Google Chromebook ‘Ready When You Are’
Big move from Google and I really like it a lot at first glance. I like the way they are not going with Android as an IOS but looking to develop their browser - smart and brave move. The tagline ‘Ready When You Are’ says it all - this is preemptive move about the future of how people use their laptops, mobiles tablets etc. Will be so interesting to see how it goes. Personally I think this technology and approach will really come into its own when HTML5 is fully integrated and functional (giving the browser more of the functionality of current operating systems) AND when 4G/LTE is fully operational so you can actually use the thing to its potential on the go. My only slight concern is hardware and how Google play in this world. A colleague of mine, and I like this, says as cloud-access software becomes ubiquitous it becomes more of a utility, as invisible as your gas mains - all you see and know is content and hardware. From a consumer perspective what matters is content, which is covered, and hardware which is both key to experience AND symbol of status. What I’m thinking is Google are positioned in this utility space, which is fine, but in many ways they are relying on the hardware producers to deliver their desired brand experience. HTC managed to pull it off with Android (although there not as good a user experience as an iphone) but can Acer and Samsung via laptops really help deliver this ‘new thought’. Can they create the desirability and experience for Google big move to sit on? …look forward to finding out.
