Between the Lines

Larry Dignan, Andrew Nusca and Rachel King

Report: Acer to debut Chrome OS devices in early June

By | May 13, 2010, 3:45pm PDT

Summary: PC maker Acer is reportedly going to launch devices running Google’s Chrome OS next month at a show in Taipei.

In two weeks, PC maker Acer will reportedly debut “mobile devices” running Google’s Chrome operating system, according a report on VentureBeat that cites “multiple sources.” It’s unclear how many devices will be showcased or even what types of devices - netbooks or tablets or both?

The blog’s sources say the devices will be launched at the Computex Taipei show early next month.

It’s been a while since there’s been an update about Chrome OS, which is trying to shift computing to a fast-boot, browser-based experience that isn’t bogged down by an oversized OS and desktop apps. The company gave a brief update during the Google Atmosphere event last month and I suspect there will be more buzz around Chrome OS at Google I/O, the developer’s conference being held in San Francisco next week.

The company summoned the tech press to the Googleplex last November for an update on Chrome OS but warned those of us in attendance that there would be no beta products at the event - and there weren’t - because they were still a year out from there.

And while I trust VentureBeat as a reputable news source, I can’t help but wonder if what will be on display in Taipei will be more of a prototype device. Earlier this month at Web 2.0 Expo, there was a lot of blog buzz about an Android-powered tablet at the Adobe booth. Oh sure, it was there - but it certainly wasn’t the big deal that everyone made it out to be. It really couldn’t even be considered a prototype.

Stay tuned. If Acer actually does release a Chrome OS device, we’ll be sure to report it here.

Previous coverage: Google’s Chrome OS: Will you give up desktop apps?

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Sam has been a technology and business blogger for more than 18 years.

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Sam Diaz

Sam Diaz has nothing to disclose.

Biography

Sam Diaz

Sam has been a technology and business blogger, reporter and editor at ZDNet, the Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News and Fresno Bee for more than 18 years. He's a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a graduate of California State University, Fresno.

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RE: Report: Acer to debut Chrome OS devices in early June
jackson1984-24316069205748857739440257893812 11th Oct
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0 Votes
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Is anyone actually going to buy it?
Cylon Centurion 13th May 2010
Chrome OS will live in the cloud.... Google's Cloud.

no, no, no, no, no. Just no.
0 Votes
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@NStalnecker
Not me, I'm staying as far away from Chrome OS as possible. I bet this device will have a higher return rate than linux netbooks.
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Early reviews
Cylon Centurion 13th May 2010
Were not all that positive. It'll be interesting to see how well Chrome plays out with Google pushing Android more.

But to me, Chrome OS is a huge no go. I'll use a Mac, I'll use Linux, but I won't touch an OS made by Google.
0 Votes
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probally not. And will Acer push it? Who knows. And if the price isn't all that different then a Win7 Home Premium laptop, it'll be that much harder.
@NStalnecker
I prefer not to take a close minded approach and see what they have to offer. Innovation and competition can only be good for the tech industry. If not for google, MS and apple the tech landscape would not have changed as much as it had in the last 5 years.

So rather than say "I will never use XYZ", I want to see it, see how it evolves before I decide to go the close minded route (which I am not oppose to doing, just want to see the products come out first).
they have to start paying me if they want to keep making money off selling my information...
@Johnny Vegas
So you'll stop going to hospitals and your doctor's office because they do the same thing. You will also need to drop your cell phone carrier, stop using free web based email of any kind and I hope you don't use any membership cards to target, walmart or your local supermarket chain.
@rengek I think the real problem is that Chrome OS is 'stateless', as they call it. None of your documents are saved to the HD of your netbook, they are all saved to the internet.

I bought a Pogoplug for $129 bucks, so all of my computers are connected to my own personal cloud, which I have a physical connection too. So Chrome OS is pretty useless to me, and you if you use your brain.
0 Votes
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WTF is '.Bad Parameters' when I reply? (trying to edit in my message)

Google Chrome's OS is a total invasion of privacy. You don't save files to your HD you save them to a Google server.

Oddly, their browser is under the BSD. When you look at the Moblin browser you get nearly the exact same thing. Same layout, same new tab effect. Only, Moblin's (now Meego) browser is a Firefox fork.

Don't let Google pull the wool over your eyes.
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tablet is it ?
RonDsz 14th May 2010
looks there Acer too wants a piece of tablet pie. would be interesting to see how it stacks up against ipad.
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RE: Report: Acer to debut Chrome OS devices in early June
jackson1984-24316069205748857739440257893812 11th Oct
Thankful i these days uncovered this excellent web page, is generally assured to conserve it so i can nfl jersey browse routinely.

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