Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments -- according to the latest
Chrome OS update from Google, you're looking at the company's initial ragtag team of co-conspirators for its entry into the operating system business. With Adobe's involvement, we can assume Flash support is a given, and the others unsurprisingly run the gamut of
netbook and
smartbook players. We can't help but notice a couple of conspicuous absences on that list, including Intel and Dell. With Intel, you don't need to partner to work on its chips, but we gotta imagine it'd help by offering more support, and as for Dell, we don't know about that one, but there's still plenty of time for the Big G to enlist more companies in the lead up to its
second half 2010 debut.
Update: Google updated the list to include Toshiba.
posted Jul 8th 2009 8:06PM
Dell is towing the MS line.
Ubuntu. First to preload it. Google it.
Dell was Delleted. Haha, lol.
The OS that has the most to fear is Ubuntu, not Windows. So Asus will load this instead of their Mee OS....BFD.
I know that playing "wait-and-see" in a period of any economic turbulence is standard operating procedure for big businesses, like DELL, with nowhere to go but down -- especially considering Ubunto, their last attempt at "innovation" -- but this is googleOS! They'll have a netbook pumping this no more than a year after Asus digs into their market share.
As for intel, they're just peeved that after buying up Clutter and releaseing their Moblin 2.0 beta, most of the blades from the buzz surrounding that just became too dull to cut cheese. Like DELL, though, they've got their seats reserved on the bandwagon, even if it's just because their marketing department demand that at some point they piggyback off of the GIGANTIC publicity.
The circle is complete.
Now google will control just about every aspect of your time on the computer ... quietly collecting your "anonymous" data.
You'll start caring when it's too late.
I'm surprised HP is on that list. They've been heavily Microsoft in their commercials and offerings.
What is it with linux and circles...debian..ubuntu...now chrome?
What's with Windows and squares? ;)
And Apple n ....Apple shapes
Well at least it means we know who are The Squares, who are The Fruit n does circle signify anything?
Who's square, who's curvy, and who's fruity...?
@deanb
The Squares, The Fruits.... and the circle, well maybe its an Ass?
Dell is shit anyways
@David so true, but right now, I am nowhere near wanting to complain, especially from the company that bought me; google search, google image, google news, google books, Gmail, Google Earth, Google Maps, Google Street view, Google chrome, and so much more free of charge.
How, exactly, are they going to steal your data with this? It's open source, for crying out loud!
Dell is probably thinking about what FUN they had supporting Linux. Now they can safely say "fuck THAT" to the next Linux-based OS before seeing how it pans out with other companies.
Support for googleOS?? PFFFFT! Aside from googleOS actually delivering on the promise to "just work," users will just open up their chrome browsers and Bing! the answers to any questions they might have. It all works out perfectly!
Bing is the best way to Google things, IMHO.
Yeah seriously, I would never, ever, want to do customer support as a computer company for PCs being sold to regular consumers with Linux. It's bad enough dealing with barely computer literate people who can't even figure out how to get to the control panel in Windows.
And even with Windows it's all made worse by the fact that 99% of Dell CSRs are as computer illiterate as the customers and just reading off some moronic script.
Even if Google dumbs down the OS the problem is that when something does go wrong with Linux the fixes usually involve opening up a terminal window and typing cryptic stuff, reading cryptic files, typing more cryptic stuff, editing cryptic files, setting cryptic permissions, realizing that it still isn't fixed, then poring over all sorts of config files until you realize that you made a typo. All of which sounds like customer support will mostly involve sending the computer back and formatting over it every time some idiot calls in.
@the4thheat
Perfect.
@mark
perfect
I'd think Dell will help out anyway, even if they're not a "partner" per se.
A Google-branded Linux distribution? They've to add a lot of goodies to convince me to switch from Ubuntu....
This will not be a GNU/Linux distribution. It is a new operating system built on top of the linux kernel. Think of OS X and how they took a BSD kernel and built aqua on top.
