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Dec 07

Chromium OS gets unofficial 64-bit port

Posted in: Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, os, Today's Chili

64-bit support for an OS designed primarily for low-powered netbooks may not be at the top of everyone’s list, but it looks like those hoping to crank Chrome OS up a notch are now finally in luck. While it’s of course still completely unofficial, and pre-alpha, the OS is now available in a 64-bit port called ChromiumOS64, which even includes niceties like Xen virtualization support and a relatively modest 1GB download size. Hit up the link below to get started.

Chromium OS gets unofficial 64-bit port originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 02

Acer to launch first Chrome OS netbook, Android-based Aspire One sales disappoint

Posted in: Android, AndroidMarket, chrome os, ChromeOs, netbook, Today's Chili

Acer loves it some Google. And unless Google’s trying to stamp out your revenue stream, who doesn’t? Now Acer chairman, JT Wang, says that he expects to be first to market with an official Chrome OS netbook — sometime in the second half of 2010 according to DigiTimes‘ sources. In fact, JT says that Acer’s been working on a Chrome OS device since mid-2009. This despite admittedly weaker than expected demand for its dual-boot Android netbook, the Aspire One AOD250. Guess even the Google halo isn’t enough to shoehorn its smartphone OS into a market dominating position on cheap ultra-portables. It’s worth pointing out that DigiTimes‘ moles aren’t saying anything new with the launch time-frame since Google’s target for its gold Chrome OS build has been 2H of 2010 ever since the lightweight OS was announced. Not that the timing matters too much since we’ll likely be seeing plenty of Chromium OS netbooks flooding the grey market long before the second half of 2010.

Acer to launch first Chrome OS netbook, Android-based Aspire One sales disappoint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 30

Chrome OS ‘Diet’ version fits on a 1GB USB key, brings more WiFi support

Posted in: Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, hack, Today's Chili

Not everyone has a 4GB USB key or SD card just lying around, which was required to run Hexxeh’s first build of Chromium OS, and we’d say that 8GB keys are exponentially more rare, which is what Dell requires with its build of the Chrome OS open source variant. Well, you can cancel that Fry’s run, because Hexxeh is back with a Chrome OS Diet flavor, which cuts the fat and gets the OS onto a 1GB drive. It supposedly doesn’t cut anything features-wise, and actually improves WiFi support since it’s based on a newer build — check out that compatibility list source link for the full story on that.

Chrome OS ‘Diet’ version fits on a 1GB USB key, brings more WiFi support originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Hexxeh’s Chrome OS build, Dev hardware list | Email this | Comments

Nov 27

Chrome OS hacked for Dell’s Mini 10v, WiFi and all

Posted in: chrome os, ChromeOs, hack, mod, Today's Chili, wifi

If you’ve got a Dell Mini 10v and you’ve been hankering to take Chrome OS for a spin in its proper environment — a netbook, that is — today just got a lot more interesting. One helpful tinkerer over at Dell has hacked up a USB-bootable version of the as-yet unfinished (and still quite rough) Chromium iteration of Google’s OS with a working WiFi component. As you’ll recall, in our tests wireless wasn’t happening, but that’s all changed now… for 10v owners at the very least. It looks like there are still some kinks to be worked out, and you’ll be cruising into the OS on a Dell Gmail account, but at least you’ll be able to walk around your house while screaming “I’m using Chrome OS!” unburdened by pesky wires or meddlesome sanity. Check out all the info at the source, and prepare for a crazy Friday night of netbooking.

Chrome OS hacked for Dell’s Mini 10v, WiFi and all originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 24

Switched On: Chrome’s shine could blind Android

Posted in: Android, chrome os, ChromeOs, column, Features, Google, switched on, SwitchedOn, Today's Chili

Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

It’s been a year of milestones for Android in the U.S. The number of handsets with the Google-developed software has grown from one to eight. Three of the four major national carriers, including Verizon Wireless, the country’s largest, now offer Android phones. HTC’s Hero and Motorola’s CLIQ have shown how Android supports customization by manufacturers. And the Motorola Droid has marked the debut of Android 2.0.

When the T-Mobile G1 was launched, Switched On discussed Google’s growing rivalry with Apple. But now Google itself an even more formidable threat to the Android than Apple or even Microsoft. Growing out of the group that created the Chrome browser, Google’s Chrome OS creates a relatively lightweight layer of hardware management code primarily for the purpose of running one native app, the Chrome browser. While Chrome OS can take advantage of local processing and resources, the OS foregoes local applications, citing a need to preserve speed, security and simplicity.

Continue reading Switched On: Chrome’s shine could blind Android

Switched On: Chrome’s shine could blind Android originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 24

Chrome OS like lightning from a USB key: we could get used to this

Posted in: chrome os, ChromeOs, Features, hands-on, netbook, netbooks, Today's Chili

We finally got around to prepping a USB key so we could boot to Chrome OS natively, and let us tell you: it’s a world of difference. Of course, running something natively instead of virtualized is always going to be a treat, but what we’re seeing with Chrome OS is actually on par performance-wise with our crazy expectations for a stripped-down OS. It boots in mere seconds and loads websites with the best of them. The build we’re using, courtesy of @hexxeh on Twitter, who made all this possible with some great instructions and a masterfully-built chromiumos.img, was also able to log into the apps pane — something we didn’t pull off on our virtualized rig. We wouldn’t call this our main Linux jam just yet, but even as we strut cockily back to our “big people computer,” it’s hard not to feel the love for something this simple and swift. If you want to do this with your own netbook, hit up Hexxeh’s instructions at the read link below (we found the Windows how-to easiest to follow, for what it’s worth), and if you want to be a mere voyeur you can hit up a video demonstration after the break.

