Android, Andriod, Android...sometimes that's all you hear about. Well, it's time to remember Google's other operating system, Chrome OS-- the cloud-powered one. The search giant announces commercial availability "Chromebooks" at its I/O event (before it was only available as Beta test models, as the Google's Cr-48).
The two examples shown the Google event were fairly similar models, 1 Chromebook from Samsung and the other from Acer.
It's expected the these notebooks will appeal to enterprise because their redeeming features: fast start-up, uncluttered OS, connectivity, cloud-abilities, and even security features.
The Samsung Chromebook carries a 12.1" display (1280 x 800 resolution), an Intel Atom dual-core processor, x2 USB ports, SD card slot, webcam, noise cancelling microphone and a Chrome keyboard (differing from regular keyboards by having buttons with Chrome-specific functions). It will come in either wifi-only or 3G-ready models.
Samsung says its battery provides up to 8 hours of power.
Acer's model carries the same specifications, only with a smaller screen (11.6") and less of a battery life (6 hours, according to Acer).
Both models will be available from June 15 in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy.
Meanwhile Google's been keeping itself busy tweaking the OS itself-- now coming with a file manager (for USB device and download management), an integrated media player, and offline support for Gmail, Calendar and Docs apps.
