Google's Chrome OS May Arrive Next Month

By Kevin Parrish, published on October 2, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: , , , , | Themes: Software, Laptops and Notebooks
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There are reports that a Chinese manufacturer is shipping netbooks with a preview build of Chrome OS by the end of the month.

Is Google's Chrome operating system coming next month? That's the current theory based on Chinese manufacturer Lemote's plan to ship a Chrome-based netbook powered by the Loongson CPU next month. Originally announced back in July, Google has stated that the upcoming Chrome OS won't make an appearance until sometime in 2010. However, the netbook in question, slated for late October or November, will supposedly run a preview build of Google's open-source OS.

According to Shanzai.com, the move to Google's Chrome OS would be a good choice: Lemote's netbooks and notebooks are somewhat hampered by the "extremely ugly" pre-installed operating system. Unlike western manufacturers, Chinese manufactures are more willing to try new, untested technology, and if Lemote's OS is indeed rather ugly, Google's open-source OS may receive a warm welcome from the manufacturer and consumers alike.

Currently Google hasn't confirmed or denied the early release. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising that Google gave the Chinese manufacturer the thumbs up to steal some of the Windows 7 glory taking place later this month.

Yesterday Microsoft's trashed Google for switching teams on the industry, jumping from the Android OS to the Chrome OS almost immediately. "I think that’s a little tougher for [Google] now because they basically tell the hardware community Android is dead, Chrome is the thing or maybe Chrome isn’t the thing," he said. "Maybe it is Android."  Or maybe, in theory, Microsoft is getting nervous because Google has two open-sourced operating system now somewhat available to use.

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Comments

climber 10/02/2009 11:16 PM
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Microsoft has always been against open source... remember when Linux started to hit the streets, even Corel Corp. had a version of Linux they made available, but thanks to the bailout by "vector capital" ~ Microsoft funding, Corel abandoned Linux and there is conveniently no more Mac version past version 11, which had a java install for both patforms. Between version 11 and 12 is when vector capital took Corel Private and eventually back to public funding after getting their financial house in order.

vant 10/02/2009 11:18 PM
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Rab1d-BDGR 10/02/2009 11:20 PM
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climber :
Microsoft has always been against open source...



I believe their exact phrasing was "Cancer! Cancer!"

I hardly seeing it "sealing M$s glory" - Even if they promote the hell out of it. Even non-techie people know about the win7 release. Nobody outside the tech world knows or cares about chrome. that release will be a blip, it won't reach the same install base as ubuntu, fedora or BSD without some hardcore advertising. Ads are google's core business but I have my doubts...

major7up 10/02/2009 11:37 PM
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So is anyone looking to try out Chrome OS...I wouldn't mind even though I still plan to upgrade to Win 7

Dave_69 10/02/2009 11:54 PM
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Sweet. I can't wait. I have a multi-boot machine with 3 OSs already on it. I love alternatives.

ssalim 10/03/2009 12:06 PM
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Long live open-sourced stuff! Go google!

Rab1d-BDGR 10/03/2009 1:47 AM
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major7up :
So is anyone looking to try out Chrome OS...I wouldn't mind even though I still plan to upgrade to Win 7



Nah, if it was a revolutionary new OS then I would, but I already have preferred flavours of linux. Other linux distros do everything I need from a computer except games, for which I have windows. Chrome offers nothing that I haven't got already.

I was actually excited when I first heard google was making an OS - but they aren't, they are just making a distro. Anyone with enough geek credential can do that! Not my cup of tea but I know plenty of hobbyists that have made their own custom distros. I'm deeply unimpressed with their offering.

scatrdfew 10/03/2009 2:25 AM
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Anyone brave enough to try Chrome OS 0.4.207 Beta?

http://sites.google.com/site/chromeoslinux/home

luc vr 10/03/2009 2:36 AM
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Maybe they just made it to ask microsoft for money not to release it.
Or to get state funds allover the world to release a free OS for poor countries(Linux based which is already free but most people still don't know and google has the power to spam the world with news)
Or to check what people surf for allover the world =power.

luc vr 10/03/2009 2:42 AM
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Maybe they just made it to ask Microsoft for money not to release it.
Or to get state funds allover the world to release a free OS for poor countries(Linux based which is already free but most people still don't know and Google has the power to spam the world with news)
Or to check what people surf for allover the world =power.

Smell's funny if u ask me. Are there any other good browsers this Google is getting out of hand.

