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This week, Google announced their cloud music service, called Music Beta, that provides online storage of 20,000 songs to be played on computers and Android devices. (See, Google News: Is Your Music Going to the Cloud?) Amazon launched its online music service earlier this year and Apple is expected to announce theirs later this year.
Having your music in the cloud means that you can play your music from any computer that has Internet access and from compatible devices. Are these developments exciting to you or of no interest at all? Let us know in the poll below:
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Google News
During the second and final day of Google’s I/O meeting yesterday, they announced the launch of the Chrome laptop, the Chromebook, which will operate almost exclusively via the Internet. The laptops, initially manufactured by Samsung and Acer, will retail for between $349-$429 for purchase and be available for rent to businesses, educational institutions and the government for $20-$29 per month. Chromebooks will be available beginning June 15 at electronics retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon.
Chromebooks will turn on in eight seconds and the battery life will range from six to eight hours. Chromebooks come with a free two year data plan from Verizon that provides 100mb of data, with those needing more data paying for monthly data plans. The usefulness of Chromebooks when offline will be limited to a few apps, including Google Docs.
The lucky developers attending yesterday’s meeting were given free Chromebooks to take home. So far, only one has made it onto eBay: Chromebook eBay Listing
Here is an entertaining YouTube video from Google introducing Chromebooks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVqe8ieqz10
Angry Birds
Perhaps the best news coming out of Google’s I/O meeting is that you can now play Angry Birds on your computer. That’s right, the best selling game on the iPhone and Android can now be played by anyone with a PC or Mac. Here is the link to start playing now: Angry Birds Online. Just don’t let Mike Tyson catch you playing!
What are your thoughts on computing in the cloud? Are you excited about Angry Birds coming to your computer? Let us know in the Comments section below!
*Image by snarkygurl
Maybe i’m a bit paranoid, but i don’t like this Google Cloud thing. Now: your music, next: your personal info.
Hi Jocuri, Welcome back to The Wonder of Tech. You are not alone in being hesitant in adopting Google’s cloud technology. Check out this article from PC World on why you should resist purchasing a Chromebook: Chromebook: Are You Really Ready to Marry Google?
Hi Jens, Welcome back to The Wonder of Tech! I completely understand how you might want to preserve your privacy and not “check in” as you visit different venues. But if you want to take advantage of the Foursquare deals, you could always register with a different name so no one would know who you were. I also suggest using a picture of something other than your face.
Last week I bought an Android phone from Radio Shack (Smart and Cheap!) and got 20% off by checking in with Foursquare, saving $50. Other customers in the store were very interested in Foursquare when they overheard the clerk telling me about my savings.
Hi Carolyn,
I had a look around you blogs. I was in the middle of writing a blog and my brain froze! 🙂 I won’t be getting a Chromebook – imagine letting Google know all the stuff I write – nightmare. I didn’t find anything to convince me to get an Android phone either, I was considering one. I looked for info on USB sockets on televisions. I keep getting conflicting information. I want to do slide shows of my photos on TV as well as my laptop and digital photo frame. I am considering getting a TV for my bedroom. I watch TV in bed on my laptop; but Windows 7 doesn’t like TV tuners and it doesn’t record because I can’t get the driver from the Chinese company. One of my Chinese students tried and she couldn’t download it either and she speaks the language!
I’m glad I gave up on technology for writing! 🙂
Hi Mike, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! A tech solution to your issue might be for you to get a Slingbox (See, TV Fan? This Sling Is for You!). A Slingbox would be much cheaper than a tv and would enable you to watch your shows from anywhere you have an internet connection. You can access your recorded shows or watch live tv on your laptop that way.
Don’t give up on tech, just come to The Wonder of Tech with your tech questions! 😉 Thank you for your visit and your comment.