chrome os

mobile
June 6, 2013
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AMD Android Chrome OS Support

AMD hedges Windows bet by developing Android, Chrome chips

By on June 6, 2013 at 5:55 PM.

AMD hedges Windows bet by developing Android, Chrome chips

AMD plans to expand its line of processors to support both Android and Chrome OS. AMD senior vice president and general manager of global business units Lisa Su confirmed in an interview with PC World that the company plans to design chips based on both x86 and ARM architecture. The executive noted that while AMD is still “very committed to Windows 8,” which it calls “a great operating system,” the company also sees a market for Android and Chrome OS. Su did not reveal when we can expect AMD-based Android tablets to reach the market, only noting that the company is working with developers to build Android applications that are compatible with AMD chips. Adoption of Windows 8, or lack thereof, and slowing PC sales have hurt AMD in the recent years — so turning to Android and Chrome OS is seen as a way to hedge its Windows bet.

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Computers
April 29, 2013
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New Chromebook Models

2013 is shaping up to be the year of the Chromebook

By on April 29, 2013 at 6:40 PM.

2013 is shaping up to be the year of the Chromebook

A handful of companies are said to be preparing new Chromebook models that will launch later this year. According to a report from Digitimes, both Acer and ASUS are optimistic about the long-term prospects of Google’s Chromebooks and are working on low-priced computers that will debut in the second half of 2013. Acer is reportedly planning to target students with a new 11.6-inch model to be released in July, while new Chrome OS-powered computers are expected from ASUS, HP, Samsung and Lenovo later this year. Of note, ASUS never planned to enter the market but has apparently rethought its strategy. Google is also said to be working with ASUS, Acer, HP and Samsung on so-called “Androidbooks” that could debut in the near future.

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mobile
April 24, 2013
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Microsoft squeezes even more money out of Android, signs licensing agreement with ZTE

Microsoft squeezes even more money out of Android, signs licensing agreement with ZTE

By on April 24, 2013 at 3:40 PM.

Microsoft squeezes even more money out of Android, signs licensing agreement with ZTE

ZTE has come to an agreement with Microsoft to license the company’s technology that is being borrowed in the Android and Chrome operating systems. Microsoft has signed licensing deals with more than 20 other manufacturers, including HTC, Samsung and LG. In fact, the company claims that 80% of Android smartphones sold in the U.S. and a majority of those sold throughout the world are now covered under its various agreements. Of course, there are still some companies — most notably, Google’s Motorola Mobility — that have not yet come to terms with Microsoft.  More →

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mobile
March 21, 2013
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Google Android Chrome Merger

Google says Android and Chrome OS will remain separate

By on March 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM.

Google says Android and Chrome OS will remain separate

When Google (GOOG) announced that Android boss Andy Rubin was stepping down and being replaced by Chrome head Sundar Pichai, speculation erupted suggesting that Android and Chrome OS would eventually merge. According to Google chairman and former CEO Eric Schmidt, combining the two operating systems is not currently part of the company’s plans. Schmidt did confirm to Reuters that there will be more ”commonality” between its mobile and desktop platforms moving forward, but they will remain separate operating systems. The executive also dispelled rumors that he might be leaving Google.

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mobile
March 20, 2013
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Rumor
Google Babble Messaging App

Google Babble rumored to unify messaging services under one brand

By on March 20, 2013 at 8:45 AM.

Google Babble rumored to unify messaging services under one brand

Apple (AAPL) has iMessage, BlackBerry (BBRY) has BlackBerry Messenger and Google (GOOG) will reportedly soon have Babble. According to a report from Geek, Google is interested in unifying its messaging platforms into a single service. The company currently has a number of messaging services across different platforms such as Google Talk, Hangout, Google Voice, Messenger and more. Google is now said to be building Babble from the ground up to bring all of its services across Android, Chrome OS, Windows and Mac together. No timeframe has been revealed, but the company is expected to announce the service at its annual Google I/O conference in May.

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Computers
March 8, 2013
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Google Chrome OS Security

Hackers fail to crack Chrome OS

By on March 8, 2013 at 6:18 PM.

Hackers fail to crack Chrome OS

Google (GOOG) offered hackers a chance at a big pay day if they could crack its Chrome OS platform. The company held its annual Pwnium competition at the ConSecWest security conference in Vancouver this week where it put $3.14159 million up for grabs. While a number of hackers attempted to get a piece of the Pi, a Google spokesperson confirmed in a statement to TechCrunch that none of them succeeded in fully cracking the operating system. The company did reveal, however, that it is “evaluating some work that may qualify as partial credit.” Google is making a big push to boost consumer interest in Chrome OS. The company recently released the high-end Chromebook Pixel to compete directly with the Retina display Macbook Pro.

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mobile
February 28, 2013
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Google Motorola Phonea

Google CFO admits Motorola’s phones haven’t had a ‘wow’ factor

By on February 28, 2013 at 3:30 PM.

Google CFO admits Motorola’s phones haven’t had a ‘wow’ factor

A Google (GOOG) executive revealed that Motorola’s current line of devices don’t include anything that would “wow” consumers. Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology Conference on Thursday, Google’s chief financial officer Patrick Pichette said the company inherited a pipeline of unimpressive products, at least by Google’s standards. More →

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Computers
January 28, 2013
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Acer Chromebook Sales

Acer CEO looks to Chrome as alternative to ‘not successful’ Windows 8

By on January 28, 2013 at 5:17 PM.

