Beta Test a Google Chrome Notebook
Google, recently had a private press conference last week where they announced the Cr-48. The Cr-48 is the first notebook with Chrome OS, however; it isn't branded and isn't for sale. If you want to see one of these bad boys in person you're going to have to apply for Google's Pilot Program.
Google is looking for people to test the device and is currently accepting applications through their Pilot Program. To become a beta tester, you're going to have to be someone who does mostly everything through the internet. If you do lots of work in Adobe Photoshop and graphic design and those sorts of things, then you're probably not the prime candidate. They're looking for people such as students who take notes using Google Docs and listen to music through Pandora.
Google Chrome OS, simply put, is an operating system based around a "cloud". Everything you do is stored in a "cloud" and the OS is basically just the Chrome browser with a lot of Google's web apps. It's a very interesting concept. If you were to lose your computer, all of your information would still be in the cloud, and when you logged in again you would just pick up where you left off.
If accepted into their program, Google will send you a Cr-48 laptop. The laptop comes with 3G data through Verizon, however; you only get 100 MB free a month, but it's free for two years. If you need more data (you probably will) you can use either Wi-Fi or purchase more through Verizon.
Data Plans:
- 100 MB of data per month - Free for two years
- Limitless Day Pass - $9.99 per day
- Additional 1 GB of data - $20 per month
- Additional 3 GB of data - $35 per month
- Additional 5 GB of data - $50 per month
*All 3G data is through the Verizon Wireless Network, you will probably use most of your internet through Wi--Fi, but 3G is a nice option to have.
You're probably wondering about security. Well this device is very secure actually. Each time it boots up it checks for system errors and attacks and restores to an earlier version, if necessary, from the cloud. Also, it boots in about ten seconds!
They aren't going to be accepting many people into their pilot program, and will probably only ship thousands of notebooks, rather than tens of thousands. After testing is through they plan to release retail notebooks in the early part of 2011 through Acer and Samsung.
If you plan on applying to test one of these bad boys, then you need to apply ASAP. They are trying to get people to test from different areas of the country. By the way, this is only available to US citizens, they hope to allow people to test from other countries in the near future. If you would like to apply for their pilot program click HERE. Good Luck!
Tyler McFarland
Reader Comments (3)
Not worldwide? I was excited till I read so *pouts*.
Unfortunately, no it's only available to US residents only. However, in the future it could possibly become available to test worldwide.
I read Google had 60,000 of them, shame I'm in the UK :(