That Chrome OS CR-48 netbook Google has sent out to developers and some lucky beta testers has just received an update to R10 release 0.10.156.46. I have been using one off and on for the last few weeks and noticed lag and inconsistency with the trackpad. Last night I did an update and found it was much more responsive. The up and down arrows seemed to be disabled, but they fixed themselves automatically. Google is listening, so if you have a problem let them know. The CR-48 is a testbed and Google is not slacking off when it comes to addressing customer needs. I personally like to mess around in console but have yet to figure out a way to get a package manager installed, anyone have any tips?

These are the most recent updates:

• 3G modem activation fixes
• 3G connection to the carrier fixes
• Wi-Fi connectivity/Out of the Box fixes
• New trackpad and sensitivity setting adjusted
• Auto update engine and debugging improvements
• Power optimizations
• GTalk video/chat optimizations
• Audio CPU utilization improvements
• Improved on screen indicators: brightness, network status, update icon

[via Google Chrome Blog]

The post Google Fixes Chrome OS CR-48 Netbook Trackpad Issues appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Many news sources, most emphatically the Taiwanese Digitimes, are equivocating views of hardware manufacturers shipping Chrome powered netbooks quite soon. And if the rumours are to be believed, those thinking of launching Chrome netbooks include Acer and HP, among many others.

But what catches the eye is the fact that Google itself may have plans of launching the first ARM powered netbook by the end of November (or perhaps early December). Sounds similar? Yes, Google adopted a somewhat similar strategy with its Android powered Google Nexus One.

Talking about the Chrome OS, it surely has one thing to its credit: the fact that it stands on the shoulders of a giant. And looking at the monumental rise in popularity of the Chrome web browser owing to its ease of use and simplicity, there seems to be no plausible reason to doubt the success of Chrome OS. Google have been talking about it as an Operating System, custom-built for the internet surfer keeping the netbooks in mind. Simply put, it means a minimalist environment that provides all (or most) of the functionality of an operating system in a browser-like tabbed interface. Based on a Linux kernel, Chrome OS is expected to resemble the browser in terms of UI.

Apparently, Linux based netbooks haven’t had much success in the past, but this can be attributed to the general users’ apathy towards UNIX. With Google deciding to ride the bandwagon, the scene is surely bound to change towards good.

The post Google Chrome netbooks are coming appeared first on Mobile Magazine.