Acer CEO looks to Chrome as alternative to ‘not successful’ Windows 8

Executives at Acer (2353) have had some harsh words for Microsoft (MSFT) regarding its Windows 8 operating system. CEO JT Wang was fuming after the software giant unveiled its Surface tablet and even issued a warning to the company, while other executives have blamed Microsoft for confusing would-be Windows 8 buyers. President Jim Wong said in an interview with Bloomberg on Monday that Windows 8 has not been successful and the company has explored alternatives to increase revenue, such as Google’s (GOOG) Chrome OS. More →

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Software
July 31, 2012
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Google toys with major Android redesign as patent wars heat up

By on July 31, 2012 at 3:10 PM.

Google toys with major Android redesign as patent wars heat up

Android Radial Menu Patent

The always-eagle-eyed PatentBolt has spotted a new patent application from Google (GOOG) that indicates the company is designing a way to bring radial menus to its Android and Chrome devices. From the initial designs, it looks as though the radial menus will not be visible on the screen until a user makes a swipe gesture from the edge of a device. Once the swipe is made, a semicircle menu pops up in the section of the screen where the swipe was made. The logic behind the semicircle menu is to save screen real estate and give users a simpler way to access different features of their applications. If Google is looking to dodge bullets with its new design, however, it may be out of luck: As PatentBolt notes that Apple (AAPL) has filed two patents for similar technology over the past couple of years. More →

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Computers
March 26, 2012
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ARM support may be coming to Chrome OS

By on March 26, 2012 at 8:30 PM.

ARM support may be coming to Chrome OS

Users who are interested in a Google-powered Chromebook only have two options, Acer’s AC700 or Samsung’s Series 5 Chromebook. Both laptops are powered by an Intel Atom processor, the only chip the platform currently supports. Recent rumors have suggest that Chrome OS may soon support ARM-based processors, however, opening up a number of new doors for the platform. According to the Chromium OS issue tracker, a new product code-named “Daisy” is mentioned numerous times, equipped a Samsung Exynos 5250 chip. Samsung’s 32nm chip will feature an ARM Cortex-A15 design and will be capable of running at speeds up to 2GHz — all while using less power than ARM Cortex-A9 chips and Intel Atom processors. The Chromium project is open-source, with user contributions playing a large roll in development. As such, the “Daisy” appearances do not necessarily mean Google is directly involved with the development.

More →

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Legal
January 12, 2012
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LG and Microsoft sign patent agreement over Android and Chrome OS

By on January 12, 2012 at 9:42 AM.

LG and Microsoft sign patent agreement over Android and Chrome OS

Microsoft and LG have signed a patent agreement that covers LG’s tablets, mobile phones, and other consumer devices running Android or Chrome OS. Terms of the deal between the two companies have not being disclosed. However, this isn’t the first time Microsoft has targeted an Android vendor, previously signing deals with Samsung, HTC, and Acer, among others. “Together with our 10 previous agreements with Android and Chrome OS device manufacturers, including HTC, Samsung and Acer, this agreement with LG means that more than 70 percent of all Android smartphones sold in the U.S. are now receiving coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio,” said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft. “We are proud of the continued success of our program in resolving the IP issues surrounding Android and Chrome OS.” Each vendor who signs a deal with the Redmond-based company pays an undisclosed licensing fee for using Microsoft’s patents, which Android and Chrome OS reportedly infringe upon. However, not every company is giving in, with Motorola and Barnes & Noble currently involved in a lengthy patent battle with Microsoft. Read on for the press release.

More →

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mobile
November 23, 2011
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HTC may be developing Chrome OS / Android hybrid device

By on November 23, 2011 at 3:40 PM.

HTC may be developing Chrome OS / Android hybrid device

HTC may be developing a new hybrid netbook/tablet “internet access device” that combines both Chrome OS and Android, presumably in some sort of dual-boot environment. Samsung and Acer are the only two major suppliers that currently offer devices powered by Google’s Chrome OS, otherwise known as Chromebooks, but DigiTimes said the two firms have only sold about 25,000 – 30,000 units this year. The lower-powered netbooks currently cost between $350 and $450 and will likely need to fall in price in order to attract consumers. HTC is expected to unveil its third Android-powered tablet in February, which will be powered by NVIDIA’s brand new quad-core Tegra 3 processor. HTC has yet to get its feet wet in the netbook space, and we have to admit we would be surprised if it ever did, so we suspect this secret Chrome/Android device could resemble something similar to Asus’s Eee Pad Transformer Prime rather than a traditional netbook. More →

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Software
August 8, 2011
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Chrome for tablets caught on film [video]

By on August 8, 2011 at 5:56 PM.

Chrome for tablets caught on film [video]

Google’s Chrome OS was originally designed as a lightweight operating system for devices such as netbooks, which have a constant internet connection. The search giant already has Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) and will soon offer Android Ice Cream Sandwich for tablets but apparently that hasn’t stopped Google from optimizing a version of Chrome OS for use on slates. One developer named Francois Beaufor has leaked a video that reveals a hint of what Chrome OS on a tablet might look like. The video shows a quick look at the touchscreen keyboard, an example of the web browser in action and support for voice-based search. As Business Insider points out, it might make a lot more sense for Google to just build a top-notch Chrome browser for Android instead of porting its OS to tablets. Many believe Google’s Android offering is fragmented enough as it is. Hit the break for a quick video clip. More →

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