Google Chrome OS: Taking a place in the market

Google Chrome OS was first thrown into the computing world several years ago with the prototype reference notebook, the CR-48. Since then, It has come a seriously long way in terms of feature set and supported hardware devices from various manufacturers. 

I decided it was about time to re-evaluate the position of Chrome OS and Chromebooks in the current market with the rise of cloud based services and web apps. Of course, this OS does only appeal to a limited market - but sales figures and the world of media has assumed Google's very own OS a solid place in the world of modern technology.

The benefits and drawbacks have to be closely examined, for example the current support for offline editing of office documents - but overall the experience is getting better by the day, almost down purely to third party developers.

What if Google Made a Chrome OS Desktop?

Google are finally going to be launching 'Chrome OS' on two new netbooks on June, 15th. Google selected certain reviews and send out test units for them to send feedback back to Google about Chrome OS. However, these CR-48 notebooks were very basic, and unbranded.

But would Chrome OS work on a desktop machine? Well today, no. In my opinion, Google Chrome OS is ideal for Netbooks because all they need to do is surf the web and handle a few documents.

Certainly in 10 years time, when the whole computer market is web-based, and everything you do is inside a browser, but as of now, it is still a brand new concept.

Chrome OS notebooks or 'Chromebooks' are ideal if you want to take a laptop round, and access the internet from anywhere (via 3G).

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Google Chrome OS Laptops Announced

Today, Google announced the new Google Chrome OS laptops and desktops.

Pictures of the 2 new laptops that have been announced that are going to be running Chrome OS.

These new laptops, dubbed "Chromebooks" by Google, are the new laptops that are going to be running Chrome OS.  Google has been known to have plans to unveil a line of Chrome laptops since they started sending out CR-48's, the prototype of the Chrome OS laptop concept, to beta testers.  There will be two models from Samsung and Acer, each including the Chrome OS, Wi-Fi, and the two that been unveiled so far will also include an HD webcam with a noise cancelling microphone.  The prices for these laptops start at $349 and go up from there to $499.

The current data options for the 3G Chromebooks.

Much like the CR-48, some of the Google Chromebook models from different manufacturers will include 3G from Verizon.  It is pay-as-you-go 3G starting with a completementary 100MB of data per month for free for two years like on the CR-48 laptops.  You can pay for more as you go along the paywall getting as low as $9.99 for a unlimited daypass and as high as $50 per month for 5GB of data on Verizon.  This is a good package for consumers that truely allows people to be connected to the cloud.  I'm also glad they threw in the free 100MB per month of data for these "Chromebooks."

What do you think of this? Post your thoughts in the comments.

-SuperPC

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!

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