No, its more like a completely minimal linux distribution that exists solely to run a heavily integrated Chrome browser in a secure sandbox.
This idea of web app-only functionality gets more interesting when you look at the progression of technologies Google has been working on:
1st was Google Gears for offline-storage
2nd was Google Open3D, a new framework for GPU accelerated 3D in the browser
3rd was Googles work with OpenVG for GPU accelerated vector graphics
4th was Google's Native Client, which is meant to allow native code (aka C/C++ and more) to securely run in the browser
You can see they are completely replication EVERY major fundamental technology that exists in a modern computing experience INTO the browser! They are really going to change things here!
Not really surprised to see HP up there. They tend to like to avoid having only one choice when possible, and dedicate a lot of internal resources to various projects to either run alternate OSs on their hardware, or even tweak and tune Windows to make it unique for devices like their touchscreen computer.
Asus and Acer, also no big surprise with their netbook lines.
Freescale and TI make sense since Google said ARM.
Adobe is a bit of a surprise, I wonder what their involvement is. HTML5 has many features aimed at Flash.
Not sure about Qualcomm.
And yeah, not really shocking that Dell is missing. They don't want to upset MS or Intel with the favorable pricing they get for their loyalty.
Qualcomm are on that picture because:
a) they are also major ARM licensees (currently w/ Snapdragon)
b) they wanted to make everyone else's logo look good
(seriously wtf is UP with that logo? it's the ugliest 'professional' logo I've seen in a while. did they get the boss's 10-year-old to design it in school?)
Quite a bummer about Dell, but where the hell is Intel?
Working on Moblin, obviously...
Where the hell are Nvidia (for Tegra) and AMD?
I don't really see intel being an important partner. The linux kernel already fully supports all of their processors and chipsets.
Agreed. Intel won't want any part of this because it has been investing time in Moblin.
This is going to be a huge fail, because those people who switched to OSX know how easy to use and secure Apple's OS is. Google Chrome OS is basically computer nerd's wet dream like Linux, which did not gain mainstream acceptance and very patchy security and selection of non-industry standard software.
You are missing the point. Google is gunning initially for low end, where Apple doesn't tread - so OS X here is irrelevant. As netbooks decrease in price, Windows makes up an increasing percentage of the cost... that's just not sustainable.
Other Linux distros are certain capable feature wise, but overall just don't have the warm and fuzzy familiarity that Google can bring to the table.
My grandparents get Gmail. It wouldn't take much to show them how to put a simple spreadsheet together on Google Docs. They can enter contacts that will stay with them even if they replace the computer down the road. They can check websites. Google is starting to put together all the pieces of an internet focused OS.
"those people who switched to OSX know how easy to use and _secure_ Apple's OS is"
What? You mean how little it's targeted with viruses?
I'm sick of this myth.
I think your a huge fail iKurt.
Im typing this on my iMac and its true, i love Mac OS. But im also running WIndows 7 RC on my Dell Mini9 and am very interested in this Google OS.
Ive been very happy with Chrome and Gmail and dont do anything overly taxing on the Mini9 so an easy to use, tailored for netbook OS would be perfect.
Ive looked at all the flavours of Linux and they just dont sit well with me, very patchy indeed, ive also tried OSX on it but didnt suit my needs, Windows 7 is good, but is just too much for a little netbook feature wise.
Ask any of your relatives if they heard of Linux. Then ask if they heard of Google.
And there you have where GoogleOS can succeed over the original netbook Distros.
Google has huge brand recognition, and alot of goodwill. People have been using them for years, and Apple haven't spent millions in ad's undermining them.
Apart from Dell that list has most of the major Netbook guys, so when average joe is buying a netbook they can have the option between 'evil, crashing virus laden' Windows, or Google, the guys that rule the internet, and surely the internet guys sound much better on a 'net'book? It's like Asus n co laid out hte red carpet for Google with a new sector of PC's that they can thrive on.
