Previews and Reviews

Ever since we saw Google’s webcast yesterday, we’ve been dying to try an early version of Google Chrome for ourselves. Google released the source code, but not an install disc or file, so we had no idea how to turn that series of code into a working OS. Fortunately, some Linux hackers have managed to compile Chrome so people like us can run it in a virtual machine. Thanks to a virtual machine image we got from gdgt, we were able to take the long-anticipated OS for a spin.

Perhaps we should have expected this, but we were a bit underwhelmed. The current build is extremely slow and one of the key features — the apps panel — is not accessible.  Start up took about 15 seconds to present us with the log in screen at right, though it’s hard to say how accurate our start time was, considering that we were running Chrome as a virtual machine in Sun VirtualBox, which was a window on our Windows 7 ($79.95) workstation.

Read More of our Chrome OS impressions

The price of Motorola’s new Droid smart phone is dropping dramatically just a week from its launch date. Though it’s still listed as $199 on Verizon Wireless’ site, Amazon.com is selling the phone for $150 and Dell for even less than that: $120.

Are prices low because Black Friday and the holiday shopping season approaches? Or is the phone so popular that someone is hoping the extra sales volume will make up for the loss?

This follows on the heels of news that the Palm Pre and Pixi dropped in price as well — $80 and $25 respectively at Amazon.

Hat Tip: 9to5Mac

Today, Cloud Engines introduced its second take on the rather excellent Pogoplug multimedia sharing device, which is, essentially, NAS for Joe Computer.  The new version, which is compatible with Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows, offers several new features that look to improve the Pogoplug experience. These include:

• Four USB 2.0 ports (up from one)
• Improved transcoding, and wider support for streaming video to the Web or Pogoplug iPhone app
• The ability to automatically sync content from iPhoto, iTunes, Windows Media Player
• Tighter Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter integration
• Automatic organization of music, photos, video

All in all, these sound like very nice additions to an already winning device, and we’re digging the more streamlined design (if not the very neon pink cradle). If you’re interested in giving the new Pogoplug a go, it will be available for purchase before the end of year for $129.

The iPhone and iPod touch have become solid gaming platforms, particularly in the last few months. Apps  that offer everything from the robust gameplay of Madden to time and battery-sucking casual games are available in the apps store. Some are free but others will cost you. Which of the paid games are worth the cash? We’ve got an app a feature for that.

Check out our list of the top iPhone games worth paying for. The list includes puzzle games, retro games, games where you shoot zombies, sports games and more. I’m partial to Arrr! Pirates vs. Aliens because I love both pirates and aliens, but there’s nothing more satisfying at the end of a long day than punching a virtual boxer over and over during a long commute.

Today, Google set techie tongues wagging when it showed the first demo of its highly-anticipated Chrome OS, during a Webcast and press conference. Confused by all the hype? Don’t be. We’ve broken down everything you need to know into 10 simple tidbits.

1. It’s speedy. The focus of Chrome OS is speed and simplicity. Users should expect everything from booting to loading Web pages to be much snappier than today’s PCs. The system you’ll see at the end of this video boots in about 7 seconds, and when it does it puts users right into the browser. Google also claims that sleeping netbooks will wake up in under a second.
2. All applications will be Web-based. Chrome OS is essentially a browser users will have to rely on Web apps for everything they do with their netbooks. However, since there are still times when people need to use their machines when not connected, the operating system will cache data and apps to the local drive when needed, similar to the way Google Gears works. This is possible because of the HTML 5 standard. Click here for 3 – 10

This morning Digitimes reported that Apple has pushed back the launch of its tablet from the first quarter of 2010 to the second. The site is also claiming that the device will have a 9.7-inch OLED display, which would mean less power consumption but at a greater price. How does $1,200 – $1,500 sound? Or $2,000? Take the poll below and tell us how much you’d pay.

I’m less excited for this tablet by the day. Not just because it keeps getting more and more ridiculously expensive, but also because it keeps floating further and further away.

I don’t know if I’m ready to jump on board with Ian Paul of PCWorld who says that the tablet is dead, vaporware, and the dream of Apple fanboys who really want such a device and have convinced themselves that Apple is making it. Then again, there is a long history of Apple tablet rumors. It’s not looking good.

Apple may bring out a tablet or they might not. But due to everyone assuming they would there is now more interest in slates than there have been in many years. Other tablets that actually exist are coming out soon, and next year may be as filled with tablet announcements as the last two years were with netbook announcements.

So, am I excited about a $2,000 Apple tablet? No. Are you? I suspect not. The results of the poll below may surprise me, but I’m sure most people don’t want to pay that kind of money for something without a real keyboard.

Later today Google is holding a big Chrome OS event at their headquarters in Mountain View to announce more details about their new Linux-based operating system. We’ll probably see a comprehensive demo and a little something to get everyone excited about what it’s capable of. Check our blog for coverage.

Google’s new OS is being developed specifically for netbooks and as Google has the Midas touch these days with Android popping up everywhere it’s easy to get excited about shades and shadows — but what about specifics?

