The Chrome OS Beta channel has been updated to R12 release 0.12.433.57 including Chrome 12.0.742.68 Beta and several stability and functional improvements over the previous release.

In addition to the new Chrome 12 (see Chrome 12 blogpost), there are several Chrome OS improvements including:

• New translation
• Fixed crash on Thai pages

The commercial Chromebooks are almost here, but if you want to try Chrome OS sooner than that you can do it. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as you might think. Here’s how to do it.

First, if you just try looking for “Chrome OS download” on Google, ironically, you’re going to have trouble finding it. Instead, you’re most likely to find links that will eventually take you to Chrome OS Linux. This is not Google’s Chrome OS. It’s a Linux distribution that uses Chrome OS. It may be fine. I don’t know. I haven’t tried it, but it’s not the Chrome OS that you’re looking for.

The real Chrome OS, which is indeed based on Linux flavored by Ubuntu, is available as source code, along with build instructions, at the Chromium OS Developer Guide. If you’re not an experienced programmer with access to a 64-bit Linux system, Ubuntu 10.04 Long Term Support (LTS) version for choice, you don’t want to go this route though.

For people who don’t program in C for a living, the smart thing to do is to download a Chrome OS virtual machine (VM) or USB stick live image from Hexxen.

These images, but I’ll let Hexxen explain what they’re up to: “Each day at around 6PM GMT the latest code is downloaded automatically and compiled into images you can try out, containing the latest changes. You can get images in either USB, VirtualBox or VMware format. For the best experience, it’s recommended you use the USB images. If these don’t boot on your device then go ahead and try the VirtualBox or VMware image. These should always work (assuming the build wasn’t broken at the time they were built), but you’ll find they’re quite slow, because there’s no graphical acceleration.”

These builds are, in my experience, safe. They are not, however, stable. These are beta programs with all the foibles that come with betas. In addition, some of them will indeed prove to be broken. Welcome to life at programming’s cutting edge.

Personally, I run Chrome OS hard drive images on VirtualBox on one of my Dell Inspiron 530S test boxes. These are powered by a 2.2-GHz Intel Pentium E2200 dual-core processor with an 800-MHz front-side bus. It has 4GBs of RAM, a 500GB Serial ATA (SATA) drive, and an Integrated Intel 3100 GMA (Graphics Media Accelerator). But, for running Chrome as a VM, you can forget about the GMA. Chrome OS can’t use it.

Yep, sure enough. Chrome OS looks just like the Chrome Web Browser.

I also use the USB versions on my Dell Mini 9. For Chrome OS, this early model Ubuntu Linux netbook, with its 1.6Ghz single-core Intel Atom 270 Diamondville with a gigabyte of RAM and am 8GB solid state drive (SSD) and Diamondville’s built-in 945GSE graphics is underpowered. Still, Chrome OS works better on it than it does on a VM.

If I were you, and wanted to play with Chrome OS, I’d used a more up-to-date low-end notebook. Chrome OS will use local storage-unlike what some people seem to think-and it’s optimized for SSDs. You can run it on a laptop or desktop with a conventional hard drive, but in my own experience it clearly does better with SSDs.

So, ready to give it a try? Well be aware that it’s going to be a bumpy ride at time and that Chrome OS’ interface is essentially the same as the Chrome Web browser. You should know that you’re not going to see the kind of speed you’re used to with the Chrome Web browser. This is, one more time with feeling, a beta. But, if like me, your idea of a good time is playing with operating systems, you’re ready to go now. Good luck!

In about three weeks, we can stop talking about how Chromebooks-light-weight laptops running Google’s Chrome OS-might, or might not, work in the real world because we’ll get our hands on the first two models: the Samsung Series 5 and the Acer Wi-Fi Chromebook. Here’s what we know now about them.

First things first. The Chromebooks you’re going to see in mid-June are not going to be those dreadful beta CR-48 netbooks with some lipstick on. These are real netbook-sized laptops from Acer and Samsung: companies that know a thing or two about design.

