Chrome OS Beginner's Guide

Perter Mugi of Cloudhighclub.com released an interesting guide for those who want to learn more about Chrome OS. Grab it here!

Samsung Chromebook Series 5

Via 9to5google

Samsung Chromebook Serie 5 Video

Check it out!

Via François Beaufort

Samsung and Acer Chromebooks: videos

Via Chrome Story

Google Chrome Ad - Dear Hollie

Asus EeePC X101 with MeeGo netbook hands-on

Will it be a competitor to ChromeOS and Chromebooks? It's slower than Chrome OS...well, to be honest, Chromebooks have better specs...



More about MeeGo here.

Chromebook or Asus notebook with Windows

Which one would you choose considering the following daily tasks:

- browse the web with Chrome (e.g., feeding the blog, posting to twitter, reading the news, etc);
- work with Google Apps (Gmail, Docs, Reader, Calendar, Picasa Web);

and

- occasional work with Libreoffice;
- occasional connection to Samsung Lcd to watch movies from external storage hard drive (I appreciate that "connect projector" option in Windows 7).

One important issue: I need a pc where I can have installed some vocational training windows only applications. If I buy the Chromebook I will have to ditch those apps to another computer. And I only want one notebook. ;)

I have my laptop with dual boot - Ubuntu 11.04 and Windows 7. But this isn't a decisive issue. I have both because I love Ubuntu and I need Windows 7 for the apps that were referred previously.

I have some pros and cons for each solution but which one would you choose considering all the aspects that were mentioned?

Asus Eee pc 1215b

499€

Specifications

Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium
Display: 12.1" LED Backlight WXGA (1366x768) Screen
CPU: AMD Fusion APU E350 1.6GHz (dual core)/C30 1.2GHz (single core)/C50 1.0GHz (dual core) Processor
Graphic: AMD® Radeon HD 6250/AMD® Radeon HD 6310
Memory DDR3, 2 x SO-DIMM, 2GB/4GB
Storage: 2.5" 500GB HDD
Wireless Data Network: WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n@2.4GHz
Bluetooth V3.0+HS(Optional)
Camera: 0.3 M Pixel Camera
Audio: Hi-Definition Audio CODEC
Stereo Speakers
High Quality Mic
1 x VGA Connector
3 x USB 2.0
1 x USB 3.0 *1
1 x LAN RJ-45
1 x HDMI
2 x Audio Jack (Headphone/Mic-In)
1 x Card Reader : SD/ SDHC/ SDXC/ MMC

Battery 8 hrs*, 6-Cell 56Wh Li-ion Battery

Or

Samsung Series 5 Chromebook Wi-Fi

Unknown price in euros and availability in Portugal. Probably the equivalent in dollars, i.e., 429€; availability: July? September? I could also try to buy the Chromebook in Spain on June 15.

Specifications

Processor: Intel® ATOM Processor N570 1.66Ghz Speed
Memory: 2GB Standard System Memory DDR3 Memory Type Onboard 2GB Maximum System Memory
Storage: 16GB SSD (mSATA)
Display: 12.1" Screen Size LED (WXGA) Display 1280x800 Resolution, Non-Gloss, 16:10 Aspect Ratio 300 nits Brightness
Design: Arctic White
Graphics: NM10 Graphics, Chipset Integrated Graphics, Shared Graphics Memory
Multimedia: Stereo Speakers ALC272 Integrated Audio Controller
1MP HD Webcam
Internal Mic
Communication:
802.11 b/g/n Wireless LAN
I/O Ports
VGA via dongle adapter
Headphone/MIC combo
2 USB Ports
4-in-1 Memory Card Reader that supports
SD / SDHC / SDXC / MMC
Input
Touch Pad
Buttonless type, Gesture Support Touch Pad Function
Keyboard
74 Keys
Full-size (island style)
Google Chrome Keyboard
Power
40W AC Adapter
6 Cell
8280 mAh
61Watt Hours
Up to 8.5 hours (Google Chrome Battery Test)
Dimensions
Product Dimensions: 8.6" (W) x .08" (H) x 11.6" (D)

Microsoft says Chromebooks don't change the game

Really? Having a new player with the name Google isn't important and doesn't change the game? Hum...Are you really sure? Aren't you afraid of losing your rings? Hum, Microsoft?

Chromebooks don’t change the game at all from a productivity standpoint. Excel is just a million years ahead of what Google Docs provides.

Do the majority of companies really need all the features of Excel? Could it be that Google Spreadsheets can get a great percentage of the work done? And remind yourself that Google is working hard on Google Apps...Evolution comes quickly here...

Exciting times, that's for sure. Chrome OS is just a v1.0.

Via 9to5Google

A Google Phone Not Based on Android?

Anton Wahlman has the answer, i.e., Google will deliver in 2012 a Chrome OS optimized version for smartphones.

Feasible? Likely? Necessary? Wise? With Android ruling smartphones, would it be wise for its own creator to battle it? Where would Chrome OS for smartphones fit in? How would it emerge "against" Android? How would Google preserve Android and Chrome OS as competitors?

Well, Google's first goal is to have as many people as possible surfing the web, living the web. Only that goal will allow them to maximize their profits, by extending their audience for their clients' adds. They are still an advertising company and I don't see it changing in a foreseeable future. And I'm not sure if they want to control the entire process (software, hardware, selling, etc).

Interesting article but I'm still waiting for my Chromebook, Google. :)

Improved UI in Chrome OS

Getting ready for Chrome OS v1.0. Things are looking good! :)

Credits to Dinu, Chrome Story blogger.

Some Chromebook Screenshots

As you might expect, there will not be many differences between Chromebooks in terms of software, since they will all run ChromeOS. I think that each vendor could probably choose a different color of the icons and install different web apps according to their preferences. I'm not expecting much more than that in terms of visual and software tweaks.
For instance, it wouldn't be unexpected that Samsung could install some sort of Android web app to manage their Android devices, like Galaxy S & S II. It's just an example and something that I would love to have on my future Chromebook.

Here are some screenshots of ChromeOS on the Samsung Series 5

Five Reasons why Google's Linux Chromebook is a Windows killer

• Attractive business packaging and pricing
• Ease of use
• Lots of Applications
• Security
• Google Brand Recognition

Full text here. 

Samsung Chromebook Serie 5 Teaser

Samsung Chromebook Series 5 Hands On

Samsung News Release About the New Chromebook

You can read it here.

Google I/O 2011 Chrome Fireside Chat

Google I/O 2011: Keynote Day Two

Chromebook - nothing better than some videos

Chromebook



Some features of Chromebooks

Instant Web


Always Connected


Same Experience Everywhere


Amazing Web Apps


Forever Fresh


Security Built In


Chromebooks for Business and Education



Chrome OS for Business - Jason’s Deli, a Restaurant Chain



Chrome OS For Education - KIPP Schools LA

Graduate with Google Apps: social 2.0+

Want to know what's Social 2.0+?

Take a look!

Chrome OS File Management Improvements and more

Here are some screenshots of improvements made in the last Chrome (ok, Chromium.. :D) OS build:

File Manager open as a new tab (you should use CTRL+O to open files)

New folder name pop up

Folder "Test" created

You have to hit DEL if you want to delete the file

Folder "external storage" (note the curious date...)

Folders inside "external storage"

EFI boot files

Login screen when locked

The screensaver

Chrome OS is building up to be an amazing OS! I'm very convinced that Chrome OS will mark the begining of a new phase in operating systems.

And it's only Chrome OS v1.0. The party is just starting!