Dell in Talks with Google about Chrome OS

By Geoff Duncan Published June 21, 2010

Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s no secret that Google is getting ready to launch its lightweight Chrome OS later this year—but if the company wants to carve out a market against industry-dominating Microsoft Windows, it’s going to need to partner with computer makers to get Chrome OS pre-installed on new computers. Today, Reuters is reporting that number-three computer maker Dell is in talks with Google about putting Chrome OS on computers…although no details have been released.

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Reuters quotes Dell’s president for Greater China and South Asia Amit Midha as saying talks are underway, but that there weren’t yet any firm announcements to be made.

Google’s Chrome OS is intended to be a lightweight, fast-booting operating system that, at least initially, targets comparatively low-power and consumer-oriented computing platforms like netbooks. Like Google’s Android operating system, aimed at mobile devices, Chrome OS has been open sourced, so OEMs and developers can build their own variations and solutions, and Chrome OS in term can leverage innovations added to the open source repository. Chrome OS will be almost entirely Web-focused, and an emphasis on providing a solid foundation for cloud-based storage, applications, and services, rather than running local applications and making users manage a file system.

Earlier this month, Google announced it expects Chrome OS will be available on computers this fall; Google has also been working on designs for Chrome OS tablets that could potentially compete with the likes of the Apple iPad.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

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ChromeOS 133 features teased ahead of update

The ChromeOS welcome tour page.

ChromeOS 133 is set to be available soon, but the chromeOS.dev team has already published notes for the upcoming operating system that runs on popular Chromebook netbooks. The ChromeUnboxed team suggests that the notes coincide with a Tuesday rollout for the next system update; however, the software has not yet landed.

Each ChromeOS drop includes its own unique features and fixes. By the time ChromeOS 133 arrives, users will get a detailed look at each previewed feature and more; however, the notes are a sneak peek at what can be expected from the update. The chromeOS.dev team highlighted some of the new aspects coming to the system.
Bounce Keys settings
ChromeOS 133 includes a new accessibility feature called Bounce Keys, which is intended to assist users with limited dexterity or tremors to navigate a keyboard. When enabled, Bounce Keys will ignore repeated keystrokes pressed in succession, making for a smoother typing experience with fewer unintended characters pressed. The feature allows for the time delay to be adjusted, from a short key to long key.
Super Resolution for Bluetooth mics
The update brings a toggle to the audio settings page that will enable a feature called “Bluetooth Super Resolution.” This feature will allow you to improve the audio quality of Bluetooth-connected microphone devices, by upscaling low-res audio sound quality to hi-res. ChromeUnboxed noted this feature will have to be tested in real-time to see how well it works.
Screencast additional language support
Screencast is an interesting feature in ChromeOS that allows you to record your screen and use your front camera for creating presentations, which you can live stream the cloud-based platform on Chromebooks. In addition to various built-in transcription tools for replays, the coming ChromeOS 133 update will add support for over 50 languages. You can access Screencast through the Launcher icon on a Chromebook and then search for Screencast.
Additions to the ChromeOS welcome tour
The new ChromeOS includes an updated, interactive, Welcome Tour that launches right after device setup, giving users a rundown of the basics of Chromebook and what they need to know to use their new device optimally.

Computing

It looks like Microsoft has yet another anti-Google trick up its sleeve

Microsoft Edge appears on a computer screen with plants and a window in the background.

Microsoft drew attention at the beginning of this month for showing rather misleading Google-style search bar when users searched for the rival engine on Bing. Now, it appears the company is targeting the Chrome browser as well. Spotted by Windows Latest, some users may see a big banner pushing Edge when they search for Chrome while using Microsoft's browser.

The real dodgy part, however, is the fact that this banner just happens to partially hide the Chrome download link behind a "See more" button.

Computing

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The lid of the Asus Chromebook CX14 on a table.

Google is introducing various accessibility-focused and classroom ChromeOS features that allow you to control your Chromebook with your facial expressions and face, as the tech giant posts on its blog. The feature helps those with motor impairments and was first presented in early December.

Google is no newcomer to these types of features. It previously created an open-source AI accessibility tool announced for Windows named Project Gameface, which was first announced for Android. Google even made a video to show users how the feature looks and the gestures users need to use to control their Chromebooks.