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Google Chrome OS arrives, almost |
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Google's stated objective from last year, that of desiging and building an operating system optimized for the web, is a step closer to reality.  Built on the premise that a number of people already spend most of their time in a web browser, Google set about building an operating system that is essentially a browser, but makes the computers it runs on faster, simpler and fundamentally more secure. Though still a work-in-progress, Google has announced the arrival of its lightweight Chrome OS that takes people online for everything they would want to do with a computer. Google has launched a pilot program that will see it distribute test notebooks to real users in trade for their feedback, starting with users in the US. Showcasing the test notebooks at its live event this morning, which was also webcast over the Google Chrome Channel on YouTube, the CR-48s as they are called are black, have “no branding, no logos, no stickers, nothing.” The machines have 12.1 inch screens, full-sized keyboards and touch pads, integrated 3G from Verizon, eight hours of battery life and eight days of standby time. “Chrome notebooks are designed to reach the web instantly, are easy to share among friends and family, and simply by logging in, all of your apps, bookmarks and other browser settings are there. Setting up a new machine takes less than a minute. And even at this early stage, we feel there is no consumer or business operating system that is more secure,” said Google's VP for Engineering Linus Upson and VP for Product Management Sundar Pichai at the conference. “We’re excited to get Chrome notebooks into the hands of users. The data from our test pilots is key to building something wonderful. We look forward to working together to make computers better.” The team also took questions from the media. Google said the first half of 2011 will see Chrome OS notebooks from partners Acer and Samsung, with other OEMs following suit in due course. Chrome OS will work across a wide range of screen sizes and form factors, “enabling our partners to deliver computing devices beyond notebooks,” the company said. Additionally, the Chrome event saw official confirmation of user numbers with the number of people using Chrome OS tripling from 40 to 120 million. Also announced was the arrival of Google Instant to the Omnibox, that will show search results and loading web pages as you type. Google has also overhauled V8, Chrome’s JavaScript engine, which now runs complex JavaScript programs up to twice as fast as earlier. The Chrome Web Store also opened for business, as announced at the event, with developers uploading apps, the number of which Google expects to grow over time. For now, the store is available only in the US and will expand to other countries and currencies early next year. It would be featured prominently in Chrome to allow users to discover apps and let developers reach millions of users around the world. |
LISTS AND RESEARCH
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Global Software Top 100 - Edition 2011
- The Global Software Top 100 is a list of the world's largest software companies, ranked by annual software revenues. The list is based upon revenue information of 10,000+ IT companies worldwide.
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Software industry trends (2011)
- This research article (accompanying the Global Software Top 100) describes changes in the software industry playing field. It analyses trends and key players and forecasts future developments.
- Top hardware companies
- A list of the world's largest hardware companies.
- What happens in the hardware industry?
- Trends and analysis of the hardware industry and its key players.
- Top IT services companies
- A list of the world's largest IT services companies, ranked by annual services revenues. This link will take you to www.servicestop100.org.
- IT services companies: healthy growth
- What is happening in the IT services industry? Read this research publication to find out about trends and key players in the IT services industry.
- Top gaming companies (2010)
- Entertainment is good business, and gaming software companies are growing faster than the rest of the software industry. This research article discusses trends and key players in the gaming business.
- Top ERP companies
- A research publication about the world's leading players in enterprise software.
- Top security software companies
- A research publication discussing the world's leading publishers of security software: antivirus-, spamfiltering-, intrusion detection- and firewall software.
- The fastest growing software companies
- This research publication reveals the fastest growing software companies in the world.
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CRM companies: a short list
- A short list of the leading software companies selling Customer Relationship Management software; aimed at IT managers looking to purchase CRM software.
- Top software companies in the US (2010)
- A list of the largest software companies in the United States, ranked by annual software revenues. 2010 Edition, posted 15 December 2010.
- U.S. software industry trends (2010)
- A research publication discussing the trends and the key players in the software industry in the United States. Posted 15 December 2010.
- Top companies in the world (not just software)
- A general list of the largest companies in the world, ranked by revenues. Not just software companies; in fact, there are no software companies in it...
- Top IT companies
- A list of the largest IT companies in the world, ranked by annual revenues. Includes hardware, software and services.
