Netbook OS Wars: ChromeOS vs. Windows 7 vs. ???
The next great battle for domination over Operating Systems for netbook and smaller class devices is upon us. Chrome OS vs Windows 7, with a few others like Moblin, Jolicloud, Android, and a couple other flavors of Linux out in the wild. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming months and years, especially with the next generation of hardware due out.
The Atom and Ion processors are game changing chips helping to fuel this (r)evolution. I believe the Intel Atom, Moorestown, and Medfield processors will be as important, if not more important than the original Pentiums.
I've been hacking around with netbook class hardware for about 9 months and have a multitude of netbooks, nettops, and I just recently completed the buildout of 5 new Atom-based desktops that each cost $191. The Intel N280 chip that is powering the Asus Eee 1005HA that I'm typing this on is an amazing chip that only consumes 2.5 watts of power. Pretty cool to see my battery meter say "10 hours" of life left. This is also made possible with innovations in energy efficient backlit LED technology.
I see this as the beginning of a new wave of innovation in software, hardware, and computing in general. It opens the door for developers and engineers to rethink the traditional Human Computer Interaction (HCI) patterns. In the coming months and years, sw and hw platforms like ChromeOS, Windows 7, Atom, Ion, and Medfield will drive more pervasive computing models helping bring access to more and more people and an entire new class of small, powerful, smart, always-connected devices.
With announcements recently from Nokia about plans to use the forthcoming Intel Moorsetown and Medfield processor line for its next line of smartphones and similar mobile devices, it's only a matter of time before the floodgates open to a whole new class of smart always-connected internet devices.
I'm very excited about using all this shiny new hw and sw tech to tackle some really hard problems.
- ∞ +
Moblin, Jolicloud, now Google Chrome OS
So just as I was getting ready to do some serious netbook hackery using one of several assorted Asus Eee 1000HE netbooks, the Eee Top touchscreen nettop, or the swanky new Eee 1005HA which is by far the coolest netbook I've used so far.
So what does this mean? It means that I've got a new arsenal of APIs, protocols, devices, browsers, and OSs to build the next gen HCI with.
I'm talking auto, home, mobile geekery. Embedded, wearable, you name it. Combine this with what's coming in the latter part of 2010 with the Intel Medfield line of 32nm Atom chips, and we are talking about some serious new classes of computing devices. Something in between the current generation of smartphones like the iPhone 3GS, HTC Hero/Ion and the size of my new 1005HA netbook. I'm with Arrington on this one. Screw software, I want to get into the HW biz and build cool new gadgets for specific use cases that are all in the $150 price range.
I just proved that you can build full featured Atom-based desktops for $191. If we can do that with today's generation of hw/sw, just think what will be possible with all this new crap.
That's why I'm so excited about things like Atom, Medfield, Wave, Android, Moblin, Jolicloud, Boxee, and now, Chrome OS.
Exciting times ahead I think . Onward.
Streaming LIVE ALL WEEKEND from my rooftop in Eastlake, Seattle, WA USA
Happy 4th of July!!! We'll be streaming live all weekend. Come join in the fun and watch the fireworks over Lake Union. This stream has a pretty clear view of the fireworks barge.
The hashtag for this party/event is #july4eastlake and we'll also entertain the Friendfeed crew in this new group I just created: http://friendfeed.com/july4eastlake
Everything is falling into place for the 3nd Annual Eastlake Associates Tenant Appreciation BBQ & Fireworks Extravaganza. Here are the details.
When: July 4, 2008, 12pm - ???
Where: 2218 Franklin Ave East, Seattle, WA 98102 USA (Lake Union)
What: A party of course. BBQ, drinks, food, & FUN!
Food: Assorted burgers, hot dogs, skirt steak (for carne asada), salmon, chips, dips, cherries,. Don’t see anything you like, then bring you’re own.
Drinks: BYOB - I'll have some beer, wine, soda, but highly suggest you bring your own if you're going to be hitting the sauce hard this weekend.
What to expect:
* Great people, food, drinks, etc. You’ve heard of “block party”. This more like “neighborhood party”. There are pretty much parties at every house for a 10 square block area. Riley hosts the infamous party down on Minor St. - this year I think they have water slides planned and I'm sure they'll be doing other assorted craziness.
* Fireworks - all day, all night. For the big event, those brave enough can climb the ladder and get on top of my roof for an UNABATED view of Lake Union, the fireworks barge, and Gasworks park. It’s insane ...the view. I’ll be streaming it live on UStream and also recording some HD video.
* Tons of traffic. If you want to come early, it is highly suggested. Street parking fills up by about 2pm. I have no off street parking available, so if you can use public transit or ride a bike, that’s the best way to get around.
* They close the streets to through traffic for like 10 square blocks around my neighborhood so don’t count on being able to take the side streets.
* If you are planning to stay and watch the fireworks, plan on staying LATE. If you thought it was bad getting into Eastlake, wait till you try to get OUT. There’s no rush, so if you are planning on driving down and then driving back, expect to get out no earlier than 1am.
I think that’s about it. If you are in Seattle and in the Eastlake neighborhood, I highly recommend you stop by and at least say hello. Great old article on Eastlake Community / neighborhood - http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19910425&slug=1279531
Call me on my mobile @ 206.227.8535 if you have any questions or get lost.
Happy 4th Everyone! Despite what everyone else around the world thinks of US, I am still DAMN proud to be an AMERICAN.