12/8/2010
01:24 PM

Thomas Claburn
Slideshows

Connect Directly

0 comments
Comment Now

Google Chrome OS Promises Computing Without Pain

Before a crowd of reporters and guests, Google provided an update on its forthcoming browser-based operating system, Chrome OS, and invited attendees and select early adopters to try Chrome OS running on an unbranded netbook through a pilot program. Chrome OS aims to be speedy, simple and secure: all the things that the typical PC is not. It achieves these goals by limiting the user to Web apps, running in the Chrome browser. But Google doesn't see this as a limitation; it sees it as a way to pr

It looks a bit like an Apple PowerBook G3 from the late '90s. Keep an eye out for the Samsung model next year.

Sundar Pichai, VP of product management, says that people spend most of their time on the Web these days. For Google, the future is in the cloud. "Cloud computing will essentially define computing as we all know it," said CEO Eric Schmidt. Chrome OS starts in seconds rather than minutes. It features sophisticated sandboxing -- the most secure sandboxing in any consumer operating system, Google claims. It's still missing some necessary features, like offline storage capabilities and printing. But they're coming on the next few months. And when Chrome OS arrives in mid-2011, expect businesses to be interested as well as consumers. To hear Google tell it, corporate IT executives have been inquiring anxiously about the progress of Chrome OS, intrigued by the promise of computers that are less expensive, more manageable, and more secure than traditional desktop computers.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Approaching the Google Chrome OS launch event. A satellite truck indicates something significant is about to be announced. SEE ALSO:

Google Chrome OS CR-48 Notebook Reviewed

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Thirty minutes early and there's already a crowd.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

The big question: Will we see an actual Chrome OS netbook?

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Where Chrome fits in the scheme of things.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

A selection of web apps. Stores, it seems, trump search.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Google's Brian Rakowski talks about Chrome.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Showing off Chrome's speed when processing complicated graphics.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

It's like the web, except you pay.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Readers of the New York Times now have more control over how news information is presented to them.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Another way to view web information.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Future versions of Chrome will include Popit.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Shopping, meet HTML5.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Google says it takes only a minute to set up a Chrome OS machine.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

A few more seconds...

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

That was quick.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Businesses will find a lot to like in Chrome OS.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Google's black box netbook.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

It comes in black.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

When Schmidt shows up, it's serious.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

He didn't want Google in the browser or operating system business initially.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

The list of participants.

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

Linus Upson, Brian Rakowski, Sundar Pichai and Caesar Sengupta

Google Chrome OS Hardware Vanishes In The Cloud

Google Launches Chrome OS Preview

We welcome your comments on this topic on our social media channels, or [contact us directly] with questions about the site.