First Google Chrome OS screenshots leaked? Update: it's a fake
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Jul 9th 2009 4:41AM
posted Jul 9th 2009 4:41AM
It's not much, in fact, these screenshots are incredibly easy to fake. Still, a hastily constructed WordPress blog has been setup to host what are claimed to be the world's first screenshots of Google's new Chrome OS -- hailed as both a Microsoft Windows and Apple OS X killer or a Google FUD generator depending upon who you're listening to. As the story is told, a Google representative demonstrated a private beta build of the OS to an anonymous Acer parts supplier yesterday, presumably somewhere in Taiwan. The picture above was grabbed breathlessly while the Google rep was distracted. Highlights of the demonstration break down as follows:
[Thanks, Matthew M.]
Update: We just got another set of shots of what is purportedly the boot screen. To be honest, any of these could be faked, but we thought we'd pass along -- hopefully we'll be seeing something a bit more concrete in the coming weeks. Gallery is below.
Update 2: Mr. Chrome OS Leak himself has come forward and confirmed his "screenshots" to be fake. Thanks, buddy. No word on this other set of pics.
- 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
[Thanks, Matthew M.]
Update: We just got another set of shots of what is purportedly the boot screen. To be honest, any of these could be faked, but we thought we'd pass along -- hopefully we'll be seeing something a bit more concrete in the coming weeks. Gallery is below.
Update 2: Mr. Chrome OS Leak himself has come forward and confirmed his "screenshots" to be fake. Thanks, buddy. No word on this other set of pics.
specs? maybe my mom can use it, since she is absolutely inept at PCs.
I can't wait to test it out. I wonder how it will be like. I hope there won't be an asshole judging it already when they haven't tried out yet.
this would be great for my mom too. she just needs to browse the internet a little and to edit an office document here and there. and her PC has 256 MB RAM
Im pretty sure its purely going to be for use on netbooks and devises where you just want to be able to boot it up quickly and take notes, check emails, surf the web, ect. I think that this will help to define the line between netbooks and laptops and hopefully lower the cost of netbooks, if it takes off that is.
Mom, Grandma... It could be the Wii of the personal computers: Maybe it won't hurt Micro$oft & Apple, but it can certainly go where they could't reach, like Xbox & PS3.
Only good for netbooks and old people.
@Pasky, it would be awesome if I could install it on the PS3. Better than Ubuntu as far as usability on the PS3 goes in my opinion.
Looks fake, since the Google colors don't start with yellow.
Now seriously, couldn't Google come up with a name other than 'Chrome'. They named their web browser Chrome and now their OS. Even the logo is the same too.
What's up with that Google?
@Gabe - good eye!
In Soviet Russia, Chrome OS will use your m...
ah, nevermind.
Wouldn't be that hard to beat Microsoft feature by feature, OSX on the other hand...
Microsoft's had 30 years and still no....
Native Spell Checker (ie, filling out a web form still sucks to this day), yes you can shell out another $400 bucks for Office but c'mon!
DVD Decoder Codec, still ain't native in Windows 7? Macs been doing it for years...
Backup, Optimization and Security that *should be native* but yet costs another $49 ala OneCare, and yet TimeMachine still works and looks and feels better...
Nice..
Hopefully Google will not be releasing a late 2010 OS using something created in spring 2009.
It will already be old...
Yeah, looks full of features
Did I read ARM?
I know some people at Always Innovating that must be pretty excited to have this OS on the TouchBook.
Actually... I'm excited too, now.
Hmm... i think i might stick to ubuntu.
This is totally different than ubuntu though. Its just running linux in the background while it runs programs and widgets in a web environment. So it pretty much doing the same thing as palm is on the pre with webOS except its going to be put on netbooks.
@James
Or like Google is already doing with Android!
@Matt
Android only uses a Java environment. WebOS uses all web languages (soon including Flash). So, they are quite different.
"It was "amazingly fast" in its stripped-down beta form"
ORLY??
----------------------
PS. Google you stepping into the OS territory is a bad bad idea.... You didn't even wait to see how android is doing/will do.
Do what you are best at and refine it. That is the search engine and site ranking algorithms.
So people should not diversify? I guess ive been getting bad investment advise all these years. How did you get to be so smart?
Android is only spreading in availability and appeal...it's doing well.
Im not saying they shouldn't diversify their products. But it takes time to know if something is going to succeed. Android may have "strong sales", but shouldn't they refine and work on it a bit more before releasing a totally new platform?
