting proposition, specially since most multi-core smartphones today only use a percentage of their processing power.