Chrome Browser on Android "Ice Cream Sandwich"

My Samsung / Google Nexus S smart phone updated to Android "Ice Cream Sandwich" this week, which means I could take the Android version of the Chrome web browser for a spin as an alternative to the regular Android browser. It works great, with the only limitation being that currently it looks like there is no Adobe Flash support in the Chrome browser for Android ICS.

"The Chrome Book" now live at Udemy

The book "The Chrome Book" is now available as a set of PDF "lectures" at Udemy.

Latest review of "The Chrome Book" on Amazon.com

Did you see the latest very nice review of The Chrome Book (the book) posted on Amazon.com? I just wish someone would redress the balance by posting a similar complimentary review on Amazon.co.uk.

Picnik is closing :-(

In The Chrome Book I  mention Picnik as a web site that allows you to perform -- entirely via the web -- the kind on image manipulation functions that you would normally do via locally installed PC software. Unfortunately, as you might have read on the Picnik web site, it's closing soon :-(

The good news is that you can still use Picnik to fix your pictures until 19 April, and thereafter it should be possible to access similar functionality via Google+. Indeed, the last time I uploaded a photo to Google+ I was presented immediately with the option to crop, resize or otherwise manipulate the image.

The Google Takeout

Entrusting all your data to Google's cloud is all well and good, but what if you want to get it out again? Try the Google Takeout.

The Chromebox Cometh

I'm quite excited about the forthcoming Chrome-powered Chromebox "desktop" computer. I see it as something to plug into the big-screen family TV situated in the communal living room; or as a way of giving my elderly parents a web browsing capability via the TV screen without them realising they are using a "computer".

Maybe the future of the Chrome OS lies with this form factor, but -- of course -- most if not all of the tips and tricks outlined in The Chrome Book will still be relevant to this new form factor. Chrome is Chrome, wherever it sits.

Google persuades Spanish bank BBVA to use the cloud

There's an interesting story over on the UK BBC News web site about Spanish bank BBVA adopting Google docs, Gmail and other "cloud computing" applications. I wonder if they'll be equipping their staff with Chromebooks?

"The Chrome Book" (the book) now at Google Books

Want to see a preview of The Chrome Book (the book) before buying it? Now you can at Google Books.

"The Chrome Book" is now even cheaper!

We've slashed the price of The Chrome Book across all formats (print and e-book) so check out the new prices by following the links here.

Find out if you can move to cloud computing with the Google Chrome browser, Chromebook computers, and the Chrome OS.

Free PDF Edition of "The Chrome Book" for Reviewers

You can imagine how disappointed I was to read the review of "The Chrome Book" posted on Amazon.co.uk at http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/1440490899/

To try and put it right, here is an offer for you. If you tell me via the Contact Form that you are willing to post your own review on Amazon.co.uk, I will send you a free PDF copy to review. There are no catches, you can say what you like in the review as long as you are honest; although of course I hope you rate the value of this book higher than 1 star!

So if you want a free PDF copy to review, contact me now.

Making Money From Cloud Computing

This one is more for investors than technologists, since it questions whether we can make money from the cloud computing trend by investing in Google, Apple or Microsoft stock. But there is some interesting background on Chrome-based cloud computing.

Making Money From Cloud Computing

I can't think who could have written it ;-)

The Chrome Book (Paperback Edition) now listed on Amazon.co.uk

The Chrome Book -- the essential guide to cloud computing with the Google Chrome browser, Chromebook computers, and the Chrome OS -- is now listed on Amazon.co.uk. Don't forget to check out the other formats and vendors here.

Chromebook availability in the UK

Those of you in the UK who have been waiting for Chromebooks to become available will be glad to hear that the Samsung Series 5 Wi-Fi Chromebook (Arctic White) is now in stock at Amazon.co.uk and at PC World (for home delivery only).

The Chrome Book (Paperback Edition) now on Amazon.com

Good news!

The paperback edition of The Chrome Book is now available on Amazon.com.

(and it's the same price as the Kindle e-book edition)

The Chrome Book (Paperback Edition)

The paperback edition of The Chrome Book will become available on Amazon in the coming weeks. If you can't wait, you can buy the paperback edition now from CreateSpace (an Amazon company).

Don't forget that the e-book editions are also available here.