Google seems like a control freak to me atm.
I have no idea why everybody loves Google with such a passion. It wont take too long for some to realize that Google is turning "evil".
I don't believe it. I'm expecting a different approach to an OS interface...Not something similar to Windows.
Why? Google have effectively been copying Microsoft's entire business strategy for years so it's no surprise that they'd copy their OS.
Having said that I'd never use any OS with any links to Google. Google have a bad habit of accumulating as much personal information as they can and I'd expect any OS they develop to take this as far as possible. No company that colaborates with governments to the extent Google does should be allowed to hold onto anyones information.
I'm with you in that regard.
So please enlighten the world as to what you think would be a "better" interface...
=/
I didn't realise that in order to post my view, I had to come up with an alternative.On top of which, usually when one uses quotation marks, they actually quote what someone has written.
Of course I'm aware of Engadget's comment system, so I'm going to have to assume you were talking to someone else, since I never criticised or suggested that there was something better. I said I expected differently from them.
wow. if you guys think you can create a brand new looking interface for an OS why not try submitting your ideas than just sitting there getting fat and whining. i don't get it why people complain yet they don't do anything for it. you don't deserve the good things in life. nuff said.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark#Irony
And since you did criticize them for making it "similar to Windows" (ooh, I used them to quote you that time instead of ironically!) I figured you could give us all insight as to what you think is a better interface for a web-centric operating system.
"To avoid the potential for confusion between ironic quotes and direct quotations, some style guides specify single quotation marks for this usage" - The wikipedia article ;D
"I never criticised or suggested that there was something better. I said I expected differently from them."
You did criticize them... I can't believe I also have to point out the definition of criticism:
(n) criticism, unfavorable judgment (disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings)
I point to your stated expectation of "different" without giving constructive criticism as to how they are to achieve this with a web interface. (Oh no... I used double quotes again!)
This is the stupidest debate in the history of forever. Just shut it up already.
omg Andir, stop being such a whiney dick
@Andir
You'd be absolutely correct IF the OP's post had a negative connotation. As I read it, it's fairly neutral. "Different" doesn't mean he's passing unfavorable judgement; it just means he expects something else. For a better understanding of "different" look at the tab placement for IE compared to Chrome.
My people are defensive of Google.
@jakem
"Having said that I'd never use any OS with any links to Google. Google have a bad habit of accumulating as much personal information as they can and I'd expect any OS they develop to take this as far as possible. No company that colaborates with governments to the extent Google does should be allowed to hold onto anyones information."
Big Brother is watching...
"Google have effectively been copying Microsoft's entire business strategy for years so it's no surprise that they'd copy their OS." - jakem
I know, right? I mean, Google is totally copying Microsoft Live Search. Or wait, it's Bing now. Whatever.
Anyway, Google is *totally* copying Microsoft.
*rolls eyes*
So from this thread, I learned how to quote someone properly and how I should use single quote and double quotes properly.
"Doh" -- Homer
It's obviously a fake (for me), I don't think Google is that stupid to put a huge "Google Chrome Private Developer Plus" using ugly fonts and classical colours. It just doesn't match with the whole design.
I noticed the font was not consistent with Google's logo, too. The "g" and "l" are both different. I also am surprised that the developer beta would be version 1.3.0. Wouldn't they use build numbers? Or 0.x versions?
Photoshop, 5 minutes.
I call fake.
1) Google never renders long strings such as "Google Chrome OS Private Developer Beta" in the google font and colours. That is restricted to the word "Google" only. You can easily make these highly unconvincing graphics at googlefontdotcom.
2) IT HAS THE WORDS "PRIVATE DEVELOPER BETA" IN MASSIVE LETTERS ON THE WALLPAPER
I've said enough.
Also, why is the start menu a few inches along the "chrome bar"? Seems a bit foolish to me.
yea, and the colors on 'Google' dont even correspond to the real logo! fake without a doubt.
your right, google wouldnt continue the colored letters
there is also a strange smudge on the end of the chrome "e" you can see in this picture: http://chromeosleak.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/file0043.jpg
I mean, it's not even the Google logo! Look at the colours!
Yes its very likely a fake.
I'm not saying these shots are real for certain, but your argument is a moot point. This wallpaper would have been designed by an engineer since it is obviously temporary, not something that's officially sanctioned by the logo/marketing department.
I'm sure it will be on the pirate bay soon :P
That last screenshots really revealing. Insightful stuff.
