What I would like to see is an emphasis on cloud synchronization, allowing the netbook to share address book, calendar information, files, and other data though an online service like Apple's MobileMe. Keep my netbook in sync with my other computers and operating system becomes even less an issue.

It does not take a specific operating system to meet these requirements, so if Android wants to come out and play, that's great. I hope this happens, but I am not able to predict its imminence as Stephen does. I hope he is correct and we'll see Android netbooks by Christmas.

As for desktops, however, all of the reasons that Android could be a fine netbook OS, basically the lack of a requirement to run Windows applications or participate in Windows business networks, makes it an unlikely choice for a desktop OS.

That does not mean some Linux geek will not demonstrate such a machine, I'd expect that any day. Nevertheless, getting people to part with their money for an Android desktop, in large numbers, will prove daunting. The gap between netbook success and a desktop contender is just too large.

Lastly, I don't think Google wants the distraction of trying to turn Android into a desktop operating system where then is so much opportunity away from the desktop. Even if Android made sense as a desktop OS, I believe Google will make its investment elsewhere and pick the low hanging fruit of new devices and new form factors.