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Google's new OS uses speed as its main entry point against Microsoft (and Apple). But it's real battle may lay with Qualcomm and others who seek to define netbook, MIDs and smartphone OS.

Here's a chart that illustrates FastBoot versus traditional PC boot.

Chrome OS resembles a web browser more than Windows and will be available on low-cost netbooks that meet Google's hardware specs (memory chips to store data instead of slower HDDs.) Those netbooks (let's call them "web browsing machines") running Chrome OS will only be able to run web apps and the user's data will automatically be stored in the Google cloud.

Google is now open-sourcing the project as Chromium OS (yes, the code is free).

Go Chromium OS

Meet Chimei Innolux,  3rd Largest LCD Screen Maker

Described as “the largest merger within the TFT LCD industry globally,” Innolux and Chi Mei and TPO will combine to become the world’s 3rd largest LCD screen maker. Innolux, a part of Hon Hai, actually made the deal with TPO earlier but have now topped it with the Chi Mei merger.

The boards of CMO, Innolux, and TPO approved the 3-in-1 merger, expecting to close on April 30, 2010. Innolux will be the surviving entity, and will be re-named Chimei Innolux with capital of NT$72.9 billion.

Every action has a reaction and this will trigger a new round of attempted LCD mergers in Taiwan…a newspaper in Asia reports Chunghwa Picture Tubes may be the next possible acquisition target as Optronics, Innolux and Samsung Electronics are all looking to acquire the company. Smaller players like Hannspree also get mentioned.

Go LCD Consolidation

Nokia, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Apple, RIM, NEC, Qualcomm and TI, all agree mobile phones in Europe will have the new Universal Charging Solution (UCS) in 2010 instead of 2012. The new chargers will only be compatible with smartphones, leaving out basic phones, reports Reuters.

The MicroUSB standard is now backed by the ITU. The new UPC standard was based on input from GSMA, which predicts a 50% reduction in standby energy consumption, elimination of 51,000 tonnes of redundant chargers, and reduction of 13.6m tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions each year.

Go ITU on MicroUSB Standard

HP will purchase 3Com for approximately $2.7 billion

“Companies are looking for ways to break free from the business limitations imposed by a networking paradigm that has been dominated by a single vendor,” says Dave Donatelli, executive vp/gm, Enterprise Servers and Networking, HP.

Uh, that's HP-speak for "Companies are buying too much Cisco."

So guess who the "HP+3COM" punch is aimed at?

The acquisition of 3Com expands HP’s Ethernet switching offerings, add routing solutions and significantly strengthen the company’s position in China. In addition, the combination will add a large and talented research and development team in China could drive the acceleration of innovations in HP’s networking solutions.

3Com also brings its network security capabilities through its TippingPoint portfolio. For the past four years, TippingPoint has led in Gartner’s “Magic Quadrant” of network security products. Approximately 30% of the Fortune 1000 companies already deploy TippingPoint intrusion prevention systems, says 3Com.

HP itself will dump all its Cisco gear internally and go 3Com.

“We are confident that we can run our entire global business of 300,000-plus employees, including our next-generation data centers, entirely on the new HP networking solutions,” notes Randy Mott, executive vice president and chief information officer, HP. “Based on our experience and extensive testing of 3Com’s products, we are planning to undertake a global rollout within HP as soon as possible after the completion of the acquisition.”

The transaction is expected to close in H1 2010. HP anticipates this transaction will be only "slightly dilutive to fiscal 2010 non-GAAP earnings".

Which means its an affordable way for HP to take its swing at Cisco.

Go HP+3Com Punch