It's a fake. It looks like a KDE4 desktop!
Answer to the post title:
No.
i dont know guys, i think they might have a good product comeing out. they are building an os from the outside in. google is an online infosuperhighway. they are making an OS that will work online like most or all people when they turn on there computer your online right away via the cell or wifi so i think what they are going to do the online documents will sync once you turn on your computer so all in all everything will sync with an online account. as if you have a copy of your whole computer online. also i been seeing alot of posts people talking about secure it will be or not be. well for the people who dont know shit about linux or unix they are the most secure systems in the world and i am a hard core windows user i hate linux but musy admit its not easy to get into it. google is on a good track for this os make it so that what ever you do on your computer can also be autosaved the min your online. then bring in the google phone to access all your data and files . i dont know about you guys but i see apple and blackberry and the pre getting there ass kicked in the next 1-3 years by google.
I had no problem switching to better faster OS but the question is; Is it compatible with every hardware and software that I use? If google answer no, then I'm sticking with my Windows.
The Chrome OS will create a HUGE market opportunity for destop app alternatives. If the existing vendors are smart, they will quickly develop & offer online versions of their apps. Otherwise, the incumbents will open the door for new vendors to win the hearts & minds of the new generation of web OS users.
If you need more proof it's fake, follow the link to the blog.
Some notable quotations: "Let’s see how fast these spread." "I hope you enjoy these." "Adrenaline was rushing like crazy."
This is some kid with a rubbish dramatic story. Don't give him any more attention.
Yeah, that sure are some good reasons why it's a fake...
This is in addition to the more concrete evidence I posted above. If you fail to see why this is supporting evidence, that is a shame.
Can't expect too much as yet. I would not be surprised if that is the real deal. Looks like a linux based OS and the aim of the game was to create an OS that gets you on the web in seconds, so I'd be fairly sure the window manager will be something like the standards that come with Puppy or DSL.
I will be excited to see the end product though... could be a very cool dual boot option.
Fake: there is "OS" writen in the center of the Chrome logo according official logo but not in the pictures
I don't know why ... but the Mass Media like CNN are crazy about the new "Google" OS ....and how is Google are targeting MS windows .... etc
The way i see it .. is ... it's just new Linux distributions out of hundreds already out there, i don't think it will compete with Windows 7 .... the only advantage i see for Linux against Windows is the ability to run on ARM CPU (and it's free).
... and it's highly configurable (great for the minimalist like myself.)
It also has something I can't figure out why Windows hasn't adopted, virtual desktops. Oh, and that whole actual separation of data and executable, repositories, and incredibly robust file system that allows you to place said user data on a separate drive without having to hack the OS and programs in 14,000 ways. Kernel Virtual Machines are pretty nice as well. In fact, I can't think of anything Windows does that Linux doesn't do better besides lock software vendors to their platform.
This just looks like a hackjob retheme of Fluxbox (Window manager for Linux, if you didn't know). Most definitely fake.
Not only that, but the reported 25 second time of desktop-desktop reboot is kind of pathetic. Is that what passes for "fast" on a fullsized laptop these days? I'm getting that on my nlited XP install on my netbook. I'd expect at *least* that on a stock install of slackware.
I wonder if they plan on marketing this os to powerful desktop machines in the future, it'll be good to see where they go from here.
Mmm... dubious about this. Intels effort I think will be better, but this will be more prolific as it is Google after all. I bet W7 will be more functional on a netbook than this also.
They can't even get a stable version of Chrome out to *nix/OSX, I wonder how long this will actually take to come out of beta.
The only thing that's actually missing from Linux is proper marketing. The downside of being a not-for-profit organization...
If they marketed it right as an approachable, safe, user-friendly and compatible (in terms of hardware and file types) operating system on a larger range of media, the user-base could quickly grow.
Importantly, I'd advertise it as a, "better alternative" without directly attacking Windows.
Actually, the thing missing from linux is simplicity. If you have a problem, good luck fixing it yourself. You'll need to hire a linux guru.
Actually, the only thing missing from Linux is Microsoft's lawyers. MS claims to have some 200 patent infringements on Linux and would come down on any money making Linux product like the RIAA on single moms.
