Posted 11/20/09 at 03:06:30 PM by Bart Salisbury

You curiosity can now be slaked: Google’s Chrome OS is now ready for download and review. The bad news is you’ll need VMWare to run it. The good news is you can run it on OS X, Linux, or Windows.

But will it be worth the effort? If it’s something you really, really got to do, then yes, it will be worth the effort. For the rest of us, with episodes of The Colbert Report to catch up on, maybe not. Our colleagues over at Engadget have tried it out and report Chrome OS is “really a browser with an OS attached rather than vice versa.”

Chrome OS is browser-like in its construction, and Internet oriented. There are minimal app launcher options. And the more interesting apps, says Engadget, required a Google.com account to access. Without one you will be stuck playing with Gmail and Calendar (which Engadget reports suffer from “significant lag and choppiness”).

Still, with a Thanksgiving weekend to kill, Chrome OS might give you an option other than family, food, or football. You’ll find a download link for Chrome OS at gdgt.com.

Read More

Posted 07/14/09 at 08:32:47 PM by Pulkit Chandna

Google must be pleased to see the market for 3G netbooks swelling at a time when it is preparing to launch Chrome OS. Market research firm iSuppli anticipates 3G netbooks – those with embedded wireless broadband – to become even more popular in the next few years, as always-on internet becomes an integral part of the whole netbook experience. iSuppli expects 3G netbook shipments to increase by over 70%, as compared to the previous year, to reach 17.8 million units this year.

But a spike in netbook shipments doesn’t imply that it would be smooth sailing for Google’s Chrome OS. “Google must counter the high visibility of the Microsoft brand name on countless products in retail outlets, ranging from software, to PCs, to peripherals,” iSuppli advised Google.

Read More

Posted 07/10/09 at 01:10:56 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

Well, well, well. Look who decided to join the OS war. This week, the gang discusses Google's surprise announcement of their netbook-targeted Chrome OS, whether it'll be a threat to Microsoft or Apple, and how consumers will be confused by its naming scheme. Other topics of discussion include Google's services leaving beta, the hot new release of VLC, and our experience with Firefox 3.5. We also reveal details about the 2009 Dream Machines and answer a bunch of listener questions. All that plus Gordon's rant of the week on this episode of the No BS Podcast. 

Do you have a tech question? A comment? A tale of technological triumph? Just need to get something off your chest? A secret to share? Email us at maximumpcpodcast@gmail.com or call our 24-hour No BS Podcast hotline at 877.404.1337 x1337--operators are standing by.

Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/maximumpc/1337

Read More

Posted 07/09/09 at 05:35:11 PM by Pulkit Chandna

Google's announcement of Chrome OS hasn’t quite riled Intel’s feathers, if Michael Chen, director of Intel's embedded sales group (Asia-Pacific), can be taken for his word. As Chrome OS will primarily be targeted at MID devices, netbooks and nettops, it will always be on collision course with Moblin. For those of you who don’t know, Moblin is an open source OS that Intel developed for the above named device categories. "Our long-term goal is providing hardware for devices with different operating systems... more competition will drive up more innovations and that's good for consumers." Michael Chen said. Intel’s lack of concern is not entirely unprecedented, for companies usually greet a rival’s product with either customary skepticism or dubious unconcern. (Certified fake screenshot below)

Read More