I don't think Google are really aiming to take over the major desktop market, but think of devices like the crunchpad, netbook's, archos's Win7 tablet etc, these devices would work wonders with a simple web based OS.
It feels like open handset alliance/Android all over again.
it's the mirrors, dude.
Dell Computers bug me.... I don't care.
Apple is noticeably absent too :)
Best comment of the thread....
You guys can take on MS/Intel/Dell all you want, but any omission ofApple from this conversation shows how little you know of business models and how competition breeds innovation (let alone lower prices...).
when can we see some screen shots of chrome os?
Download Chrome, hit F11 n have a play about with some of the Google App's n I think that should give a your a pretty good idea of what Google are aiming for.
Dell probably just doesn't want to clutter up their OS choices any more I would imagine.
Dells wise decisions have lead to the fantastic sales surge they are seeing now while their opponents like hp have taken decisions that have given them the problem of being the number 1 pc maker in the world.
I know which horse I'm backing.
Apparently their answer to that problem has been releasing cheaply made plastic laptops that break down as soon as you stare them intensely.
Really, I have owned 2 HP laptops the past year, and they have failed/broken down until I finally gave up and bought a Dell (out of no particular love but I was able to snatch a good deal). I guess that's the reason HPs prices are so competitive though.
^^^ True. I once bought a 1200$ HP laptop, and after 2-3 months of average use 2 parts of the casing turned black (burnt) and half of the keys fell out.
Needless to say, I will NEVER buy an HP again.
I bet Microsoft are genuinely worried. The familiarity of google with the support of most of the big oems.
It is possible that, given time, Windows would seem like a geeks play thing to the average user, when everything can be done fast and simply via Google.
Poké Ball go? lol
I think dell is missing ebcause they dont want to move around rescources to dedicate to the new OS. Windows and Linux is enough.
This is Linux(ish)
ENGADGET check this out:
http://ec.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/chromecartoon.jpg
ha ha
What's Texas Instruments going to do?!
Going to provide OMAP3/4 chips in netbooks/smartbooks. OMAP3 is a bit weak for a netbook, but a dual-core 1.0+ Ghz ARM Cortex-A9 with quad-core PowerVR SGX543 GPU, and 1080P processing chip wouldn't be too bad!
I would have thought sony's vaio laptop's would come with chrome Os, because i don't think they're too happy using windows.
You must be joking. Sony loves Windows. Many other makers, including Dell, offer GNU/Linux but Sony PCs use Windows exclusively.
Maybe this will be able to put together a comprehendable sentence.
How is Apple letting Eric get away with this? I mean, I would have thrown Eric's ass off the board ASAP.
Apple, remember Pirates of Silicon Valley? Apparently you didn't learn the first time around when Microsoft did this.
Google have Android which competes with iPhone and that's not really upset Apple.
And this is aiming to take over a sector Apple have no PC's in so I don't think they particularly care until they want to make their own netbook, but I don't think Apple want to.
Microsoft doesn't need to be afraid of this, but they will need to fight it. Windows 7 is going to be loaded on Netbooks by the time Chrome OS comes out. Chomre has the potential to take a way a good portion of their market share specifically in the netbook arena. I'd expect to see them release a new browser, service pack, or web app suite sometime next Summer to combat Google.
The best thing Linux users can hope for out of this is better hardware support. I don't think this will have an effect on software support, except to pull everything more toward cloud computing. I don't really like that concept, but if wireless internet becomes cheaper, faster, and more reliable I think I could cope.
This is the end of apple as we know it. An OS streamlined to run the adobe suite faster than mac on PC hardware. If Apple does not stop pissing adobe off with programs like aperture, the only real benefit of their hardware is to say (with lisp and wrist hanging) "but it's soooo sexy".
If ADOBE is in the group, that mean the OS will be a real serious competitor. Just need few apps to follow, like 3d and propellerhead stuff and voila! Mac and Windows will loose some market shares.