The, "Linux is for gurus" argument is about 10 - 15 years old. All you do now is pop a LiveCD in your drive, reboot and you can be running a full Linux operating system, complete with office suite, instant messenger, PIM suite and hell, even an, "install to USB stick" utility. That's more then what Windows comes with, and there's more available simply by going to the menu, doing a search for, "add/remove programs" and opening that tool. You don't have to google for the software you need any more (e.g. "PCB designer", "Music score editor", "Torrent Client" or just about anything else), you just search for it in Add/Remove programs (The program's actually called Adept), tick a box and click, "Install". What's more, because you're not going to some dodgy freeware site and are instead installing software directly from trusted sources, you greatly reduce the risks of malicious software even further, and because you're not rummaging around in PCWorld for hours, asking anybody that knows anything about computers etc., you can think, "Huoh, I really need a program that does this..." and have your program installed in the same 5 minutes. Multiple desktops help to organize your programs/tasks (even Apple has adopted this some 16 years after Linux first implemented it), hotkeys let you assign keyboard shortcuts to applications (for example, Windows + F to open Firefox if you so wish), well-structured menus, the distinction between superuser and normal user (done RIGHT (Ehem, Vista)), greater hardware support and greater file format support mean you run into even fewer problems... hell, I can carry on if you want.
And it's funny you suggest the 200 patent infringements, considering this is the only one I've ever heard of ever: http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/07/vfat-linux-patch-could-circumvent-microsofts-patent-claims.ars
And, as you can see, it's not a patent infringement any more. But you obviously won't mind pointing those all out to me, will you? Oh, but that's right: Linux isn't a money-making product, is it? Ooh dear. Tough luck, I'm afraid.
I see the microbots are here already, "don't trust Google with your personal data", "don't stray into OS territory", "Google imitate Microsoft". (Microturfer, please!)
Android has, in the blink of an eye, caused a revolution in the smartphone market, and Google have correctly understood that the power to make new devices is in Asia and there is massive demand for free OSes that run on cheap platforms and expand into webspace, where Google dominates.
Compare the growth of Symbian, Wince, and Android over time, and you see why a Google OS makes perfect sense. What this will do, and why people except Redmond are excited is smash that distasteful Intel/Windows cartel that keeps us stuck with 160GB/10"/1.66Ghz vanilla netbooks where apparently the only feature the old club did not manage to restrict was battery life.
I'm waiting for my $299 20-hour 12" GoogleOS webpad, with daylight readable screen, solar panels on the lid, detachable keyboard/cover and 8mm thick profile. Microsoft and Intel will never, ever deliver that (except perhaps as a $4,500 package for the ultrarich).
Wait... Android caused a revolution in the smartphone market?
I know Android is free and open source, and *will* be on multiple handsets and carriers in the future... but I don't think Android has caused the revolution just yet...
I haven't seen a revolution from Android yet, not even close. For the record, I don't see Google OS as a threat to Windows or Apple (yet). The fact is, when the first netbooks were released they all came with lightweight easy to use (almost appliance like) Linux based OS's, and to my dismay, the market shunned them. The people clamored for Windows a full featured OS. Bearing that in mind, I don't see this OS being any better, because in the end, what people wanted out of netbooks a the cheap ultraportable instead of a internet connected device. Hell, even when the iPhone was first released, and Steve Jobs said that AJAX would be the SDK, the people complained enough so that Apple released an SDK and the App Store (which has been a major success for the company).
I would love to see a new OS join the fray, but I don't think this is it. Granted Google does have some muscle, but I haven't seen them market their products very well (other than the HTC Hero, Android has been a disappointment IMO). I'm much more excited about seeing moblin take off in the netbook space than I am about this OS.
The google talk icon sure does look similair to vista.
Like if you click once on an icon
I'm sure this is just going to be an instant on OS version of Chrome...ie you turn you PC on and Chrome runs on a custom made environment meant to run Chrome and Chrome and Chrome alone. It probably won't be compatible with your apps in either Windows or Linux and I'm sure, although useful, a lot of people will be disappointed.
Honestly I think that's perfect for netbooks. Having a full blown Windows 7 install on there when 99% of what you're doing is in the browser anyway is just overkill. I would never run something like this on my main computer because I can't live without my rich apps, but if I was going to haul a netbook around this is exactly what I'd be looking for.
people dont want netbooks to be browser only machines. Like someone already said people want a cheap ultra portable that can do a multitude of things and that is why people are increasingly disappointed with netbooks.
For little of what to expect, why not try it for a day and see how you fare? ONLY use your browser today...Email, document editing, photo editing, music, voice communication...try using Google apps or other alternatives. If it's too slow, not feature rich enough and just plain inconvenient...then this new "OS" will not be for you.