Next, none of these laptops are powerhouses. For processors they use the 1.66GHz dual-core Intel Atom Processor N570 and they come with 2-gigabytes of RAM. On the other hand, they’re not trying to run Windows 7 or even Ubuntu Unity. They’re running Chrome OS, which is little more than the latest Chrome Web browser with a bare-bones Linux foundation. You don’t need much to run that.

Each one also comes with a 16GB Solid State Drive (SSD). I’ve already heard people talking about how little that is. They’re right. It’s not much room at all. But, if you’re focusing on that, you’re missing the point. You’re not installing software on these drives. Heck, if you use Google Docs for your documents and the still beta Google Music for your music library, you may not have much of anything to put on that SSD. The idea is to have just enough storage for anything you feel you must have in hand and for everything else to be on the cloud.

All that said, here’s what coming down the road:

Acer Wi-Fi Chromebook

11.6″ HD Widescreen LED-backlit LCD: (1366 x 768) resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio
Intel Atom Dual-Core Processor(1.66GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
2GB DDR3 Memory
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
16GB Solid State Drive
Two Built-in Speakers
802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
Two USB 2.0 Ports, 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
One HDMI Port
Touchpad
6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery-Up to 8-hours battery life
Webcam: 1.3-Megapixel

So far, Acer is the low-cost leader. The company will sell its Chromebook for $349. The unit will first be available from Amazon and Best Buy. It’s also showing up on some sites, but it can’t be pre-ordered and it’s only available in the U.S.

Samsung Series 5 with 3G

12.1″ (WXGA) LED (1280×800)Resolution
Intel Atom Dual-Core Processor(1.66GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
2 GB DDR Memory
NM10 Graphics Chipset
16 GB solid-state drive (SSD)
Two Built-in Speakers
802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, integrated 3G (via optional Verizon Wireless subscription)
Two USB 2.0 Ports, 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
VGA (via optional dongle)Port
Touchpad
Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jack
Battery: 6-cell battery for up to 8.5 hours of use
Webcam: 1.3-Megapixel

The 3G model will sell for $499, while the Wi-Fi version will run for $429. The big difference, at this point, is the somewhat larger display. Like the Acer, these will be first available from Amazon and Best Buy.

Will they be worth it? Can you actually use them as a replacement for your laptop? Stay tuned and we’ll see. I plan on putting one or the other of them to the test as soon as I can my hands on one.

The much awaited laptop powered by Google Chrome (a cloud-based operating system) is all set for launch on June 15.

Here are few things that you need to about the all new Chromebook.

How does it work?

The Chromrebook should always be connected to the Internet in order to make use of its functionalities. In other words, everything will be on cloud and you’ll need Internet to access all of the apps, documents, photos, movies etc. Installing softwares or updating them, taking backup of files or running anti-virus checks and all other PC related tasks will be eliminated as everything will be done over the cloud.

Who will release the laptops?

Google has tied up with Samsung and Acer which will release laptops powered with Chrome OS.

The Samsung’s device will come with 12.1-inch screen with an 8-hour battery life and will retail for $429 (Wi-Fi enabled) and $499 (3G enabled laptop), while Acer’s device will be an 11.6-inch display and a 6.5-hour battery life. Acer’s notebook will start at $349 and up.

No storage

Since Chromebook is Internet based, all of the files and folders will be stored on the cloud. The laptops will be highly integrated with the cloud services and there will be no storage space available. However, the laptop will have slots to plug in other storages devices.

Boot-up Time?

According to Google, Chromebooks will boot in about less than eight seconds. Once it is up and running it’ll check for any updates and will reboot up with the latest version.

Offilne mode?

Yes, you can work with your Chromebook if you’re not connected to the Internet. You can access Google Docs, Google Calendar and Gmail accounts without an Internet connection. (You won’t be updated with new notifications/mails if you’re not connected to the Internet)

Security

Chromebooks uses the principle of “defense in depth” to provide multiple layers of protection, so if any one layer is bypassed, others are still in effect. Your files and folders will be protected and will be kept safe.

Availability

Chromebooks will be available for sale from June 15.