Acer AC700 Chromebook Now Available @ Amazon.com

When I say the Acer AC700 Chromebook is available at Amazon.com, I mean that it can be pre-ordered here in its WiFi-only variant for shipment from 11 July. No word on UK availability and pricing yet, but the Samsung Series 5 WiFi Chromebook should be shipping from Amazon.co.uk from 8 July.

Chrome OS vs. Android

There is some debate about whether Google ever needed to create the Chrome OS when it has the Android operating system for mobile devices. Well, I tried using Android 3.0 as an alternative to the Chrome OS, and I failed.

Don't misunderstand me: I like Android 2.x on my Google Nexus S mobile phone, but I'm not trying to run multiple web browser windows or tabs where each one is very dependent on Adobe Flash. And generally I don't try to use my phone for creating content such as documents and spreadsheets.

This all came to a head when I took delivery of an Asus EeePad Transformer + Docking Keyboard this morning. It's a nice piece of kit, and probably the best Android 3.0 tablet you can buy, but unusually for me I had to return it for a refund the very same day. The web browsing experience -- hey, I'm doing more than 'browsing' -- just isn't up to the standard of the Chrome browser running on a Chromebook or Windows PC.

So you'd like to...

Over on Amazon.com I have created a brief "So you'd like to..." guide:

So you'd like to... start Cloud Computing with Google Chrome

I'll try to expand it when I find the time.

The Chrome Book now available in the Kindle Store and as PDF

You can BUY The Chrome Book PDF via PayPal in $USD or £GBP
You can now BUY The Chrome Book Kindle Edition at Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

The Chrome Book published at Smashwords

The Chrome Book : The Essential Guide to cloud computing with the Google Chrome browser, Chromebook computers, and the Chrome OS

BUY The Chrome Book e-book editions at Smashwords

In May 2011 Google announced to the world that "Chromebooks Are Here!" and promised a new web-centric world where your Chromebook is always connected, your web pages and web apps run efficiently, you get the same experience wherever and whenever you log in, and you don't need to worry about security and backups.

If you're thinking of joining the cloud computing revolution -- with or without a Chromebook -- you'll want to know how to get the most out of the Google Chrome browser, Chrome Web Store, and online applications such as Gmail and Google Docs. And you'll want to hear it from someone who has moved from computer to cloud with Google at the center of his online world.

And the name is...AC700?

The good news is that first edition of The Chrome Book is currently being proofread and is almost ready to be released in e-book formats. The bad news is that we'd really like the name of the Acer Chromebook to settle down before we publish the book. Is it the Acer Chromia, the Acer Cromia, or (now) the Acer AC700? Oh, and I hear it's official that it has been delayed... as if you hadn't noticed. Thank goodness for Samsung!

And the name is...Cromia

Time for a correction to the previous post. According to the Amazon listing and other sources, the Acer-manufactured Chromebook is in fact called the Cromia rather than the Chromia. I think this misspelling caught out quite a few of the early commentators, and it has taught me not to rely on what I read elsewhere.

If you think I'm being very tardy in updating this blog, it's because I'm busy working on Project X, The Chrome Book, which should be available quite soon. Then I'll give this blog the attention it deserves.

And the name is...Chromia

As soon as Google announced the up-coming Chromebook computers it was apparent that the Samsung offerings would be labelled Series 5. The Acer branding was not so obvious at the outset, but now it is clear for all to see that the Acer Chromebooks will be branded Chromia.

Oh, and if you can't wait for the official 'on sale' date for the Chromebooks it looks like some third parties are already selling the Samsung Series 5 on Amazon.

All Quiet, and 3 is the Magic Number

It's all quiet out there isn't it? The announcement that Chromebooks would not become available from these suppliers until 15 June was quite literal. Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk are still showing them as Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available. PC World in the UK appears to have no listing in their on-line catalogue. But we do know that "3" has been selected as the UK 3G data partner, which suits me just fine.

Chromebooks are coming!

Just the other day, Google announced that the first group of much-anticipated Chromebook computers would go on sale in the USA, UK and Europe on 15 June 2011. You will be able to get one from Amazon (among other places) via the links below:

Samsung Series 5 3G Chromebook on Amazon.com

Samsung Series 5 Wi-Fi Chromebook on Amazon.com

Acer 3G Chromebook on Amazon.com

Acer Wi-Fi Chromebook on Amazon.com

Chromebooks on Amazon.co.uk

Those listing have been live for only a short time, yet some of the devices already have reviews.

If you want to know more about the features of these Chrome OS "net books", here is everything you want to know.