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Google To Offer Chrome OS Notebooks For $20/month
An anonymous reader writes "Hot on the heels of the $25 ARM computer, Google is to offer a $20 per month package for students, which includes a Chrome OS laptop (like the Cr-48) and an online component, which will likely include a storage bump for a user's Google Docs, Gmail, Picasa Web, and Google Music files. This would serve two purposes for Google: first, Google will be able to expand its existing user base for Chrome OS. For half the price of a typical cell phone contract, students will be able to pick up a netbook with 3G connectivity. Second, Google will be able to test the package offering publicly prior to eventually adding an enterprise version for Google Apps users."
Sure, if you believe you're losing nothing of value by granting Google access to all of your data, as well as a transferable, non-revokable, worldwide license-in-perpetuity to exploit all of your data as they see fit, it'll be totally free.
But honestly, with this plan, you're already granting Google a frightening level of control and access into every facet of your data... and paying them $20 a month for the privilege. I suspect Google will keep charging people a nominal fee, simply because they can.
Wait, no, I meant to say, "Yay Google, everything Google does is for the benefit of mankind because they mouth trite platitudes about not being evil. If they say it, they MUST mean it!"
No. Canada does not need flying moose.
But Moose needs Flying Squirrel!
Why is it so hard to only have politicians for a few years, then have them go away?
The second largest nation on earth.
Canada is above the US in every possible way.
Yes, and it is worth more that US currency.
I know you were trying to be funny... Try harder next time.
If I were God, wouldn't I protect my churches from acts of me?
I think you're missing something important with this.
It's $20/month/user for K12 and College, and $28/month/user for businesses. With this you get an auto-upgrading OS, warrenty and support, and hardware upgrades as the hardware gets old. So in 2-3 years when your current laptops are old, they will send you new ones for all your users. Because everything is stored online, the upgrade is nearly seamless for the users.
As well, this includes "domain" management for all the laptops you buy this way. As an IT admin, you manage all the laptops you get this way, setting up users, policies, and other junk that IT admins have to deal with.
This is a lot more than a stand alone laptop.
(Note: I'm at Google IO right now and I'm getting one of these things for free, so I may be influenced by the magic).
Its not what it is, its something else.