Isaiah's Tech

Well, looky here, it's another photo of what appears to be the long-awaited Google Chrome OS! Are you excited? I am - for pictures of the actual OS - but not for fake screenshots. I'm not even going to bother what the explanation said about the screenshot, but that's a fat and funky-looking scrollbar you got there. You can enjoy the picture above and you can click on the link below to see some more photos - that are probably fake.

[Engadget]

All the buzz about the Google Chrome OS hasn't died yet. Early reports, by Google themselves, mentioned that the Chrome OS should be available by the end of 2010. But according to Eric Schmidt, HP and Acer could launch netbooks with the Chrome OS by the end of this year. First, we'll see how smooth things go before getting overexcited.




[Portable Monkey]

Yesterday, I covered that Microsoft will be announcing something on Monday to trump the success of the Google Chrome OS. The first rumour pointed out that Microsoft could be releasing their new browser, Gazelle, in order to compete with Google's browser, Chrome. Today's rumour is also regarding the announcement, but this time it's a web-based version of Microsoft Office. This will compete directly with Google Docs and could possibly affect the launch of Google's new OS. I don't know how much of a factor a web-based Microsoft Office would hurt Google.

[Lifehacker]

Keep in mind that these shots could be incredibly fake, so don't be too surprised if they are. According to the source, a Google rep showed this private beta build - of the Google Chrome OS - to an anonymous Acer parts supplier. The shot was snapped when the Google rep was distracted. That's what the story says at least. The highlights are below, courtesy of Engadget.

The "elegant" install on the Acer Extensa 4620Z laptop took about 10 minutes and 1 restart

Reboots desktop-to-desktop in about 25 seconds

It was "amazingly fast" in its stripped-down beta form

The blue orb on the auto-hiding "Chrome Bar" along the bottom of the UI is essentially the start menu

Navigating the file system can be done in "exploration" (like Windows explorer) or "browser" (search based) modes

The Chrome Bar can also host a search bar if configured

Future Chrome OS netbooks will feature an iconified Chrome key on the keyboard similar to the Windows flag key

It's still a long wait for the Google Chrome OS - second half of 2010 - so don't be surprised if a lot changes by then.

Update on July 10th: These screenshots have been confirmed to be fake, according to Gizmodo. The artist confessed to mocking these up.

[Engadget]

After revealing the Google Chrome OS early this morning, Google has now stated who they will be working with to make this as successful as it can be. They mentioned names including: Acer, Adobe, Asus, Freescale, HP, Lenovo, Qualcomm, and TI (Texas Instruments). Asus was an obvious option for the Google Chrome OS, since it will be starting out with netbooks, possibly via an Eee PC. HP is the largest PC maker in the world, so it makes sense that they are also on this list. Adobe will probably help Google out with the inclusion of Flash. Don't see your favourite PC maker Dell on the list? Well check out the quote below from CNet News.

The one that is notably missing is Dell. Dell is the second-largest PC maker in the world (though Acer is close at its heels), but didn't indicate it was actively working with Google on this when contacted earlier today. The company would only say that "Dell constantly assesses new technologies as part of managing our product development process and for consideration in future products."

[CNet News, Google Chrome Blog]

According to this FriendFeed post, Microsoft may have something to counter the newly announced and highly anticipated Google Chrome OS. What could it be? A lightweight browser that can actually compete? An open-source and lightweight version of Windows 7? A Windows 8 announcement? A lawsuit? Julian Irwin in the Gizmodo comments said "Bing OS?? Shoot me." I LOL'd. I don't know what it could be, but the announcement will take place on Monday. Oh gosh, Microsoft. Please be something worthwhile.

[Gizmodo, Picture Source: Aden Hepburn]

This is now confirmed! The Google Chrome OS is now official. It's now posted on The Official Google Blog. The Google Chrome OS is initially targeted for netbooks and will act as a "quick-booting OS" that is, of course, built around lightweight applications like Chrome. It will be designed to get the user onto the web in mere seconds. Like Android, the Google Chrome OS will be open-source and "netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010." This is really exciting stuff for me - the Google fanboy. Check out what Google had to say below.

Google Chrome OS is a new project, separate from Android. Android was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks. Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web, and is being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems. While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.

One question about the Google Chrome OS though. What about Android? Well, I guess that quote kind of answered it actually. The Google OS is coming to take over the world, and I can't wait. Looks like I'm going to purchase my last Windows PC this year, sorry Microsoft.

