Google preparing 'Campfire' Windows on Chromebook feature

[HEXUS]

But your machine will need at least 40GB of fixed storage for the feature to work.

Read more.

[excalibur1814]

Breathes in... exhales while whispering, "Just buy a windows machine!"

[philehidiot]

I'm really unsure why you'd spend this much on Chromebook. Surely it was designed as a low oomph OS which didn't require high end parts and if you need software that requires it, surely it'll be requiring Windows? I can understand a decent keyboard and a good screen but wasn't a Chromebook designed as an alternative to a netbook for basic office and browsing tasks on the move?

What is it I'm missing? A Chromebook runs everything in the browser, yes? This means you can spend the same money on a Windows machine and still get the Chromebook experience by downloading Chrome, right? And also get the flexibility of a device that will... actually function when the internet breaks? A cheap Chromebook makes absolute sense to me, an expensive one doesn't at all.

If anyone can correct me or educate me as to the point in this product, I'd be grateful as I feel like I'm totally missing the point.

[peterb]

If anyone can correct me or educate me as to the point in this product, I'd be grateful as I feel like I'm totally missing the point.

Maybe the point is for enhanced activity/location tracking by Google? (in the light of this https://forums.hexus.net/hexus-news/...urned-off.html)

[philehidiot]

Maybe the point is for enhanced activity/location tracking by Google? (in the light of this https://forums.hexus.net/hexus-news/...urned-off.html)

That's what the tiny RFID chips they're putting in the 'flu jabs are for. They're targeting over 65s with the jab because they're less likely to have smartphones so need tracking and the mercury (which they use for an antenna) is less likely to give them autism. Literally, the only way you can avoid this is with an Info Wars(TM) brand tin foil hat.

[peterb]

My tinfoil hat is custom made!

[scaryjim]

... What is it I'm missing? A Chromebook runs everything in the browser, yes? This means you can spend the same money on a Windows machine and still get the Chromebook experience by downloading Chrome, right? ....

Wrong. Well, mostly. Chrome OS does run it's apps in what is essentially a sandboxed Chrome browser session, yes. But you can't get anything like a Chromebook experience running desktop Chrome on Windows*. It is a sufficiently distinct OS for people to notice the difference, and for some people to develop a preference for Chrome OS. Sure, in practical terms you can get something very similar by installing Chrome on Windows, Mac (OS X and iOS) and even Linux, but the experience won't be the same.

It's that experience that also opens up the market for devices at a range of price points; if enough people like Chrome OS, there's a good chance some of those people will want premium Chrome OS devices (just like there's a market for budget and premium Android devices). Chrome OS is not now, and tbh never really was, about price. It's about integration with Google's ecosystem. And company CEOs can make use of that just as much as kids and grandparents.

*As a little addenda: when Windows 8 and it's Metro UI came out, a 'Windows 8' mode was added to Chrome that essentially launched a Chrome OS UI in a Metro app. I played with it a bit and it was kind of fun. Looks like it was discontinued a couple of years ago, though.

[philehidiot]

Wrong. Well, mostly. Chrome OS does run it's apps in what is essentially a sandboxed Chrome browser session, yes. But you can't get anything like a Chromebook experience running desktop Chrome on Windows*. It is a sufficiently distinct OS for people to notice the difference, and for some people to develop a preference for Chrome OS. Sure, in practical terms you can get something very similar by installing Chrome on Windows, Mac (OS X and iOS) and even Linux, but the experience won't be the same.

It's that experience that also opens up the market for devices at a range of price points; if enough people like Chrome OS, there's a good chance some of those people will want premium Chrome OS devices (just like there's a market for budget and premium Android devices). Chrome OS is not now, and tbh never really was, about price. It's about integration with Google's ecosystem. And company CEOs can make use of that just as much as kids and grandparents.

*As a little addenda: when Windows 8 and it's Metro UI came out, a 'Windows 8' mode was added to Chrome that essentially launched a Chrome OS UI in a Metro app. I played with it a bit and it was kind of fun. Looks like it was discontinued a couple of years ago, though.

Cheers, that does make a little more sense now.