Jul 15

Bill Gates calls Chrome OS more of the same, “surprised people are acting like there’s something new”

Posted in: Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, Microsoft, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, Today's Chili

We’ve already heard from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Chrome OS, and it looks like Bill Gates has now had his say on the upstart operating system as well. Speaking with CNET News, Gates more or less described Chrome OS as just another Linux distribution, saying that “there’s many, many forms of Linux operating systems out there and packaged in different ways and booted in different ways,” adding that, “in some ways I am surprised people are acting like there’s something new. I mean, you’ve got Android running on Netbooks. It’s got a browser in it.” Gates further went on to get another dig in at Google by saying that “the more vague they are, the more interesting it is,” before getting a little philosophical by asking: “What’s a browser? What’s not a browser?” His answer? “In large part, it’s more an abuse of terminology than a real change.”

[Via Digital Daily]

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Bill Gates calls Chrome OS more of the same, “surprised people are acting like there’s something new” originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 14

Steve Ballmer calls Chrome OS “highly interesting,” says Google “can’t make up their mind”

Posted in: chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, Microsoft, steve ballmer, Today's Chili

You just knew Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer would have some choice words about Google’s Chrome OS at today’s Windows Partner Conference, and he didn’t disappoint, saying that while he finds the project “highly interesting,” the late-2010 ship date and existence of Android have him wondering exactly what it’s supposed to be. “I don’t know if they can’t make up their mind or what the problem is over there, but the last time I checked, you don’t need two client operating systems. It’s good to have one.” Snap. Of course, Microsoft is shipping six different Windows 7 SKUs, can’t quite get rid of XP, and sells Windows Mobile, Windows CE, and Zune in the handheld space, but the man’s got a point — the real question is whether he’s smiling or just baring his teeth in rage.

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Steve Ballmer calls Chrome OS “highly interesting,” says Google “can’t make up their mind” originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 13

More alleged Chrome OS screenshots for your viewing pleasure

Posted in: Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, leak, leaks, Linux, rumor, rumors, Today's Chili

Well, here we go again — another set of unverified, likely-fake Google Chrome OS screenshots has just landed in our inbox. Our tipster claims that while most apps are online, Picasa runs locally for photo and movie viewing, and the “System” tab displays the contents of SD cards and digital cameras. Do we believe it? Well, no — all of this is just too easily mocked up — but it’s certainly interesting stuff, and there’s something about that super-nasty blue scroll bar that we find oddly intriguing, even though it’s mysteriously missing some pixels at the top. We’ll leave it up to you to decide if this is real — hit the gallery and let us know what you think.

Gallery: Alleged Chrome OS screenshots

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More alleged Chrome OS screenshots for your viewing pleasure originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 11

Engadget Podcast 154 – 07.11.2009

Posted in: Android, Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, hero, HTC, netbook, netbooks, sony, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Today's Chili

The podcast is a little late this week, but for good reason — special guest Michael Gartenberg joins Josh, Paul, and Nilay this week as they sort through the Google-dominated week in news. We’ve got Chrome OS, the myTouch 3G, some more HTC Hero hands-on time (as well as a Magic flashed with the Hero ROM), and the leaked Sony Ericsson Rachael on tap — oh, and to top it all off, Sony backtracked huge and released its first true netbook, the VAIO W. It’s a bit of a wild one, we won’t lie — buckle up.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Guest: Michael Gartenberg
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: No Rain

Hear the podcast

00:01:22 – Google announces Chrome OS, coming to netbooks second half of 2010
00:26:37 – myTouch 3G hands-on (with video!)
00:39:35 – New HTC Hero ROM leaked, Flash 10 already chugging along on a few lucky G1s
00:56:25 – Sony Ericsson Rachael UI video leaks out, Kiki comes for the ride
01:04:55 – Android 1.5 gets official SDK for native development
01:12:58 – Sony announces VAIO W… netbook!


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Engadget Podcast 154 – 07.11.2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 10

No surprise: Intel has known about Chrome OS, worked with Google on ‘elements’ of project

Posted in: Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, intel, intel atom, IntelAtom, netbook, operating system, os, Today's Chili

So as it turns out, Intel isn’t just casually accepting of Google’s new OS initiative, it’s actually been privy to the project for some time now, according to a spokesperson for the chipmaker. The two have apparently also worked together (and are potentially still working together) on portions of Chrome OS, he says, which really makes it all the more curious that the company isn’t mentioned among Google’s first partners while Qualcomm, Freescale, and Texas Instruments are. Then again, said inclusion might make the Moblin team more than a little bit upset, and either way, let’s not forget that Atom chips will be sold regardless of which OS is on the system — it’s really kind of a win-win situation that we reckon the hardware division isn’t complaining about.

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No surprise: Intel has known about Chrome OS, worked with Google on ‘elements’ of project originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 10

Google’s Schmidt initially opposed to Chrome, says Microsoft is welcome to port Internet Explorer on over

Posted in: Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, Internet Explorer, Linux, Microsoft, Today's Chili

While Chrome OS is still a pretty rough sketch in our mind’s eye, the Google boys have hosted a press conference to answer a few burning questions. Among the myriad revelations, it turns out Eric Schmidt wasn’t stoked on building a browser when Sergey Brin and Larry Page brought it up about six years ago, given the fact that Google was still relatively small, and the browser wars were still fresh in everyone’s minds. After he saw an early build of Chrome, however, he changed his tune. He says Chrome and Chrome OS are “game-changers,” and Larry describes Chrome OS as the “anti-operating system” and indistinguishable from a browser.

Luckily, they also hinted at some native development possibility (hopefully) outside of the browser, stating that Microsoft is free to build a version of Internet Explorer for Chrome OS if they’d like, and that it’s an open source project. According to Eric: “Even if we had an evil moment, we would be unsuccessful.” He also mentioned there were plenty of “commonalities” between Chrome OS and Android, and that the two might grow even closer over time. Interesting. As for his role on Apple board, Eric will be working out with those folks as to when he needs to recuse himself from OS talk like he already does with iPhone talk. Most of the rest of the talk was spent making old person digs at Schmidt, Mr. BlackBerry himself.

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Google’s Schmidt initially opposed to Chrome, says Microsoft is welcome to port Internet Explorer on over originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 07

Google announces Chrome OS, coming to netbooks second half of 2010

Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, Chrome, chrome os, ChromeOs, Google, netbook, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, rumor, rumors, Today's Chili

We can’t believe it’s actually here, but after hearing whispers of a Google OS for what seems like ages now, the company’s now gone official with its plans. According to the official developer blog, it’ll be an open source, lightweight platform that can “power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems,” and will be capable of running on x86 (that includes Intel Atom) and ARM chips. Addressing potential overlap with Android-based netbooks, the official line is that “choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google” — a pretty wild statement to make, but hey, it’s still all Google. A large portion of its fresh out of beta Google Apps suite already supports an offline mode, so we guess the groundwork’s laid out. The company says it’s currently working with a number of OEM manufacturers and that it’ll initially appear on a number of netbooks coming to market sometime in the second half of 2010. Excited? We are.

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Google announces Chrome OS, coming to netbooks second half of 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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