At a recent press conference, Google showed off its upcoming Chrome OS and the Cr-48 Chrome laptop. Based on Chrome browser technology, Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system that’s lightweight and leverages the cloud. Although it can do a number of things offline, Chrome OS is meant to be used with an Internet connection. Chrome OS notebooks will hit in the middle of 2011, with initial offerings by Acer and Samsung.
One very smart and very cool aspect of Chrome OS notebooks is that they’ll come with free Internet access through Verizon. Users get 100MB a month on Verizon 3G for two years. Sure, that’s not a ton of data, but it should tide users over until they can access a WiFi or wired network. Additional access packages are available for purchase. It’s nice to see Google and Verizon using the crack cocaine model — first one’s free! *joke*
As an avid Google user, I’m pretty high on Chrome OS. On paper, Chrome OS notebooks will be cheap yet highly functional. Users will not be required to pay for expensive Windows and Microsoft Office software. Instead, they’ll rely on products like Google Docs and the relatively inexpensive (or free) software on the Chrome Web Store.
While some are questioning why Google is supporting two mobile operating systems (Android and Chrome), I believe there’s room for both. Android is meant for phones and will be optimized for tablets in version 3.0 (Honeycomb). Chrome is meant for the netbook market and has an opportunity to reinvigorate that lagging space. Chrome OS products seem ideal as a second computer and/or for casual users (soccer moms).
To work the kinks out of Chrome OS, Google has launched a pilot program featuring the Cr-48 Chrome notebook. Sadly, this laptop will not be be available for purchase, but you can apply to be a beta tester. Internet geeks are already in love with the Cr-48’s so-understated-it’s-cool looks. Hell, I’m drooling over the Cr-48 and hope I get accepted into the pilot program.
Anyway, this was just a cursory glance at Chrome OS and the Cr-48. Let’s talk it up! Let me know what you think of these products and if you have any questions about them.
I see them merging Chrome and Android in the future. I just don't see the netbook segment pushing ahead with the advent of tablets.
Merging? I don't know about that. More likely one would be killed. The problem is that one is made with touch input and one is made for mouse-and-keyboard input. Is it worth bloating the code to accommodate both methods? Probably not.
Bloat would be inaccurate. The code can be optimized for contextual accuracy. It's not below Google to kill a project but I see them merging so that there is only 1 Google OS. Seamless user experience.
How is bloat inaccurate? The code bases are different. Merging them would add code that would be unnecessary for touch users or keyboard users. Optimizing and evolving one would make much more sense than merging them.
I also love that the Cr-48 lacks a cap locks key. I wish all keyboards lacked them for the good of the Internet.
Amalgamation of the 2 definitely.
I believe you interpreted my merge as if putting either Android or Chrome in a where clause lol
I'm not really sure about these operating systems merging after more thought. Not only are they made for different types of input, but they're also made for different types of users. Android is meant to be a powerful mobile OS. Chrome is meant to be a simple OS for netbooks.
The Chrome Store version of Tweetdeck is pretty smooth. Unfortunately, Tweetdeck isn’t supporting groups in new products like this and the Android version. Meh.