[Ars Technica, The Official Google Blog]

This isn't exactly new news, since I talked a bit about it last week. The latest rumour says that it will be released on T-Mobile and will be dubbed as the G3. Now that is interesting. It's not confirmed, but Tech Radar has been kind enough to contact T-Mobile to confirm whether or not this is, in fact, true. So, this Huawei handset will be the third Android phone to embrace T-Mobile. As a reminder, the phone will have a 5MP camera, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, WiFi, and HSDPA connectivity. I'm curious to know the screen size of this device because it looks fairly large.

[Tech Radar]

It's no surprise that Google's Android OS will be hitting tablet PCs and possibly even netbooks in the near future. This is the Google OS that I have long been waiting for. Now I'm just waiting for it to become mainstream. Apparently, the Android OS can on a measly little 200MHz ARM processor, which is sweet. Look out for Android-based tablets (and home phones?) in early 2010. On to the T-Mobile G2. Yes, it has been confirmed that the HTC Magic will be named the T-Mobile G2 when it hits the US of A. It will be hitting the US "soon," meaning by the end of this month. This means that the US could see the Magic aka G2 before Vodafone starts to release it. That's always good news. According to Electronista, the T-Mobile G2 will have 3G, GPS, WiFi and... wait for it... an upgraded 5MP camera. That beats out the T-Mobile G1's 3.2MP camera, but it looks like it will still be flashless. The G2 will also [still] sport the infamous "chin."

[Electronista]

This can be marked under the interesting category. Apparently, Dell's new prototypes of their upcoming smartphones reportedly "lacked differentiation" when they were revealed to "an undisclosed amount of mobile carriers." Dell's prototypes, if you remember, are able to run on either Windows Mobile or Android. This is interesting news because I don't really see a so-called differentiation in new phones that released nowadays. You have your candybars, sliders, flips and smartphones, but they aren't exactly all different. They do have their addition of physical QWERTY keyboards, QWERTY keypads (such as the BlackBerry or the Nokia E71) or full touchscreens. Obviously, they do differ with their hardware, but maybe that's where Dell was lacking. I'm curious to see how they are lacking differentiation, but it does show that if you're a newcomer you better be showing your best stuff and be at the top of your game. Dell is not entirely new to selling smartphones, but it's been a while since they made a decent smartphone. Maybe they should stick to what they're good at.

[Enagdget]

Old news here, but in case you didn't know, Microsoft had one of their prototype phones stolen at MWC. "A prototype phone loaded with a top-secret copy of the new software was lifted from an executive's pocket." The executive is unnamed, but it's not really important. I guess that's what happens when MWC is being held at Barcelona, "a city famous for its world class pickpockets." Talk about Microsoft getting owned. Although, i don't know why anyone would want to know anything about Windows Mobile 6.5.

Killzone 2 may be reportedly getting co-op as DLC in the future. I don't know if you remember, but Sony mentioned about a month ago that there "are no plans for co-op in Killzone 2." Sony just loves to upset their fans and then reward them later. Well, most of the time there is a reward, at least.

If you're hoping to get the Palm Pre on a different carrier (other than Sprint) then you may be out of luck. A new report says that "the Pre is Sprint's exclusively for 2009." The Palm Pre will be the first phone to feature the new WebOS platform. But, it's only the first of many other multi-tasking phones that will be available running this OS, so no need to panic. Unless you really like the Pre and i think it's going to be a great device.

Philips will be releasing two PMPs that will be released in Europe this April. As of right now, there is no release date scheduled for North America, but i'll give you the rundown of these 2 PMPs anyway. The smaller 2-inch PMP is the GoGear Ariaz. It will have your choice of 4GB, 8GB or 16GB of memory, has FM radio, a built-in mic and has a combination of touchscreen buttons and the "large rocker key" for your navigating. The updated 2.8-inch display version is called the GoGear Opus. It will have Bluetooth and your choice of 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of memory. The prices of these PMPs will range from the $100 - $230 USD (€79 - €179) price range.

The Google OS looks like it's finally here. It opened up with Android running on the Google phone, the T-Mobile G1. Android began to expand to more phones and is continuing its growth. Asus is now working on a new netbook running Android, the Google OS, which is interesting. Because of the fact that Windows XP is running on 80-90% of all netbooks, this would make Google a strong competitor for Microsoft's Windows. If all things go according to plan, Android will continue to gain popularity and will expand to notebooks and PCs. Believe it folks, the Google OS is here. Asus have mentioned that they plan on releasing the Android-based netbook by the end of the year. It is said to already be in development.

