Google in ambitious Chrome move

In what is being seen as an ambitious pilot programme for Google's forthcoming Chrome OS, the company says it is distributing nearly 65 000 unbranded Cr-48 laptops running the Chrome OS, reveals Top News.

Though neither the implication nor the goal of the pilot programme is clear, the report says, the exceptionally sophisticated strategy adopted by Google essentially aims at building reputation as well as momentum for an operating system that is still nearly six months from release; and apparently not likely to replace any leading operating system presently available on the market.

The almost 65 000 people who will get to lay their hands on the Cr-48 notebook - a 12-inch laptop running an Intel Atom processor - will include users from different walks of life; thereby underscoring that the notebook will be used for a wide array of tasks; including routine tasks, along with enthusiast computing and hacking.

Toyota Motors, Daimler AG and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG are turning to laptops for a cheaper way to power their electric cars - and their sales, says Delaware Online.

Automakers are testing packs of lithium-ion batteries assembled by Silicon Valley start-up Tesla Motors that cost less than bigger, car-only batteries favoured by General Motors, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motor.

A pack of 6 831 cylinder-shaped cells made by Panasonic powers Tesla's $109 000 Roadster sports car for up to 245 miles per charge.

Acer is pushing a new series of devices in the booming market for tablet computers, reports Monsters and Critics.

The company will have to compete with the existing giant in the field, Apple's iPad. The Taiwanese manufacturer is offering three new tablet PCs as well as the Iconica, a tablet-style computer with two screens. Tablet devices are notable for their user interfaces, which focus on touch displays.

The first two of the new tablets are still lacking a name but are going to appear running Google's Android mobile operating system and featuring seven- and 10.1-inch screens, respectively. A third device, also poised to come with a 10.1-inch display, will run on Microsoft's Windows OS.