I remember how computers use to make our lives easy by the simple fact that a company like Microsoft made a operating system that was on 90 percent of the computers in the world. Programs and files would run on every computer that a user might have in their home or at work. Most people took the time to learn how to drive their computers down the super information highway without much concern for privacy or security, but as the internet evolves, so has the surfing habits. Google, a large search engine company, has decided it’s in your best interest that you use a new device designed exclusively by them. What does this mean? You can throw any number of conspiracy theories at this and most would fit. WHAT? that’s right I said conspiracy theory. Well maybe not a theory but more like a reality. The Cr-48 prototype computer that Google sent to me, and planted like a bomb on my front door via UPS, was an interesting surprise that turned into lackluster design approach, and candy like marketing trying to convince me that this would take care of all my internet and computer needs.

Included with the Prototype unit was an invitation to a community group spammed by Google, which killed my inbox for a few hours, but oh the excitement!, I soon realized that the people in the group where more concerned with the  free stickers and t-shirts rather then the production value and beta testing of the unit. I had the unit for about two weeks and then all of a sudden it  just broke, so I tried the restore instructions, but these were available to only Linux and Macintosh users. Well I knew I should get in touch with a Chrome Ninja as they are called, to get a fix for the unit. I set up a callback for a Google Chrome team member and everything went fine until I got the call..  this guy, this Google employee, was… well.., just plain rude, but I stuck the call out anyway, and to the end a replacement unit was sent.

I think that doing everything within a internet appliance like the Cr-48 might be good for people who never really wanted a computer or just consume content like email, Facebook, Youtube and or whatever is surf-able on the internet. But for most people I think they want a real computer with real power, that allows them to run desktop applications, games, music collections, movies, along with content creation that does not always include the internet.  So I guess the Cr-48 prototype and coming other devices will just be more junk for 3rd world countries to dismantle and savage.

Google has convinced itself that Chrome Os units will be the big hit with the  lowest common denominator of internet consumer, and that just might be what Google is counting on. Google says they can replace the unit for about $30 us dollars if  broken and no worries about your data cause it’s stored in the cloud.  But what if you don’t have a wifi connection or the internet is down? I can say I have had this experience with a cloud device like the Cr-48, which  leaves you with one choice, rubbing sticks together to make fire for your campsite hotdogs.  My prediction for the ChromeOS Device is that this could be by far the biggest blunder for a Google project of all time. My number one question that still stands is how is Google going to stack this up against Android which has the same consumer market thats been fulfilled?   I’m not sold.

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