Linux distros haven’t traditionally done well on netbooks. High return rates plus the lure of an operating system most people are already familiar with led the way for manufacturers to drop Linux in favor of Windows XP altogether early in the life of the category. Many people say Chrome OS could change all that, but I wonder what features it would have to include to make that happen.

Forget what Google may or may not reveal later today, what do you think Chrome OS will be like? And, more importantly, what should it be and do in order to pull Windows (or even Mac OS) users into the fold? Should the GUI attempt to emulate Windows or go for something closer to Android? The promises of a simple, web-based OS are great, but what would you like a Chrome OS netbook to be able to do when it’s not connected?

It seems everyone is enamored with the Nvidia Ion-powered HP Mini 311–and rightfully so. This Graphics chips are responsible for processing all images sent to your computer?s display.
Learn Moregraphics chip has changed the game for mini-notebooks, enabling full HD video playback, mainstream 3D games, and even video editing chops without adding too much cost. And while we’ve yet to review the Ion-enabled Samsung N510 or Lenovo IdeaPad S12, ASUS’ new entry could trump them all.

Today we got a first look at the Eee PC 1201N, which will sell for $499 with Windows 7 Premium. This 12.1-inch system looks a lot like a larger 1008HA, a design we like. It’s a sleek 1.3 inches thick, only 3.2 pounds, and sports the same dimpled trackpad as the 1008HA but the chiclet-style keyboard seen on the 1000HE.

The port spread is standard but includes HDMI for attaching the 1201N to a high-def monitor or TV. With this GPU and the addition of Flash 10.1, owners will be able to output full 1080p video from the 1201N and watch full screen HD Hulu and YouTube clips without a hitch, as we’ve proven.

In addition to the Ion GPU there’s an intriguing CPU: a dual core Intel Atom N330. This processor is usually found in nettops, and we’re psyched to see how this processor will affect performance and battery life. Add in 2GB of RAM and a 250GB The storage device that holds your OS, programs, and data.
Learn Morehard drive and you have a very well equipped machine for $499. In fact, the 1201N costs $80 less than a similarly configured HP Mini 311, and that netbook has a single-core processor.

This is shaping up to be one compelling Ion netbook. Full specs and more details after the jump.

Everyone was disappointed when the One Laptop Per Child project promised to usher in a new age of $100 notebooks, only to fall flat with its underwhelming XO laptop selling for well over $200. But that was over two years ago, and the for-profit netbook market has been hugely successful at pushing price points lower. Now, fresh for the holiday season, we see powerful netbooks selling right now for under $300.

These aren’t underpowered systems running some unheard-of Linux flavor either. These systems all have 1GB of RAM, a standard Intel Atom N270 or N280 CPU, and either Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter edition. Many of them even have 6-cell batteries.

Here’s a sampling of what’s available right now:

• The Samsung N120 can be bought for just $295. The N120 is one of the best netbooks around, because of its extremely-wide keyboard and 7+ hours of endurance. It’s available with a 1.6 GHz CPU, 6-cell battery, and 160GB.
• The Samsung N130 is now available for $285 and sports a 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 160GB The storage device that holds your OS, programs, and data.
  Learn Morehard drive, Windows XP home and a long-lasting 6-cell battery. We have not reviewed this system, but other Samsung netbooks, such as the Samsung N120 mentioned above and the Samsung N110 and have been among our favorites, because of their awesome keyboards and long battery lives.
• Acer’s Aspire One AOD250 is on sale for a mere $254.99 if you’re willing to settle for 3 hours or less of endurnace. The system comes with a 3-cell battery and also has Windows XP, a 1.6 GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive.
• The HP Mini 311 is a splurge at $399 but offers an 11.6-inch screen and Nvidia ION graphics that make it capable of playing HD video.

If you want more information or none of these appeal to you, check out our detailed list of netbook gift ideas.

While we’ve had access to a preview version of Office 2010 since the summer, Microsoft has finally reached public beta on the next generation of its ubiquitous office suite. That means you can now download Office 2010 beta from Microsoft for free. As it costs nothing, we recommend that you install the beta and see for yourself if the new versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, et. al are significant improvements over their Office 2007 counterparts.

After reviewing the preview version and spending some quality time with the beta of Office 2010, we’ve come up with the list of 10 things to keep in mind as you research and test the software for yourself.

1. Backstage view is the new name for File and Print menu. Where in Office 2003 and before you had the File menu and in Office 2007 you had the magic Office orb in the upper left hand corner of the screen, you now need to click on the File tab and go to a whole separate screen called Backstage view to see your file, print, and settings options. Microsoft touts Backstage as giving users “easy, organized access to tolls that were previously spread across several locations.” We see it as a bit cumbersome, because it makes covers over your work while you’re just trying to do a simple task like save or print, something that previously was accomplished with small dialogue boxes that floated above your documents.

   However, in Backstage, you do get a nice preview thumbnail of the document that is being obstruced and some interesting specs such as the file size, total editing time, and number of Words in a Word document.

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