Chromium OS lands on the Archos 9, doesn't do much

Trying to satisfy that browser-only touchscreen tablet urge? Well, you're sort of in luck. Those Atom-powered Archos 9 tablets are out and about, and the fine folks at UMPCPortal have slung a copy of Google's Chromium OS onto one. Unfortunately, since there's no touchscreen keyboard in the OS (yet), and the touchscreen input isn't even recognized, this is more of a "proof of concept" than a killer app. Still, we like where this is headed.

[Jon Rubinsteine Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:11PM]

They'd better give a dual boot option...

[abductedagain Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:26PM]

What brand is that wireless keyboard?

[emuspawn Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:40PM]

@abductedagain http://usb.brando.com/usb-2-4ghz-rf-wireless-multimedia-tiny-keyboard_p00678c034d015.html
I have it, the trackball is a bit wonky, but otherwise awesome

[Ameen Posted Dec 18th 2009 8:37PM]

@abductedagain We think alike ! xD

@emuspawn Thanks a lot you kind sir ! I wish all the best in your future "ball-tracking" endeavours :P

[BigD145 Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:29PM]

There's no touchscreen keyboard in Chromium? That seems short-sighted.

[JeremyBenthem Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:58PM]

@(Unverified)
well it hasn't exactly released yet, but then, maybe they are afraid of it overtaking Android

[roxics Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:40PM]

Chromium seems like an OS that will only be decent once you can buy a 10" tablet for $49. Until then, dropping several hundred on something that can only browse the web is just pointless.

[schmidt1985 Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:26PM]

@roxics
Yeah, to those who don't know, they make free web browsers. Some of them include Firefox, IE8 and chrome it self. Why anyone would buy a couple hundred dollar web browser is beyond me.

[MrDiSante Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:43PM]

"Still we like where this is headed"
Why? Because you enjoy being conned into using horribly closed, feature-strapped OS's?

[fatslug Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:44PM]

Chrome OS is and will be a failure, if you dont want to use Windows then use Ubuntu - a much more stable and advanced OS than Chrome will ever be. At this point Chrome on the Archos is nothing more than a picture on the screen with no functionality, basically what Chrome OS will be when it's finally released - a useless OS.

[Edobe Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:47PM]

@fatslug totally agree. However, 1 good thing may come from Chromium OS, Any programs/apps created to run on this os will likely be compatible with any Os since it's basically just an Internet connection. Once programmers can start creating 1 Program that works on any OS we may see a lot more innovation and a lot less dependence on MS.

[NinjaMonkey Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:11PM]

Chrome will be used for schools where the underpaid school admin's don't have to lock anything down except their firewall / gateway.

Gone are the days when you could hack your admins system and lock them out... unless they give you an A... gone are the days...

[KupoCheer Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:29PM]

How is installing an operating system on a device a proof of concept? I'm pretty sure we all knew Chrome OS could be installed on standard computer hardware.

[Khris Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:37PM]

Did it really do much BEFORE it hit the Archos 9?

[One Love Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:42PM]

Does the archos 9 have an upgradable memory slot inside?

[JeremyBenthem Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:56PM]

1. Buy Archos 9 w/ Windows 7 Starter
2. Install Chrome web browser
3. set it fullscreen

Congratulations, you're running ChromeOS with full touch input!

[TareG Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:02PM]

What a terrible title. "Doesn't do much?" How much could it do without a virtual keyboard?

[wolfhammerr Posted Dec 19th 2009 1:12AM]

@TareG I agree that the title is terrible. This is a non story. You can load linux on a fancy toaster if you wanted to. How exactly did it land on the Archos 9? Some guy wants to load a chrome OS on an untested device. Hmmm. Why not try Ubuntu? There are touch screen repositories out there. Hey linux/OSX/windows XP landed on my HP laptop in a triple boot option too but I am not going to try and make it sound like it's a botched release that doesn't run well.

[HypnoticSilence Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:17PM]

Archos makes good hardware, but their software sucks. I think this is a step in the right direction.

I really hope that the Android x86 project matures quickly though. I'm more interested in an optimized Android for PC use than Chromium OS. If they put a TRUE ANDROID OS (and not their crappy version on the A5A) then I'd consider it.

[HypnoticSilence Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:20PM]

@HypnoticSilence
OOps, sorry for double post.

[HypnoticSilence Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:20PM]

Archos makes good hardware, but their software sucks. I think this is a step in the right direction.

I really hope that the Android x86 project matures quickly though. I'm more interested in an optimized Android for PC use than Chromium OS. If they put a TRUE ANDROID OS (and not their crappy version on the A5A) then I'd consider it.

[yrjopirjo Posted Dec 19th 2009 11:31AM]

Here's my video of the boot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAFI7GXXSbc

[samer Posted Dec 24th 2009 11:05AM]

does it support handwriting using stylus on screen?
does it recognize handwriting?
is it possible to upgrade windows 7 from starter to home premium?
is it possible to upgrade any of hardware like RAM or HD?
what is RAM size for the display card?
thanks