Nope that wont make them a major competitor; figure out how to sync an Ipod with it will make them a serious competitor
I'm all for this web-centric OS for browsing and email, and online document editing, but how about driver support? What hope of this ever working with a Canon photo printer or Wacom tablet?
I agree. That is one of the reasons I had to give up on linux.
That'll be the challenge. All the stuff that makes Linux problematic. Driver support for that Windows only Verizon 3G USB stick. Printer drivers. Support for DRM laden content. Playback of Blu-Ray movies. Subscription music services. Playback of Windows media files. Integration with your portable music player, your camera, your cell phone.
Hopefully you're right there
Dude, if u think Adobe is going to put their photo or video suites on this thing any time soon you're smoking crack. Adobe is involved to bring in Flash support and maybe Air as an alternative to Gears. Not the stuff you're dreaming about.
No, blue-eyed HAL, you can not have all of my personal data and make ad dollars off of it.
Let's have a release and take a look at it. Or will this be in beta for 5+ years also?
If it's anything like Chrome's release, no. They quickly moved that out the beta so they could ship it to OEM's, so they'll want this without beta moniker too, even if they end up with a fair bit of patching post release.
Poor dell, once again hit with the neglection hammer
Riiiight just llke android is not an OS. Now we have an OS but only for "netbooks". Apple can't handle success and the bubble's set to burst 2010.
Chrome will fail for one reason: DirectX. Not being able to simply load games and play them will turn alot of people off. Besides, my Eee runs XP just fine. iPhone OS is as Linux-based as I want. One of the reasons Apple built in Boot Camp was so users could play games built for DirectX...
This OS is designed specifically for netbooks. And as netbooks currently stand they are in no way designed for any true game....kind of missing a cd rom drive..video ram, decent processer...
You know who else is missing? Any hardware vendor involved in graphics, or USB, or sound, or printers, or you know... anything that needs drivers for an OS that can't live as a parasite on a underlying OS (you know, like Chrome lives on Windows)
Intel and Dell are absent because Intel and Dell are belong to Microsoft
Don't foget DELL hast it's own isntant-on Linux!
I thought everything was moving to the "Cloud" and operating systems would become irrelevant. What happened to that. I never believed in the Cloud,. This is a further proof that operating systems are here to stay little longer.
The fact that you think that this is the end for Apple is truly hilarious.
Anyone notice that in the original link (Google Chrome Blog) is TOSHIBA too?
Anyone notice the 'Apple' like like reflection top left of their logo. Ooooo what does it mean. What hmmm what?
Forget Dell.What about crunchpad? This OS seems to be perfect for the crunchpad.
Isnt that logo from that silly light game everyone was playing years ago?..I cant remember what its called because of all the Diprivan I have been using.
The Samus/Metroid ball as the OS logo?
No im telling you its SIMON
http://www.handheldmuseum.com/MB/Simon.htm
Flash is pure Evil.
Dell is going the Android route -- which is still Google... :) And Google Chrome OS will most likely be the First Cloud Computing OS.
Freescale, Texas Instrument,Qualcomm.. ok, i get it :not for desktop!.
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I think it's great news. I think it is stupid to exclude and I don't think it is exclusion.
I will be using Dell and Google OS. And Windows. And Ubuntu. And MAC OS.
I think the system will be great. It will be open, so Dell and Intel can use it.
Windows will loose. Great news.
From the looks of the list, Google's China R&D has done their job.
China's the big playa now. Suck up to your new google-asian overloads.
Without being able to run WIndows apps, its going to turn into yet another linux distro... why couldent google buy out/subsidize ReactOS and create a real contender to the throne.
What use is an 'OS; that runs windows apps? That would be windows not a new OS, or it would be a new shell for windows, that's not a bad idea though, windows allows replacing explorer.exe with something else and google could hack something like that together (simultaneously with their chrome OS project).
It's bizarre how many people don't seem to know what an OS is, even people that should know because they work in the technology field.
Adobe - this means at least native PDF and maybe Flash support as well.
Hear that Apple?
Aren't adobe and apple joined at the hip?