Google Delays Chrome OS

[SmogHog]

Google Inc. is postponing the market debut of the first computers running on its highly anticipated operating system by about six months to give its engineers more time to fine-tune the software.

Under a new timetable announced Tuesday, Google expects the first machines powered by the operating system to go on sale in the middle of next year. The company previously promised to have its Chrome operating system ready by the end of this year.

Google is recruiting consumers and a handful of businesses to test a "very limited" number of laptops using the operating system, which revolves around the company's 2-year-old Chrome Web browser. The unbranded computers, called Cr-48, will be shipped out to people chosen to participate in the pilot program by the end of January (Apply here (https://services.google.com/fb/forms/cr48basic/)).

The first Chrome OS laptops will be made by Acer Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Google said the manufacturers will determine the prices of the first Chrome OS machines next year.

http://news.google.com/news/more?pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&ncl=dMzyFU9NbTA4puM8_UnoDIwtjpQ3M&topic=t

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/chrome-os-computer-releas_n_793350.html

Sources:
Huffingtonpost
Google News
AP

[SmogHog]

The 12.1 inch Cr-48 Chrome OS notebook has been designed for public beta to try and feedback. The Chrome notebooks is being built and optimized for the Web with several features such as boot in about 10 seconds and resume from sleep instantly, integrated Wi-Fi for home and work, advanced technology to help prevent malware and viruses from accessing data, and etc.

Key specifications of the Chrome Cr-48 notebook include:

Runs on Chrome OS.
12.1″ screen.
Full size keyboard.
Oversized clickable touchpad.
Qualcomm Gobi 3G chip supports CDMA EV-DO, GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS/HSDPA for Verizon data in the US or choice of carrier internationally.
Built-in 802.11n dual-band WiFi.
Battery that provides up to 8 hours of active use and up to 8 days of standby.
Webcam for video chat.

Pilot Program:
As above with world mode 3G,no cap-lock key,no function keys,no spinning disk and a jail breaking mode built in.

Available in black, the Cr-48 Chrome notebook is available for free through Chrome OS Pilot Program.

[StarTrooper3000]

Mmmm, just applied for the Pilot Program : )

Any ideas on what "clickable" touchpad is referring to?

[Slowboto]

I'm going to have to sign up as well.

[SmogHog]

Test drive a Chrome notebook.

Thank you. Your information has been sent to Google.

I entered my info and got the above reply.

Suggestion:get a gmail account before you apply.

[StarTrooper3000]

I'm pretty sure I got that reply too... I feel really dumb right now, considering I didn't enter using my gmail account. It is my primary too!

I feel like they probably would discriminate more based on your answers to the questions, you know?

[SmogHog]

PC World - The CR-48 has landed! This morning, we received one of Google's first Chrome OS-powered laptops. As you'll see in our video, the CR-48 looks a lot like an old black Apple MacBook that's trying to sneak past customs -- it's all flat black with no stickers or even product logos anywhere to draw attention.

The CR-48 is relatively light for a laptop with a 12.1-inch display, in part because it uses solid state memory (Google won't say how much) instead of a traditional hard drive. And it is quick to start up -- from hitting the power button to getting to the login screen takes less than 15 seconds. Once you login, you're working in seconds because there's virtually nothing to load. Your desktop is literally a tab of the Chrome browser with icons for nine apps: a getting started app that explains the CR-48; two games, Entanglement and Poppit; links for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Talk and the Chrome Web Store; and a note-taking app called Scratchpad.

It seems that virtually everything you do on the CR-48, you do in the Chrome browser. But we'll be playing some more with it for the rest of the day and report back on what we find. In the meantime, take a look at our unboxing video below and see more in our slideshow tour of the CR-48 and our overview of the Chrome OS itself.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9200678/Google_CR_48_Unboxed_and_Started_Up?taxonomyId=12

[Slowboto]

I'm pretty sure I got that reply too... I feel really dumb right now, considering I didn't enter using my gmail account. It is my primary too!

I feel like they probably would discriminate more based on your answers to the questions, you know?

True, but they might also look at it as a way to convert someone they don't have already. Could very well work in your favor.

[StarTrooper3000]

Interesting way of looking at it. The algorithms for choosing the most viable candidates in these situations are really intriguing. It makes me wish they were made pubic post-offer.

[StarTrooper3000]

Test drive a Chrome notebook.

Thank you. Your information has been sent to Google.

I entered my info and got the above reply.

Suggestion:get a gmail account before you apply.

"Thanks for submitting your application! This page confirms that we've received your application, and we're looking forward to reading it. We'll contact you if you've been selected!"

I reapplied, as an Education user (I am employed by a university), and with my Gmail account. That is the response I got...a little friendlier, no?

[powerpack]

Mine said the same. I applied as individual used gmail.

[StarTrooper3000]

Hey guys....uh, I just got my Cr-48 in the mail... It is kind of a BA little machine : )

EDIT: Thanks for the heads up Smog!

[hizzaah]

Hey guys....uh, I just got my Cr-48 in the mail... It is kind of a BA little machine : )

EDIT: Thanks for the heads up Smog!

no joke? that's awesome! can you tell us anything more about it?

[StarTrooper3000]

Yeah, I mean the specs are all over the internet, but I will mention a little about the process.

I got this unmarked, unexpected package in the mail from Louisville, KY. No indication of the sender. I opened it up to find box #2...very clearly a mini laptop box : ) It came with a business card saying "If you crack this open, you'll find INTEL", a power cord, a large (12"x16") sheet of decals, and a card telling me how to turn it on. There was nothing saying I had to talk to Google about my experience with it or anything. It was very odd, but at the same time it was kind of like an understanding between Google and I that I don't actually need all that bullshit that came with my Sager. I just need the basics. And stickers. A lot of stickers. A lot of childish stickers. A lot.

Other than that, it is a speedy thing. I like how Google laid out the keyboard, sort of revamping the layout to suit Chrome. I am hugely against no right-click feature, but beggars can't be choosers, so I will live with my alt-click and free netbook.

Specs:
Intel Atom Processor N455 1.66GHz 512K Cache

Tripod Motherboard MARIO – 6050A240910 – MB – A03

Hynix 2GB DDR3 1Rx8 PC3 – 10600S Ram

Intel CG82NM10 PCH

ITE IT8500E Flash ROM

SanDisk sdsa4dh-016G 16GB SATA SSD

Qualcomm Gobi2000 PCI Express Mini Card

AzureWave 802.11 a/b/g/n PCI-E Half MiniCard

Atheros AR5BBU12 Bluetooth V2.1 EDR