Google To Launch Chrome Laptops This Summer
2011年5月12日 - 3:27AM
Dow Jones News
Google Inc. (GOOG) introduced laptops based on its Chrome
operating system that will go on sale this summer, the Internet
giant's most significant effort to date to influence the computer
hardware market.
Google said the laptops, dubbed "Chromebooks," will be available
to purchase on June 15, and plans to ship the computers to seven
countries. Customers will be able to purchase Chromebooks through
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) and Best Buy Co. (BBY).
Sundar Pichai, who runs Google's Chrome efforts, made the
announcement at the company's annual gathering for developers in
San Francisco, called "Google I/O."
Google's foray into laptops represents part of its attempt to
expand its influence beyond the Web. The Internet search giant
began making consumer and business-oriented devices three years ago
when it released the first handsets running its Android mobile
operating system. Android has since become a smartphone phenomenon,
taking on Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.'s
(RIMM) BlackBerry.
Google said Chromebooks will be manufactured by Acer Inc.
(2353.TW) and Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.SE, SSNHY). The
devices will begin at $349, with higher prices depending on
features such as cellular Internet access. Google also said the
laptops will start up within eight seconds and will not require any
virus protection.
Chromebooks will also be made available to businesses and
education customers for a regular fee, which will include
replacements and upgrades over time. Businesses will be charged $28
per user monthly while educational customers will pay $20 per user
per month.
-By Ian Sherr, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-439-6455;
ian.sherr@dowjones.com