Chromium OS Demoed On ARM Cortex-A9 platform

Read again Chromium OS Demoed On ARM Cortex-A9 platform

Chromium OS Demoed On ARM Cortex-A9 platform

Posted by Nigel Mabandla On February 15, 2011 5 Comments

Just a few months ago we featured a video from the guys at ARMdevices who were showing off a ‘Freescale I.MX51′ board which they had developed to run Chromium OS. It seems like the momentum (for lack of a better word) has picked up as yesterday ARMdevices showed off another concept chip-set which is being developed by Texas instruments.

The unwittingly named ‘Texas Instruments OMAP4 ARM Cortex-A9 platform’ has been built to run Chrome OS but is currently ‘satisficing’ with Chromium OS. This little device would go for $176…not too bad!

In terms of the bigger picture this news admittedly comes as ‘quite insignificant’ as companies like Freescale and Texas Instruments are not what we, ‘the average consumers’ are concerned about. Rather, we want to hear news about the Dells, HPs, and Acers of this industry.

Even so, what brought my attention to this video is that it seems to me that Chrome OS could play a more pivotal role in bringing everyone onto the Internet (which is of-course Google’s plan). I believe that Chrome OS could transcend the netbook market and could power new platforms such as ‘nettops’. One could be easily plugged into a TV, an existing monitor or a projector. You probably buy one for less than $150!

Of-course nettops already exist, but the more expensive Windows operating system seems to abate their potential not only due to cost, but functionality. Chrome OS will do exactly what nettops are for; going on the internet quickly and cost effectively (just like netbooks…in a way).

It’s therefor a shame to see Google placing all their empasis on pushing Chrome OS into the netbook mark. Even so, one does realize that a nettop may pose some threat to a Google TV set-top box.

If you would like to read more on my ‘vision’ for Chrome OS Nettops (rather than just netbooks), check out this article.

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Authored by Nigel Mabandla

Nigel is the founder of Chrome OS Site and the Chrome OS Network. He is currently studying at Aston University in the UK for a degree in Business Computing IT. Nigel's dream device is a Chrome OS Tablet.

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5 Responses to Chromium OS Demoed On ARM Cortex-A9 platform

Reply

Android to desktop Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 08:46 pm GMT +00:00 at 8:46 pm

Android is too successful and releasing Chrome OS will do nothing more than add another competitor to the OS market.

Google needs to look at what HP is doing with webOS (phone to desktop) and what MeeGo was designed to do (phone to desktop) and make Android scale for all devices properly instead of splitting the developers into Chrome OS developer and Android developers. 100% cloud computing may be on the way but not for most users and not for everyone all the time and Android can certainly help drive adoption of the cloud.

Google needs to realize they have a potential OS winner in Android and refocus their efforts now while Android is hot and get it going on the desktop and take advantage of the available Linux software ecosystem. Or they could keep mucking about as usual trying anything and everything till MS gets Windows 8 out that will scale form phone to desktop then the OS market will be once again owned by MS. . . but hey, maybe Google really wants MS to rule the OS market, who knows.
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Darb Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 05:34 am GMT +00:00 at 5:34 am

Nigel, I agree with your vision – and it seems practical enough that we should see some products this year.
I've tried to create a nettop companion for my Cr-48 using an Atom D510 board from Intel, with twice the threads and twice the SSD as the Cr-48. It cost US$ 275 and performs admirably with Ubuntu Narwhal on it; would be that much better with Chromium OS, much less Chrome OS!
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Ira Thursday, February 17th, 2011 02:42 am GMT +00:00 at 2:42 am

I plan to buy a ChromeOS Nettop and an Android 3 Tablet this year. I need Chrome OS for its security. I do a lot of banking, stock trading and shopping on the internet and I don't feel comfortable with any of the existing OSs. My Nettop will have a 24" screen and a full size keyboard and mouse. I already have an Android phone (HTC Incredible) and a Win7, Core i7 desktop that I will use mostly off-line for software development and photo and video editing. When I travel I will have my phone and tablet. When I am at home I will have my Nettop and my Desktop.
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Paul Thursday, February 17th, 2011 10:35 am GMT +00:00 at 10:35 am

I see Freescale & Texas as very relevant, because at that price, they will be providing the parts that will go into a HP or Dell Chrome os ‘laptop’
Why use expensive Intel devices when a ARM based solution will work at a fraction of the price.
Reply

Ira Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 04:10 pm GMT +00:00 at 4:10 pm

I found the nettop that I want to buy. I hope it supports ChromeOS. It is the CompuLab TrimSlice.
http://www.fit-pc.com/trimslice