Google's Chrome updates: Browser, Web store and notebook OS will redefine "cloud computing"
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By Sam Diaz | December 7, 2010, 1:02pm PST
Google today unveiled new features for its Chrome browser and offered a sneak peek at what’s coming with Chrome OS, a new Web-only operating system that was first announced last year and will be launched in notebooks from Acer and Samsung by mid-next year.
The company covered a lot of ground during an event in San Francisco today - but it was clear that everything that Google is doing here is centered around the Web.
Gallery: Google brings Chrome OS into focus
Starting with the browser, Chrome is all about getting faster. One of the coolest features was a one-up on Google Instant, the quick search feature that fills in the search query based on what the user is typing. Taking it to a new level, the browser will load the pages that you, the specific user, visit most frequently. For example, start typing ESPN and the ESPN page will load as soon as you type the “E.” LIkewise, a “Z” might load ZDNet for regular readers of the this site.
The company also announced the Chrome Web store, a marketplace for Web-based apps similar to those built for a tablet like the iPad. On stage, a demo of a Sports Illustrated app called Snapshot, which will provide stories, photo slideshows and other rich multimedia features that provide more of iPad experience than a traditional browser experience.
My prediction is that Microsoft and HP will take a hit on these.
Will it run off of a thumb drive? I have a laptop with a dead hard disc, so, I am running it off of a thumbdrive with Linux. I use other thumb drives for storage.
I’d give it a try if I could do that.