So far I use:
Gmail
Google Docs
Photoshop.com
Last.fm/Pandora
Gtalk (within Gmail)
And I'd NEVER replace my desktop equivalents (Office, Outlook, Photoshop/Gimp, Media Player/iTunes, Skype)
Awesome! I like how Google (and Apple) make you "think different". I can't wait, to see how the computer industry evolves, over the coming months/years.
I'd say it's fake. Would be very easy to do, and on the site, after posting the images he says "Let’s see how fast these spread."
I feel it's just mocked up to see how fast his fake images will spread.
We shall see in time though
ohhh I can't wait to see more of this!! :D
Looks fake, if not it looks crappy.
Apple steals from IBM, Microsoft steals from Apple, Google steals from Microsoft. Capitalism at its finest. How they plan on dancing around each others patents is what I want to see!
I would hope it's fast--considering the "OS's" primary job seems to be to run a browser.
Possibly related? http:/ /code.google.com/p/es-operating-system/
Im tellin ya dude there is no doubt in my mind at all now. One day Google WILL rule the world, perhaps even the entire Universe!
RT
Google is just a lapping dog of Sequoia Capital, who rules over half Internet.
Clearly FAKE, the colours for "Google" are in the wrong order. Schoolboy error by both the creator of the screens and Engadget editors.
I can't wait to load all my windows games and software on this windows killer! All my hardware drivers are compatible with this OS right?
Why I think this is fake:
I don't expect Chrome OS to resemble the Windows UI in any way. I expect the browser and its components to *be* the window manager, and take up the entire screen.
so google is replacing KDE and Gnome with a web based windowing system.
Meh, maybe a good fast start option on dualboot or embeded systems
So this is how Skynet takes hold.
This is the future of casual computing. Most people would like their computer to be an appliance, they turn it on, use it, and turn it off. They want nothing else to deal with.
I'm curious to see if we can do things like gaming on an os like this. It seems to be that if all you can do is web based stuff, then it shouldn't be called an os at all. More like a single program, turning the computer into an appliance as stated above. I don't know, it'll be an interesting experiment into the unknown. This might split the industry into the "appliance" and "PC" type of computing categories, with Chrome OS leading the appliance category and windows/linux leading the PC category
Apparently the Chrome OS is just a mumbo jumbo of a lousy WebOS.
Just keep walking, nothing to see here
:-/
Is it just me or is everyone else laughing at the dipshits in these comment threads?
People don't give google any recognition for interface, but honestly they're better at it than Apple when it comes to the web. Ever try to use mobile me? It pales to Google's Apps. Safari 4 and Chrome is another great example. Using the same version of webkit Chrome is monumentally faster, especially when it comes to cold starts. A Chrome OS would be aimed at internet apps, but please don't think that to be just internet and messaging. Look at things like Quake Live, it likely won't be too much longer before fully featured 3D games are playable in the browser, especially with HTML5 likely getting OpenGL extensions built in soon. Since webkit would be at the heart of the default browser, and it and Gecko are usually the most quick to keep up with web standards, we might start seeing some really impressive things aimed at Chrome OS. Not to mention how efficient other sections of the OS might be, network stack comes to mind. I get the vibe like people really write off Google when it comes to traditional software, but the fact is, once the browser becomes fully featured all that will truly matter is efficient web apps. Google Wave and the next round of updates to things like Google Docs could turn this into a free, fast, easy to use linux, that comes with a good browser by default and can be installed on modest home built hardware. That sounds like it just Crushed Apple and MS to me...
Such a tease...... I want more......
While I agree with you, I also think the Linux community needs to back one consumer desktop experience. I am in total agreement with what Intel is doing with Moblin. I am hoping with the introduction of Moblin that all of the netbook manfactureres use it as the basis for their Linux OS instead of fragmenting the market with yet another distro. The iPhone is proof that if you can wow a consumer, they will buy your product.
sorry this comment was supposed to be a reply to @supermadman above.
See, that's kinda where the problem lies: not everyone's the same. Not everyone uses their computer the same way, does the same things as often as the next person or at all, or wants to do the same things in the same way.
Take Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari: they all do the same things, but people prefer different browsers. That's what Linux is kinda like. Personally, I believe Canonical has done an excellent job with Ubuntu and that it will suite most people's needs out-of-the-box, then can become more "specialized" with relative ease.