The search giant reveals its latest 2 innovations-- Chrome OS netbooks and a web store for the Chrome browser.
The netbooks' OS is cloud-based-- it pulls users' Chrome themes and settings as soon as it's online, and set up takes 4 steps (and less than a minute). The OS itself is loaded on read-only memory (and can't be altered without physically accessing it).
It supports multiple user accounts, as well as a guest option running in incognito mode. By default, it encrypts all all user data.
Of course, all software is app-style, purchased through the Chrome web store. All apps are to be built for HTML5 offline to work, with some synching with the cloud when back online.
So far, only Chrome OS test machines exist, codenamed CR-48-- black, brandless and carrying 12" screens. The company will be running a pilot program (US only, of course), where it sends machines to qualified users, developers, schools and businesses.
Several business are already on board-- Logitech, American Airlines, Intercontinental Hotels, even the US Department of Defense.
Google says Chrome netbooks (from Acer andaa Samsung) will be on sale by 2011's first half, with more manufacturers and form factors to follow.
Sounds like Sun's take on the "thin client" from 1999? It should-- Google CEO Eric Schmidt draws the comparison himself.
In other Google-news-- the Chrome web store is now live and kicking. Purchases are tied to users' google accounts, and run from any browser (and offline).
Current selections are somewhat limited, but the system shows promise. Think of it as iPad apps for browsers and mice/keyboards.