Regulas 10/03/2009 4:04 AM
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@scatrdfew Thanks for the info, downloading now. It is small comparred to other Linux distros, 486Mb. Will give it a try along with Slackware and open Suse on my Laptop before I upgrade to Ubuntu 9.10 from 9.04, later this month.

renato2009ny 10/03/2009 4:50 AM
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I`m Gonna Give IT a Shot.

Uncle Meat 10/03/2009 5:38 AM
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Quote :Anyone brave enough to try Chrome OS 0.4.207 Beta?

http://sites.google.com/site/chromeoslinux/home


That is NOT Chrome OS. Read the fine print on the bottom of the download page.

vorless 10/03/2009 5:46 AM
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But can it run Crysis? Or any game for that matter?

manos 10/03/2009 7:01 AM
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vorless :
But can it run Crysis? Or any game for that matter?



Thats why like Linux etc wont go anywhere. At least not in the next four years.

ptroen 10/03/2009 11:05 AM
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Given Google's position you could see the accessories menu be populated with google App's such as google finance, google analytics, news and google search of course. Before you say yes good thing remember Microsoft has been doing this for years as well. I think in general this could go the way of corel linux distro. The problem isn't usability with linux as much as APPLICATIONS and GAMES. Both of which are just plain easier to make on Windows.... Reactos imho has more open source OS potential

excalibur1814 10/03/2009 1:03 PM
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All this needs is media coverage and a load of people to spread the word and like cows in a field, people will plod over and buy. Doesn't have to be good, peopel will still buy.

VioMeTriX 10/03/2009 5:01 PM
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i have tried a couple of the betas that were out, personally id have been more excited going to one of my wifes candle or coupon parties.

nachochease 10/03/2009 5:04 PM
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excalibur1814 :
All this needs is media coverage and a load of people to spread the word and like cows in a field, people will plod over and buy. Doesn't have to be good, peopel will still buy.



It's going to be free.

scatrdfew 10/03/2009 5:10 PM
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Uncle Meat :
That is NOT Chrome OS. Read the fine print on the bottom of the download page.



Maybe not, but it certainly does work.

bk420 10/03/2009 7:59 PM
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Go google chrome/android! Winblows is going down!

False_Dmitry_II 10/03/2009 8:06 PM
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vorless :
But can it run Crysis? Or any game for that matter?



I've gotten WoW to run on Ubuntu for a friend.

megamanx00 10/04/2009 6:22 AM
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Meh, it's just an evolution of the modified Ubuntu OS they use to sell on those chepo walmart computers.

acecombat 10/04/2009 11:43 PM
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I can't imagine Chrome being all that great like they are claiming. Hasn't it only been in development for like a year??? Thats not a lot of time to try and launch a breakthrough OS.

Belardo 10/05/2009 6:44 AM
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Quote :I think that’s a little tougher for [Google] now because they basically tell the hardware community Android is dead, Chrome is the thing or maybe Chrome isn’t the thing," - Microsoft


er... Like MS makes consumer, business OS? Or OS for cell phones (WindowsCE) or the OS used in the Xbox360? Microsoft wants "PC games", but doesn't make games for PC (Halo3, Gears2, etc).

What a stupid thing for MS to say about Google's OS.

Regulas 10/05/2009 3:09 PM
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Changed my mind about Chrome OS after finding out it will be based on cloud computing, "all your files belong to us". No thank you to cloud computing, hosting my e-mail is enough. I don't need you to host any document I write or manage my pictures either.
They, the powers to be including Microsoft like the idea of cloud computing. It gives them more control and they envision a day that they can charge you a monthly fee just to use you computer. Bill Gates stated back in the late eighties I think that he envisioned a day that we would pay MS a monthly service fee just like you pay for your electric bill, I'm not kidding. MS has tried various techniques over the years to get a foothold in that idea but all have fizzled out. Now Google wants to jump aboard, may they fizzle out too.

dark_lord69 10/05/2009 4:07 PM
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If the OS can run some windows software or at least do enough emulation so all the software we all like to use can run at a decent speed. I would be willing to give it a try...
Better than paying $100 or more to M$

dark_lord69 10/05/2009 4:08 PM
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vorless :
But can it run Crysis? Or any game for that matter?


That's actually a good question...

bfstev 10/05/2009 10:38 PM
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maybe they are releasing it without approval because they are based in china and google's patents/wishes dont mean shit there. I find that likely

Anonymous 10/06/2009 4:51 PM
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Yep... read the fine print at the download, "Chrome OS is not related to Google. Service provided by SUSE Studio". I'm still downloading it to check it out though :)

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