SINGAPORE--Google's Android operating system is expected to become the dominant platform for low-cost netbooks, industry analyst firm Ovum said.

While Google Android was meant to target mobile handsets, Ovum Open Source Research Director Laurent Lachal said that demand for Linux operating systems--once the leader in driving the growth of low-cost netbooks--is declining.

New netbooks are being distributed with Microsoft operating systems, mainly Windows XP, Lachal said.

Lachal said most netbooks come with Internet connectivity, which the Google Android could utilize. The Google operating system was developed for mobile phones that provide Internet access.

He suggested that vendors selling systems based on Linux should focus on the netbook as an appliance, while supporting Android.

Lachal said there is an increasing support from independent software vendors for the Android.

He said that some Java-based Android applications could be ported to the Symbian and Windows Mobile operating system, rival operating systems vying for the smart phone market.

"Google strengthened its position with the February 2009 announcement that it will now allow developers to charge for applications on Android Market," Lachal said.

With the demand increasing for netbooks, Lachal is expecting new models that would cost around US$200 or even less.

Google Android was announced in late 2007. It been seeing huge support from open source developers since it was put under an Apache license, which allowed developers to see the operating system’s source code.

Mobile phone manufacturers have announced models that use Android. They include Motorola, HTC, Sony Ericsson and Samsung.