Laptop Specs

Acer Specifications:
11.6″ HD Widescreen CineCrystalTM LED-backlit LCD
2.95 lbs. | 1.34 kg.
6 hours of continuous usage 1
Intel® AtomTM Dual-Core Processor
Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G (optional)
HD Webcam with noise cancelling microphone
High-Definition Audio Support
2 USB 2.0 ports
4-in-1 memory card slot
HDMI port
Fullsize Chrome keyboard

Samsung Specifications:
12.1″ (1280×800) 300 nit Display
3.26 lbs / 1.48 kg
8.5 hours of continuous usage 1
Intel® AtomTM Dual-Core Processor
Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G (optional)
HD Webcam with noise cancelling microphone
2 USB 2.0 ports
4-in-1 memory card slot
Mini-VGA port
Fullsize Chrome keyboard
Oversize fully-clickable trackpad
Oversize fully-clickable trackpad

So the Chromebook has finally been announced, and first models will ship on June 15 in select countries (US and several European countries). Both Acer and Samsung have revealed some of the specs of the netbooks running Google’s Chrome OS. Both Chromebooks will be powered by a dual-core Intel Atom cpu and a 1280×800 display. Both have built-in WiFi and optionally 3G for connectivity. The Samsung device is estimated to run for 8.5 hours without power connection, Acer’s device for 6 hours.

Some specs have not been revealed yet. We do not know the MHz of the cpu, the size of the internal hard drive or the RAM. Acer’s Chromebook starts at $349, Samsung’s at $429, which is pricey if you compare it to other netbook offers.

But hardware or appearance is not the thing that sets the netbook aside from other offerings. It is that it ships with Chrome OS, Google’s attempt to get a foothold in the operating system market.

Instead of writing a long article about Chrome OS’ advantages and disadvantages, I though it would be nice to post a top 5 list instead. The top 5 things that get me excited, and the top 5 things that disappoint.

Top 5

• Security – Google has designed Chrome OS with security in mind, just like they did when they designed the Chrome browser. Applications run sandboxed which means that malware can only affect what’s inside the sandbox, and not something that’s outside of it. While it may affect the browser, it cannot affect the underlying operating system. That is, unless the sandbox gets penetrated. The user home directory furthermore is encrypted by default which means that temporary Internet files, cookies and other user related data are not accessibly by anyone else. [reference].

  Chromebook users furthermore get options to restore a previous “working” version of the operating system, and automatic integrity checks during boot time to verify that files have not been manipulated.

• Guest Mode – If you are a Chrome OS user, you can access all your personal data and files on any device running Chrome OS as long as the device has an active Internet connection.
• Cloud Storage – This has some advantages, like accessibility of your personal data on all devices running Chrome Os.
• Fast Boot – It takes less than ten seconds from booting Chrome OS to having it fully operational.
• Ease of Use – If you know how to operate a web browser, you know how to operate Chrome OS.

Flop 5

• Cloud Storage – With all the news regarding Cloud storage break-ins, security issues and data loss, it may not sound like a good idea to rely primarily on the cloud.
• Compatibility – With Chrome OS, you cannot run your Windows applications directly. Google’s solution is virtualization so that you can run those applications. It is however not clear how this is handled at this point in time, and how users can get their applications to run on the Chromebook.
• Google Account link – Your Chrome Os account is linked to a Google account. Google may collect even more information about you this way, even if you use a fake Google account just for the Chromebook.
• Less choice: Would you buy an operating system where you had to use the default browser? Yes, you may be able to run Firefox or Opera in a virtual machine but that again does not sound overly comfortable, considering that this will have an impact on performance.
• Decent Internet connection – You will need a decent Internet connection to get most out of the device. You get offline access to some of your files and documents, but for the majority of things, you will need a decent Internet connection.

I for one will not buy a Chromebook at this point in time. I’d like to play around with one though, to experience it first hand. What’s your take on this?

Google announced yesterday that they'll be releasing their Chrome OS-equipped netbooks this summer, dubbed Chromebooks. If you aren't a fan of their hardware (or you don't want to pay $500 for one), you can easily make your own. More »

The Chrome OS Beta channel has been updated to the latest R11 release 0.11.257.201 including Chrome update (11.0.696.57).

