[chromeME]

I am wondering how the chromebooks will handle their version control? will the manufacturers have any control over it? if so, I think the product is doomed to Android's style of version fragmentation. For example, a lot of Android phones are still running version 2.1 and 2.2, even though 2.3.4 is already out... but the carriers haven't upgrade their users phones yet.

I think chromebook has to avoid this by doing wi-fi upgrades FROM google... not from Acer/Samsung or Verizon. It has be direct from google with no interference.

 

[cjm337]

I am in complete agreement. I found the that on my Archos 101 tablet that there were many bugs, and I found that the OS itself was rather slow. I still love it, but there will always be some issues. I think it would be a good idea though (and this is on top of what you said about upgrades) if Google posted the OS updates directly through google.com

 

[6sigma]

if Google posted the OS updates directly through google.com

Cr-48 users have control over whether we choose the stable, beta or development branch of the ChromeOS. We also have control over whether we choose to jailbreak the computer and use a USB stick or other dual-boot scheme. However, we do not have control over which version of ChromeOS runs on the Cr-48. Google updates the OS automatically.

 

[Pete]

I am wondering how the chromebooks will handle their version control? will the manufacturers have any control over it? if so, I think the product is doomed to Android's style of version fragmentation. For example, a lot of Android phones are still running version 2.1 and 2.2, even though 2.3.4 is already out... but the carriers haven't upgrade their users phones yet.

I think chromebook has to avoid this by doing wi-fi upgrades FROM google... not from Acer/Samsung or Verizon. It has be direct from google with no interference.

That's the advantage with Chrome. Google updates the system automatically. All apps work on the browser so there should never be an fragmentation at all. For people with Chrome OS installed themselves (not pre-installed from a Google partner) the same should be true.

 

[omosh]

I concur about the updates occurring automatically. In that case I do not anticipate any sort of version update hitches. The automation bit is the beauty of the whole Chromebook concept.

 

[samDodrill]

When you get a Linux nerd in there, stuff breaks. I like Chrome OS because if stuff does break, you can effortlessly revert. My netbook will always work. My laptop not as much.

 

[Droymac]

Given the fact that Chromebooks aren't meant to (or capable of) running client software, I don't see any issues arising. I believe any and all Chromebooks will remain pure Chrome OS.

 

[fred]

There is a big difference between a cellular carriers slow updates resulting in fragmentation and a computer update. I really do not think there is anything to worry about there.

 

[alee]

I found this in the references in the Wikipedia article on Chrome OS: High-Level Developer FAQ - The Chromium Projects

What it seems to come down to is that "Chrome OS" is trademarked by Google, and to use the name, hardware manufacturers have to give Google a significant amount of control, including automatic updates. Chromium OS is open source and doesn't automatically update.