This summer at Computex 09 Asus showcased a Snapdragon-equipped smartbook running Android and although there were hopes of a release, the company claimed that such a product wasn't a priority, thus blurring its future. The fog has disperse this week though, as Asus' CEO Jerry Shen confirmed that a branded smartbook is in the works and will be released in Q1 2010.

The upcoming portable device, which will probably be powered by an ARM-based chip (Snapdragon, maybe Tegra) and be loaded with the increasingly-popular Android OS, is expected to cost around or just under $184. Hopefully Asus will expose the smartbook early in 2010 (at CES).