14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that there are some people who believe that we might see netbooks running the newly-introduced Cloud OS, developed by Good OS, at CES next month. The new operating system is said to be able to allow users to access simple applications, like Google Apps, in a browser. The company is the developer of the OS used on the sub-$200 desktop PCs sold at Wal-Mart. According to it, its solution is able to leverage the performance levels of operating systems for portable PCs, including Linux and Windows XP, yet it stays away from Vista.
Basically, the Cloud comes as a compressed edition of Linux with a browser built by Good and meant to be used in the netbook environment. The browser enables users to access lightweight Web applications, like Google Apps or Yahoo Mail. Moreover, the OC features support for Internet media formats including Flash for video sites similar to YouTube and MP3 for music downloads. In addition, the OS allows users to load Linux or Windows XP, without the hassle of rebooting. Through a single click in the browser they can switch to either Linux or XP, or turn off the machine.
Evermax's Everex PC2512 gPC, the latest version of a Good-enabled desktop PC, comes with bundled applications, like the Linux-based OpenOffice.org productivity suite, the Skype voice over IP (VoIP), the RhythmBox music management, the Xing audio player, and GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program). In addition, the PC also offers direct links to Google Docs & Spreadsheets, Google Product Search, Blogger, YouTube, and Google Maps.
The Linux-based desktop machine costs under $200, and features a 1.5 GHz Via C7-D processor, 512 MB of RAM, an 80 GB hard drive, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, as well as stereo speakers. The machine allows users to upgrade the memory to 2GB, yet there is no monitor included in the package. Good announced on its site that it planned to work with OEM partners to pack its Cloud OS with features for netbooks. The Cloud would allow PC makers to pre-load it on to the PC hard drive, solid state drive, on-board flash storage, or on CD for end-users to install. The operating system would also come with a range of recovery methods using either CD or hidden partitions.
The company also says that the Cloud could be set up to boot into specific applications, like Skype, instead of entering a Web page. Word on the web has it that netbooks that would feature the new Cloud OS could be spotted at CES next month, although it hasn't been confirmed by the company yet.