Update: if you’re having trouble with the source link you can try mirrored links to the torrent here and here.

Continue reading Chrome OS like lightning from a USB key: we could get used to this

Chrome OS like lightning from a USB key: we could get used to this originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Hexxeh’s Chromium OS build | Email this | Comments

Nov 23

Sergey Brin: Android and Chrome OS ‘will likely converge over time’

Posted in: Android, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, Today's Chili

When it comes to nerd obsessions, the only thing that can trump a fictional tablet developed by battling left-coast legends is the promise of a revolutionary OS from Google that relies upon nothing but a browser and the dreams of a young Larry Ellison. Don’t even start with your Korean product waifs as we’re trying to keep the discussion in the realm of possibilities. Now, with the weekend over, you’ve probably experienced the same sense of ennui we’ve all felt at having downloaded and tested a copy of Chrome OS. To be fair, that meh-ness is kind of what you’d expect from a browser-based OS that’s meant to get out of your way. Still, it’s hard not to wonder where Android and its growing application base fits into Google’s long-term OS strategy especially after seeing several ARM-based smartbook prototypes running Google’s smartphone OS. Fortunately, Google co-founder Sergey Brin shed some light on this topic in a candid statement following the Chrome OS event. According to CNET, Brin said that Android and the Chrome OS “will likely converge over time,” noting the common Webkit and Linux foundation of both operating systems. It’s unclear when this might occur however. In fact, listening to Google CEO Eric Schmidt attempt to explain the difference between Google’s operating systems in a recent CNET interview leaves us wondering if Google has a clear idea of its target markets as smartphone and laptop functionality continues to converge across devices. Schmidt concedes that it’s too early to tell how the OSes will be used and prefers not to “prejudge the success” of each. “The future will unfold as it does,” he says, and the open-source community will determine the natural fit. Check the interview after the break — the Android vs. Chrome OS waffling begins at the 16:30 remaining mark of the 19 minute and 11 second interview.

[Original image courtesy of Rich Dellinger]

Continue reading Sergey Brin: Android and Chrome OS ‘will likely converge over time’

Sergey Brin: Android and Chrome OS ‘will likely converge over time’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 20

Entelligence: Chrome OS, babies, and bathwater

Posted in: Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, column, Features, Google, Today's Chili

Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he’ll explore where our industry is and where it’s going — on both micro and macro levels — with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.

In an age where products that have never been announced get coverage and even critiqued over rumored shipping delays, it’s no surprise that Google received a lot of coverage this week with an update on its Chrome OS strategy. While not quite rumorware, it’s a lot like the cloud it depends on: more vapor than substance.

I don’t think Chrome would be a bad idea if it were something that was targeted to complement existing PC architectures. Why isn’t it? If it’s web-based, Chrome OS could and should co-exist with Mac OS, Linux and Windows. It’s the idea that Google is promoting Chrome as a PC OS replacement for mobile devices and riding the netbook hype all at the same time that gets me, as does the fact that I need to get a new device to run Chrome OS. That’s ridiculous, as are reference design requirements like SSDs instead of hard drives. Worse, trying to merge the PC and phone into some weird new intersection of devices is not what the market wants or has ever looked for. This type of specialized hardware sounds like it’s going right into the ‘tweener category and we know what happens to those devices. You just have to look how successful netbooks running Linux and Firefox have been to get a sense as to how well this concept is likely to go over with consumers.

Continue reading Entelligence: Chrome OS, babies, and bathwater

Entelligence: Chrome OS, babies, and bathwater originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 20

How-to: run Chrome OS as a virtual machine

Posted in: Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, hands-on, Today's Chili, video

Itching for some Chrome OS? Well, we all are, but you might be a bit disappointed at the fact that while Google has open-sourced its progress on the OS so far, the version that is currently available for download seems eons behind what Google showed off at its event yesterday. Still, if you just have to see it for yourself, the good news is that it’s a total breeze to get a virtual machine running. We used a VMWare image that was packaged up by the kind folks at gdgt, and set it up with VMWare Fusion running on a recent model MacBook Pro. Your mileage may vary depending on your particular setup (there’s also an image available for the free, cross-platform VirtualBox software), but the principles should remain the same. Check it out on video after the break.

Continue reading How-to: run Chrome OS as a virtual machine

How-to: run Chrome OS as a virtual machine originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 20

Google Chrome OS available as free VMWare download (update: first impressions)

Posted in: chrome os, ChromeOs, download, Google, Today's Chili

Seriously, how awesome have the past few hours been? Engadget turns the design stakes up to 11, Google finally dishes the dirt on Chrome OS, and now you can even download the forthcoming software to have a fiddle with yourself. It’s completely free, though you’ll need VMWare running atop a Windows, Linux or OS X installation to make the magic happen. Naturally, we’ve been considerate enough to provide download links for everything you’ll require at the source below, so get those fingers clicking. We’ve already successfully installed the browser-based OS and will soon be sharing our own hands-on thoughts, but if you beat us to it, spill your insight in the comments below. We do read ’em, you know.