Google I/O 2011: Google Announces Chromebooks

On the second day of the Google I/O 2011 Developers Conference, Google dropped another bombshell. On the first day, Google announced many new updates and incorporations with the Ice Cream Sandwich, Music Beta by Google, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, among others. Day two was mostly about Chrome OS and the devices called Chromebooks.

Google’s Chromebook from Acer

The Chrome OS is an operating system that has been around for sometime but will now solely run the Chromebook. These machines will be made by Samsung and Acer and will have more or less no storage capacity and will store its data on Google’s cloud online services. There is no such thing as a desktop in the Chrome OS - everything is done on the web. The operating system will enable users to incorporate applications like spreadsheets to be stored directly on the web instead of storing it on a PC. The Chromebooks are a new phase in low cost computing, a trend which was first started by Windows - netbooks.

Hugo Barra, Director of Android Product Management at Google, said that Chromebooks are, in a way, tablets with keyboards and that attributes that make phones and tablets great are being brought to the notebooks.

More from News & Analysis

What is the US HIRE Bill and why is India’s $250-billion IT sector worried? Is the internet dead? What's this theory that OpenAI's Sam Altman says might be true?

According to Google, they have worked very closely with Adobe to ensure a seamless flash experience and they also claim that the boot time of the Chromebook is really fast and it starts in eight seconds. Another interesting feature of the Chrome OS is the seamless software updates directly from Google keeping the operating system and software fresh, eliminating the need to manually patch systems.

Acer Chromebook features:

• 11.6" HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit LCD
• 1.34 kg.
• 6 hours of continuous usage
• Intel Atom Dual-Core Processor
• Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G (optional)
• HD Webcam with noise cancelling microphone
• High-Definition Audio Support
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• 4-in-1 memory card slot
• HDMI port
• Fullsize Chrome keyboard
• Oversize fully-clickable trackpad

Samsung Chromebook features:

• 12.1" (1280x800) 300 nit Display
• 1.48 kg
• 8.5 hours of continuous usage
• Intel Atom Dual-Core Processor
• Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G (optional)
• HD Webcam with noise cancelling microphone
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• 4-in-1 memory card slot
• Mini-VGA port
• Fullsize Chrome keyboard
• Oversize fully-clickable trackpad

Source: CNET

For more on the Google I/O 2011 Developers Conference, click here.