iPad under threat as Google and RIM come to market
Imagine switching on your notebook and connecting to the Internet within 8 seconds! That's what Google are claiming for their new Chromebook.
Due for launch in the middle of June the Chromebook, based on Google's Chrome OS software, will directly rival Apple's iPad for Internet access. Where it differs from iPad and other notebooks is in its' concept: the Chromebook works on the principle that most users spend the majority of their time on the Internet, rather than their PC files. So the Chromebook has been designed to work as a conduit to the Internet with limited functionality when off-line.
Google claim that the Chromebook is the computer for people who don't like computers and don't want to spend their time trying to install printer drivers and new software when they could be talking to friends or researching projects. So it will automatically check for software updates and load them for you while you are busy surfing the net, making sure you are always working with the very latest versions.
Document and editing software will be available but users will be encouraged to save all their files to Google Docs in ‘the clouds', making them available anywhere, anytime and minimising the risk of losing valuable data, rather than using more traditional hard drive storage methods.
Coincidentally, or not as the case may be, at virtually the same time as Google introduce the Chromebook, Research in Motion (RIM), better known for Blackberry phones, are releasing their Playbook tablet. With a 7" screen it is smaller than iPad and Chromebook but overall the size has advantages for portability and ease of use, weighing in at less than 1lb.
Whilst owing a Blackberry smartphone is not a pre-requisite, to make full use of the Playbook's many features it might be an advantage.
Based on the proven QNX operating system, the same software that runs the Internet, Playbook has one huge advantage over the iPad - it has full Flash functionality giving it super fast and smooth graphical capability for gaming and videos. Documents can be created, stored and edited as they are on Blackberry phones but email, diary, tasks and memos are not available. For security reasons these will be accessed from a Blackberry smartphone, via the Bluetooth Blackberry Bridge, but not stored on the tablet.
One big difference for the Playbook is connectivity to the Internet; there is no need to choose between Wi-Fi and 3G at purchase. Internet access for the Playbook comes either through a Wi-Fi connection or by using a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone. Whilst you save on the 3G connection charge you may incur additional data charges from your existing supplier. Swings and roundabouts?
The new Chromebooks are scheduled to hit the market on 15 June with offerings from Samsung and Acer. Prices are expected to be from £300 - £400 with a choice of Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity.
Playbook is due for release on 16 June and is available through a number of major retailers and business providers. Prices start from around £400.
Learn more about the new Google Chromebooks here: http://www.google.com/chromebook
Explore the world of the Playbook here: http://uk.blackberry.com/
Posted Date: 09th Jun 2011