The Chrome OS Beta channel has been updated to the latest R11 release 0.11.257.91 including Chrome update (11.0.696.54).

If you find new issues, please let us know by visiting our help site or filing a bug.

Orit Mazor
Google Chrome

The Chrome OS Beta channel has been updated to the latest R10 release 0.10.156.50 including the new Chrome 10 (10.0.648.127). Full details of the Chrome 10 release is available in the blogpost.

Earlier today we received a tip to check out the blog Chrome OS Site for the details on the first official Chrome OS device. Obviously intrigued, I clicked through. There, I read about not a notebook or netbook running the OS, but rather a monitor! Specifically, the report has Acer supposedly unveiling this “monitor”, or perhaps all-in-one PC, called the DX241H, as the first actual Chrome OS device. Several other reports along these lines followed.

Weird, right? Well yes. Because from what we’re hearing, that’s just not true at all.

Here’s the thing, Chrome OS Site’s report points to a German site, heise online, which claims that Acer announced this device with Chrome OS support. But the odd thing is that Acer is an official Google partner on Chrome OS devices. And from what we’re hearing, the search giant doesn’t know a thing about such a device.

While initially viewed as a potential “netbook” OS, Google quickly altered the wording around Chrome OS to make it clear that it was intended for notebooks. (At least at first.) The fact that Cr-48, the test device Google launched late last year, is a notebook speaks to this. From what we’re hearing, Google is still very much committed to getting Chrome OS out there as a notebook OS at some point in the middle of this year. And yes, that will be with partners like Acer.

Having said that, the code behind Chrome OS, Chromium OS, is open source. And developers are free to do with it what they wish. But again, Acer is a Google partner on Chrome OS, so it’s very unlikely that they’d think about going around the company to make some sort of all-in-one iMac-like PC on their own.

Google has been thinking about how they can expand Chrome OS beyond notebooks, to devices like tablets, and potentially even PCs eventually. But the first crucial step is to take on the notebook market. And they can’t do that if partners are off making odd monitors/all-in-one devices aimed at a completely different market.

Long story short: the first official Chrome OS device will not be a monitor or an all-in-one PC. It will be a notebook. And it will launch in the middle of 2011.

Google isn't just bringing the Chrome Browser to Pwn2Own 2011 -- this time, it's also bringing its own hardware. The Cr-48 Chrome OS laptop will be on hand for the browser exploiting hullabaloo, and Google is offering $20,000 and a CR-48 notebook for a successful exploit. According to the event's organizer, the attacker will also need to escape Chrome's sandbox. At last year's event, prominent researcher Charlie Miller said that's no easy task, so we're very curious to see whether someone will succeed this time around.

Offering cash for exposing vulnerabilities isn't anything new for Google, of course. The Big G just paid one developer $7,500 for finding a trio of vulnerabilities in Chrome back in January.

As part of their effort to speed up release cycles, Google no longer likes to acknowledge in a big way when they update Chrome. They’re simply doing it too often for it to mean much. But today they’ve taken a bit of time to acknowledge an update to both Chrome and Chrome OS, in part because they were able to quash a big bug.

Specifically, Chrome and Chrome OS were updated to versions 8.0.552.237 and 8.0.552.334, respectively. That itself isn’t huge news as both were already on version 8 — but again, the versions simply don’t mean much anymore. Instead, the bigger news is that Google gave out the first “Elite” Chromium security reward.

Our pal Hexxeh is at it again, only this time it's not Google's Chromium OS that he's hacking -- it's the Google Chrome OS Cr-48 laptop. We've previously shared posts about installing Ubuntu, Windows 7, and OS X on the CR-48, but the process has been a little on the complex side until now.

Hexxeh's new tool -- Luigi -- simplifies the process greatly. As long as you can follow his 12-step program and don't mind popping open the CR-48 case for a quick bit of hardware tinkering you'll be able to install your OS of choice in no time. Once you've downloaded Luigi using wget from a Chrome OS terminal window, a firmware flash and a reboot is all that's needed to enable booting any OS installer via a USB drive.

Check out Hexxeh's video after the break to see how the process unfolds!