Google Chrome OS Revealed

Yesterday, Google [GOOG] introduced a new operating system called Google Chrome OS. We have heard a few things about it over the last few months, but now it has been officially displayed. The idea behind Chrome OS is that most users switch on their computer and want to go online to get email, check Facebook, browse websites, search for jobs, go shopping and perhaps play games while chatting to friends and listening to music etc… with other programs not getting as much use, if any at all. Perhaps the web browser is the most important and most used program on a computer in Google’s words.

When a computer boots up if often takes a while from hitting the power button to loading up a web browser. For this reason Google decided to get rid of all the things that slow it down and make the browser the operating system. After hitting the power button you can be online within seconds.

With you only booting in to an operating system the system already gets rid of the need to install and deal with program updates, as there are none stored locally. The Chrome operating system keeps all files online so that you can connect from any device or computer and have all your documents and emails where ever you are. Another name given for this type of setup is stateless. To get a run-down of the principles behind Chrome OS check out the video below.

The actual operating system (video below) looks very good. When logging in to a device you are immediately presented with the browser window you left open along with any tabs for email, documents so that you can continue where you left off. At the top left of the screen a Chrome Menu can be found where any tabs not pinned to the top bar are made available. When opening some of the items in the menu they will either open full screen in a new tab, or open in to what Google refers to as panels which first jump up from the bottom of the screen showing content such as chat conversations, media (like music) and other various things. You also have the option of pinning the floating panels to the sidebar in a more organised way which prevents the panel from obscuring the browsing window, but does at the same time shrink down the browsing window.

Navigation between browser windows is done by gestures with the mouse and also by zooming out to view all browser windows and content which you can then click to zoom in to.

When connecting up a device such as a digital camera via a USB port, a small file browser window pops up as a panel where you can then drag and drop the images you want in to various parts of the browser as needed.

Overall I am impressed with what Chrome OS will offer. The main problem that I have with it though is that it replaces programs that I sometimes use. If good enough I’d certainly buy a netbook with it pre-installed. Hopefully Google will allow installs on to other devices such as desktop PC’s although they were quite adamant about only running it on SSD devices.

Remember The Milk apps gets an update, now with customizable widget, customizable start screen and more

One of the apps that I use on a daily basis is Remember The Milk. I love the service, and enjoy the fact that it works on multiple platforms and even allows me to do things like email items to add onto my list. That said, the Remember The Milk (RTM) app that was previously available for Android had a few shortcomings — namely in that I could not set the app to launch with a specific list. That and, the widget was pretty limited.
But like what happens in time with all good apps, Remember The Milk for Android was recently updated, and this update corrected both of my main complaints. This update brings the app up to version 1.1.0.
In terms of the new features, RTM users can now customize the widget. Of which there are now two widget sizes available. Users can also choose a start screen of their preference.
There was another change, but this one may not be visible to all. The Quick Search Box for Android has been given RTM support. To enable this feature you will need to go to Settings > Search > Searchable items, then once there just check “Remember The Milk.” Of course, this one is limited to those running Android OS 1.6 or later.
And finally, RTM was given support for multiple devices with different screen resolutions. Which basically means that the Motorola Droid and HTC Tattoo are officially supported.

Android 2.1 spotted in the wild

The paint is still wet on Android 2.0 and Google has already begun work on Android 2.1. I routinely check the Google Analytics operating system reports for our site and I just spotted Android 2.1 for the first time. The initial visit was on October 28, 2009 and there have been 23 visits since then. We have no idea what features are included with Android 2.1, but if you are one of the lucky few with early access you can hit up our tip line. Could this be the Android build known as Flan?

Update: Android 2.1 is reported to be a minor update that will be released towards the end of 2009. It will focus on bug fixes for Android 2.0.


Source: http://androidandme.com/2009/11/news/android-2-1-spotted-in-the-wild/

Google Maps Navigation (Beta)

Google Maps Navigation is an internet-connected GPS navigation system with voice guidance. It is part of Google Maps for mobile and is available for phones with Android 2.0.

Google Maps Navigation uses your phone's internet connection to give you the latest maps and business data. But that's not all that's different about Google's approach to GPS navigation. Watch the below video to learn more.




Read more details here: http://www.google.com/mobile/navigation/#p=default

Hero gets new Android update

One operator which is pretty gung-ho about Android is France Telecom's Orange network and word from them is that "we can't say when we're upgrading our Hero users to Android 2.0 not yet.' But they did just announce a big joint venture with Google - "We'll be the first operator to give customers one-click access to Google Mobile App on multiple mobile platforms - in addition to a search widget on the Android mobile platform," they told us.

The Mobile App deal won't happen this week, but it sounds like it will be out before December. Officially, it's in the next few weeks, but our sources hinted "within two weeks, actually".

Upgrades to version 2.0 of Android will happen. The HTC Hero handset is currently Orange's top-range star handset, and it runs the previous Android version. But HTC itself has confirmed that the Hero won't need to be replaced.

From Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/htc-confirmed-to-be-cooking-up-android-2-0-update-for-hero-othe/ we have a direct quote asking for "patience" which doesn't sound like before the New year, frankly.



His contact inside HTC said: "Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS."

But Orange Hero owners will get Mobile App quickly. The official announcement: "Orange today becomes the first operator to partner with Google to bring Google Mobile App to mobile customers in Europe. The multi-year strategic agreement, combining the best in content and search innovation from both partners, is making mobile search and geo-location services even more accessible by giving customers one-click access to Google Mobile App via the Orange homescreen."

The application "provides enhanced search features and access to the Orange mobile portal and other familiar Google products and services."

From October, the Orange Signature Android series, including LG Eve (France, Spain), HTC Tattoo (France, UK, Spain) and HTC Hero (France) will also feature specially designed services like the Orange Email Wizard which lets users set up and use their chosen mobile email services - including Google Mail "in one easy-to-manage place," said the publicity release.

That doesn't make it altogether clear what happens to UK Hero users (or when!) but we'll pass on the news when we get it.

Mobile App will later be made available "across a wider range of Orange Signature devices operating on Symbian S60, RIM (BlackBerry) and Microsoft's Windows Mobile," the operator added. On these platforms the application will include links to services like Orange mobile portal, Google News, Google Maps and Google Mail.

First blog post

Alright people, this is my first post and many will follow.
If you landed on this blog then we probably have the same passion: All and everything Google does, but in particular what is happening on the Android front.

So, if you are interested in getting all the latest and greatest news about Google & Android, subscribe and leave comments :-)

Have fun !