Report: Acer to debut Chrome OS devices in early June

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/report-acer-to-debut-chrome-os-devices-in-early-june/34450?tag=nl.e539
By Sam Diaz | May 13, 2010, 3:45pm PDT
Summary: PC maker Acer is reportedly going to launch devices running Google's Chrome OS next month at a show in Taipei.

In two weeks, PC maker Acer will reportedly debut “mobile devices” running Google’s Chrome operating system, according a report on VentureBeat that cites “multiple sources.” It’s unclear how many devices will be showcased or even what types of devices - netbooks or tablets or both?
The blog’s sources say the devices will be launched at the Computex Taipei show early next month.
It’s been a while since there’s been an update about Chrome OS, which is trying to shift computing to a fast-boot, browser-based experience that isn’t bogged down by an oversized OS and desktop apps. The company gave a brief update during the Google Atmosphere event last month and I suspect there will be more buzz around Chrome OS at Google I/O, the developer’s conference being held in San Francisco next week.
The company summoned the tech press to the Googleplex last November for an update on Chrome OS but warned those of us in attendance that there would be no beta products at the event - and there weren’t - because they were still a year out from there.
And while I trust VentureBeat as a reputable news source, I can’t help but wonder if what will be on display in Taipei will be more of a prototype device. Earlier this month at Web 2.0 Expo, there was a lot of blog buzz about an Android-powered tablet at the Adobe booth. Oh sure, it was there - but it certainly wasn’t the big deal that everyone made it out to be. It really couldn’t even be considered a prototype.
Stay tuned. If Acer actually does release a Chrome OS device, we’ll be sure to report it here.

Acer to launch Chrome OS devices in two weeks (exclusive)

http://venturebeat.com/2010/05/13/acer-to-launch-chrome-os-devices-in-two-weeks/
May 13, 2010 | Devindra Hardawar and Matthaus Krzykowski
It’s been some time since we received any new details on Chrome OS, Google’s web-focused operating system for netbooks. But that’s about to change in a couple weeks. We’ve learned from multiple sources that the Taiwanese computer manufacturer Acer will launch Chrome OS devices at the Computex Taipei show, which will be held from June 1 to June 5.


We don’t yet know what devices Acer will be launching. Chrome OS is designed for netbooks, but Google has also mentioned the possibility of bringing it to other device types like smartbooks and tablets running ARM processors. Smartbooks look like netbooks but run processors like those from ARM which are designed for mobile devices. Recently, there’s been talk of Samsung developing ARM-based smartbooks running Chrome OS, as well as support for nVidia Tegra 2 devices.

It’s still unclear how Chrome OS-equipped netbooks will coexist with those running Google’s Android mobile operating system. We’ve known since early 2009 that Android netbooks would begin popping up this year, and even Acer announced its intention to sell them.


My prediction? Google will probably settle on Android for tablets eventually — it’s already built for multitouch support, and its analogous to Apple bringing the iPhone OS to the iPad. Android’s small footprint also makes it easy to use in integrated devices, like Google’s upcoming “Dragonpoint”  TV project with Sony and Intel. Chrome OS, which is clearly better suited for devices with keyboards and trackpads, will find itself on more netbooks and smartbooks. Last year, Google CEO Eric Schmidt mentioned that the two projects will merge over time (see Google’s graphic below), so eventually the differences might not matter.

Google initially planned to release Chrome OS sometime in the second half of this year. Acer’s Chrome OS device launch in early June fits into that schedule, although we’re not sure when those devices will be available for purchase.
[Image via PhysOrg]