Microsoft Prototype Stolen (and picture): http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/02/19/top-secret-microsoft-prototype-stolen-in-barcelona/?source=yahoo_quote
Killzone 2 To Get Co-op?: http://ps3.qj.net/Killzone-2-might-get-co-op-as-DLC/pg/49/aid/128982
Sprint Locks Up The Pre For 2009 (and picture): http://i.gizmodo.com/5156935/sprint-has-palm-pre-locked-up-in-us-for-entire-year
Philips GoGear PMPs (and picture): http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/19/philips-debuts-gogear-ariaz-opus-pmps/
Asus Netbook Running Android (and picture): http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Asus_Working_on_Android_Netbook/551-99229-580.html

If you love Google like me, this blog post will be amazing to read. It might even be as fun to read as it was for me to type this up. Anyways, let's get down to the Google news.

Ever since the pictures of the [ugly] T-Mobile G2 came out, there have been numerous fake Android G2 phones popping around all over the web. In my opinion, this one pictured on the left looks like the best one. I say this because it looks like a skinnier, white HTC Touch HD. Although, i don't like the skinniness of the phone too much, it still manages to look better than the current G2. The buttons on this fake G2 also could have been done better and they could have also included a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Now that would be my dream phone. An HTC Touch HD + Nokia N97 + Android all-in-one phone. The HTC Touch HD's looks and camera, mixed with the N97's storage and slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Dump both of their Mobile OS's for the Android and you get the ultimate phone. We will name my dream phone the Android HTC N97 HD. It would be a good competitor for the iPhone Pro. Both the Android HTC N97 HD and the iPhone Pro are only make-believe.

Google's long-awaited Webdrive service, dubbed the name Gdrive, may be in the near-future. A new, possible hint at Google's GDrive is in this picture on the left. Is this a possible icon for the GDrive service? This along with the option on the Picasa beta for the Mac, may be hints towards a possible GDrive hitting consumers later on this year. I talked about Google's GDrive a couple of days ago (here). It is basically online storage for everything on your hard drive. There is also the rumour that you will be able to use Google's, also rumoured, Operating System. Click the picture for a larger view, if you want.

"[Google] Gears has been around for awhile, but has really reached a stage of maturity, making it stable across Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. Google gears provides synchronization of online content such that it can be edited even if there is no Internet connection." Gears is a fairly new service from Google and i expect it to blossom this year. Google Docs, which is a part of Gears, is getting much better. I find myself using Google Docs more and more, as it gets better and better. I use Google Reader every single day and it is also a part of Gears. I've told you before that Google is going to take over the Internet and once they do that, they will probably take over offline as well. Google is pushing their way into our faces. With the expansion of Google Chrome and Gears, along with a possible GDrive making its appearance later this year. 2009 may be a good year for Google to make an aggressive push.

Android G2 (and picture): http://i.gizmodo.com/5139252/fake-android-g2-phones-invading-the-world
Google GDrive (and picture): http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-signs-of-google-webdrive.html
Google Gears: http://education.zdnet.com/?p=2052

My day was pretty hectic in the morning, and it really got me pissed. So, i knew i had to wake up early this morning, since i had a Religion test 1st period and i told my mom to wake me up. I ended up sleeping at 6:10 (yup!) for about 15 minutes, and then it was 6:25 a.m. I took my shower, made myself some eggs and left out the front door. My Brampton transit bus is at 7:08 in the mornings, and this morning it came a bit late, around 7:12 a.m so that was cool. Got to Derry road, and usually my bus is at 7:52, so i'd have to wait there for about 7 minutes. Waited... 8 minutes passed, but still not there. I was turned around because i was trying to remember if i turned off the stove this morning or not. But, yeah, it ended up being 8:10, and my bus was still wasn't there. I was getting impatient and knew i was gonna be late for my Religion test. The bus ended up coming at 8:17... great. I talk to some guy i knew at the next stop, since he's always there with me everyday. The bus driver overheard our conversation and told us that the 7:52 bus this morning didn't come. It didn't come because the bus driver didn't show up to work, so he was fired. This explained why the bus was completely packed, to the point where when we got to Tomken, 2 people couldn't even get on the bus. Finally got to Mavis and waited for either the 61 or the 57 to come by. The 61 came around 8:47 and i got into class at 8:57.