Chromebooks!!! Are They Really Worth It?

"Chromebook is ,essentially,  a slightly larger android-based tablet with a physical keyboard" 

     thats what I used to say when I worked for best buy during this past holiday season. 

     as the chromebook continues to retain its popularity. im inclined to stick to my statement. 

        for those who aren't familiar, the chromebook is a google product that provided a mid-spec ranged device that was comparable to the macbook air in size but tremendously easier on the wallet. currently....Samsung,  Hewlett Packard,  and Acer are the current hardware providers for these devices.
      I,  myself, have a samsung chomebook., and ever since the untimely, however foreseen , death of my motorola xoom familiy edition (death by getting stepped on) my chromebook has been a welcomed replacement to a tablet that I hardly used anyway.  when my tablet was alive, I simply used it for emails, a few games here and there, but mostly netflix. lol with that being said the transition for me wasn't very hard.

      I use my chromebook for my blogs, since I find it so much easier to type via physical keyboard rather that the on screen counterpart.

 

So whats the big difference you say?

       well other than the gigantic price gap, the specs pose a significant difference, i suppose. for example the samsung chromebook has a dual core processor (as seen in most older tablet devices, and no its not terribly slow) and is equipped with a 16gb solid state hard-drive (for quick boot-up and saving). which makes it a more than adequate substitute for a tablet, or even a laptop.

        it boots up in less than 30 seconds and as soon as  you type in your password, you are good to go. and there are no moving parts inside so overheating is not an issue.

       now, as with any device, everything has a drawback, missing feature or ability that other devices have.

        now with chromebooks,  you cannot install external programs, iTunes (and other programs that require installation)  for example, cannot be installed on one of these devices, instead google has provided an application store specifically for chromebooks to give you more of an exclusive experience with applications. games are available offline however.

        another "con" or drawback about the chromebooks is that there is no cd/dvd rom drive. so no burning cd's or watching hard copy movies...

the final drawback about the chromebooks is that EVERYTHING is done ONLINE, there is little to no activity that can be accomplished without an internet connection. 

           The Greatest "Pro" about these chromebook style devices is the price!

     My samsung chromebook only cost me $268 (after taxes) much less expensive than the apple alternative, and some android tablets, which, for me, was a deal breaker.

       There are many variations of chromebooks out now, ranging from $199 to $1299. low to high end of course. So head on over to the Google Play Store, and check them all out and see if a chromebook could be a replacement device for you as it was for me, or a quality gift for that college student, relative or close friend! with Christmas coming up. i cant imagine many that would be disappointed with a gift like this.  

well, these have been your technological announcements for Thursday September 26, 2013

please govern yourselves accordingly

remember to comment and leave suggestions!

i could always use topics.

until next time

AwkwardlyNormal

Google Project Loon

would you believe me if i told you that almost half the world does not have access to the internet.

what if i told you that google intends to provide internet of the entire world..

yes i said "over"

, and i said the "entire world"!

google has invented the idea to attach internet broadcast devices to...wait for it.....balloons! thats right balloons!

    these balloons will be strategically launched into the stratosphere, well above air traffic and weather conditions.  however they will be steered into the right direction by the wind currents that encompass the earth, the stratosphere is quite useful in that way..

i suppose the big question is, whats the point?

with an antenna on top of your home or place of business (possibly car, in the near future) you can receive a signal from these balloons and have a faster, more reliable source of internet, rather than depending on "sometimey" carriers, that may or may not be truly reliable as they claim! but now, more about the balloons! lol

now these balloons will be in proximity to more balloons, so that they can continue  to transmit a strong and seamless internet experience ( a netflix users dream!) 

i can hear your thoughts now, 

what if the balloon goes down? 

what if they run into a plane?

how many are already up there? 

how are they powered?

will they stay up there forever?

well, if a balloon is compromised, they are equipped with a parachute and a foam base to allow for safe retrieval, so don't plan on stealing one if it falls in your back yard by mistake..google WILL find you. lol

as mentioned earlier, the balloons are twice as high as all air traffic, wildlife and all dangerous weather conditions

currently 30 of these balloons are already in operation above new zealand's south island, these balloons were launched in june of 2013.

these balloons are towing little boxes that transmit the internet signal to an antenna receiver, these boxes are also equipped with solar energy collectors, and because of the balloons height, they have unlimited access to the suns rays to store energy in batteries that allow for night time operation

now these balloons are said to last for 100+ days at a time, (im assuming they are systematically replaced in manner that leaves some coverage in the sky while the cavalry is being sent in.)

i am also going to go ahead and assume that google is prioritizing Project Loon devices to areas that are not yet endowed with internet service like america is currently enjoying. and no, Project Loon has not reached the united states yet, but if it does.....

it would definitely mean trouble for popular domestic internet carriers, possibly even mobile technology. Google Project Loon could very well change the way we use the internet, the way we connect with others, even the way we socialize. 

can you imagine having wifi access every where you go? like everywhere? continuous access to the internet. all the time.....in every spot on the planet. 

its definitely alot to think about. 

maybe it wont become this crucial, maybe project loon will fail in its infancy. 

but if it succeeds......

well check it out for yourselves

http://www.google.com/loon/

well thats all if have for today

these have been your technological announcements for thursday september 19 2013 (sorry im a day late)

please govern yourselves accordingly! 

dont forget to leave comments and suggestions

i can always use more topics, even though i should be good until christmas lol

Until Next Time

AwkwardlyNormal