Earlier today Google revealed it’s new Chromebook platform, and they’ve also partnered with Acer and Samsung to create the hardware to run it.

The Acer Chromebook features a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N570 dual core processor, 11.6 inch, 1366 x 768 pixel display, 16GB solid state disk, and 1.3MP camera. The laptop measures 11.6″ x 8.6″ x 0.8″ and weighs 3.26 pounds (This may not be accurate, as Google says the Acer Chromebook weighs 2.95 pounds). It’s expected to sell for $349 and up -no word yet on UK pricing.

The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook will run $429.99 and up. The base model features a 12.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel display, 1MP camera, 16GB SSD, and Intel Atom N570 processor.

Both companies will also offer 3G capable models which connected to Verizon’s wireless network in the US for up to 100MB of free data. You’ll have to sign up for a subscription if you want more data.

Amazon US already has a  Chromebook Store up on their US site.

Last week the developers working on Chrome added an alternate new tab page designed for touchscreen devices – providing fodder for the rumours that Google’s new OS will be aimed at both netbooks and tablets.

Google Chrome OS is basically an operating system based on the Google Chrome web browser, and like the browser, Chrome OS is designed to run web apps instead of native desktop apps. There’s an app store where you can “install” web apps by creating shortcuts which will show up every time you open a new browser tab.

The touch UI for the new tab page supports touchscreen gestures such as swiping to flip between multiple page. You can also long-press on an icon to move it and rearrange the list of apps.

via Google Operating System and Conceivably Tech

Google also unveiled the Google Web Store the other day.  The Chrome OS webstore will let users “install” web apps in the Chrome operating system.  The well designed interface already boasts some nice applications, such as NPR, Amazon Windowshop and New York Times apps .  There are also games like“Poppit.”

App purchases are naturally tied to your Google account. It remains to be seen how Google’s web store will compare to other app stores like the iTunes App Store or Google Android Market — especially since the apps can all be run in any modern web browser that supports the same web standards as Chrome, but the apps look intriguing .The Web Store is already open for business, and users can install apps using the Chrome web browser or Chrome OS operating system.

Google’s Chrome Operating system is due out any day now.  Today,  Digitimes is reporting that the first devices running Chrome OS could ship by the end of November. They also suggest Google itself will launch a Chrome OS notebook.  It is Digitimes, so take this with a grain of salt (they have been wrong before, and right).

If DigiTimes is correct, the Google Chrome notebook will be built by Inventec and feature an ARM-based processor. Like the Google Nexus smartphone, it won’t be sold through retail channels.

DigiTimes says HP, Acer, and other companies are expected to launch Chrome OS noteboks in December or later.

Specs are now floating around for the netbook/smartbook that Google is ruoured to be building.

According to Engadget, the hardware will include an ARM processor from the Nvidia Tegra lineup, a 10.1” HD 1280 x 720 multi-touch sceen, 32 – 64GB SSD, 2GB RAM and  connectivity via Bluetooth, 3G, and LAN.  Also included are, USB ports, webcam, audio jacks etc.

Ruours are that it will come to market at the end of 2010, and will be sold directly by Google or come bundled with a 3G plan from one or more network operators at a very affordable (possibly ad subsidized) price.

Google Chrome OS for netbooks

Google’s Chrome OS, first announced last July, will be launched and available for download within a week.   Normally I would dismiss this as a crazy rumour, the likes of which we’ve seen before regarding Google’s Chrome OS, but this time, it has been reported by Michael Arrington of Techcrunch, who traditionally has pretty solid leads and connections with Google insiders.

So what can we expect?  According to Techcrunch, a version of the OS (probably an Alpa release) will  be available to download from Google within a week.  The early version will likely have only very limited driver support for your hardware, since it’s speculated that Google will be relying on hardware manufacturers to write and provide those drivers.

Stay tuned, and we’ll keep you up to date on this developing story.

Lenovo and Google Chrome OS partnership

Details of Google's new Chrome OS found

A Chrome OS folder has shown up in some of Google’s own open source developer directories – usually used to download the latest builds of other Google software in development.   Only very cryptic details are being discovered, including an application called Gview, which opens and views PDF files and probably others.  Also, references to a ‘touchpad’ has Techcrunch wondering if Google is creating a tablet, but to me it looks more like a reference to the hardware touchpad found on netbooks and laptops.

All this seems to corroborate that Google’s much anticipaeted netbook OS is definately on its way, sooner rather than later.

via Techcrunch

One of many fake screenshots of Google Chrome OS

Early this month, we skeptically reported that we’d see Google Chrome OS devices ‘later this month’.   Well, it’s the end of the month, and no sign of such devices.  There is, however, a fresh rumour that we’ll see Chrome OS next month.

Shanzai reports that the latest from “trusted industry insider sources” say we can expect devices running Google’s Chrome OS in mid-October.

We’re still skeptical…

Via Netbooked & Shanzai.com

Performance gains for Chrome in Windows XP

Google’s Chrome browser is a newcomer on the browser scene, and still way behind Firefox and Internet Explorer in terms of market share.  However, many see the Chrome browser as a forerunner of things to come in Google’s Chrome browser.

Betanews reports that the latest build of Google’s Chrome browser (Chrome 3.0.193.1) Windows XP SP3 scored a record index score of 18.58 vs a Windows 7 (RC) score of 15.46 and a Windows Vista score of 13.95.

Betanews states:

If Google is optimizing Chrome 3, it’s clearly not for Windows 7. In fact, the gains it’s making appear to be custom-made for XP.

By optimizing their browser for Windows XP, an operating system only shipping on new netbooks now, Google appears to have the netbook market solely in their sites for their, unreleased, Chrome OS browser.